On June 2nd, WGR convenes its league-wide meeting at the Wauwatosa School District Offices at 7pm.
Any new teams wishing to join the conference must be present at this board meeting to petition for admission. In addition, several key agenda items including Division Realignment will be resolved for next fall. Keeping in mind that rugby is still an emerging sport, should teams elect which division they play in? Should divisions be determined by objective factors such as won/loss record, school enrollment, or how many schools and communities a club draws from? Should the goal be to eventually move all programs up to division one? Should there be a mandatory and objective promotion/relegation system?
These aren't issues unique to rugby. The WIAA continues to struggle with division and conference alignment. They regularly adjust conferences every few years as some communities have shifting school enrollments and populations. They do have a clear cut policy of division alignment based on school enrollment, but some conferences mix teams of different divisions.
While players may have finished their seasons, coaches and administrators are hard at work, year round, working together as a league to decide what's in the best interest of everyone, working to grow the game.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
DSHA Wins 3rd Place Championship Match
DSHA 8 Kent 7
Two of the first girls rugby programs in the USA squared off again at Nationals in the 2011 Third Place match. Adding another memorable chapter to a storied rivalry, DSHA was able to edge out Kent, as both sides completed a brutal weekend of three matches against amazingly talented and well coached teams. Between them, the two sides played Sacramento, Fallbrook, West Carroll, and Lakewood. While a little less known to us in the Midwest, one observer called West Carroll's forward pack "one of the most physical i've ever seen." Congratulations go out to DSHA for such an amazing accomplishment.
In the title game, Fallbrook defeated Sacramento 60-0.
Two of the first girls rugby programs in the USA squared off again at Nationals in the 2011 Third Place match. Adding another memorable chapter to a storied rivalry, DSHA was able to edge out Kent, as both sides completed a brutal weekend of three matches against amazingly talented and well coached teams. Between them, the two sides played Sacramento, Fallbrook, West Carroll, and Lakewood. While a little less known to us in the Midwest, one observer called West Carroll's forward pack "one of the most physical i've ever seen." Congratulations go out to DSHA for such an amazing accomplishment.
In the title game, Fallbrook defeated Sacramento 60-0.
Another challenge for rugby?
Wisconsin politics and education policy have made big headlines over the past few months. However, relatively modest proposal in 2011 Sensate Bill 95 may have unintended consequences for Wisconsin's growing high school rugby community.
This bill, among other proposed changes to education policy, would allow school districts to grant credit to student-athletes for participation in athletics if the sport is WIAA sanctioned. Over the past decade, we have successfully grown high school girls rugby programs. One challenge has always been changing the mindset of parents and players that playing for love of the game and putting rugby as your extra-curricular was as worthwhile as earning a varsity letter (with limited exceptions for those private schools that voluntarily grant varsity letters to their rugby athletes). Now will we need to convince players that rugby is a better deal than fulfilling course requirements?
Perhaps it is time that we ask, what does it take to be a WIAA sport? If anyone has connections with the state legislature, perhaps the bill can be amended? Why should the WIAA have control over a decision of whether credit should be granted versus a decision by the local school board or private school?
It is just one more potential challenge. But if we didn't enjoy tough challenges, we wouldn't play, coach, cheer for, and love rugby! B
This bill, among other proposed changes to education policy, would allow school districts to grant credit to student-athletes for participation in athletics if the sport is WIAA sanctioned. Over the past decade, we have successfully grown high school girls rugby programs. One challenge has always been changing the mindset of parents and players that playing for love of the game and putting rugby as your extra-curricular was as worthwhile as earning a varsity letter (with limited exceptions for those private schools that voluntarily grant varsity letters to their rugby athletes). Now will we need to convince players that rugby is a better deal than fulfilling course requirements?
Perhaps it is time that we ask, what does it take to be a WIAA sport? If anyone has connections with the state legislature, perhaps the bill can be amended? Why should the WIAA have control over a decision of whether credit should be granted versus a decision by the local school board or private school?
It is just one more potential challenge. But if we didn't enjoy tough challenges, we wouldn't play, coach, cheer for, and love rugby! B
Saturday, May 21, 2011
National Championship Semifinal Update
Semifinals
DSHA 0 Falbrook 19
Kent lost / Sacramento won:
Kent was up 10-0, before Sacramento came back to defend their title in tomorrow's championship
Consolation Bracket
Lakewood Sebastian River
West Carroll NYRC
DSHA 0 Falbrook 19
Kent lost / Sacramento won:
Kent was up 10-0, before Sacramento came back to defend their title in tomorrow's championship
Consolation Bracket
Lakewood Sebastian River
West Carroll NYRC
National Championship Update
No details yet, just some scores as DSHA advances to the semifinals:
Saturday May 21st
Quarterfinals:
DSHA 22 West Carroll 10
Fallbrook 18 New York RC 0
Kent 11 Lakewood 10 (OT)
Sacramento 33 Sebastian River 5
Semifinals
DSHA v Fallbrook
Kent v Sacramento
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Mauston Border Battle 2011
In a spring that has not seen great weather for rugby, teams from WI and MN met in Mauston, WI for the annual Border Battle between the two states. This is an open friendly competition where teams from the greater Milwaukee area meet at a neutral location with teams from the Twin City area.
After a 3rd place finish at Midwest, Kettle Moraine is looking to next fall and preparing for the highly competitive state competition. Said coach, Jeff Noe, "While the scores didn't reflect the way we wanted to end our season, the tournament allowed us to see multiple combinations and look at some players at different positions for future lineups next fall."
The MN teams are in the middle of their league season with three weeks before their State Championships on June 4th. They had probably the toughest time of any region getting started this spring because of the weather. Edina and Rogers are both at the top of the tier 2 bracket, while Armstrong is just behind the leaders in Tier I. Brookfield notched a nice win against Armstrong, who was Minnesota's representative to the D1 Midwest Championships two weeks ago, finishing sixth. Armstrong's season ending matchup against Wayzata could be a preview to the State Final as both teams remain undefeated
KM v Hopkins 57-7
Brookfield v Armstrong 15-5
KM v Rogers 0-25
Brookfield v Edina 32-12
KM v Armstrong 5-7
Brookfield v Hopkins 49-5
KM v Rogers 12-17
KM v Edina 34-0
After a 3rd place finish at Midwest, Kettle Moraine is looking to next fall and preparing for the highly competitive state competition. Said coach, Jeff Noe, "While the scores didn't reflect the way we wanted to end our season, the tournament allowed us to see multiple combinations and look at some players at different positions for future lineups next fall."
The MN teams are in the middle of their league season with three weeks before their State Championships on June 4th. They had probably the toughest time of any region getting started this spring because of the weather. Edina and Rogers are both at the top of the tier 2 bracket, while Armstrong is just behind the leaders in Tier I. Brookfield notched a nice win against Armstrong, who was Minnesota's representative to the D1 Midwest Championships two weeks ago, finishing sixth. Armstrong's season ending matchup against Wayzata could be a preview to the State Final as both teams remain undefeated
KM v Hopkins 57-7
Brookfield v Armstrong 15-5
KM v Rogers 0-25
Brookfield v Edina 32-12
KM v Armstrong 5-7
Brookfield v Hopkins 49-5
KM v Rogers 12-17
KM v Edina 34-0
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Championship Week 2011
"I hated every minute of training. But i said to myself, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion." Muhammad Ali
It's 'Championship Week' again. Congrats to all those who strove to be the best this year. A special note of congratulations and best wishes to DSHA as they play in the final eight this weekend at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Since they are there every year, perhaps it's taken for granted by some observers just how hard it is to be a state and regional champion, year after year, and to continue to acheive that kind of sustained excellence.
Posted below is last year's High School National Championship promo video. Enjoy the highlights; you might see a few familiar faces and teams!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Founders Cup Pictures
Some great pictures from the best and most competitive Founders Cup Match to date. It was a physical and skilled battle by two outstanding programs.
The Founder's Cup is a traveling silver trophy passed on to the victor anytime CMHS and Brookfield meet. The head coaches of Brookfield and CMH at the time were the 'founding' coaches of the first girls team in the state of Wisconsin. Finding themselves on opposite sides after starting new programs and teaching the game to other kids years later, 'The Cup' was initiated to add a little fun and tradition whenever two old friends met on the field on opposite sides.
The Cup has remained with these two programs as coaches continue to move, and the tradition has come to be represent healthy competition among young adults from two cross-town competitors. Defeats can always challenge one's emotions. The exchange of 'The Cup' after the matches is one of the more memorable moments of a season. Not because one side or the other rejoices over a vanquished foe, like you might see with trash-talking pro athletes on T.V. Rather, because as captains, players, and coaches meet eye to eye after expending all their heart and sweat, it tests the grace and good sportsmanship of those on both sides, and reminds us of what it feels like to be on either side of that hand shake.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Fond Du Lac Girls Rugby Looking for a Coach
Fond du Lac Rugby is looking for a coach for our girls HS team, the FDL Sirens. We have 27 players on the team this year.
The person who is the next coach has everything available for them:Practice equipment, great facilities both outdoors and indoors. We have our own personal trainer for the team that is at every practice and match. There is great parent and school support. We also can offer expenses to be covered and any dues.
Anyone who is interested should contact Fond Du Lac through their website.
The person who is the next coach has everything available for them:Practice equipment, great facilities both outdoors and indoors. We have our own personal trainer for the team that is at every practice and match. There is great parent and school support. We also can offer expenses to be covered and any dues.
Anyone who is interested should contact Fond Du Lac through their website.
National Top 25 Update
One magazine's opinion, not WGR's, updated to include Midwest Championship results.
Nice to see four Wisconsin teams in the Top 25. Congrats to all those players and coaches.
Girls' U19/High School Top 25 - May 4, 2011
1 (2) DSHA (Wisc.) (10-1) (13-1). Won Midwest Championship defeating St. Joseph's 36-0, Fox Chapel 42-0 and Lakewood 35-6 in the final
2 (1) Summit (Colo.) (8-0). Idle
3 (3) Fallbrook (Calif.) (6-0). Advances to So Cal Championship after defeating Fullerton 50-0 in semifinal
4 (4) Kent (Wash.) (5-0). Won Rugby Washington by defeating Budd Bay 45-0.
5 (5) Sacramento Amazons (Calif.) (7-1). Won Northern California championship defeating Mother Lode 15-10 in final
6 (6)Lakewood (12-1). Finished second at Midwest Championships, defeating Armstrong 32-0, Kettle Morraine 32-7, and losing to DSHA 35-6
7 (10) Mother Lode (Calif.) (7-1). Finished second in Nor Cal, losing to Sacramento 15-10 in the final
8 (8) West Carroll (Md.) (6-0). Won EPRU's West Division
9 (9) Portland (ME) (2-4). Defeated Algonquin 38-0, Lincoln-Sudbury 65-0
10 (6) Kettle Morraine (Wisc.) (8-3) (10-4). Finished 3rd at Midwest Championships! Defeated Traverse City 27-5, lost to Lakewood 32-7, defeated Fox Chapel 24-0
11 (12) Beaverton (Ore.) (7-0) (7-1). #1 Oregon seed after defeating West Linn 28-10
12 (14) Ravenwood (Tenn.). (6-0). Won Middle Tennessee title
13 (18) Karns (Tenn) (6-0). Defeated Maryville 12-7 for SMAC title
14 (12) Douglas County (Colo.) (6-2). Idle
15 (16) Maryville (Tenn.) (5-2). Lost to Karns Blue 12-7 in SMAC final
16 (11) Canby (Ore.) (4-1) (4-2). #2 seed heading into State Tournament after defeating Reynolds 45-27
17 (7) St. Joseph's Academy (Ohio) (4-2). Lost to DSHA 36-0, defeated Columbus (IN) 48-0 and Armstrong (MN) 19-0 for 5th in the Midwest
18 (15) Fairfax (Va.) (3-0) . Defeated Fort Hunt 39-7.
19 (unr) Catholic Memorial (Wisc.) (8-3).
Won Midwest's DII with 10-0 win over Brookfield.
Record listed incorrectly .... (5-3) (8-0)
20 (unr) Lowland (Utah) (6-1). Won Utah seed to Pacific Coast Championship after defeating Snow Canyon 12-5
21 (13) Brookfield (Wisc.) (6-5) (9-6). Finished 2nd @ MW Championship tier 2
22 (18) Fairport (NY) (3-0). Defeated Kenmore West 25-0
23 (unr) Downington (Pa.) (4-0). Advances to MARFU Championship
24 (unr) New York (4-0). Playing in NRU Championship against Union
Nice to see four Wisconsin teams in the Top 25. Congrats to all those players and coaches.
Girls' U19/High School Top 25 - May 4, 2011
1 (2) DSHA (Wisc.) (10-1) (13-1). Won Midwest Championship defeating St. Joseph's 36-0, Fox Chapel 42-0 and Lakewood 35-6 in the final
2 (1) Summit (Colo.) (8-0). Idle
3 (3) Fallbrook (Calif.) (6-0). Advances to So Cal Championship after defeating Fullerton 50-0 in semifinal
4 (4) Kent (Wash.) (5-0). Won Rugby Washington by defeating Budd Bay 45-0.
5 (5) Sacramento Amazons (Calif.) (7-1). Won Northern California championship defeating Mother Lode 15-10 in final
6 (6)Lakewood (12-1). Finished second at Midwest Championships, defeating Armstrong 32-0, Kettle Morraine 32-7, and losing to DSHA 35-6
7 (10) Mother Lode (Calif.) (7-1). Finished second in Nor Cal, losing to Sacramento 15-10 in the final
8 (8) West Carroll (Md.) (6-0). Won EPRU's West Division
9 (9) Portland (ME) (2-4). Defeated Algonquin 38-0, Lincoln-Sudbury 65-0
10 (6) Kettle Morraine (Wisc.) (8-3) (10-4). Finished 3rd at Midwest Championships! Defeated Traverse City 27-5, lost to Lakewood 32-7, defeated Fox Chapel 24-0
11 (12) Beaverton (Ore.) (7-0) (7-1). #1 Oregon seed after defeating West Linn 28-10
12 (14) Ravenwood (Tenn.). (6-0). Won Middle Tennessee title
13 (18) Karns (Tenn) (6-0). Defeated Maryville 12-7 for SMAC title
14 (12) Douglas County (Colo.) (6-2). Idle
15 (16) Maryville (Tenn.) (5-2). Lost to Karns Blue 12-7 in SMAC final
16 (11) Canby (Ore.) (4-1) (4-2). #2 seed heading into State Tournament after defeating Reynolds 45-27
17 (7) St. Joseph's Academy (Ohio) (4-2). Lost to DSHA 36-0, defeated Columbus (IN) 48-0 and Armstrong (MN) 19-0 for 5th in the Midwest
18 (15) Fairfax (Va.) (3-0) . Defeated Fort Hunt 39-7.
19 (unr) Catholic Memorial (Wisc.) (8-3).
Won Midwest's DII with 10-0 win over Brookfield.
Record listed incorrectly .... (5-3) (8-0)
20 (unr) Lowland (Utah) (6-1). Won Utah seed to Pacific Coast Championship after defeating Snow Canyon 12-5
21 (13) Brookfield (Wisc.) (6-5) (9-6). Finished 2nd @ MW Championship tier 2
22 (18) Fairport (NY) (3-0). Defeated Kenmore West 25-0
23 (unr) Downington (Pa.) (4-0). Advances to MARFU Championship
24 (unr) New York (4-0). Playing in NRU Championship against Union
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
A few pictures .. send us more!
Picture #2: Kettle Moraine's senior fullback Samantha Capelle with a brilliant offload between two Lakewood tacklers in the Midwest Semifinal match. Click it to enlarge and fully appreciate how she threads the needle!Picture #1: The strong technique of KM and Lakewood can be glimpsed just before their scrum engagement.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Girls Midwest Championship Scores
-----Opening Ceremonies 4/30/11-----Midwest Girls High School Championships 2011
Sunday 5/1/11
Championship DSHA 36 Lakewood 5
3rd Place Fox Chapel 0 Kettle Moraine 24
5th Place St Joseph’s 5 Armstrong 0
7th Columbus 15 Traverse City 0
Second Division:
Catholic Memorial 10 Brookfield 0
Saturday 4/30/11
Quarterfinals:
DSHA 36 St Joseph’s 0
Fox Chapel 5 Columbus 5
Lakewood 32 Armstrong 5
KM 27 Traverse City 5
Semifinals
DSHA 42 Fox Chapel 0
Lakewood 32 Kettle Moraine 7
Consolation Bracket:
St Joseph’s 48 Columbus 0
Armstrong 10 Traverse City 10
Division Two:
Sunday 5/1/11
Championship DSHA 36 Lakewood 5
3rd Place Fox Chapel 0 Kettle Moraine 24
5th Place St Joseph’s 5 Armstrong 0
7th Columbus 15 Traverse City 0
Second Division:
Catholic Memorial 10 Brookfield 0
Saturday 4/30/11
Quarterfinals:
DSHA 36 St Joseph’s 0
Fox Chapel 5 Columbus 5
Lakewood 32 Armstrong 5
KM 27 Traverse City 5
Semifinals
DSHA 42 Fox Chapel 0
Lakewood 32 Kettle Moraine 7
Consolation Bracket:
St Joseph’s 48 Columbus 0
Armstrong 10 Traverse City 10
Division Two:
Quarterfinals
Catholic Memorial 55 Carmel 5
Catholic Memorial 55 Carmel 5
Brookfield 22 South Bend 0
Semifinals
Catholic Memorial 62 Plainfield 0
Brookfield 51 Penn HS 0
DSHA, Lakewood, KM, Fox Chapel, St Joseph's, Armstrong, Columbus, Traverse City
Catholic Memorial 62 Plainfield 0
Brookfield 51 Penn HS 0
DSHA, Lakewood, KM, Fox Chapel, St Joseph's, Armstrong, Columbus, Traverse City
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Midwest Championships
In winning their 12th Midwest Championship, DSHA high school, the all-girls high school team from Wisconsin, defeated Lakewood, Ohio 36-5 Sunday afternoon.
Interestingly, the Midwest Championship victory ended up being by a wider margin of victory than DSHA's State Championship battle with Kettle Moraine. In advancing to the MW final, DS also defeated an athletic Fox Chapel in the semifinals, something like 30-0 and a really good St Joseph's Academy in the quarterfinals by a similar score.
Kettle Moraine had a fine run as well, winning the third-place game against Fox Chapel 25-0. KM ran into some bad luck, as their captain and #7 went down with a bad ankle injury in the first few minutes of their first match on a very patchy and uneven pitch. Still, KM put in some excellent performances in defeating two different state champions in Traverse City and Fox Chapel. KM's semifinal against Lakewood was a good battle, with Lakewood pulling away late to advance.
In the second division championship, Brookfield and Catholic Memorial High School both put in dominating performances to advance to an all-Wisconsin final. CMHS won 10-0 in an outstanding back-and forth match.
After our field reporters check-in, we hope to post some pictures and official scores.
Interestingly, the Midwest Championship victory ended up being by a wider margin of victory than DSHA's State Championship battle with Kettle Moraine. In advancing to the MW final, DS also defeated an athletic Fox Chapel in the semifinals, something like 30-0 and a really good St Joseph's Academy in the quarterfinals by a similar score.
Kettle Moraine had a fine run as well, winning the third-place game against Fox Chapel 25-0. KM ran into some bad luck, as their captain and #7 went down with a bad ankle injury in the first few minutes of their first match on a very patchy and uneven pitch. Still, KM put in some excellent performances in defeating two different state champions in Traverse City and Fox Chapel. KM's semifinal against Lakewood was a good battle, with Lakewood pulling away late to advance.
In the second division championship, Brookfield and Catholic Memorial High School both put in dominating performances to advance to an all-Wisconsin final. CMHS won 10-0 in an outstanding back-and forth match.
After our field reporters check-in, we hope to post some pictures and official scores.
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