Looking forward

With the new year almost upon us, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, all the readers and listeners, for all your support.  I've made a lot of great rugby friends this year and I'm excited to share more posts and podcasts in what I feel is going to be a fantastic rugby year ahead.

On the domestic front, I'm looking forward to seeing how the local teams do again. The US Super League kicks off soon and NYAC will be back in action to defend their title.  In the Women's Premiers league, New York Rugby Club will be looking to pull off a hat-trick championship win.  On the personal side,  my current home team, the Village Lions, are heading to the Div 2 Nationals after a superb season this year.  And my old teammates and friends in the Washington Renegades hope to make history by qualifying for their first ever Div 3 Nationals.

Merry Christmas!

Have a great day folks!

Cheers Hedley

A Christmas Gift- Jordan Torres's story about life at IRANZ

As an early Christmas treat for you, I wanted to share Jordan Torres story of his time at IRANZ camp earlier this year.  With the fund raising help from you, the readers, and family friends, Jordan had a chance of a lifetime to attend the academy in New Zealand.

In his words, this is his story.

Village Lions Women's 2011 Calendar

The ladies of the Village Lions have out done themselves again with a fabulous calendar for 2011.  The calendar cost $15 and all proceeds go to help fund the team during next years season.


To pick one up, head on over to https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=WT8Z75R7YMS62 and below you can get a sneak peak of photos for each month.

Locations finalized for 2011 US Rugby Championships

Courtesy of USA Rugby

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BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby is happy to announce that all locations for 2011 National Championships are finalized after securing one last venue. 

In the east Virginia Beach; Manassas Park, Virginia; Pittsburgh; Buffalo, New York; and Sanford, Florida will all see championship-caliber rugby teams battle for national titles.

Championships will find their way to western locations that include Santa Barbara; San Francisco; the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California; Sandy, Utah; and Glendale, Colorado.

Blaine, Minnesota; Bowling Green, Ohio; and Austin, Texas will see their share of action as well.

The first ever College Premier League final will see the two best men’s college rugby teams in the country square off in Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Podcast Episode 12: Adam Kopp & Chris Babiash (Rugby Athletic)

Back with another podcast for your listening pleasure, this time with not one, but two guests.

I catch up with Adam Kopp and Chris Babiash, the lads behind Rugby Athletic, a growing full service wholesale rugby company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

We talk about the duos college playing days, the origins and services of Rugby Athletic, and there other including their mascot, Ruckie The Moose, who heads up their charity and youth foundation.

You can listen to the podcast on our Podcast Page, iTunes, our Facebook page or via our RSS Feed.

And to find about and follow Rugby Athletic and Ruckie, check out the follow links:

www.rugbyathletic.com

www.facebook.com/rugbyathletic

twitter.com/rugbyathletic

ruckiethemoose.com

NRU Accepting Select Side Coaching Applications

Courtsey of  Northeast Rugby Union

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Albany, NY - The Northeast Rugby Union is now accepting applications for the position of head coach for the following representative teams:

• Senior Men's 7's
• Senior Women's 7's
• College Men's 15's
• College Women's 15's (Currently U23)

These will be three year appointments that will run thru the 2013 season. Preference will be given to applicants with prior select side coaching experience, but prior experience is not a requirement.

Interested coaches should submit an application that includes the following:

• Team you are applying for
• Rugby resumes of the head coach and any assistant coaches, managers, trainers, etc.
• Program events calendar - training dates, tryouts, practices, tournaments or competitions you plan to enter, etc. Calendar should be as specific as possible for the 2011 season, with general milestones for the 2012 and 2013 seasons
• Budget estimates with anticipated expenses, revenues and approximate player contribution. Please submit as detailed a budget as possible.
• Coaching and player development philosophy and experience
• Overall direction and goals for the program during the term of the appointment

Anyone wishing to coach a Northeast Rugby Union select side must file an application. All applications will be reviewed by the NRU Board of Directors who will appoint coaches for each program. Applications should be sent to the Northeast Rugby Union Board of Directors at bod@northeastrugby.org and must be received by Friday, December 31, 2010.

Coaching appointments will be announced after the NRU Annual general Meeting in January, 2011.