Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

Just a few tidbits this morning.

From Goffon Rugby (subscription required):

• Women's College Player of the Year: Olivia Anglade
• Women's Forward of the Year: Tina Nesburg
• Women's U19 Player of the Year: Tess Kohanski
• West Point Rugby Receives $10M Donation from Jon and Patti Prusmack (also recently purchased Goffon Rugby)

2007 Fort Lauderdale Ruggerfest (from my inbox this morning)

• 31st Annual Tournament
• February 24-25, 2007
• Contact them at Ruggerfest@ftlrugby.com or call Tournament Director Alex Sharland at (954) 401-0717.

2007 Mardi Gras Tournament

• I can't shamelessly promote this tournament enough. The men's and women's team were devastated along with the whole state when Hurricane Katrina hit. They are literally building a new foundation and can use all the help we can give.
• Let me know if your team is planning on attending, the Valkyries have it on our schedule.
• February 17-18, 2007 in Gretna, LA
  
• Entry fee is $400 per team
  
• Email for more details- Jennifer Doucette at jellifreak@prodigy.net

Oklahoma Rugby Camp

• January 12-14, 2007 in Norman, OK
  
• Youth, High School and College teams are encouraged to attend.
• Coach Development Program and Referee Clinics
  

I was watching a match on the Internet this morning and they used instant replay. I had heard this was in use...but was just interested enough to do a little research:

• From Wikipedia: Instant replay has been widespread in rugby for many years, especially rugby league. Replay calls can vary from the correct grounding of a ball at a try or to decide whether or not a player is onside before they catch the ball, when they score. The decision is made by video replay referee, who takes his place in the stand of the host team. He either tells the pitch referee by radio link-up or by the use of a big screen during televised matches. Unlike in the NFL, a coach cannot challenge a call made by the pitch referee.
• There's a lot of discussion over whether its a good thing or a bad thing. What's your opinion?

Coming to you LIVE...from my gym...and TYPING WITH TWO HANDS! Hell yes baby!

Sadly, yes I am at work. We are a little short-staffed this week and I figured I would help out and bite the bullet and work a Saturday. GASP...all you M-Fers...I know. Some people do work on the weekends. And hell, rugby is out for another two weeks or so, why not make some extra money?

Nothing really rugby related to blog about this morning...I could blog about one subject, but that would involve way to many curse words, mainly about the damn schedule. Love the WEST! Thanks guys!

So back to the hand...I know you're dying to hear about it. I will have pics up soon. So my hand didn't atrophy that much, but is of course very stiff. I am going to physical therapy next week for my first visit. They will be making me a stiff plastic splint, my doctor was funny..."So you can play rugby!" I neglected to tell him that I play scrumhalf and that having a hard plastic cast over my index and middle finger will basically negate me from playing. Not to mention the hard part of the cast...pretty sure that's illegal.

And they gave me a temporary splint to wear until my PT appointment, pretty sure I haven't worn it once. How am I supposed to be getting stronger if I'm stuck in a splint? So yeah, supposed to be wearing that thing for like half the day. Oops!

So in the land of Austin, TX, more specifically South Austin Gym...drinking some Starbucks and eating a banana loaf. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Peace.

I get my cast off today!!

I am so so so ready for this, the cast has been cumbersome, annoying and painstaking when it came to daily tasks. But who am I kidding, it was all for the healing process correct?

For those that are just tuning in..I broke my hand on November 18, playing rugby in a motley match. I had gone in a ruck to pick the ball and emerged on the weak side. When I first chose sides, I chose the weak side because I saw only a wing...alas a hooker (only relevant because of her small, but strong stature) was there. I stiff-armed her in the face (unintentional...small stature remember?) and ripped out half of her eyelashes. I felt a popping sensation but just thought I had broke my pointer finger or dislocated my knuckle.

Of course it was worse as I soon discovered when I tried to continue the game. I could feel the bones moving when I ran! So I had surgery on November 28...and will get my cast off today!!!

So a few weeks of physical therapy and I should be good. Now the fear: I'm a scrumhalf. I'm a rugby player. I need my hands. Bottom-line. I worked all season on my left-handed pass, throwing the ball against that chain-link fence for hours. Visualizing my fly-half's hands...only to have to start over again.

I have been anticipating this moment for weeks and as my prop warned me yesterday...I had better take it easy at first. My hand won't be ready to do everything I want to do.

So wish me luck ruggers.

My counter rolled over 2,000 a couple of days ago...Thanks for all the visits!

So I visited the fam in Corpus Christi and I brought Jake along with me. He's my 16 month old Weimeraner/Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. He is very very active and loves to be chased. Greg and I caught this video of Dad chasing Jake. Greg is taping..and we both provide the background noise/distractions.

It's cute!

So the trip to Corpus Christi to see the parentals has been relaxing, interesting and slightly like stepping into fantasy land.

It all began Saturday when my little brother asked me to go to an Airsoft game with him. I had heard him talk about this before, but here is a rough definition from Wikipedia: Airsoft refers to a sport or recreational pastime in which players participate in the simulation of military- or law enforcement-style combat using smoothbore airsoft guns designed as replicas of real firearms.

So my little brother basically plays with replica guns for fun on the weekend. I wasn't sure I agreed with the whole idea, but I will try anything once. We arrived at the abandoned warehouse they have gotten permission to use from the local police. I was expecting a rag-tag group of teenagers...but was surprised when middle-aged men and small children were the norm. We are talking 6 year olds that can handle a gun better than me!! However the weather was horrible so the gamers just shot glass out of the windows of the warehouse and my little bro and I left. An experience to say the least.

Fantasy Land

Enter the 12 Hallmark/Lifetime movies that were shown over the course of three days. My parents recently purchased a DVR and then consequently have been recording every crappy made-for-tv movie ever made. No wonder I grew up believing that all love needed was a little magic. That if you apologized after ruining some one's life, they instantly forgave you and you fell in love. I'm kind of afraid that when I enter the real world tomorrow, I will take a bit of Hallmark and Lifetime with me. I guess that's not such a bad thing...it could be worse!

Other than that seeing the family was nice...a good few days of relaxation. Much deserved!

The Adventures of Jake

I brought Jake along with me on this trip...and it was a learning experience. Jake is a 16 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback/Weimaraner mix.

This first picture is a drawing of a Weimaraner...notice the large ears and chest, Jake definitely has those.

Weimaraner Breed Standard
(From AKC.ORG)
Sporting Group

General Appearance
A medium-sized gray dog, with fine aristocratic features. He should present a picture of grace, speed, stamina, alertness and balance. Above all, the dog's conformation must indicate the ability to work with great speed and endurance in the field.

The second picture is of a Rhodesian Ridgeback...notice the powerful stance and large paws, more of Jake's attributes.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard
(From AKC.ORG)
Hound Group

General Appearance
The Ridgeback represents a strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical and balanced in outline. A mature Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding and athletic dog, capable of great endurance with a fair (good) amount of speed. Of even, dignified temperament, the Ridgeback is devoted and affectionate to his master, reserved with strangers. The peculiarity of this breed is the ridge on the back. The ridge must be regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed.

I learned a few things about Jake this weekend. I have grown so used to him being glued to my side...he is very loyal and obedient...that I forgot that he can be in the way. My mom kept complaining about he likes to lay in the kitchen when she is cooking. Yes, as my roommates can attest, you become quite good at balancing hot pans while stepping over Jake.

He is also afraid of most men and that includes my little brother and my dad. Dad tried very hard to warm Jake up including taking him in walks, playing ball and even chasing him, but Jake was still weary.

Overall he is a great dog that I hand-trained and love with all my heart. He is my confidant, training partner, cuddler, and so much more. Plus I never have to drink alone! Here are some puppy pics and recent pics...Happy Holidays!

Guest Blogger #4 (I've lost count!) - Heidi Whitman.

If you have ever chased, supported or watched this woman maneuver a rugby pitch you know its amazing. You can listen to her support players yelling "I'm on your right, I'm on your left" as she changes directions at the drop of a dime. She is simply deadly at the fullback position. Her strength on & off the field is monumental and I am proud to call her my teammate.

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As any aging rugger knows, rugby is a rough sport, and the older you get the creakier you get. Each new whack on the shoulder or the knee gives you pause - especially if you're already pausing to heal up - and you ponder, 'is this the injury that ends my rugby career?'

But I'm not making this a dour post, I mean it to reflect my mood in this season of giving and reflection. Have you thought about what you'll do when your rugby days on the field are pooped out? This sport has given so much to so many of us. To myself and most women I think, rugby has given us self-esteem and coincidence in our bodies, confidence in our strength to stand up to the world. This is such an obscure, most special gift.

I was 17 when I started playing rugby, and you can be sure this sport made its impression on me. To pass on this strength to women I think would be the most special gift of all. Ladies, you can do this by coaching. Now before we have mutinies around the west as players rise up to demand coaching spots, let me clarify and say that I mean Coach the Youngin's. So many women's college teams around the country could use a little help with practices, don't be shy about your help. But really, I'm talking about high school age teams. I've seen the traditions in Seattle and Vermont of girls teams that do amazing things for their players! And to teach the basics of rugby doesn't really take that much extensive knowledge on the coaches part, just the right attitude. You could give those girls a kind of confidence that most women never get exposed to! This is the best kind of giving back to rugby that there is.

I know most people aren't blessed with a girls team in the area that they can pop in and help out at. So this means we'll have to get a bit more ambitious with our giving and helping. I'll tell you, it's easier than it might seem to start a girls team, if a bit intimidating. But there are people to ask - an excellent resource are the Kent Crusaders, the first HS girls team in the US - I watched them win the Nat'ls in 2002. www.kentcrusaders.com Or you can check out USA Rugby's development page at www.usarugby.org/youth

Merry Christmas, ruggers!

I emailed all the D1 women's teams I could find this morning...(couldn't find a good contact for Seattle or Alamo City). Here is the email:

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Ladies-

My name is Wendy Young and I play for the Austin Valkyries. A few of the teams in the West were talking last week and we decided to create an ONLINE CALENDAR for the women's club teams in the US. The calendar is located on my blog: http://westrugby.blogspot.com

It is still in the beginning stages, but the vision is to keep it updated with ALL of our schedules. If we want women's rugby to keep growing, cooperation with all the D1 teams is essential. This way we can all see when everyone is playing and where...maybe we can play each other more conveniently. I have volunteered to keep the calendar up and running and as accurate as possible.

What I need from all of you is:

Match Secretary Information
Spring/Fall 2007 Schedule (even if its pending)
Tournaments you are attending.

Let me know if you have any suggestions as well.

In rugby,
Wendy
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This calendar updates whenever an entry is submitted by me. It is very simple to navigate...just click the arrows below the date and you can change months. Click the event for more information...you can also make comments on the events. Please email me at scooterwe@gmail.com or leave the changes in the comments.

The West recently created a D1 division and the teams included are:

Austin Valkyries (TX) Wendy Young - scooterwe@gmail.com
Boulder Babes (CO) Mandy Rasmussen - mrmandy5@hotmail.com
Black Ice (CO) Tara Moxon - lbptm@yahoo.com
Glendale (CO) Katie Wurst - kwurst@usarugby.org
Kansas City Jazz (KS) Erica Kloehn - eakloehn@hotmail.com
St. Lois Sabres (MO) Sarah Webel - boulderbabe13@yahoo.com

Each team is required to play the other...and this has made the scheduling a nightmare. Emails are flying back and forth with each of us trying to be as organized as possible.

So one of the match secretaries suggested using my blog as a central point to host the West D1 Calendar. That way ALL Women's Club teams (or any interested teams) could schedule matches with ease.

I will be working on a Round of 16 calendar in the future because we all want and need to play each other...so feel free to send me your info, schedule and team contact. Leave it in the comments or I can be reached at scooterwe@gmail.com I'm online almost all the time...

So the schedule is posted to the right...