Thursday, March 31, 2011

a rugby life gets listed in the Tripbase 2011 Blog Awards

3/31/2011 06:30:00 PM
Tripbase Awards BadgeTripbase, a travel site for personalized vacation ideas, has revealed the winning sites in the Tripbase Travel Blog Awards 2011 and a rugby life got selected!

The awards are judged by a panel of travel experts reviewed hundreds of sites from across the Internet before hand-selecting the best ten for each travel category.  This years Top Ten Best Rugby Blogs are:
Congratulations to my fellow rugby bloggers!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Universal Sports to show Hong Kong Sevens Live this Saturday, plus get a special discount on their season VOD package

3/24/2011 10:02:00 AM
US Rugby fans are in for a treat this Saturday night as Universal Sports will be broadcasting live coverage of the Sevens World Series from Hong Kong beginning @ 12 MIDNIGHT ET/9pm PT, both on-air and online.  

They are also offering a special 50% discount on their full Sevens World Series season VOD package (originally priced at 19.99).
Just go to their package details page, and use the code “HSBC7s” to get your fix!

To find the UniversalSports channel in your area, head on over to iwantuniversalsports.com

Also don't forget to check out their website at universalsports.com for the latest news and information, plus  “Like”  them on Facebook (Facebook.com/UniversalSports) to get regular rugby updates.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Four Leaf Fifteens Tournament this Saturday in NYC

Hedley Lagrand 3/23/2011 12:27:00 PM
The 8th Annual Four Leaf  Tournament kicks of this Saturday on Randall's Island with 60 teams taking part in 6 divisions (Mens and Womens Club, Mens Social, Mens and Womens University, and Old Boys).

The first games kick off at 8am and you can find the full Match Schedule here.  And how better to celebrate with the teams and fans than on a pub crawl around the favorite haunts of the hosts, the Village Lions.

All the glorious details can be found on the Lions tournament page at www.villagelions.org/tournament and I have included directions to get over to the island below.

I am especially looking forward to it this year as not only to get to see the Lions lads and lasses in action, my old team and good mates from DC, Washington Renegades, are taking part in Men's Social competition. So if you are going to be there and fancy meeting up, let me know (email, facebook, twitter me). 


Here's to a cracking day of rugby!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

7th Annual Pacific Coast Invitational High School Rugby Tournament, April 29 - May 1, 2011

3/16/2011 10:01:00 AM
The Northern California Youth Rugby Association (NCYRA) is proud to announce the 7th Annual Pacific Coast Invitational High School Rugby Tournament (PCIT). The event, for high school age boys and girls, takes place from April 29 – May 1.   
Its relocation to the Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center offers 8 championship grass fields and 2 practice turf fields that will accommodate the high demand of Teams planning to participate in this year’s tournament.

The tournament is open to all high school age Teams from Northern California, the United States and around the world. Given the level of play in the region, paired with the choice of competitive Divisions, all Teams can expect high quality, competitive matches. A Middle School (Under 14) Division will also be added for the first time. In addition, the PCIT will include the NCYRA Playoffs & Championships, taking the PCIT to the next level by adding an even more energized and festive atmosphere.

Tournament Divisions:
  • Boys Varsity Gold (open competition and Playoffs)
  • Girls Varsity Gold (U-19* open competition and Playoffs)
  • Boys Varsity Silver (open competition and Playoffs)
  • Girls Varsity Silver (U-19* open competition)
  • JV (Frosh/Soph) Gold (open competition and Playoffs)
  • JV (Frosh/Soph) Silver (open competition and Playoffs)
  • Middle School (U-14) Division (open competition)
* Girls competition is a true U-19 competition

Friday, March 11, 2011

The Angry Ref - "I’m sorry, are you still here?"

3/11/2011 10:49:00 AM
As a referee, especially in America, especially when dealing with kids or football players both of whom don’t know when to shut up, there’s a certain amount of explaining that not only required but expected; no, demanded by players.  One reason for this is that often coaches don’t know the law or have some archaic understanding of things from the long-sleeve cotton jersey days.  Another reason is that undermanned coaching staffs have to spend so much time teaching skills and beating the football out of players that they never have time to teach a proper understanding of the laws.

I remember once calling a penalty, something to the effect of, “Seven, you’re off your feet and failed to bind, back ten.”   The answer from the player was “It’s rugby man, there are no rules!”  Really.  So then what am I doing out here on a lovely Saturday when I could be lawn bowling instead?  Whatever the reason, players often require just a little extra explanation after a penalty so they can understand what’s happened.

Onside Player Management coming to the USA

3/11/2011 10:08:00 AM
Onside Player Management is a player recruitment agency based in New Zealand which runs a rugby development programme based in NZ for emerging players at all levels.  They offer the chance to work weekly with an NPC or Super 15 player in your position, while playing club rugby for a local grassroots club.

OPM's James Annabell will be in the States through April and if any is interested to learn more, let him know  (tel: +64 274963386, email: onside@windowslive.com)

You can also checkout their website www.onsideplayermanagement.co.nz or head on over to their Facebook page

USA Rugby Division I, II & III Senior Men’s Club Playoffs are coming to the DC

3/11/2011 09:51:00 AM
Courtesy of Potomac Rugby Union
 

The Emirates Airline USA Rugby Division I, II & III Senior Men’s Club Playoffs are coming to the DC area! 

Twenty four of the nation’s elite club fifteens sides will compete at the East Regional for spots in the National Championship.

MAY 21-22, 2011 • SIGNAL HILL PARK • MANASSAS PARK, VA

SPECIAL EVENTS TO INCLUDE:
• 24 Action-Packed Games
• Old Boys Tournament hosted by MARFU & PRU
• Youth Instructional Clinics & Exhibitions
• Vendor Village, Fan Festival & Beer Garden
• VIP Tents & Lounges hosted by NOVA Rugby
• AND MUCH MORE!

For further details, head on over to www.facebook.com/USArugbyDC and www.usarugby.org

Event Partners:
Power Rugby

North Bay Rugby Announces Spring Schedule

3/11/2011 09:30:00 AM
Courtesy of  Turtle at North Bay Rugby


North Bay Rugby Announces Spring Schedule

Reigning PRU Champs Stampede into Playoffs

(Aberdeen, MD) - - North Bay Rugby Football Club, a Division III Men’s club based in Aberdeen, Maryland, has announced its schedule for the spring 2011 season.  Highlights for the season include the annual Grey Ghost Cup tournament in Aberdeen on March 26, as well as a highly-anticipated home playoff game on April 30.

“Our spring schedule was designed to prepare us for our playoff games that start at the end of April,” stated club president Eric Dymond.  “We’ve scheduled matches against teams that will test our abilities and our fitness, in order to ensure that we are playing at our best as we make our push for Nationals.”

The fall 2010 season was the most successful in the club’s 14 year history.  North Bay posted a perfect 10-0 record, including going 9-0 in Potomac Rugby Union (PRU) matches, earning the team the #4 seed in the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) playoffs.  

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Bakline's exclusive tee to help the folks in Christchurch, New Zealand

Hedley Lagrand 3/05/2011 05:07:00 PM
Courtesy of Rob Schnabel, Bakline.

As the dust settles and the last of the survivors of the earthquake that ruptured Christchurch are unearthed, many residents on the south island will need the continued support of their neighbors, family and friends of the Red Cross.

This exclusive tee is about turning your purchase into a direct donation when all proceeds are sent to the Red Cross in New Zealand for further aid in what will be an ongoing campaign to get Christchurch in the best shape for the upcoming World Cup.

(The shirt is a unisex fitted, high quality cotton tee with foil printed fern.)

Show your support with the iconic silver fern tarnished and remember 2.22.11 – every little bit helps.

100% of proceeds go to the Red Cross. BUY HERE.

Toronto Saracens Rugby Club looking to recruit women players

Hedley Lagrand 3/05/2011 04:46:00 PM
Courtesy of  Lee Bennet Recruitment Officer Toronto Senior Womens team
2011 Toronto Saracen's Senior Womens Upcoming Season

The Toronto Saracen's are preparing for their 2011 Season in the OWL(Ontario Womens League) the highest Level of Rugby in the Province of Ontario. Six teams will compete for the Cup this summer. Each team in the OWL is required to field a first , second and U18 team. Our fiirst XV is very young our average age last summer was 21 , the majority of our players also play rugby at various canadin universities and colleges. 

All games are played except for Brampton home games just north off the City at Fletchers field a six field complex one of those fields hosts international rugby games. All league games are played on Saturday the seconds normally kick off at 12 pm the first follow at 1:30 pm. 

The schedule usually changes when the first games are televised on Rogers cable TV, one game is selected each week to be televised. The Saracen's train Monday and Wednesday at SunnyBrook Park from 6:30 pm to 8:30pm. Located at the intersection of Eglinton Avenue and Leslie in mid town Toronto. 

We have a few spots available for those players interested in spending the summer in Toronto.  Interested players should contact Lee Bennet, Recruitment Officer Toronto Senior Womens team at lbconsulting@yahoo.com , skype at lbconsulting1 or cell 647-801-0447.

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