from the inside cover of the 2012 State Tournament Program, available on gameday:
Dear rugby players, families, and friends,
Thank you for coming out to support Wisconsin Girls High School Rugby as we celebrate out sixth annual end of season tournament. Wisconsin is known as one of the best leagues for high school girls in the nation as many of the programs have represented the state in Midwest and National tournaments. No other state can claim anywhere near the six different teams Wisconsin has sent to Nationals as well as always finishing fifth or higher in the tournament. This is representative of the talent, and quality of rugby played in Wisconsin as well as the effort and commitment needed by all the teams to compete in an extremely tough league.
Rugby for me is about realizing what you can control and what you cannot. We cannot control the weather. We cannot control the referee. Both of those things must be dealt with by each team. What we can control is our effort and our attitude. We must strive as a league and rugby community to promote a positive attitude that looks to fix mistakes, encourage our teammates, and continue to work together against the opposition. It is the players’ effort and approach to adversity allows them to be successful and deliver their best performance. But it is never a perfect performance and how a team responds to those challenges and setbacks, with a positive attitude and effort, is what can create something memorable.
The crowd needs to remember this as well. Our focus should be on encouraging players to dust themselves off after a missed tackle, or praise an extra effort that results in a turnover. There should be respect for all the teams and the referees that are out competing on the final day of the season.
Thank you again for celebrating our Sixth Annual State Tournament. I hope you will all join me in showing respect, encouragement, and celebration to all the teams and referees after the tremendous amount of work dedicated to a season of rugby. I am looking forward to watching several competitive rugby matches that will mark the conclusion of a great fall rugby season.
Cheers,
Jeff Noe
WI High School Girls Rugby Coordinator
1 comment:
Noe! I was looking at this blog before our 3rd place game like I do before a lot of games and I saw a letter to all of the players and fans about the state tournament. I was really touched by the effort and attitude section, so I copied it to show to the team. Then, I scrolled down and saw that you wrote it! This honestly didn't suprise me. Everything that you do for the team and Wisconsin rugby reflects the words that you posted in the letter. You have taught me and the girls so much and I will never forget all that you have done. You will always be a member of the Knightmares, no matter where you go.
-Libby Schubert, Knightmares :)
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