Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

All Blacks Legend, Sir Graham Henry, to speak in NYC this Thursday, December 6th

Sir Graham Henry
(courtesy of Wikipedia)

All Blacks former coach and rugby legend, Sir Graham Henry, will be speaking at The King's College in downtown Manhattan (52 Broadway) tomorrow evening from 7-9pm.

The talk will include an audience Q&A and is a great opportunity to hear from the man who was one of the most successful rugby coaches of all time.  If you would like to ask him a question, please submit them in advance to renee@metnyrfu.org

There is no cover/RSVP to attend and all are welcome!

New York Sevens this Saturday, November 24th

The 54th annual New York 7s Tournament will take place this Saturday November 24th. Hosted by New York Rugby Club, the event has been held every Saturday after Thanksgiving since 1959.

The tournament boasts 10 divisions made up of U19, Collegiate, Social, Club, and Premier teams from around the globe.

All the action takes place on Randalls Island, and the first games kickoff at 8:20am. It will be non-stop rugby action right up to 6pm, when the days respective divisional champs will be crowned.

The third half festivities will be held at Connolly's Pub (midtown Manhattan at 14 E.47th St. between Fifth & Madison Avenues), kicking off at 8pm and all are welcome!

Further details, including travel directions, can be found on the tournament website at newyorkrugbysevens.com.  And don't forget to pick up a program as it includes some of my handiwork (an article and some fun info.)!

Guest appearance on the Jack & Dougie Rugby Radio Show tonight!

Show hosts Douglas Wylie (left) and Jack Howe (right) 

In a switch of roles from being the interviewer, I am going to be the guest tonight on the Jack and Dougie Rugby Radio Show to talk about my web TV project, "State of the Union".

The show is on at 8pm EST this evening and you can listen to it on Radio Fairfax on Cox channel 37, Reston Comcast channel 27, NOVA Fios channel 37, worldwide on www.fcac.org ch 37 or on your mobile device with the Tunein app.

Participants wanted for survey on rugby TV coverage in the U.S.

I got an email today from Marta Tartar who is working towards her Masters in Media Studies at The New School.  She is conducting a survey as part of her Thesis and is look for participants to help her with her research.  Here are the details:

---

I'm reaching out to you as part of the American rugby community. If you are interested in helping further  research on rugby and media exposure in the U.S., fill out this survey.

Link: https://docs.google.com/a/newschool.edu/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHRxQVVvLXBMOVhfRGFIUU0zMFZIbFE6MQ#gid=0

Please send it to all your rugby contacts and spread it around your network - posting to blogs and other forms of social media is highly encouraged. Thank you for your participation!


Marta Tartar
MA in Media Studies, The New School
tartm329@newschool.edu
martatartar.com 

Universal Sports and Premium Sports announce 6 Nations US broadcasting agreement

Hot of the press from Cynopsis Media is that Universal Sports and Premium Sports have announced an agreement that with give Universal Sports US broadcasting rights to the 2013 Six Nations Rugby Championship.  The agreement will give viewers all of 15 matches (yes, all matches!) and will offer video highlights on UniversalSports.com

George Network event with special guest Ben Cohen, Wed 10th Oct, NYC

If you’re in NYC this Wednesday 10th October, you are invited to join George at 6pm at Thomas Pink on Madison & 53rd for their latest networking evening with special guest Ben Cohen.

All are welcome (Free to members, $10 donation for non-members.  RSVP to Anna (george@stgeorgessociety.org)

Wednesday 10th October

Thomas Pink
520 Madison Avenue
6pm - 9pm

Featuring England Rugby World Cup Champion BEN COHEN, MBE    Join us for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres  Wednesday 10th October, 6pm Thomas Pink 520 Madison Avenue (between 53rd & 54th Street)  Click here to RSVP Members - free  Non-members - $10 donation

This October Thomas Pink will launch a special edition rugby collection as  the official outfitter to the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013.  To celebrate the launch, guests will have the opportunity to win limited edition cufflinks from Thomas Pink Rugby Collection as well as Thomas Pink rugby balls signed by Ben Cohen. Guests will also receive a pair of Union Jack Woven Button Cufflinks (valued at $50) with any purchase of $250 and purchases on the night will be donated to St. George's Society and the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation. Cocktails provided by:

All proceeds support the charitable mission of: St. George's Society is a registered 501(c)(3) charity. It has a long and respected tradition of helping needy British and Commonwealth people in New York. HRH The Duke of Gloucester is the Society's Patron; and for over a century each serving British Consul-General in New York has been the Society's Honorary President. The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation, Inc. is the world's first foundation dedicated to raising awareness of the long-term, damaging effects of bullying, and funding those doing real-world work to stop it. The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3)  non-profit.

"State of the Union", a US rugby news show

Since starting a rugby life, I have always been thinking of new ways to create engaging content.  I have long wanted to create something utilizing video that is original and highlights the growing rugby scene here in the US.   So after much development, I am pleased to announce my last project, "State of the Union", the first US rugby news show on the web. 

Maccabi USA Rugby try outs a great success

Compliments of Dallen 'Paki' Stanford

---

SUCCESSFUL CHICAGO TRY OUTS FOR MACCABI USA RUGBY TEAM

Philadelphia, PA, September 6 – This past Labor Day weekend Chicago hosted the Maccabi USA Rugby try outs for some 58 Jewish athletes from all over the United States ahead of the 2013 Maccabiah Games. The three-day camp was overseen by a world-class Management and Coaching staff that included: Jeff Simon (Co-Chairman), Josh Kaplan (Co-Chairman), Shawn Lipman (Head Coach), Greg Schor Haskin (Coach), Buzzy Rudzinsky (Team Manager), Barry Seidel (Manager), Norm Mottram (Coaching Development), Marc Stcherbina (Coaching Development), Jason Horowitz (Trials Coaching Assistant), Ben Wells (Trials Coaching Assistant), Aaron Manheimer (Fitness and Conditioning), David Danker (Fitness and Conditioning) and Sarah Sall (Recovery Specialist).

Q&A with Taking Flight Rugby Winner Darrin Curle

Taking Flight Winners James Saddler (Left)
and Darrin Curle (Right) with USA Eagle Zack Test (Middle)

In the second part of a special report for A Rugby Life, Bakline's Rob Schnabel catches up with the Taking Flight rugby's 2nd inaugural winner Darrin Curle to chat about the Serevi camp and his experiences over the weekend

Rob: What was your experience being at Infinity Park?

Darrin: Infinity Park was awesome. It was lovely to see a field and stadium like that dedicated to just rugby! It is a great environment and was lots of fun. The facilities are great and it’s a great example of how the game is moving forward in America. It’s an inspiration for me to keep playing the game.

Rob: Being in the camp and watching the tournament.

Darrin: The camp was great all the coaches where very friendly and knew what they were doing. They were willing to take you aside and comment on something you were not doing correctly and giving tips on your game. I was able to spend some one on one time with most coaches which was great and very helpful with focusing on smaller aspects on my game. It was lovely watching the tournament and being able to learn while I watched that level of rugby.

Rob: What was your reaction when you realized you won?

Darrin: I was so excited and happy. I had put so much into my rugby this year and it made all the hard work and effort pay off. I was like “no way! “ I went around telling everybody and explaining it to everyone. It was just pure joy and excitement. It was just unbelievable to think that Santi, Ben and Serevi where going to be there to coach us up.

Rob: Towards the end of the camp, how it was taking part? Beneficial? Improvements?
Darrin: My game defiantly improved, such as my kicking game that I learnt more on when I had some one on one time with Santi. But it’s more than that. It was great making new friends and contacts with the rugby world. Being able to spend some time with and meeting Santi, Ben and Serevi was an unforgettable experience. I will defiantly take what I learnt at the camp and apply it to my game here in Coos Bay. 

Rob: What are your future rugby ambitions?
Darrin: Playing for my country and being able to represent America is my dream. 2016 Olympics is what I’m focused on and is what I’m shooting for. The whole experience in Denver helped my take one more step towards my dream.

You can check out Darrin's winning entry over on Youtube and to learn more about the Taking Flight Rugby Program, head on over to takingflightrugby.com

Q&A with Taking Flight Rugby Winner James Sadler

Taking Flight Winners Darrin Curle (Left) and
James Sadler (Right) with Rob Schnabel (Middle)

As part of special report for A Rugby Life, Bakline's Rob Schnabel headed out to Rugbytown USA to join the Taking Flight rugby inaugural winners for a rugby filled weekend with Serevi.  

While he was out there, he got the chance to sit down with the lads and chat about their experience at the camp and their future ambitions.  

First up, James Sadler.


Rob: What was your experience being at Infinity Park?

James: Being at Infinity Park was a great experience! In Oregon, we do not exactly have the state of the art facilities when it comes to rugby only areas, and it was an amazing experience to see the lifeblood of rugby at such a great place with good weather! 

Rob:  Being in the camp and watching the tournament.

James: The camp wasn't very "advanced" but I really enjoyed myself and had a great time while also learning a lot more about the nescary skills you need to master in order to truly improve your game. Watching the tournament was an experience that I will not forget for some time, It was my first time watching professional rugby from pitch-side seats and I really had a great time! 

Rob:  What was your reaction when you realized you won?

James: I had just came back from work about midnight one night and just so happen to check my email at that time and at first I was in complete shock. I told my family and they were all very happy for me and from that time on until I landed in Denver I was just ecstatic and full of excitement for such a great experience. 

Rob:  Towards the end of the camp, how it was taking part? Beneficial? Improvements?

James: The camp progressively got more intense and more beneficial throughout the end of the two days and really helped me to self-evaluate my skills and also receive good constructive criticism from some the world's best players of all time. 

Rob:  What are your future rugby ambitions?

James: My future rugby ambitions are to start soon for my team at Western Oregon University but hopefully over time with hard work and dedication get on the radar for the US Men's National Team and also receive international contracts like Todd Clever.  

You can check out James's winning entry over on Youtube and to learn more about the Taking Flight Rugby Program, head on over to takingflightrugby.com.  After the break, Q&A with our second winner, Darrin Curle.

Taking Flight Rugby Scholarship Winners!

Congratulations to Darrin Curle and James Saddler!

The Taking Flight Rugby Scholarship this year was geared on sending two winners (between ages 16-21) to the Serevi Rugbytown Sevens & Camp August 11th, 2012 in Glendale, Colorado!  The Scholarship included airfare, hotel, admission fees, Bakline gear and a Serevi gear kit to both the tournament and training camp that Serevi is hosting!

Darrin and James submitted the winning entries via their YouTube application. Check them out here >> http://www.youtube.com/user/takingflightrugby

Darrin and James represent the future of America’s rugby. Their hard work on the field and off is instrumental to leadership and taking initiative to do what is necessary to refine, improve and never stop learning.

Myself and my Taking Flight partners, Bakline and H2H Rugby, are extremely proud of their efforts and look forward to working with them to have a rewarding experience with one of the best rugby training camps in the USA with Serevi.

To learn more about our scholarship and how to apply, please visit the Taking Flight Rugby Scholarship site. We’ll be announcing a new camp and competition for video entries soon!

If you’re interested in partnering with our scholarship to help shape the rugby future of our youth, contact us here.

Serevi Takes Academy Programming Global In Partnership with the Bermuda Rugby Football Union

Courtesy of Serevi Rugby

---

Serevi Takes Academy Programming Global In Partnership with the Bermuda Rugby Football Union

(June 22, 2012) SEATTLE – Serevi™ today officially announced the first in an ongoing series of global Academies designed to deliver elite, high performance rugby programming to up and coming rugby nations. The June 27-July 1st session in partnership with the Bermuda Rugby Football Union will include a Rugby Coaching Clinic, a two-day youth Training Camp and a two day Sevens Academy with Bermuda’s Senior and U-19 men’s national teams.

Play Rugby USA Cocktail Benefit - June 14th, New York, NY

On June 14, Play Rugby USA and event partners HSBC, Diageo, and Saatchi & Saatchi will be hosting the the NYC Rugby Cup Cocktail Benefit on June 14th. This event helps to raise funds for Play Rugby USA, which strives to achieve its mission of "Developing Youth Through Rugby" by working with over 2,000 children per week in NYC alone! The event includes a full open bar and Hor D'oeurves from Provence en Boite, silent auction and raffle, and a VIP cocktail hour on the 16th floor. Tickets are $100 for General Admission, and $150 for VIP. 

Full event details are below, and tickets can be purchased at http://www.2012nycrugbycup.charityhappenings.org/

What: NYC Rugby Cup Cocktail Benefit

Where: Saatchi & Saatchi SSpace, 375 Hudson Street

When: June 14th, 2012, 7-11PM (VIP Cocktail Hour from 6-7)

Event features:

• VIP Reception, with HM British Consul General Danny Lopez, 16th Floor, 6pm - 7pm
• Main Reception, SSpace (ground floor) 7pm - 11pm.
• Full open bar & Hor D'oeurves
• Silent Auction and Raffle
• Internship Graduation and Awards.
• HM British Consul General, Danny Lopez - London 2012.

Play Rugby USA partners with HSBC and Hope For The Warriors on NYC Rugby Cup

Courtesy of my good friends over at Play Rugby USA

---

Play Rugby USA partners with HSBC and Hope For The Warriors® on NYC Rugby Cup- Presented by HSBC New York, NY- June 9, 2012- Play Rugby USA, the largest rugby based youth development organization in the nation, will be hosting the NYC Rugby Cup- Presented by HSBC on June 9th, 2012. This event is the culminating tournament for the season and will feature 72 teams and 900 players participating in a one day tournament. The theme of the event is Premiership Rugby, the world’s foremost domestic rugby competition based in England. As a cross-cultural component, each school must create and bring a banner that includes details about its adopted city and club’s culture and history. 2012 Event Ambassadors in attendance include John Layfield, former world champion wrestler and current financial analyst for Fox News and Danny Lopez, the British Consul-General of New York. Hope For The Warriors® will also be partnering on the event, providing a service component for the children. The teams will be able to visit a Hope For The Warriors® booth, interact with veterans, and write letters to troops serving overseas. Adding to the military presence at the event, West Point Rugby is partnering with Play Rugby USA to offer afternoon activities to schools eliminated from the competition, run by cadets.

Introducing Taking Flight, American Rugby Camp Scholarship Contest

I am excited to announce this morning the launch of Taking Flight, a US rugby camp scholarship contest that myself, Rob Schnabel of Bakline, and the great folks at H2H Media (John and Ken) have been working hard on for the past few months. I have no doubt that part of the success of rugby in the states lies in youth rugby. I hope that this contest will help create more exposure for all the youngsters, their teams, and their schools that play, but also all the great organizations which promote youth rugby. 

Its a important element of the sport and one I'm passionate about. Check out the press release below and please spread the word!

---

Presented by 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAKING FLIGHT AMERICAN RUGBY CAMP SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST LAUNCHES IN THE US

H2H Video Competition To Find America’s Future Rugby Stars

NEW YORK, New York - June 7th 2012 - Bakline, A Rugby Life and H2H Media proudly announced the launch of Taking Flight,  a rugby scholarship contest to give the next generation of America’s men and women Eagles an opportunity unlike any before to attend elite training camps in the USA.  

Two winners (one male, one female) will get the chance to attend one of the top US Rugby Camps hosted by Serevi Rugby.

The two athletes will attend the Serevi Rugbytown Training Camp, a two-day camp taking place at Infinity Park in Glendale, CA on August 9th and 10th.  On August 11th, they get to show what they learned as they take part in the climax of the weekend’s festivities with a 7s tournament.   The winners will have the cost of their flights, accommodation in Glendale, and camp covered.

Podcast Episode 20: David Martin (Author, The Hooligan’s Table: The Rugby Player’s Cookbook)

Author David Martin

In my latest podcast, I sit down in person with author David Martin to talk about his new book, "The Hooligan’s Table: The Rugby Player’s Cookbook".

We talk about how rugby life, on and off the field, has brought together some great recipes and stories for his book.

You can listen to the podcast on the player below as well as on iTunes, our Facebook page, or via Feedburner.

As mentioned in the podcast, you can learn more about the book and order your very own copy from David's website, www.therugbycookbook.com

You can also check out the Promo video for the book below.  Enjoy!

Play Rugby USA Presents Premiership Rugby Road Show

Courtesy of Play Rugby USA

---

As part of a partnership around the NYC Rugby Cup and the launch of the Play Rugby USA Academy, we are extremely excited to announce that Premiership Rugby is coming to New York at the end of May to visit programs around the city and travel with us to the USA Sevens CRC's in Philadelphia! This "Premiership Rugby Roadshow" represents the first exciting offering of our PRUSA Academy, an elite player development program established by PRUSA to retain and develop its highest performing athletes, along with other aspiring rugby players from around New York City.

Win two tickets for the 2012 CRC Invitational 7s courtesy of Life University!

On June 2nd-3rd the 2012 CRC Invitational 7s will see the best of the USA's college rugby talent battle it out at PPL Park in Philadelphia.  One of the teams taking part and a serious contender to take this years title, Life University Running Eagles from Marietta GA, are offering one lucky ARL reader two tickets to this years tournament.

For a chance to win, check out the Life Rugby promo video below and share it on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ before Friday 25th May 11:59pm (EST).  Make sure to mention a rugby life so I can track your entry (type "@a rugby life" on Facebook / Google+, "@arugbylife" on Twitter).  Final winner will be picked out at random and announced on Saturday morning (26th May).  Good Luck!

Podcast Episode 19: Lawrence Almagno (Rhode Island Rebellion RLFC, USARL)

For the latest podcast, ARL switches codes as I talk about rugby league in the US with Lawrence Almango, the CEO of Rhode Island Rebellion RLFC and a tour de force behind the youth development of the sport for the USA Rugby League (USARL).

We talk about Lawrence's early rugby career playing both union and league, the formation of Rhode Island Rebellion, and how through rugby, he his helping the inner city youth of Providence have a bright future.

You can listen to the podcast on the player below or head on over to iTunes, our Facebook page, or Feedburner.

As mentioned in the podcast, you can learn more about the Rebellion at their homepage (rebellion-rugby.com) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RebellionRugby).  To learn more more some of the up and coming events Lawrence talks about, check our the events page http://rebellion-rugby.com/index.php/rebellion-event-tickets/event-tickets

Lawrence Almango (right) with Shayla Belanger (left)
of the Institute for the Study of  Practice of
Non-Violence Extreme Sports Division

Also, if you would like to donate to the fund rasier to see Lawrence's head & face shaved at the USARL's International 9's Tournament in Rhode Island, please visit http://ayrla.org/ayrla_rebellion.html.

100% of the money raised will go to the Program that is partnered with American Youth Rugby League Association (AYRLA) for the work re-entry program.

Three Unions plan to merge into one Geographical Union (GU)

Courtesy of USA Rugby

---

Three Unions plan to merge into one Geographical Union (GU)

  

BOULDER, Colo. -- On Wednesday March 28, 2012 the officers from the former Territorial Union (TU) Northeast RFU and two former Local Area Unions (LAUs) New York State RFU and Metropolitan New York RFU are gathering to vote to create a novel Geographical Union (GU). Along with the approval of new bylaws, new provisional officers for the GU will be selected. The new GU will be called the Empire RFU and will chiefly consist of the three former unions.

The Empire RFU is one of four pilot GUs that were approved in mid-2011 as part of a program to review the organizational structure of USA Rugby and to create a new more streamlined structure that will more effectively support the anticipated growth in the game and provide increased member services in local areas.

A key feature of GUs is that eventually a paid USA Rugby administrator will be appointed in each GU in order to provide excellent member services to its members. GUs will start with part-time administrators and transition to full-time administrators over a two to four year period.
 

North Bay Rugby Club Announces Spring Schedule

North Bay Rugby Club Announces Spring Schedule

Home Playoff Match against North Penn Slated for April 21 in Aberdeen

North Bay Rugby Football Club of Aberdeen, Maryland has announced their schedule for spring 2012, as they prepare to enter the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union playoffs in April. The season kicks off at DeMarco Park in Aberdeen on February 25 with a match against Salisbury University, followed the next week with a trip to Morgantown to play West Virginia University.

On March 10, North Bay will host teams from Maryland, DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York in the annual Grey Ghost Cup Tournament at John Carroll High School. Then North Bay has three tough road games against teams in higher divisions – Rocky Gorge (Columbia, MD), Wilmington (DE), and Baltimore-Chesapeake.

All of these games will be building toward the highlight of the season – a home playoff match against North Penn (Hatfield, PA) in Aberdeen on April 21. After winning the Potomac Rugby Union for the second straight year with an 8-1 record in the fall, North Bay secured the #4 seed in the Mid-Atlantic.

“This spring is all about success in the playoffs and earning a spot in Nationals,” stated North Bay Rugby Football Club president Eric Dymond. “We’ve had April 21 circled on our calendars since we clinched a playoff spot in November, and it would be great to see the community come out to support us.”

Practices for the team are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning February 21. New players are always welcomed and no experience is necessary. Anyone interested in joining the squad or in watching a game is encouraged to visit the team’s website, www.NorthBayRugby.com, for practice information and an up-to-date schedule of events.

North Bay Rugby – Spring 2012 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	Time
February 25	Salisbury University	Aberdeen, MD	1:00 pm
March 3	West Virginia University	Morgantown, WV	1:00 pm
March 10	Tournament - Grey Ghost Cup	Bel Air, MD	10:00 am
March 17	Rocky Gorge	Columbia, MD	1:00 pm
March 31	Wilmington	Wilmington, DE	1:00 pm
April 7	Baltimore-Chesapeake	Baltimore, MD	1:00 pm
April 21	North Penn (MARFU Playoffs)	Aberdeen, MD	1:00 pm
April 28-29	MARFU Semi-finals and Final	TBD	TBD