My RWC 2011 predictions

Who'll be lifting the
 Webb Ellis Cup this year?

A few folks have been asking me what my Rugby World Cup predictions are for this year and thought it was about time to share them with you all!

I will talk more about game predictions in a future post or you can get a sneak peak of what I am thinking by joining the ARL Rugby World Cup prediction game on SuperBru (Pool name: a rugby life, Pool code: seartick).

So without further ado, here are my calls:

San Francisco Bay Area Rugby Business Network meetup tonight

Credit: Hear Comes The Guide

The San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Rugby Business Network are holding their monthly meetup this evening in San Francisco.

Hosted by good mate Kevin Sullivan, the event takes place at the Thirsty Bear Brewing Company, 611 Howard Street (between 3rd and Hawthorne streets) from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

First $150 of beer is on Rucking Insurance Services

In Kevin's words (not mine!): "Attend, or you will be listed as an Australian Athletic Supporter!"

NYC's Randall's Island Sports Foundation fundraiser tonight

Rugby on Randall's Island (Credit: epsteinian)

Randall's Island is one New York City's popular destinations for rugby and regular hosts local club matches, youth rugby events, and tournaments around the year. 

The Randall's Island Sports Foundation, is a nonprofit organization that, in conjunction with the City,  works to grow and develop sports on the island.

As part of their fund raising efforts, two local stars of the NYC rugby scene, Renee Ovrut (President of MetNY RFU) and Andrew Gheraldi (Head Coach of Fordham Mens Rugby), will be guest bar tending tonight at O'Brien's Bar & Grill at 46th Street (between 6th and 7th) from 6pm onwards.  The $5 cover on the door gets you free food and drink specials. Attendees are in also in for a treat as Andrew is also an renowned mixologist on the local scene, and Renee is know to pull a our great pint!

You can find further details on the Facebook event page.

If you are unable to make the event put would still like to dontate to the cause, check out Renee's fundraising page at www.crowdrise.com/ReneeOvrut

I will be at the event to show my support, so don't be stranger...come over and say hi!

Village Lions Womens looking for Head Coach

The Village Lions Rugby Club Women's Team is looking for a Head Coach. The 11-year-old team is entering its second season as Division I team and competes in USA Rugby's Competitive Region 3 that spans from Atlanta to Boston.

The Women's team is comprised of people committed to attending practice, playing hard/winning, and having a good time. Their ideal coach should have the same commitment. The position is salaried with some flexibility depending on experience, availability, etc. for the fall and spring seasons combined. Will sponsor for Visa and assist with Visa application/filing cost if necessary.

The Women practice Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7:30pm - 9:00pm. Practice is in the Bronx, off the 5 or 2 train at the 149th Street/Grand Concourse. Games are Saturdays in various locations, some involving overnight travel (travel cost will be covered by the team).

If you're interested in the position, please contact Sharon Berger ( sharondabe@gmail.com) or Jackie Finlan (jacqueline.finlan@gmail.com) as soon as possible, as the pre-season training begins August 16.

On a personal note, as one of the former assistant coaches for the ladies, I cannot speak highly enough about them.  If anyone would like to learn more, let me know, as I am happy to chat with you and share my experience.

Village Lions Womens at the Nationals in Florida in 2009

ARL launches RWC page for folks in the US

www.rugbyworldcup.com

I am pleased to announce today the launch of the ARL RWC in the USA page!  Here you will find information, TV coverage, schedules, and local events where you can catch all the action in New Zealand.

Its a work in progress and I plan to regularly update it with more information as we get closer to the first kick off in Auckland on September 9th.

If you have any info. you would love to share with us, drop us a line!

Rugby Professionals Network NYC Meetup, Wednesday August 10th, 7pm

This Wednesday the monthly gathering of the NYC based Rugby Professionals Network will be meeting from 7pm onwards at Dorian Gray in the East Village (205 East 4th Street).

With a common love of rugby, this informal event is your opportunity to network with like minded business professionals.  One of the hot topics this month will be the Rugby World Cup, so come on by to learn more and here about some of the exciting opportunities going on.

If you do plan to attend, please feel free to drop me a line and I'll look forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

Coverage of the RWC warmup match between USA and Canada tomorrow

With the Tri-Nations and International Test matches played out tomorrow morning, cap your day off with a little bit more rugby as the USA Eagles take on Canada at 2pm.

Playing their first of several Rugby World Cup warm up games, the Eagles will be away in Toronto against the Canadians.  They face off again next weekend but this time at home in Glendale, CO before heading overseas to play Japan in Toyko on August 21st.

You can catch all the action you're telly via NBC's Universal Sports channel (find your local channel number here) or online at the Universal Sports website.

International Test coverage tomorrow

Tomorrow will see England v Wales and Ireland v Scotland as all four teams take the field in International warm ups prior the World Cup.  TV coverage of these games is limited to PPV for home viewers but local watering holes will be showing the games provided via Premium Sports (check with the your local bar as their maybe a cover charge). They also are provided online streaming via uStream. 

If you are in New York City, the following bars will be showing the both of tomorrows games live:

Baker Street at 1152 1st Avenue (at the corner of 63rd Street) will be showing England vs Wales at 9:30am

McCormacks at 365 3rd Avenue (between 26th and 27th Street) will be showing Ireland vs Scotland at 9:15am, and England vs Wales at 9:30am

The Red Lion at 151 Bleecker Street (at the corner of Thompson Street) will be showing Ireland vs Scotland at 9:15am, and England vs Wales at 9:30am.

If you do know of other venues in NYC or would like to share other places around the US providing coverage, email us or post the details in the comments, on Facebook, or on twitter.

Tri-Nations TV coverage tomorrow

After big wins for both Australia and New Zealand in the Tri-Nations, the two face off in Eden Park tomorrow for the first of their two games in the tournament.

For folks in the US, coverage is available on Direct TV on channel 490 and online ( www.fromsportcom.com being one of many options out there).  

If you are in New York City, the following bars will be showing the games both live and delayed:

The Australian at 20 West 38th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues) will show the live broadcast at 3:30am and repeat the broadcast at noon.

Nelson Blue at 233 Front Street (down at South Street Seaport) will be showing the game live (Note from the staff...there will be no admission after 4am, so please get there early).

Baker Street at 1152 1st Avenue (at the corner of 63rd Street) will be showing the game delayed at 1:30pm.

McCormacks at 365 3rd Avenue (between 26th and 27th Street) will be showing the game delayed at 11:30am.

If you do know of other venues in NYC or would like to share other places around the US providing coverage, email us or post the details in the comments, on Facebook, or on twitter.

Play Rugby USA needs your help in American Airlines video finals!

Play Rugby USA is shortlisted for the American Airlines competition Flights, Camera, Action where if they get the most votes, they have the opportunity to win 50 free flights and exposure of our Program to over 260,000 passengers!

Winning would help them get some great media exposure to their Program and allow them to use the flights to fly their West Coast teams to the East Coast for their 'Presidents Cup' National competition. Plus each voter goes into a draw to win 25,000 AA Advantage Miles.

To vote, head on over to https://secure.fly.aa.com/flightscameraaction/Vote.aspx?vidID=24