Our offices would like to pass on a quick note from USA u20 Team Manager Jeff Noe to any players interested in attending the USA Rugby Flight Camp next week:
Last chance to sign up for the USA Rugby camp at Marquette University on August 4th-7th. For the local girls that want to commute each day, it is $170 and will provide dinner on Th/F/Sa, and lunch on F/Sa as well as a camp t-shirt.
It is $250 if they wish to spend the night at the dorms. There will be a morning and afternoon practice followed by a chalk talk each night.
To register, please follow this link:
https://spreadsheets0.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dGVvRVVna0VOZnRxdWdYbkg4VGtXWXc6MQ#gid=0
Thanks,
Jeff Noe
Manager
USA U20 Women's Rugby
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
The Rugby World Cup 2011
This fall the Rugby World Cup begins. Second only to the soccer world cup and the Olympics, it's one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Now through early September countries will be playing warmup matches.
The USA's schedule is a challenging one. As if the matches aren't emotional enough for the players, everyone will be looking forward to the USA's opening World Cup pool match against Ireland on the tenth anniversary of SEPTEMBER 11th.
RWC BUILD-UP SCHEDULE
August 6, 2011: USA v. Canada (BMO Field, Toronto, Canada)
August 10, 2011: USA Selects v. Glendale Selects (Infinity Park, Glendale CO)
August 13, 2011: USA v. Canada (Infinity Park, Glendale, CO)
August 21, 2011: USA v. Japan (Tokyo, Japan)
RWC 2011 SCHEDULE NEW ZEALAND
September 11, 2011: USA vs. Ireland (New Plymouth)
September 15, 2011: USA vs. Russia (New Plymouth)
September 23, 2011: USA vs. Australia (Wellington)
September 27, 2011: USA vs. Italy (Nelson)
Here's a snapshot of what to expect:
The USA's schedule is a challenging one. As if the matches aren't emotional enough for the players, everyone will be looking forward to the USA's opening World Cup pool match against Ireland on the tenth anniversary of SEPTEMBER 11th.
RWC BUILD-UP SCHEDULE
August 6, 2011: USA v. Canada (BMO Field, Toronto, Canada)
August 10, 2011: USA Selects v. Glendale Selects (Infinity Park, Glendale CO)
August 13, 2011: USA v. Canada (Infinity Park, Glendale, CO)
August 21, 2011: USA v. Japan (Tokyo, Japan)
RWC 2011 SCHEDULE NEW ZEALAND
September 11, 2011: USA vs. Ireland (New Plymouth)
September 15, 2011: USA vs. Russia (New Plymouth)
September 23, 2011: USA vs. Australia (Wellington)
September 27, 2011: USA vs. Italy (Nelson)
Here's a snapshot of what to expect:
Monday, July 18, 2011
8-Man Football and 10's Rugby
The WIAA announced this month that five schools in the southern part of the state and eight in the north are going to play eight-man football. Once there are enough schools, playoff options will then be offered and expanded. Milwaukee's School for the Deaf has had a very successful 8-man football team for many years.
With some smaller schools finding it difficult to fund football teams and struggling to find large numbers of participants, this smaller version of the game is gaining popularity. It uses three lineman, a quarterback, and four backs. Other states, notably Alaska, play a lot of 8-man football.
Clearly, it's not only rugby that has a challenge in some places finding enough players for a large team sport.
At the same time, we are reminded about how rugby is a true particpant sport with 15 players on the field. Every rugby team we've seen has athletes getting on the field a lot. It's not like basketball or even soccer, which, while being great sports, often have lots of players sitting on the end of a bench waiting to get in.
This also reminded our board members here about the discussion over whether Wisconsin should have a Rugby 10's division with ten players on the field for smaller teams. Maybe for it's division III (B-side or JV level) competition?
Any comments from our readers on this one?
With some smaller schools finding it difficult to fund football teams and struggling to find large numbers of participants, this smaller version of the game is gaining popularity. It uses three lineman, a quarterback, and four backs. Other states, notably Alaska, play a lot of 8-man football.
Clearly, it's not only rugby that has a challenge in some places finding enough players for a large team sport.
At the same time, we are reminded about how rugby is a true particpant sport with 15 players on the field. Every rugby team we've seen has athletes getting on the field a lot. It's not like basketball or even soccer, which, while being great sports, often have lots of players sitting on the end of a bench waiting to get in.
This also reminded our board members here about the discussion over whether Wisconsin should have a Rugby 10's division with ten players on the field for smaller teams. Maybe for it's division III (B-side or JV level) competition?
Any comments from our readers on this one?
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wisconsin's First Youth Tag Rugby Festival
The first-ever Youth Rugby matches in the state of Wisconsin were played this past Saturday at North Middle School in Menomonee Falls. Youth rugby players divided into two divisions: grades 3-5 and grades 6-8, and participants in each division included teams from Menomonee Falls, Waukesha, and Fond Du Lac. In all, over 40 youth participated on a warm and sunny day. The Menomonee Falls Burgundy team won the 6th-8th grade division, and Waukesha took top honors in the 3rd-5th grade division.
Menomonee Falls Head Coach Dan Zeroth noted that, " It was great to see the players, especially the 3rd-5th graders, pick up the game so fast. They were able, in a short amount of time, to grasp concepts about teamwork and new rules in only a few practices."
Menomonee Falls Head Coach Dan Zeroth noted that, " It was great to see the players, especially the 3rd-5th graders, pick up the game so fast. They were able, in a short amount of time, to grasp concepts about teamwork and new rules in only a few practices."
Zeroth also came away impressed with the older division of youth players. "The 6th-8th grade teams were just as impressive, with some dynamic passing, back row moves, and impressive runs. The future of rugby in the State of Wisconsin just got brighter. Today we played simple flag rugby, but the impact that this will have on the high school, college, and club teams, will be tremendous for years to come."
Just looking at the attached picture leads us at WGR to wholeheartedly agree.
What's more exciting is the fact that there's much more to come.
What's more exciting is the fact that there's much more to come.
Youth rugby players have the opportunity to play again in August as the Wauwatosa Recreation Department hosts an event on Saturday, August 6th. For more information on the August matches, please contact Dan Chanen at 414-773-1042.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Participation in Interscholastic Activities
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, or the WIAA, is a voluntary membership organization that supports and governs competitive school sports in Wisconsin. Over 90,000 student athletes participated last year in WIAA sports.
Rugby at this time would not be considered for inclusion in the WIAA until many more teams formed and became included in schools. Inclusion is another topic for another day. What interested our office staff this morning is the idea of participating in high school athletics in general, regardless of WIAA inclusion.
The article from the WIAA excerpted below, has some compelling information on why being a member of a team has special value for high school participants. Some, maybe all, of the benefits could apply to club teams depending on the program, but the unique relationship of a school team that requires and monitors participants' grades, behavior, and health probably makes the benefits more pronounced.
It is worth noting that the value of participation by student athletes cannot be fully quantified. How does one quantify the gift of memories, personal growth, and lifelong friendships formed?
"The “Case for High School Activities” presents volumes of research and survey data that dispels myths or misconceptions that involvement in school activities may be a diversion to a quality education.
Participation the Key
Students that participate and are engaged in school programs, whether it’s athletics or any other extracurricular activity, have less truancy, lower drop-out rates, fewer disciplinary issues and better grade point averages on average than their peers that have no involvement. In 2007, the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise reported that students who took part in more vigorous sports like soccer or football performed nearly 10 percent better in math, science, English and social studies classes. Similar findings were produced by a survey in Minnesota in 2007.
It may also be undeniable that involvement in high school activities bodes well for participants after high school as well. According to researchers in a 2005 study, participation in extracurricular activities gives all students--including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those without stellar academic accomplishments in high school--measurable improvements on college admission exam scores. Furthermore, students who compete in sports in high school were more likely than those not participating to be active in volunteering, voting, speaking publicly and being aware of current events.
Similar results were confirmed in a 2003 Journal of Adolescent Research report. It indicates high school extracurricular participation leads to fewer school drop outs, greater community involvement, greater academic achievement and a plethora of other positive outcomes. Perhaps the most important impact of participation in high school activities is the short- and long-term personal and emotional benefits that lead to making appropriate choices. According to a United States Department of Education article published in 2002, those who have no involvement in interscholastic activities are 49 percent more likely to use drugs and 37 percent more likely to become teen parents.
The volume of materials and information supporting the values and life-long lessons learned through interscholastic activities is vast. However, we must be careful not to take extracurricular opportunities for granted or underestimate the impact they have on schools and a school’s community.
Interscholastic events are one of the largest windows into what is being taught and learned in our schools. There is no doubt that great things are being learned in traditional classrooms to prepare students for life beyond school; however, access to these learning environments are far less common for those outside the school. This fact makes school activity programs–proclaimed as extensions of the traditional classroom–even more valuable.
Therefore, it is increasingly important to demonstrate to those that live, work and pay taxes in the community the value of extracurricular activities. Typically, the average cost of extracurricular programs is less than one percent of most school budgets, making them a fantastic bargain and value. "
Rugby at this time would not be considered for inclusion in the WIAA until many more teams formed and became included in schools. Inclusion is another topic for another day. What interested our office staff this morning is the idea of participating in high school athletics in general, regardless of WIAA inclusion.
The article from the WIAA excerpted below, has some compelling information on why being a member of a team has special value for high school participants. Some, maybe all, of the benefits could apply to club teams depending on the program, but the unique relationship of a school team that requires and monitors participants' grades, behavior, and health probably makes the benefits more pronounced.
It is worth noting that the value of participation by student athletes cannot be fully quantified. How does one quantify the gift of memories, personal growth, and lifelong friendships formed?
"The “Case for High School Activities” presents volumes of research and survey data that dispels myths or misconceptions that involvement in school activities may be a diversion to a quality education.
Participation the Key
Students that participate and are engaged in school programs, whether it’s athletics or any other extracurricular activity, have less truancy, lower drop-out rates, fewer disciplinary issues and better grade point averages on average than their peers that have no involvement. In 2007, the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise reported that students who took part in more vigorous sports like soccer or football performed nearly 10 percent better in math, science, English and social studies classes. Similar findings were produced by a survey in Minnesota in 2007.
It may also be undeniable that involvement in high school activities bodes well for participants after high school as well. According to researchers in a 2005 study, participation in extracurricular activities gives all students--including those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those without stellar academic accomplishments in high school--measurable improvements on college admission exam scores. Furthermore, students who compete in sports in high school were more likely than those not participating to be active in volunteering, voting, speaking publicly and being aware of current events.
Similar results were confirmed in a 2003 Journal of Adolescent Research report. It indicates high school extracurricular participation leads to fewer school drop outs, greater community involvement, greater academic achievement and a plethora of other positive outcomes. Perhaps the most important impact of participation in high school activities is the short- and long-term personal and emotional benefits that lead to making appropriate choices. According to a United States Department of Education article published in 2002, those who have no involvement in interscholastic activities are 49 percent more likely to use drugs and 37 percent more likely to become teen parents.
The volume of materials and information supporting the values and life-long lessons learned through interscholastic activities is vast. However, we must be careful not to take extracurricular opportunities for granted or underestimate the impact they have on schools and a school’s community.
Interscholastic events are one of the largest windows into what is being taught and learned in our schools. There is no doubt that great things are being learned in traditional classrooms to prepare students for life beyond school; however, access to these learning environments are far less common for those outside the school. This fact makes school activity programs–proclaimed as extensions of the traditional classroom–even more valuable.
Therefore, it is increasingly important to demonstrate to those that live, work and pay taxes in the community the value of extracurricular activities. Typically, the average cost of extracurricular programs is less than one percent of most school budgets, making them a fantastic bargain and value. "
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Wisconsin u19 Update
The Wisconsin Rugby Union's u19 girls team finished the Midwest Selectside Tournament at 1-2 two weekends ago.
WI 36 Michigan 0
Tries: Oury, Ortiz, Wiesmueller, Capelle, Mertins
WI 7 Ohio 17
Tries: Wiesmueller
WI 10 Minn 40
Tries: Mertins (2)
Indiana won their 5th consecutive title by defeating Ohio in the final.
According to head coach Will Traber, "All the girls put forth a great effort and am happy with the way Wisconsin performed with finalizing the roster one week earlier. I am looking forward for the future of U-19 and U-17 women's rugby in this state."
Team Roster
Becker, Lauren KM 8-Man/Prop
Bukvich, Sabrina Brookfield Prop/Row
Bukvich, Becca Brookfield Flanker/W/C
Capelle, Shannon KM Hooker
Capelle, Samantha KM Flanker/Back
Carrasquillo,Talia KM Flanker
Dunn, Danielle Vernon
Dunn, Samantha Vernon
Evans, Lelaina Northshore Prop/Hooker
Harvey,Katelyn Vernon Row/8-man
Hoover, Ashley Vernon Prop
Mertins, Andrea KM Flyhalf
Ortiz, Cheyenne Brookfield Fb/Wing
Porter, Marissa Vernon Flanker/P/H
Rodrigues, Beatrice KM Flank
Rozman,Taylor KM Flank/SH
Rozman,Hayley KM 8-Man/Flank/Row
Sokol, Jaimie Brookfield Prop/Row
Stich, Maggie Brookfield W/OC
Wiesmueller,Kaisee Brookfield C/Wing
Oury, Hannah KM
WI 36 Michigan 0
Tries: Oury, Ortiz, Wiesmueller, Capelle, Mertins
WI 7 Ohio 17
Tries: Wiesmueller
WI 10 Minn 40
Tries: Mertins (2)
Indiana won their 5th consecutive title by defeating Ohio in the final.
According to head coach Will Traber, "All the girls put forth a great effort and am happy with the way Wisconsin performed with finalizing the roster one week earlier. I am looking forward for the future of U-19 and U-17 women's rugby in this state."
Team Roster
Becker, Lauren KM 8-Man/Prop
Bukvich, Sabrina Brookfield Prop/Row
Bukvich, Becca Brookfield Flanker/W/C
Capelle, Shannon KM Hooker
Capelle, Samantha KM Flanker/Back
Carrasquillo,Talia KM Flanker
Dunn, Danielle Vernon
Dunn, Samantha Vernon
Evans, Lelaina Northshore Prop/Hooker
Harvey,Katelyn Vernon Row/8-man
Hoover, Ashley Vernon Prop
Mertins, Andrea KM Flyhalf
Ortiz, Cheyenne Brookfield Fb/Wing
Porter, Marissa Vernon Flanker/P/H
Rodrigues, Beatrice KM Flank
Rozman,Taylor KM Flank/SH
Rozman,Hayley KM 8-Man/Flank/Row
Sokol, Jaimie Brookfield Prop/Row
Stich, Maggie Brookfield W/OC
Wiesmueller,Kaisee Brookfield C/Wing
Oury, Hannah KM
Friday, July 1, 2011
The 29th Annual Lakefront 7's
Next weekend, Saturday July 9th is the 29th Annual Lakefront 7's on the shoreline of Lake Michigan along Lake Drive in downtown Milwaukee.
For the first time in a number of years, there won't be a bracket just for girls high school rugby. There's an 8-team boys bracket, but not enough interest from the girls teams. There are two women's brackets, so they will feature collegiate and adult club team players.
Why no girls sevens this summer?
Well, that's a tough question. Some proponents of 7's suggest it's easier to form teams and new teams in particular during a 7's season. Certainly, since you need less players, that should be easy. Plus, there are less skills and set pieces to teach since rucking, scrumming, and lineouts are all simplified in the 7's version of rugby.
With that as a given, we think there are two reasons for 7's being less attractive to recreational athletes. First, it's the summer time. That's synonymous with festival time in Milwaukee. There's music, water sports, and a million other events going on. It's vacation time and travel time. Coaches and athletes return to the rest of their lives. It's also a time for young students to work summer jobs and learn what it's like to have responsibility. In short, it's time to do all those things you can't the rest of the year in the Midwest.
The second reason, and this is purely an opinion and not the official position of WGR, is that Sevens rugby needs only one kind of athlete: A fast one. If you're not fast, it's just not going to be your game. If you're not fast, try playing in the hot summer months on a full size field with half the teammates of a regular match. Be prepared to sprint. The entire time. 15's rugby has grown so rapidly in the Midwest because the short and the tall; the fast AND the slow contribute in meaningful ways to a successful team. Every kind of athlete can find success in 15's. Now, certainly 7's can be a lot of fun. Certainly a lot of tries can be scored, quickly. But i wonder if 7's will ever be as popular as 15's. What do you think? Leave us a note .....
For the first time in a number of years, there won't be a bracket just for girls high school rugby. There's an 8-team boys bracket, but not enough interest from the girls teams. There are two women's brackets, so they will feature collegiate and adult club team players.
Why no girls sevens this summer?
Well, that's a tough question. Some proponents of 7's suggest it's easier to form teams and new teams in particular during a 7's season. Certainly, since you need less players, that should be easy. Plus, there are less skills and set pieces to teach since rucking, scrumming, and lineouts are all simplified in the 7's version of rugby.
With that as a given, we think there are two reasons for 7's being less attractive to recreational athletes. First, it's the summer time. That's synonymous with festival time in Milwaukee. There's music, water sports, and a million other events going on. It's vacation time and travel time. Coaches and athletes return to the rest of their lives. It's also a time for young students to work summer jobs and learn what it's like to have responsibility. In short, it's time to do all those things you can't the rest of the year in the Midwest.
The second reason, and this is purely an opinion and not the official position of WGR, is that Sevens rugby needs only one kind of athlete: A fast one. If you're not fast, it's just not going to be your game. If you're not fast, try playing in the hot summer months on a full size field with half the teammates of a regular match. Be prepared to sprint. The entire time. 15's rugby has grown so rapidly in the Midwest because the short and the tall; the fast AND the slow contribute in meaningful ways to a successful team. Every kind of athlete can find success in 15's. Now, certainly 7's can be a lot of fun. Certainly a lot of tries can be scored, quickly. But i wonder if 7's will ever be as popular as 15's. What do you think? Leave us a note .....
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