Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

Wow, we had over a HUNDRED entries for this month's raffle, must be some serious IRELAND love out there. Due to the generosity of Red Rhino, we were able to choose TWO winners because so many of you entered! and the winners are...

Please send me your desired tshirt size and postal address to my email at scrumhalfconnection@gmail.com and I will get shipped right out to you!

Thanks to everyone who submitted their name in the raffle, this free raffle is courtesy of Red Rhino.

Look for another FREE raffle again next month! Can't wait to see if you win the raffle? Purchase your own Your Scrumhalf Connection tshirt or any of my other rugby shirts by visiting my Zazzle Tshirt Shop.

Have a new product that you want to highlight? Send it my way! Have old out of date World Cup jerseys, hats, balls or tshirts you need to get rid of? Send it my way and I will raffle it off! Anything rugby can be donated and I will raffle it off for free! Thanks for your participation and support!

Past Raffles
Red Rhino: Ireland Grab Bag
Xtreme Rugby Wear Shoulder Pads
Xtreme Rugby Wear Jersey
CSS Rugby Shoulder Pads
Your Scrumhalf Connection Tshirt

And thanks to Kadie for sending me a snapshot of her wearing her new jersey that she won during the Xtreme Rugby Wear Jersey Raffle in December 2008.

from stuff.co.nz:

Rugby's bid to gain readmission to the Olympic movement has gained impetus with the submission of a key document outlining the sport's credentials for inclusion in the 2016 Games.

The International Rugby Board has forwarded its response to the International Olympic Committee's 2016 Programme Review Questionnaire outlining the organisation's vision and proposal for rugby's re-inclusion in the Olympics, by way of its sevens game.

It's a key document as the seven contending sports jockey for an all-too-rare spot on the Olympic programme and rugby is hopeful that it can make a compelling enough case to return to the Games for the first time since 1924.

Divided into nine chapters, the IRB's submission provides answers to 80 key questions relating to rugby's proposal to the IOC. The IRB hopes by highlighting the game's growth as well as its natural synergies with the Olympic movement it can gain the nod.

"This submission sets out our technical bid but it also paints our vision and aims to illustrate to the Olympic Family why we firmly believe that rugby sevens' unique attributes would make Olympic re-inclusion good for rugby and good for the Olympic Games," said IRB President Bernard Lapasset.

"Sevens is already successfully integrated in major international multi-sport events such as the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games, the Pan American Games and the World Games and it has a proven track record of filling stadia – the Commonwealth Games 2006 sevens tournament was attended by 150,000 over three days, second only to track and field."

IRB Secretary General Mike Miller said the flexibility of a sevens tournament was ideal for the Olympic platform.

"They can be played over just two or three days, require limited infrastructure and overlay investment and can take place in existing stadia. Furthermore, men's and women's competitions can be held with 12, 16 or 20 teams and in recognition of all these options, we are committed to working with the IOC to identify the most appropriate solution for the Games."

Miller said the sevens format delivered many benefits.

"For one, it is played by the quickest and most agile players where speed and handling skills are critical, ensuring a fast and free-flowing spectacle for fans and television viewers. With matches played over two seven-minute halves, the short sharp action also makes it ideal for broadcasters. Importantly, this format also offers genuine Olympic medal opportunities for smaller nations who are proving highly competitive on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit.

"Rugby is reaching out. We want to foster the development of our spirit, our values and our sport to new countries and see more men, women and children participating in the game," added Miller.

The IRB is asking the global rugby community to support its campaign for re-inclusion in the Olympic Games by participating in the IOC's Virtual Olympic Congress before February 28. The forum provides an opportunity for the general public to provide feedback on plans for the future of the Olympic Games.

Rugby was originally introduced to the Olympics by Pierre de Coubertin in 1900 and continued to be played at the 1908, 1920 and 1924 Games.

The key IOC vote on the new sports will take place in Copenhagen in October.

And if you haven't seen the video the IRB made about getting rugby the Olympics, make sure to check it out:

from USA Rugby:

ABC will broadcast the USA Sevens rugby tournament presented by Bridgestone as a one-hour special, on February 22 at 5 p.m. EST.

The USA Sevens event was held February 14-15 at San Diego’s PETCO Park and is the fourth of eight annual global tournaments in the annual International Rugby Board Sevens World Series circuit. Sixteen elite international teams competed in 44 matches over the two days.

The one hour program is hosted by longtime rugby announcer Dave Sitton and international analyst Jonnie Cox, as well as a noted team of commentators for the match calls featuring Nigel Starmer-Smith, Wyn Gruffydd, Gareth Rees and Ray Viers.

The program will also feature an interview with IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset, regarding the IRB efforts to have Rugby Sevens added to the Olympic Games in 2016.

“Having a chance to showcase the premier event of one of the country’s fastest-growing sports is an enormous opportunity,” said Ray Peterson, managing director of the USA Sevens LLC. “Rugby fans across America will now be able to watch their favorite teams compete and many new viewers will also be introduced to the dynamic game of rugby sevens.”

USA Sevens and USA Rugby are encouraging all current and former players and fans across America to support the growth of rugby in this country by tuning in to watch this broadcast - be sure to check your local listings for time.

About USA Sevens LLC
USA Sevens LLC owns and operates the USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament and Fan Festival. Held annually in San Diego as part of the International Rugby Board’s Sevens World Series, the USA Sevens event brings together a unique combination of world-class athletes, entertainment and diverse international culture. For more information about USA Sevens or the U.S. Men’s Sevens Team, please contact Sara John at or Rick Schloss at 619-308-4387.

received this in my inbox:

So I just wanted to pass this along... since you are the goto person for all that is rugby-- I am sure it will reach more women from your blog than I could ever reach.

Gabe Ortiz
CUAWRFC

USCS will be competing at Ruggerfest 2009 (Washington DC, April 25-26, 2009) USCS will be having a camp before the Ruggerfest Tournament on April 24, 2009.

Kathy Flores, Head Coach, USA Rugby Eagles (Women) and Candi Orsini,
Backs Coach, USA Rugby Eagles will be coaching camp. YES YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY.

No more discussion about military rugby not providing exposure for players. No more discussion about best spending your time.

Requirements for participation are simple:
1. Be CIPP registered

2. Be a member of the FREE USCS Women's Rugby Discussion Group
*This is to allow for easy information distro.

3. Pay your $50 camp fee via PayPal, Check or Money Order (email etta.c.jones@gmail.com for details). *A $25 refund will be available until 01APR. Camp fees include tshirt and team entry fee.

4. Request travel letter from USCS Women's Director if required for Command Endorsement.

5. Show up with your kit and your enthusiasm. (Please bring Navy Blue Shorts, Navy Blue Socks (no stripes) and a light and dark practice shirt).

This event is open to ALL MILITARY ATHLETES, active duty, drilling reserves, IRR, and veterans. Please forward this email to any and all military ruggers you know. We have 47 discussion group members and over 300 eligible active duty players. As a group, we need to do some additional networking to make this team a force!

The $350 tournament fee has already been paid -- thanks to our Treasurer Beth Ward for making that happen. If you would like general information about the tournament please see the Washington D.C. Furies Website.

Thanks for taking the time to be a part of such an amazing event!!

The Women's Six Nations has been happening for a bit now and I haven't really been covering it, but thanks to Letchworth Girls Rugby, this video is a quick highlight of England vs Wales.

View the video here at the BBC website, it is not embeddable at this time...for full results of the tournament, go here and for some great photos of the event, go here.

Other Rugby Video Mondays:
2/9/2009: Texas A&M vs Chico State Highlights
1/19/2009: Why Rugby, You'll Live Longer
1/12/2009: UCLA Prom Dress Rugby
1/5/2009: USA WNT 7's Video in Dubai

Please keep sending me your favorite videos: scrumhalfconnection@gmail.com! Make sure to check out my Vimeo Channel or my Youtube channel...and you can subscribe to both if you like, but keep in mind that all new videos will be on Vimeo only as they are recorded in High Definition.

England 36 Japan 0
Canada 17 USA Two 5
USA One 21 China 0
Maori 36 Japan 0
England 15 USA Two 7
Canada 26 China 5
USA One 45 Japan 0
Maori 22 Canada 12
USA Two 15 Japan 5
England 19 USA One 0
Maori 14, China 12

New Scores
USA Two 17 Japan 7 (Consolation)
England 29 Canada 0 (Semi-Final)
USA One 12 Maori 0 (Semi-Final)

USA 12 v England 17 (England won in sudden death overtime)

This morning I realized that I left the camera cord at home, so photos will have to be uploaded later. Sorry! UPDATE: The Girl brought the camera cord, so a few of our favorite photos are below and album 1 & album 2 are on Facebook.







For the rest of the photos, visit album 1 & album 2 on Facebook.

All, when I started out doing my monthly Free Rugby Raffle back in August 2008 I had plenty of free merchandise to give away, but now my stash is running low! Please let me know if you would like to donate any items for the monthly Free Raffle!

Please email me at scrumhalfconnection@gmail.com if you are interested, and please pass the word on to any of your friends etc. The blog posts about their will never be removed and will be seen by hundreds of thousands of viewers!

Have a new product that you want to highlight? Send it my way! Have old out of date World Cup jerseys, hats, balls or tshirts you need to get rid of? Send it my way and I will raffle it off! Anything rugby can be donated and I will raffle it off for free! Thanks for your participation and support!

Past Raffles
Red Rhino: Ireland Grab Bag
Xtreme Rugby Wear Shoulder Pads
Xtreme Rugby Wear Jersey
CSS Rugby Shoulder Pads
Your Scrumhalf Connection Tshirt

This Guest Post from Jay Benner of Austin, TX, he plays for the Austin Huns. He is one of my great friends and he regularly chats with me about how I can improve my blog and his suggestions are always creative and helpful. I was glad to post his tidbit below:

Just a quick round-up of interesting bits:

Apparently, our neighbors at Texas A&M are putting together a match between some 5-18 year old kids with physical and mental handicaps during their May 28th tournament. Looks to be the first of its kind, I would be curious to see how that works out. There are such programs for baseball, but rugby is not baseball. Wish them well.

USA Rugby named its sevens squads, none of my favorites on it. Part of their plot against me. They also released the schedule for most of the USA Rugby championship playoffs. Hopefully I will be in Atlanta this April.

I just finished watching the Hyde Park special on Fox Sports and it was awesome! More great exposure for our amazing sport!!

Please pass the word on. See link for different affiliates show times etc.

http://areyouwatchingthis.com/tv/programs/SH011238830000-Hyde-Rugby-A-New-World/13512365

Event: "Hyde Rugby: A New World" "Hyde Rugby TV Special"
Host: Fox Sports
Start Time: Sunday, February 8 at 11:00am EST
Where: Washington, DC
(Also will be re-broadcast end of February)

To see more details follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=65683417256&aref=22571760

I posted this in January, but wanted to make sure it was available for viewing for this weekend. For a complete schedule of the USA Sevens event, visit http://www.irb.com/irbsevens/edition=4/fixturesresults.html.

USA Sevens tickets

Tickets are now ON SALE for the USA Sevens at San Diego's state-of-the-art Major League Baseball stadium PETCO Park. For more information go to www.usasevens.com.

Further information:
Dominic Rumbles, IRB Communications Manager, +353 (0) 86-852-0826