Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

Please go and join the NEWLY formed Women's Rugby Youtube GROUP. It will be a database for all the best women's rugby videos on the web. Please feel free to join and feel free to add your own videos to the group.

Thanks!

So I just got an anonymous comment on my latest Rugby Here & There post here. It made me crack up. Me? Connections at USA Rugby? Ha, I know a few friends that I have played with or have met along my rugby adventures, but strings? HARDLY!

But I did steal the 2008 USA Sevens Video for fun...I just uploaded it to Youtube, so now I KNOW its possible to download the videos once USA Rugby finally uploads them.

From USA Rugby:

BOULDER, Colo. – U.S. Women’s National Team Coach Kathy Flores has announced the team captains for the 2007 England Tour in December.

Veterans of the 2006 Women’s World Cup squad, Kristin Zdanczewicz (Minnesota Valkyries) will act as Captain and Ashley English (Berkeley All Blues) will serve as Vice Captain for the three match tour, which spans December 6-16.

“Besides being instrumental players in the 2006 World Cup, they are both products of the U-23 program. Kristin is a top rated flanker for the Minnesota Valkyries and Ashley English is the fullback for National Club Champions, the Berkeley All Blues,” Coach Flores said. “We are looking for their leadership and experience to guide this young squad going to England.”

The Women’s National Team kicks off the 2007 England Tour against the Nomads on December 8 and faces England A on December 12 and the England Women’s National Team on December 15.

For more information on the USA Women’s Eagles, please visit: www.usarugby.org/goto/Womens_Eagles.

From USA Rugby:


BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby is pleased to announce First Sports International as the official sponsor of the 2007 Women’s Eagles Tour to England in December.

First Sports International (FSI), a leading provider of sports industry-focused technology solutions, has signed on as the Women’s National Team’s jersey sponsor for its three match tour, which spans December 6-16. The sponsorship also includes the branding of the team’s training kit with the FSI logo.

“As an international sports company, we are pleased to support the USA Rugby Women’s tour in England,” said David R. Simmons, Chairman, First Sports International. “Our passion for sport is the basis for our development of leading software solutions that provide governing bodies such as USA Rugby with the foundation they need to successfully build their grass roots participation for both women and men. We’re looking forward to a great competition between these top-ranked teams.”

First Sports International has proven itself committed to many of the world’s leading sports organizations and events, with clients that include the Rugby Football Union, The Football Association (The FA) and The Wimbledon Championships.

“It is always a great pleasure to welcome a new sponsor to USA Rugby,” said Nigel Melville, USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby Operations. “FSI is keen to help us develop the sport of rugby in the United States and recognizes the Eagles as a team with a great future.”

The Women’s National Team kicks off the 2007 First Sports International England Tour against the Nomads on December 8 and faces England A on December 12 and the England Women’s National Team on December 15.

'The tour to England will be a fantastic challenge. If we want to be serious contenders in the 2010 Women's World Cup we have to play and beat the best in the world,” Melville said.

USA RUGBY, founded in 1975, is the national governing body for rugby in the U.S., and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Rugby Board (IRB). The organization is responsible for the development of boys, girls, high school, collegiate and club athletic programs, and ultimately, the nine national teams representing the United States in international competition. For more information on USA Rugby and its supporting partners visit www.usarugby.org/goto/sponsors.

About First Sports International - First Sports International (FSI) is the leading provider of full-service software and business solutions to many of the world’s top sporting organizations and events. Built upon a core repository of information for all individuals associated with a National Governing Body (NGB) or event, the solution manages the administration of participants, fans, volunteers and ticket buyers as well as the execution of player registration, membership and fan programs, ticketing, accreditation and premium seating/hospitality sales systems. Visit www.first-sports.com to learn more or call + 1 404.504.6213.

From Goff (subscription req.):


November 23, 2007 - The USA women's national team is set to depart for England in a little more than a week, and will face the Nomads in Aylesbury December 8.

The Nomads are an international all-star team much like that of the fames Barbarians. The team started as an English Premiership all-star team.

"A lot of international players come to England while they are still playing for their country or after they have retired from international rugby," said Nomads manager Fiona Stockley. "They were there to provide stiff competition for England A, and after a while it's expended to be a more inclusive team."

Players can only play for the Nomads if they have been capped by a national side, and the current squad contains players 11 countries.

This will be the first match of the Nomads season, which includes two games against England A. Canadian prop Leslie Cripps will captain the side, which features several players familiar with the Eagles, including former England scrumhalf Jo Yapp, fullback and Nomad vice captain Sue Day, also of England, and Ireland fullback Jo O'Sullivan.

So today I was browsing the rugby blogosphere and fell upon a particular blog post. Chasing Down Life is blogging about her devastating ACL injury (this is her 2nd ACL injury). Upon reading her last few posts over the last week, I almost welled up in tears at work.

I've been there. The utter disappointment, rage, torture, more disappointment, realizations...thoughts...sprials...its more than the pain of the surgery and the injury...its everything else that is devastating. Anyone who has been there knows what it feels like...

Her post made me think about my physical and mental being during the recovery of my ACL injury...and lets just say it wasn't pretty. I tore my ACL on September 24, 2005 and had surgery a exactly a month later (I had severe bone bruising...basically I had tiny fractures in my bones). I too, did not tear anything but the ACL, no meniscus, PCL, LCL or whatever. The surgery was easy enough, I had plenty of pain at night and took plenty of pain medication. I guess I was lucky in most respects, but my frustration came from never really being injured. Sure I had sprained an ankle, tweaked a hamstring...but had never been down and out for more than a month.

I had never really faced myself in the throes of depression and injury. I continued to attend rugby practice every Tuesday and Thursday night and helped with the team where I could. The nights were the worst as I had terrible dreams of tearing my ACL again, dreams of never being able to walk normally and dreams of never playing rugby again. I am a tough girl, but my mind was trying to betray me in my sleep.

In the end I made a full recovery and played my first rugby game about 4 months after surgery (I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS!). The reality of it was that I couldn't be kept off the pitch...at 3 months, the most critical time of the healing process, I was at practice playing touch rugby. If I had stayed away from rugby during my recovery process, I really think that my mind might have won. The depression, rage, frustration...it might have taken me over.

As I write that statement, I am angry that I sound weak...or that I would have given in. But unless you have been there...you wouldn't know.

Stay strong Chasing Down Life and don't let it beat you!

Its time for another edition of Rugby Here & There!

• Rugby Videos?
  
  I have emailed a couple of my friends that work at USA Rugby and they keep saying that the videos from the D1 National Club Championships will be available for download. I keep checking the site but have not seen any developments. I will keep my eyes peeled though, I want to see the matches!
  

• Canada Wins NAWIRA 7's Tournament
  
  Canada finished the NAWIRA 7's tournament in tip top shape with an undefeated record of 6-0. In the finals, Canada defeated the USA Developmental side 19-15. Canada would have won regardless because of the points tally, but a good fight by the USA.
  
  NAWIRA Women's Champions: CanadaNAWIRA Women's Runner Up: USA Dev Eagles
  Women's Caribbean Champions: Jamaica
  Women's Caribbean Runner Up: Guyana
  
  The USA Women’s Sevens Developmental Squad named for the NAWIRA Tournament:
  
  Kirsten Ahrendt (Keystone)
  Tonya Ansel (Minn. Mankato)
  Ida Bernstein (Syracuse)
  Katie Dowty (Beantown)
  Sydney Forestal (Univ. of New Mexico)
  Kristy Lear (Minn.Valkyries)
  Lauren Rosso (Penn State)
  Melissa Smit (Stanford)
  Stephanie Taguacta (D.C. Furies)
  Sheri Villa (American Univ.)
  Jessica Watkins (Stanford)
  Alison Worman (Penn State)
  
  
• 2nd Invitational National All-Star Championships for U19 Players - From Goff
  
  In 2006 four teams attended, with the Northeast defeating a Western team in the final.
  
  This year all territories, officially or unofficially, are represented, as well as a USA U20 developmental team, which is almost exclusively U17.
  
  The tournament this year will have all eight teams in one tier. The teams have been seeded and will play off in a quarterfinal/semifinal/final format. The first two games will be shortened games, and the opener will decide which teams will be in Tier I next year, when the format goes to one game a day and two for the weekend.
  
  The rosters:
  
  USA U20s Developmental (Coach Bryn Chivers)
  Candace Barley (Maryville HS, Tenn.), Jozy Gessner (Summit, Colo.), Katie Johnson (Hopkins, Minn.), Audrey Jones (West Linn, Ore.), Corinne McElroy (Berserkers, N.H.), Catherine Parkhill (Burnsville, Minn.), Maggie Reidy (Divine Savior, Wis.), Brittany Rose (West Chester East, Pa.), Adrianne Rubiaco (Budd Bay, Wash.), Rachel Sommer (Canby, Ore.), and Brittany Woodard (Hyde School, D.C.).
  
  Backs named to the squad include Sadie Anderson (Fort Collins, Colo.), Skyler Browder (Burlington Women, Vt.), Lauren Franzen (Divine Savior, Wis.), Brook LeGate (Maryville HS, Tenn.), Erin LeGate (Maryville HS, Tenn.), Lindsey Lough (Hart, Calif.), Sophia Nolan (Armstrong, Minn.), Seymira Salami (State College, Pa.), Kandis Ruiz (Kansas City Dragons, Mo.), and Catherine Turnerdrown (Riverton, Utah).
  
  Pacific Coast (Coach Natasha Bishop)
  Thania Balcorta UC Davis, Jordan Barber Redmond, Zully Camacho Cal, Bekah Coffey OR , Kylie Coleman Fortuna, Lucy Croy Cal, Echo Duplesis Budd Bay, Lynn Enzinger Riptide, Uche Esonu Lynnwood, Maddi Glainyk Budd Bay, Audie Haisch Budd Bay, Lisa Henneman Seattle, Lauren Hubbard Kent, Lindsey Hubbard Kent, Erica Legaspi Budd Bay, Cassie Powell Columbia, Ramona Prieto Chico, Kristina Puhich UVSC, Kathy Sprowles Cal, Jerica Tafiti Aloha Youth Rugby, Sarah Towne Fortuna, Mika Underwood Budd Bay, Samantha Van Harmelen Budd Bay
  
  Midwest (Coach Kurt Weaver)
  Ashley Alman Wing Ashland University, Toni Cattani Flyhalf Kettle Moraine High School, Sarah Chimilewski Fullback Divine Savior High School, Melanie Chiodi Center University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Kelsey Corbett Flanker Noblesville High School, Sara Czarnecki Hooker Western Michigan University, Gina Fanelli Flanker Ohio State University, Lindsey Fickau 8man University of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Brittany Houston Scrumhalf University of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Karen Hunt Center University of Illinois, Corin Jensen Prop University of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, Kathryn Junius Second Row Divine Savior High School, Joanna Kitlinski Prop Grand Valley State University, Alisa Ly Flanker University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Adetayo Mafe Center Michigan State University, Maude Marandet Center Indiana University, Tyra McGrady Fullback Indiana University, Katie O'Leary Second Row Indiana University, Jessica Rogawski Prop St Charles High School, Kristen Spencer Wing Ball State University, Elydia Thomas Flanker University of Kentucky, Jessica Waterfield Second Row Bowling Green State University, Jordan Berg Alternate University of Wisconsin , Madison, Abbie Donnelly Alternate Lakeview High School Rugby, Alexandra Eggers Alternate University of Kentucky, Ashton Steinke Alternate Muscatine, Pearl City Rugby, Brittany Schupbach Alternate Michigan State University
  
  South (Coach Sheri Hunt)
  Arnold Emily Maryville HS, Booker Rebecca MTSU, Boone Lorelei Ravenwood Raptors, Boone Shannon Ravenwood Raptors, Brinkman Myra MTSU, Buford Megan UGA, Burleson Stephanie Lincoln Park Academy, Diehl Gina Hoke Hurricanes, Furman Stephanie WKU, Graves Ashley Hoke Hurricanes, Harper Chloe Ocoee HS, Isang Ima Oakridge HS, James Mallory White Station HS, James McKenzie White Station HS, Johnson Erinn MTSU, Jones Quytilya Hoke Hurricanes, Keast Becky Maryville HS, McCroskey Erin Nashville WRFC, McCroskey Rachel Maryville HS, Price Rebecca Ravenwood HS, Shelton Alyssa Maryville HS, Stone Laura Beth Maryville HS, Suarez Elizabeth Brighton HS,
  
  ERRFU (Coach Karl Barth)
  BrieAnna Barto (Summit HS) Halfback, Abi Bundy (Fort Collins U19) Hooker, Madeleine Child (Summit/Eckerd) Prop/Wing, Catherine Clark (Summit/CSU) Fullback, Lauren Danielsen (Summit HS) Flyhalf, Sierra Fairfield-Smith (Summit HS) Lock, Katy Hodson (Summit/UNI) Halfback, Mallory Ives (Summit/CSU) Flanker/Lock, Liz Kirby (Regis/School of Mines) Lock, Beckah Knappe (Douglas Cty/Rice) Flanker/Hooker, Ali Kosakowski (FCollins/CU) 8 captain, Mackenzie Lewis (Chaparral HS) Backrow, Chelsea Miller (CU) Prop, Julia Roher (Boulder U19/CU) Flyhalf/Centre, Maddie Robinson (Fort Collins U19) Wing, Sara Rossi (Littelton U19/CSU) Wing, Sarah Travers (FCollins/CU) Flanker/Lock, Mikaela Welch (Douglas County HS) Centre/Fullback, Becca Wezensky (CU) Centre, Erica Wheeler (Chaparral) Prop
  
  I am still looking for scores and results, so if you have any...leave them in the comments!
  
  UPDATE! Found the results via Goff:
  
  1. Midwest
  2. Pacific Coast
  3. Eastern Rockies & Northeast (tie 17-17)
  5. USA U17s (some say they are the U20 team too?)
  6. Mid-Atlantic
  7. South
  8. Southern California 42-17 to take 7th.
  
  "All these games were intense," said Underwood. "But that final was one of the most intense games I've ever been in. It was great to be a part of it. I felt we were two pretty evenly-matched teams, but they did a better job of exploiting the gaps they found in our defense, and that was the difference."
  
  "I thought the speed of the game and the intensity were something you don't often see in women's U19 rugby," said Weaver. "I think the goals of this tournament were all met. We got to show the players the level they can aspire to, we put them in positions to play at a higher level, and we got talented players in front of the national team coaches. I expect this tournament to continue and I hope USA Rugby takes it on, because it can only benefit the women's game."
  
  
• U19 Teams, More Communication, More Everything?
  
  This link is from K-train's blog A Ride on the K Train, its an article where she expresses her frustrations with the current MARFU U19 system and the selection processes. I don't agree with everything she writes, but she brings up some valid points.
  
  I was texted over the weekend from an old coach asking if I knew anything about the U19 program...and I was sad to say that I don't know much! I don't know when tryouts are, tournaments...teams...selections anything. I do know that these programs are newer and are struggling to exist and find players.
  
  One resource we do have is this blog: U19 Girls Rugby and I try to read it regularly and pass the information on.
  

• Fiji form Women's Rugby Union
  
  Women's rugby in the Oceania region has long been dominated by the Black Ferns of New Zealand but, a year after Samoa took part in the 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup, Fiji are now preparing to join the international ranks.
  
  A new group of executives has been selected to steer a course for the women's game in Fiji.
  
  The new Fiji Women's Rugby Union (FWRU) consist of journalist Vela Naucukidi (President), Fijiana playmaker Elaina McDonald (Secretary) and Veronika Talei (Treasurer).
  
  First on the proposed FWRU list is a coaching clinic at the Peninsula Hotel and Albert Park, with the aim being to prepare a team to compete at international events leading to involvement in the biggest of all.
  
  "Our aim is to take part in the Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in 2009," Naucukidi said.
  
  "We don't have much time [to prepare to qualify]. We've organised two sevens tournaments, one this Saturday and one next month, and are inviting teams or any individuals who want to take part."

The teams in the West are currently looking over the current league system and if it is beneficial or detrimental to teams & competition in the West. My post earlier this month talked about several topics including the geography of the West and about the costs of playing in the West. These two issues combined are hurting players, coaches and teams beyond measure.

Current talks now between teams are revolving about maybe moving back to the Best of the West Tournament, an East/West or South/North format, or a Tier 1 and Tier 2 situation or maybe a few other ideas.

The pros are that each team has 6 high level games that they are required and "get to" play. We are bolstering the competition in the West and helping ourselves grow as a result.

The cons of this format: Teams have 3 home games and 3 away games in a year. These are required league matches and almost all require a plane ticket. The Colorado teams are the lucky ones here as they have three teams within driving distance of each other. Austin has the worst case scenario here (and not just because I play for them) but because we are geographically the farthest away from the rest of the teams in the league. It is literally impossible for us not to purchase a plane ticket to play a different team in our league. (Buy a plane ticket or miss a day of work bc we have to drive 10 hours or more.)


This is basically a tournament where each team works to beat all the other teams. I believe there is some seeding that happens to predetermine your standings for the tournament (I have only played in one of these tournaments).

This tournament style can have its problems though, as it all depends on your team that one day. In the league format you have several chances to prove yourself, at the Best of the West Tournament you lose, you are out.


This topic has been discussed mostly because it is a similar format to what a lot of men's teams do. Basically you draw a line down the middle or across the horizon and each region plays the teams in its region. However this format greatly benefits Colorado again because they would just have to dominate Black Ice and Boulder...who are currently ranked the lowest in the West League. Either way we try to split up the league it doesn't seem fair and it always benefits one team or another.


This idea came across the email this morning...and has some potential in my mind. Basically we would go off the current rankings so:

Tier 1
1) Glendale
2) Jazz
3) Sabres

Tier 2
4) Austin
5) Black Ice
6) Boulder

Tier 1 would play the teams within and would fight for the right to represent the West (right now we have 2 seeds, but both seeds will be challenged in 2008). Tier 2 would fight amongst itself to be #1, as the #1 in Tier 2 would move up and the #3 in Tier 1 would drop down. Almost identical to the current National All Star Championships that we have every summer.

A few new ideas were introduced as well, could the #1 Tier 2 team challenge a team in Tier 1 for their spot? Also, how would the D2 teams fit into the mix (the West is working on sending a team to the D2 tournametn in 2008)? Could they challenge the lowest ranked team? There were several other ideas, but these two were of greatest concern to me.

If the West was to adopt this new format, does that mean that Austin, Black Ice and Boulder areut of luck from the 2008 Round of 16? Or do the Sabres drop down and Austin moves up? Then the bottom 3 teams have no chance at Round of 16?

Please leave thoughts in the comments, as I believe we are all open to new ideas and thoughts...

So in summary of all these ideas, there are more questions than there are answers. I just know that the current league system is costing teams more money and is stretching our team officers, players and budget. I think that all this talk is good, and I hope we can all come together to agree on a solution that builds the West up and the teams in it.

Just got this in my inbox from my friendly West Rep -

Folks,

In the event the word hasn't filtered to the clubs as yet, it appears that the proposal to expand the TU match schedule in the spring will NOT happen in 2008. However, the plan may be implemented in 2009. As these things develop, we will try to keep all informed.

The West will then revert to the system we had in place last year in Ft. Worth. Four "regional" teams based on the location of the DI women's clubs will scout, select, train a squad to compete in Ft. Worth at Gateway Park on the weekend of 26 and 27 April. Each squad will play two matches on Saturday. West squad management will be in attendance and select players for a camp/coaching session on Sunday. The West team will likely play the Midwest on a weekend on May with the Senior Women's ITTs to follow.

KO schedules and details will be available next spring, but teams will likely play early on Saturday to allow recovery time for another match. Squads should plan to arrive on Friday. Practice facilities on Friday can be arranged if requested.

--Well this is certainly a relief as I was wondering how I was going to pay to play on a D1 Women's Club team, a LAU team, the West Select side Team and the USA team. The costs are still daunting, but the idea that we aren't doing the new schedule yet helps. Hopefully they will be able to find a way to reduce costs all around by the time they implement the new system.

Also having the LAU tournament in Ft. Worth was AWESOME last year! The facilities were amazing with turf fields to play on, warmup on and more. I look forward to more fun with the Texas team this year, we had a blast last year..."what do you mean, does my a$$ look fat?"

From USA Rugby - USA Rugby Announces Women’s Developmental Squad Set for NAWIRA Sevens Tournament

BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby will take a developmental team to the NAWIRA (North America West Indies Rugby Association) Sevens 2007 Tournament to be held November 17-18 in Nassau, Bahamas. Part of the USA Women's Sevens Developmental Program, the squad includes eight players who made the semi-finals at the 2007 USA Rugby National All-Star Championship.

The USA squad will face off against teams from Canada, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana in round robin play each day of competition, with the sternest tests for the USA side coming against Canada and Jamaica.

"The goal of the program is to get four players on the World Cup squad in 2009," said USA Women’s Developmental Sevens Program Head Coach Pete Steinberg. "The NAWIRA Tournament is another opportunity for the returning players to play some high level sevens, and exposes the new players to the approach that we have in the program."

While much of the squad’s time together will be spent working on technical and tactical aspects of sevens, the program also works toward shaping players into elite athletes. The focus is to create a high performance environment in the camp that gives the players tools they can take back to their respective clubs. Elite performance areas covered at this event are goal setting, mental skills and nutrition.

"The reality is that we do not get much time with our players, so we need to help them continue to develop after they leave our assemblies," Steinberg said.

The USA 7s Women's Developmental Squad for 2007 NAWIRA 7's:

Kirsten Ahrendt - Keystone
Tonya Ansel - MSU, Mankato
Ida Bernstein - Syracuse
Katie Dowty - Beantown
Sydney Forestal - U. New Mexico
Kristy Lear - MN Valkyries
Lauren Rosso - Penn State
Melissa Smit - Stanford
Stephanie Taguacta - DC Furies
Sheri Villa - American U.
Jessica Watkins - Stanford
Alison Worman - Penn State

Pete Steinberg (Coach)
Sue Parker (Coach)
Josh Sutcliffe (Coach)
Ines Rodrigues (Player/Coach)
Nicole Titmas (Trainer)
Meredith Fabing (Doctor)
Kelsey Engelbrecht (Manager)

I haven't had much time to do the rugby digging that I usually do...so here are some fun rugby stories I was able to dig up this morning!

• CGA Women's Rugby Tackle the Competition in their First Season
  
  The Coast Guard Academy Women’s Rugby Team have just completed their first season as a formal club sport in an organized league as a member of the New England Rugby Football Union, Division four by making it all the way to the championship finals.
  
  The team finished the regular season with a 4-1 record scoring 220 points and allowing only 14. With only the one loss, the Academy’s team earned the wildcard entry into the 4-team playoffs.
  
  The team took on the College of the Holy Cross, the undefeated number one seed, in Worcester, Mass. on Oct. 27. Despite the rain, mud and non-home field advantage, the Lady Bears pulled off their biggest win in their short history and a major upset shutting out Holy Cross 14-0. With their win, they were next scheduled to play Roger Williams University, who was their only loss during the regular season, for the New England Division four championship.
  
  Despite the team’s efforts, they lost the match to Roger Williams in an exciting game, 22-19. Even though the scoreboard wasn’t in their favor the Academy’s team didn’t lose entirely. The team gained a great amount of experience by competing for the championship during their first season as a club team. They will certainly come back next year with just as much drive but with more knowledge of the game.
  
  Always love to hear about new teams!
  
  
• Should Oregon Add Women's Rugby?
  
  Many folks at Oregon are devastated that the university’s wrestling program will be discontinued following this season. The heartache is understandable – nobody likes to see opportunities diminished for student-athletes.
  
  In today’s Oregon Daily Emerald, Robert Husseman offers an argument that the transition of women’s rugby from club to varsity status would not only help the university become a national leader in that sport, but would aid in Title IX compliance.
  
  I am of the belief that no school should ever use Title IX as a reason for eliminating a sport. If budgetary reasons are to blame, that’s completely different. In Oregon’s case, it’s estimated that the addition of baseball and competitive cheer programs will add about $300,000 to the annual budget.
  
  Husseman suggests that a self-sufficient athletics program could afford to move its club program to varsity status and keep the wrestling program going. I’m not privy to accounting information in Eugene, so I don’t know if this is realistic.
  
  What I do know, is that Husseman has the right thinking in mind. He wants to see the university add more opportunities, not subtract them. He figures that if Oregon wanted to add baseball, it should have done it, but not at the expense of wrestling. Instead, he says, add women’s rugby to the mix. Not only is it an exciting sport, but rugby is similar to football in that it accommodates and requires a large number of participants. More opportunities? No problem.
  
  With four varsity programs out there, Oregon could continue a trend that might bring us closer to an 89th NCAA championship.
  
  This brings to mind the recent discussions on Saturday's A Rugby Day and Goff about more and more teams thinking about Varsity status. In my opinion, we should encourage this, but be careful that the teams play rugby and not some washed down version that the NCAA would approve. See the next bullet below for more opinions on NCAA status.
  
  
• Women's Rugby Blazing Trails in NCAA Play
  
  While rugby is considered a club sport nationally, West Chester's women's rugby team is one of only four schools that are now recognized as NCAA teams.
  
  Women's rugby is one of seven on the NCAA's list of emerging sports. This list was created more than 30 years ago to increase the number of athletic opportunities for young women and help promote gender equality on and off the playing field. However rugby must attract 40 teams within 10 years to earn championship status or it will be dropped from consideration, a problem the other teams on the list are trying to overcome. Since there are currently four women's teams in the nation playing varsity rugby, WCU, Eastern Illinois, Maine's Bowdoin College and Southern Vermont, they have four years left to obtain this goal.
  
  WCU captain Michelle Kirk said attracting more teams in the next four years is an attainable goal.
  
  "Similar to what happened in women's lacrosse several years ago, it started as a club sport and as the publicity increased they were able to become a NCAA sport. I think rugby will have a similar affect, especially with the arising popularity of high school [rugby]. There is definitely a possibility that we can achieve this goal," Kirk said.
  
  West Chester Athletic Director Ed Matejkovic told ESPN that four schools in the Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference are looking to add rugby. He plans to push for women's rugby in the next conference meeting.
  
  "There will be a discussion because people will see the coverage that this game has received," Matejkovic said. "Maybe, they will realize this is a viable thing. Just like anything, people are afraid of change and doing something new. I think you just have to punch in and do it. Next year when we play EIU at our place, I'll invite the [athletic directors] in our conference and say, 'Come see a game. You'll enjoy it every bit as much as field hockey and soccer -- maybe more so, in some cases.'"
  
  The first NCAA-sanctioned women's rugby match against Eastern Illinois was held in Charleston, Ill. on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007. The Lady Rams were able to defeat Eastern Illinois scoring a try in the final minutes to win 20-19. Although the win was extremely exciting for the Rams, the team hopes the game's exposure will build rugby's chances of becoming a success at the NCAA level. This success could push more schools to create NCAA programs, creating scholarships that would help to meet the requirements of Title IX.
  
  Kirk believes that the game's exposure will definitely help build in rugby's success, but more with people who are already involved and interested in the sport.
  
  "Exposure was big in the sense of rugby world but I doubt much past that. That specific game isn't going to make the difference we need," Kirk said. "Although it helps that newspapers are writing about it, and people are talking about it, I think it's not reaching out to all people, people that don't have knowledge of the sport." One thing about the game Kirk was sure about: "It definitely touched the rugby world."
  
  
• Hitting the Cycle: Don't let dresses fool you: Women's rugby tougher than they look
  
  Beauty, grace, elegance. When you think homecoming dresses, these are the words that come to mind.
  
  Tackles, bruises, blood. These are the things you think about when you add UMBC women's rugby into the equation.
  
  Rather than cut the rug on the dance floor, the women's rugby team traded in their high heels for cleats, and spent the afternoon ruining their dresses, showing that appearances are not everything. The ladies, dressed in their best, physically dominated the first half of Sunday's annual homecoming game in route to a win.
  
  Don't let the apparel fool you. Attired in their normal uniforms after the first half, the ladies continued to fly around the ball, proving that there is nothing girly about the women's rugby team.
  
  Having never been to a women's rugby game before, I didn't know exactly what to expect. Would the speed of the game match up to that of men's rugby contests? Would the hits be as vicious?
  
  My questions were answered within the first couple of plays. The women swarmed around the ball carrier. Hits were bone-crushing, causing some in the crowd to wince, while others couldn't help but ooh-and-aah.
  
  Leaving Walker Field Saturday afternoon, I had a new appreciation for the women's rugby team at UMBC, as they rolled up a 35-0 win. Just like the men's team, they were fast, physical, technically sound, and tough. By the end of the day, I began to think that the women actually had more courage and gamesmanship than the men's team.
  
  After all, I don't see the playoff-bound men's program dominating in bright pink, bare back dresses.
  
  Since I love a good Debutante Rugby Ball, I couldn't pass up this article. Don't forget the Austin Valkyries will be hosting a Debutante Ball after Dallas 7's in June 2008.