Starting in 2014 each team in Wisconsin is required to have a certified "Touch Judge." These are the sideline referee aids who hold flags and signal when the ball goes out of bounds.
March 2nd, March 11th
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
2014 Team Touch Judge Requirement
Starting in 2014 each team in Wisconsin is required to have a certified "Touch Judge." These are the sideline referee aids who hold flags and signal when the ball goes out of bounds.
Free Indoor Rugby Sessions
Coach Neil from Brookfield has scheduled some gym time Sunday Mornings 7am to 8am at the Brookfield Indoor Soccer Park. New and veteran players interested in attending some touch rugby sessions should contact coach Neil. Attendees will need to preform some cleaning duties at the facility. They are asking
that our club clean the glass at the indoor park and we can have the dates
available for free.
Contact Coach Neil directly: neilgrintjes@yahoo.com
Brookfield indoor Soccer Park indoor dates:
Sunday Feb 2
Sunday Feb 9
Sunday Feb 23
Sunday March 9
Sunday March 16
Sunday March 23
Sunday March 30
Sunday April 6
Sunday April 13
Contact Coach Neil directly: neilgrintjes@yahoo.com
Brookfield indoor Soccer Park indoor dates:
Sunday Feb 2
Sunday Feb 9
Sunday Feb 23
Sunday March 9
Sunday March 16
Sunday March 23
Sunday March 30
Sunday April 6
Sunday April 13
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Vegas 7s Rugby
The 2014 Rugby season feels like it REALLY kicks off with the now annual Vegas International 7's Tournament. If you didn't catch the action on NHC today, you can see some of the playoffs tomorrow afternoon on NBC. The Fiji v New Zealand game today was probably our favorite so far; although the USA victory over Spain was exciting as well, featuring some well-worked tries. If we had to make a prediction, we'd have to go with the All-Blacks and South Afrika in the final, but in sevens one missed tackle can change any game.
In the week leading up to the event, the Vegas Invitational hosts 80-some club and school teams from around the world. While we face -40 degree weather and some more school closings this week, it's hard not to dream of spring and summer weather and getting out to play some rugby.
Some high school girls rugby 15's matches could be found the last few days, with defending National Champion Fallbrook jumping out to three big wins:
Fallbrook 66 Snow Canyon, Utah 0 (Thur)
Fallbrook 81 Bishop O'Down HS, NorCal 0 (Fri)
Fallbrook 81 Lashburn Lucky 10 (Sat)
In 7's action, the Atlantis high school team made its first-ever debut. Atlantis is a famous touring invitational team made up of players from all around the country. As Coach Noe once put it, "anyone who is anyone in sevens plays for Atlantis" at some point in their careers. Seeing them branch out into the lower age-groups is pretty exciting and a big step. Wisconsin's Rebecca Haight joined the touring team for their debut and played in a bunch of their matches. They made it to the Cup Finals, losing to British Columbia's u-18 team 32-12.
Our friends to the north also sent two teams to represent Minnessota: M-Tundra 1 and 2. The both lost in the Plate Semifinals, but cetainly got a chance to get outdoors and play some good teams.
Plate Semis:
Tundra 0 Hilo Reign 61
Tundra 2, 5 Apexa 24
In the week leading up to the event, the Vegas Invitational hosts 80-some club and school teams from around the world. While we face -40 degree weather and some more school closings this week, it's hard not to dream of spring and summer weather and getting out to play some rugby.
Some high school girls rugby 15's matches could be found the last few days, with defending National Champion Fallbrook jumping out to three big wins:
Fallbrook 66 Snow Canyon, Utah 0 (Thur)
Fallbrook 81 Bishop O'Down HS, NorCal 0 (Fri)
Fallbrook 81 Lashburn Lucky 10 (Sat)
In 7's action, the Atlantis high school team made its first-ever debut. Atlantis is a famous touring invitational team made up of players from all around the country. As Coach Noe once put it, "anyone who is anyone in sevens plays for Atlantis" at some point in their careers. Seeing them branch out into the lower age-groups is pretty exciting and a big step. Wisconsin's Rebecca Haight joined the touring team for their debut and played in a bunch of their matches. They made it to the Cup Finals, losing to British Columbia's u-18 team 32-12.
Our friends to the north also sent two teams to represent Minnessota: M-Tundra 1 and 2. The both lost in the Plate Semifinals, but cetainly got a chance to get outdoors and play some good teams.
Plate Semis:
Tundra 0 Hilo Reign 61
Tundra 2, 5 Apexa 24
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Midwest Girls Championships April 26th-27th
The
2014 High School Girls Midwest Tournament help April 26&27th at
the Moose Rugby Grounds in Elkhart, Indiana will have multiple divisions for
different levels of competitiveness. Please contact one of the coordinators soon if interested in
attending one of the largest all-girls tournaments in the country.
Preliminary
List of Competitors (18):
Illinois
Plainfield
Indiana
Brownsburg, Bloomington, Warsaw, South Bend, Penn,
Michigan
Livingston
Minnesota
Armstrong
Ohio
Lakewood, St Joseph’s Academy, St Joseph's B, Parma
Wisconsin
DSHA, DSHA JV, Catholic Memorial, Brookfield, Kettle Moraine, Oak Creek
Hotel Info Below. Make checks payable to “Moose Rugby Grounds”
Check out: www.midwestyouthrugby.com for more info and last year's brackets.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Crusader Cup 7's Registratin Due March 1st
Registration for the Crusader Cup 7’s at Minooka Park in Waukesha, Wisconsin on May 3rd
is due March 1st. At that time we will finalize the brackets
and send the schedule to the refs.
This is a low key event. No trophies, just show up, play,
and have fun. It’s $75 for each team you wish to enter with at least 3
matches for each team.
Varsity Pool (830am 1st match ---11am last
match): (4teams so far) CMH, BB,M, OC
Festival Pool (11am-2pm): (5teams so far) CMH, BB,
Fondy, M, OC
For more info contact:
John Waliszewski
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Wisconsin High School Selectside
Hello WI coaches,
I’m hoping to build on last year’s results. In order to do
that, please get the dates and my email out to any that you believe would be a
good fit and interested. More schools are starting to offer scholarships,
and outside of major tournaments (nationals, Midwest), the regional select
sides offer another avenue to be seen and add to their resume.
Besides developing players and opening them to future
possibilities in representative rugby, I would also like to help coaches gain
experience as well. If you are interested in helping the select side
program, please let me know your area of expertise as well as your ability to
commit to the dates. Otherwise, practice sessions are always open to WI coaches
if you just want to come watch or steal new drills. Assistant coaches,
brand new coaches, all are welcome to apply and I will finalize a staff by the
end of February.
The biggest difficulty was not having enough time together as a
group. This will give me 4 good trainings and a scrimmage before the
tournament and after the May 4th tryout. Everything will be in
the greater Milwaukee area, so I will work my best to accommodate the Appleton,
FDL, and Fox Valley girls that make the list after the tryout.
Dates:
May
4th – day after CMH 7s, no teams on the schedule that I can
see. Tryouts for the team, with the hope of having a starting 25 for the
tournament and a developmental roster of frosh/soph players to build on in the
future.
June
1st – Team training day except will be missing DSHA players at
National 7s.
June
6th – Evening walk through and game plan
June
7th – Scrimmage IL 15s. We’d miss Oak Creek and Arrowhead
seniors to graduation.
June
10th – Evening practice
June
12th – Evening practice
June
13th -15th – Travel to Indiana for Midwest
I’m
excited for this summer, better representing WI, dominating in the Midwest and
gaining more selections to the High School All American side. If you or
any of your players have any questions or concerns, please have them contact
me.
Thanks,
Monday, January 13, 2014
Tough Love
A lot of us at WGR either were or are coaches. The rest of us are or were players at one point. An article we read recently reminded us of some of the experiences we had, both as part of teams and just as students in general.
The article that inspired us appeared in the Harvard Business Review and was titled "The Fine Art of Tough Love." A few excerpts from the article demonstrate why we found it enlightening. This story seemed a good fit for the world of rugby, where the demands of the sport .. it's fitness level and physicality .. demand certain levels of tough love. That's why it appears to us rugby is GROWING in participation numbers across the country.
"The teacher at the heart of the book Strings Attached is on the face of it an unlikely corporate role model. My childhood music teacher Jerry Kupchynsky, who we called “Mr. K,” was strictly old school: A ferocious Ukrainian immigrant and World War II refugee, he was a tyrannical school orchestra conductor in suburban New Jersey. He would yell and stomp and scream when we screwed up, bellowing “Who eez DEAF in first violins?” His highest praise was “not bad.” He rehearsed us until our fingers were raw."
"Yet ultimately he became beloved by students, many of whom went on to outsize professional success in fields from business to academics to law, and who decades later would gather to thank him."
"Clearly, Mr. K’s demanding methods have tapped into a sea change that we’re just starting to detect in the culture, away from coddling of kids and the “trophies for everyone” mentality that has dominated parenting and education. It’s a shift that is equally evident in the workplace. But trying to offer more honest feedback, and set higher standards, at work is tricky. It’s especially difficult in the case of newer hires, those recent young college grads who were raised on a steady diet of praise and trophies and who never learned to accept criticism."
"Mr. K’s methods offer an intriguing roadmap:
1. Banish empty praise.
Mr. K never gave us false praise, and never even used words like “talent.” When he uttered a “not bad” – his highest compliment — we’d dance down the street and then run home and practice twice as long.
It turns out he was on to something. Harvard Business Review readers will recall the landmark 2007 article written by psychologist K. Anders Ericsson, “The Making of an Expert.” That piece is most often cited for his pioneering work establishing that true expertise requires about 10,000 hours of practice."
There are four more key methods he used in his "tough love" teaching. Check the rest of them out if you're a coach or a team captain ...
We wonder, how effective would this be with our high school athletes today? Does anyone have a story of this in practice? We know this can backfire too, if not done in a special way. Post a comment and join the discussion.
The article that inspired us appeared in the Harvard Business Review and was titled "The Fine Art of Tough Love." A few excerpts from the article demonstrate why we found it enlightening. This story seemed a good fit for the world of rugby, where the demands of the sport .. it's fitness level and physicality .. demand certain levels of tough love. That's why it appears to us rugby is GROWING in participation numbers across the country.
"The teacher at the heart of the book Strings Attached is on the face of it an unlikely corporate role model. My childhood music teacher Jerry Kupchynsky, who we called “Mr. K,” was strictly old school: A ferocious Ukrainian immigrant and World War II refugee, he was a tyrannical school orchestra conductor in suburban New Jersey. He would yell and stomp and scream when we screwed up, bellowing “Who eez DEAF in first violins?” His highest praise was “not bad.” He rehearsed us until our fingers were raw."
"Yet ultimately he became beloved by students, many of whom went on to outsize professional success in fields from business to academics to law, and who decades later would gather to thank him."
"Clearly, Mr. K’s demanding methods have tapped into a sea change that we’re just starting to detect in the culture, away from coddling of kids and the “trophies for everyone” mentality that has dominated parenting and education. It’s a shift that is equally evident in the workplace. But trying to offer more honest feedback, and set higher standards, at work is tricky. It’s especially difficult in the case of newer hires, those recent young college grads who were raised on a steady diet of praise and trophies and who never learned to accept criticism."
"Mr. K’s methods offer an intriguing roadmap:
1. Banish empty praise.
Mr. K never gave us false praise, and never even used words like “talent.” When he uttered a “not bad” – his highest compliment — we’d dance down the street and then run home and practice twice as long.
It turns out he was on to something. Harvard Business Review readers will recall the landmark 2007 article written by psychologist K. Anders Ericsson, “The Making of an Expert.” That piece is most often cited for his pioneering work establishing that true expertise requires about 10,000 hours of practice."
There are four more key methods he used in his "tough love" teaching. Check the rest of them out if you're a coach or a team captain ...
We wonder, how effective would this be with our high school athletes today? Does anyone have a story of this in practice? We know this can backfire too, if not done in a special way. Post a comment and join the discussion.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
"I'm not necessarily proud of the World Cups and the Grand Slams won or lost, the amount of points scored, this record or that. What I am proud of is I have searched for the best of me and I have been a team man without fail.“
| — | Jonny Wilkinson England's World Cup Winning flyhalf, Johnny Wilkinson, now 34, recently announced he may play one more season before retiring. The great playmaker, known for his winning dropgoal, and for playing ferocious defense like a flanker, changed the way flyhalves were looked at. He was first capped for his country at the age of 18 and playing flyhalf in international matches at the unheard of young age of 19. If you're good enough, you're old enough, the saying goes. |
Thursday, January 9, 2014
2014 Girls HIgh School Rugby Nationals Deadline Extended
The online process for applying to the Girls National Championship Tournament has extended their deadline due to some online glitches. Click here to apply to the event in the Berkshires in Massachusetts on May 17th and 18th.
This year's event will have three Divisions of play. More than two brackets worth of teams are already full, including return campaigns by veteran West Coast teams like Kent, Wa; Fallbrook, Ca., and the Sacramento Amazons.
For more information check out the updated website: http://www.rugbychampionships.org/
Inquiries may also be made to tournament host: David Colli. collirugby@gmail.com
NGCC chair: John Klein, chinnychinchin_2000@yahoo.com
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Coaching Certification Clinic in Chicago
Illinois Youth Rugby will be hosting a coaching clinic on January 25th. Get certified!
USA Rugby Level 2 Coaching Clinic
USA Rugby will be conducting a Level 200 coaching clinic at Brother Rice High School in Chicago on Saturday January 25, 2014. All rugby teams are recommended to have at least one Level 200 certified coach when competing in the Illinois State Rugby Championship competition. USA Rugby has capped the registration for this clinic at 20 so we encourage coaches interested in attending to register early. Register here
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Kevin Higgins Scholarship Winners 2013
The USRF, which supports the growth of rugby in so many different ways, including with grants to start-up clubs, announced the winners of their 2013 scholarships. Winners are young men and women who will continue playing rugby in college.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WGR ALUMNI.
According to USRF Executive Director Brian Vizard, "This year's recipients are once again outstanding young men and women who have made an impression at their high school, on the rugby pitch, in their communities, and now in college."
This year's recipients from WGR, Eileen Lieb and Lindey Wise, are the fifth and sixth winners from WGR in the history of the award, which include Kaite Mueller (Penn St), Talia Carrasquillo (UNI) and Kaissee Weissueller (UNI), and Amanda Pohle (Marquette U).
Eileen Lieb credits rugby for playing a role in dealing with life’s hardships. “Playing rugby has helped me spiritually. Losing four of my brothers, including my twin brother who was born with Down syndrome, was hard on my family and I never did understand why it happened to us. As I struggled with these questions my team stood by me. We all shared stories of why we play and I told them I play for my brothers. I have been given life and talent so I must give them something to be proud of. I am determined to live my life to the fullest and reach every potential.”
Lindey Wise has had two major life challenges over the past 18 months and she credits rugby and her faith with seeing her through those times. Lindey touched a rugby ball for the first time at a summer rugby camp just before her freshmen year in high school. But by the time she graduated, she helped lead Divine Savior Holy Angels to three consecutive Wisconsin and Midwest titles and three third place finishes at Nationals. She was outstanding in the classroom too finishing with a 3.5 GPA and First Honors in grades 10-12. Lindey also gave back to her community by volunteering with the National Kidney Foundation, the St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program, the Hunger Task Force, and the Child Christ Society.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WGR ALUMNI.
According to USRF Executive Director Brian Vizard, "This year's recipients are once again outstanding young men and women who have made an impression at their high school, on the rugby pitch, in their communities, and now in college."
This year's recipients from WGR, Eileen Lieb and Lindey Wise, are the fifth and sixth winners from WGR in the history of the award, which include Kaite Mueller (Penn St), Talia Carrasquillo (UNI) and Kaissee Weissueller (UNI), and Amanda Pohle (Marquette U).
Eileen Lieb credits rugby for playing a role in dealing with life’s hardships. “Playing rugby has helped me spiritually. Losing four of my brothers, including my twin brother who was born with Down syndrome, was hard on my family and I never did understand why it happened to us. As I struggled with these questions my team stood by me. We all shared stories of why we play and I told them I play for my brothers. I have been given life and talent so I must give them something to be proud of. I am determined to live my life to the fullest and reach every potential.”
Lindey Wise has had two major life challenges over the past 18 months and she credits rugby and her faith with seeing her through those times. Lindey touched a rugby ball for the first time at a summer rugby camp just before her freshmen year in high school. But by the time she graduated, she helped lead Divine Savior Holy Angels to three consecutive Wisconsin and Midwest titles and three third place finishes at Nationals. She was outstanding in the classroom too finishing with a 3.5 GPA and First Honors in grades 10-12. Lindey also gave back to her community by volunteering with the National Kidney Foundation, the St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program, the Hunger Task Force, and the Child Christ Society.
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