Join Play Rugby USA at the Australian to watch the 6 Nations!

Play Rugby USA is holding a 6 Nations Viewing Party as a fundraiser on Saturday March 16th at The Australian NYC, one of the premier bars in the city (20 West 38th Street, between 5th and 6th Ave) starting at 10:00 AM. Come enjoy the final weekend of this year's 6 Nations tournament with a great crowd while supporting a great cause!

• 3 Matches being played: Italy v. Ireland @ 10:30, Wales v. England @ 1:00, and France v. Scotland @ 4:00 (Cover included in admission price)
• Hot Lunch Buffet
• 2 Drink Tickets
• Happy hour drink specials throughout the day

Purchase Tickets here!

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Bryan.Vale@PlayRugbyUSA.com

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 2012 Calendar now on sale

PRE-SALE of Play Rugby USA's inaugural calendar for 2012 highlighting some inspirational images of youth engagement in the program and PRUSA's core values for each month. A great way to give back to the program while putting a smile on your face every morning! 

Click HERE to order your copy online!!

100% of net proceeds benefit Play Rugby USA's mission of "Developing Youth through Rugby". 

We will place all orders for this item on December 15th and notify you via email upon shipping. 

Website: www.playrugbyusa.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PlayRugbyUSA

Twitter: twitter.com/Play_Rugby_USA

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!

NYC Rugby Cup Cocktail Benefit, Friday June 17th

There are still tickets available to the Play Rugby USA NYC Rugby Cup Cocktail Benefit, now only two days away! This amazing event is their primary fundraiser, and the funds raised help support the cost of the NYC Rugby Cup. Tickets can be bought here,  or by clicking the image below. A full list of items in the silent auction will be released tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that!

For a full listing of play-off results, a report on the event, and individual player awards from the NYC Rugby Cup please visit the Play Rugby USA website. Photo highlights will be displayed later this week on Play Rugby USA's Facebook Fan Club and the Rookie Rugby Club with full size images available for download at Play Rugby USA's online Gallery.

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Play Rugby USA is an extraordinary wellness and prevention resource: Tackling the challenges facing America's Youth. Our mission is to "develop youth through rugby". Play Rugby, Inc is a registered 501 (c)3 non profit organization, based in New York City, NY, USA.

All-star Sports quiz night in NYC to feature USA Eagle Phaidra Knight

Host and Cricket legend, David Gower

The St. George's Society of New York and GEORGE are pleased to announce that they will be partnering with Captain's Knock and Sparks once again for a Sports Quiz on July 13th, 2011. 

The quiz will be hosted by former England cricket captain, David Gower and will take place at the prestigious New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South, from 6pm - 10.30pm.

St. George's Society 2011 members are entitled to a discounted price of $150 for individual tickets (regular tickets start at $175). Tickets include a three course meal, open bar cocktail hour, wine and beer throughout, and participation in the quiz and charity auctions. Tables of 10 are also available for $1,750.

The quiz will include questions across all sports from American Football and Baseball to Rugby and Aussie Rules.  Bear this in mind when assembling your table/team of ten.  If you buy individual tickets they will help assemble teams.  They will use the same interactive technology they use for the electronic auction, with tables competing against each other, with countdown clocks and fun animations.

Joining David on a panel of guests will be legendary Liverpool, Spurs and England goal keeper Ray Clemence.  Ray played over 660 times for Liverpool and is involved in the current England set-up.

July will make a year to the Olympics being held in London, so joining the panel will be Denise Lewis and Sir Matthew Pinsent.  Denise won the heptathlon gold at Sydney 2000 and Matthew has the incredible feat of winning 4 gold rowing medals in successive Olympics from 1992-2004.  Sir Alan Collins, British Consul-General will open the quiz with a look forward to 2012.

Also in attendance will be the New York Red Bulls whose table last year featured US soccer greats, Claudio Reyna and Jeff Agoos.  Also from the soccer world will be Chris Bart-Williams, former Nottingham Forest Captain, who is currently coaching in Connecticut.

They will also be joined by special sporting guests from the NY area, including US Olympic medalists and Phaidra Knight, one of the world's all-time greatest women rugby players (and former podcast guest of ARL)

For sponsorship opportunities, including an exclusive VIP reception and a legend hosting your table, contact Richard Sexton directly at Richard.Sexton@CaptainsKnock.com

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

Courtesy of Rob Schnabel, Bakline.

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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.

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.

New Zealand rugby stars in New York city

This Thursday sees New Zealand’s All Blacks stars Michael Jones & Frano Botica and Rugby League Legend Tawera Nikau together for a panel discussion.   The event serves as fund raiser to help send two New York City public high school students down under for rugby/study scholarships as well as  provide player/coach exchanges between the US and New Zealand.


The event kicks off at 7pm and full details are below.  I'll be at the event and looking forward to having chat with you over a beer!

Thursday 11 November 7-9.30pmSaatchi & Saatchi | 375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014 
Join Kevin Roberts to welcome two of New Zealand’s Rugby Stars to New York, also featuring Kiwi Rugby League Star!
Michael Jones, Rugby World Cup Volunteer Ambassador, is one of New Zealand's greatest rugby stars, an iconic All Black, member of the RWC 1987 winning New Zealand team and a former coach of Manu Samoa.
Frano Botica is one of the few athletes who has worn Triple Black Jerseys, having played for the New Zealand Sevens, All Blacks (both rugby union) and Kiwis (rugby league). He has also been a New Zealand Maori representative.
Tawera Nikau, Official Legend of Rugby League and former New Zealand Rugby League representative will be a special guest following his New York Marathon debut, seven years after losing a leg in a motorcycle accident.

Join host Kevin Roberts, meet the players, bid in the auction for two tickets to New Zealand, rare auction items and much more.

This special event will raise funds to send two New York City public high school students to New Zealand for rugby/study scholarships.  Funds will also provide two player/coach exchanges between the United States and New Zealand.

Click HERE for tickets or visit http://usarugby.eventbrite.com

VIP Entrance $200 / General Entrance $75

Enquiries to sarah.smith@nzte.govt.nz or 1 646 378 4803

To view online click HERE

Movember New York Rugby Challenge

Calling all men of the NYC Metropolitan rugby!  Movember is an exciting way for NY Rugby to raise awareness for men's health issues and have a good time while doing it.  This year we would like to issue a NY Rugby challenge to you all and ask that you register on Movember.com and join the New York MO-tropolitan Network. 

There are a few ways you can get involved, either individually or through a team. Each department is encouraged to start a team made up of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas. 

A team is a way to make Movember fun and engaging. Once you create a team, you gotta do some mo-recruiting because, let's face it, other than Tom Selleck no one can really wear a moustache alone.


WHAT IS MOVEMBER?

Movember, the month formerly known as November, is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health.

HOW?
    •    REGISTER at: http://us.movember.com/register/  and start your team up!
    •    RECRUIT team members by using the email, Facebook and Twitter “BUILD YOUR TEAM” tools off of your Mo Space page ... Remember to make sure your team members are registered! Believe it or not, just growing a Mo will not cure cancer!
    •    JOIN the New York MO-tropolitan Network from your Mo Space page: http://us.movember.com/mospace/network/newyorkmotropolitanrugby 
    •    CREATE a new look by starting to grow your Mo on Movember 1st
    •    MOTIVATE your friends and family to support your growing efforts by using the email, Facebook and Twitter “Ask for Donations” tools off of your Mo Space page
    •    CELEBRATE your journey at a Mo themed end of Movember Celebration: http://us.movember.com/events/find-an-event/, or host your own with the office by ordering your free Movember party-in-a-box: http://us.movember.com/events/mo-parties/

RESOURCES
The Movember website provides many great resources including personalized fundraising pages and promotional materials to help your Movember cause. If you need any help along the way or need any information, you can email Katie Thiele at Katie@movember.com

Old Blue RFC helping to kick Cancer in to touch charity match (New York, NY Sat 30th October)

Old Blue RFC helping to kick Cancer in to touch!

 Mo Bros Vs Old Blue 1st XVSaturday 30th October
Columbia Baker Field Sports Complex
Kick off 1:30pm

http://oldbluerugby.com/1st-annual-movember-invitational-rugby-game.html

Come one,. come all!! In anticipation for the upcoming month of MOvember (formally November ) Old Blue will be playing a charity game against the MOvember Select side in an effort to raise awareness (and money) about prostate and testicular cancer. 1 in 3 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. 

And the INTERNATIONAL effort Known as MOVEMBER is doing its part to raise awareness of this terrible disease. Every year thousands of men around the globe donate their faces to a good cause and get people to sponsor the growing of their mustache. 

So far 20 players on the Old Blue squad have signed up and pledged to grow a MO and raise some serious cash! You can donate online to our cause by sponsoring individuals in the team or our collective team Old Blue (balls) by GOING HERE, there will also be collection buckets on the day to help bolster the Old Blue support of this very worthy cause. 

Old Blue Oldish Boy Tim Fuery and his awesome company www.ilikewebsites.com have pledged to donate $100 to Movember on behalf of the first Mo Bro to score a try and also $100 to Mo Bro of the match! Thank you Tim!!

If anyone would like to match or even better Tims generosity please contact me for details. 

We look forward to seeing you all there on Saturday to watch a memorable game of rugby and help save a bro by growing a MO!

Dom Wareing

Capt Old Blue 1st XV

Movember NYC Committee Member

Movember Invitational RFC Mo Bros Chairman

Jersey City Casino Night Benefiting the Play Rugby USA & Police Activities League Rugby Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Registrations now open: http://prusacasinonight.eventbrite.com/.

A Safe Bet: Play Rugby USA & Jersey City Police Activity League Team Up for Casino Night to Benefit Local Rugby Program
 

Jersey City, NJ, October 14 2010: Play Rugby USA and The Jersey City PAL are proud to announce their inaugural fundraising effort to expand their highly popular Youth Flag Rugby program. This last spring saw the first ever Youth Rugby program in Jersey City. SGT Frank William, PAL Director, gave the program a chance and it was found to be immensely popular with the kids. Within just a few short weeks of their first practice the JC PAL team went on to take 2nd place in their bracket at the NYC Mayor’s Cup. Off the field, the program was as successful in engaging the local kids after school and keeping them off the streets and committed to their team. Due to its popularity SGT Williams is looking to expand the program into 5 more schools for 2011. At this rate of expansion Youth Rugby could be in many more schools in just a few short years, perhaps reflecting the 1000% increase in organizations adopting rugby in New York City in under 5 years.

Australian Embassy hosting fundraiser for Washington DC Youth Rugby, August 19th

Courtesy of Brian Mihelic,Washington DC Youth Rugby
 

The Embassy of Australia will be hosting a fundraiser for Washington DC Youth Rugby on Thursday, August 19th from 5:30-8:30.  The guest speaker will be journalist and former Wallaby Peter FitzSimons.

Washington DC Youth Rugby is a program that reaches out to kids in Washington DC’s inner-city.  They started the program in 2004 and have been growing every year.  They have a summer program for younger kids and a high school program at Calvin Coolidge High School in DC.  They are a 501c3 non-profit
organization, so all donations are tax-deductible.

The fundraiser will be hosted at the Embassy of Australia at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW in The District on Thursday, August 19th.  There is an invitation attached, but please note that the event starts at 5:30 and due to security reasons, they stop letting people in at 7:30.  This promises to be a really nice event with drink specials ($2 Aussie beer and wine) and hors d’oeuvres.  The guest speaker, Peter FitzSimons, a journalist and former Australia National Team player.  

The admission fee is $10 per person which will go directly to the program.  They will also be holding a raffle
and a silent auction with sports memorabilia, Redskins, Caps & DC United tickets, weekend rentals and more.  

RSVP to washingtondcyouthrugby@yahoo.com and please note, space at the Embassy is limited at about 250 people and it is filling up fast.  Also, you must RSVP before the event in order to clear security at the door.  Please bring a photo ID.  Per Embassy policy, dress is business casual…no flip flops.

Jordan Torres down under

METNY 2010 - Jordan on the attack

After all the fund raising for Jordan Torres to go to IRANZ in New Zealand, finally he's made it!  

I have invited Jordan to post about life down under and his experience at the Academy.  First post will be up shortly.  Enjoy!

NYC: Village Lions Pub Crawl tomorrow

The ladies of the Village Lions are a hosting a pub crawl Saturday afternoon/evening and all are invited!

Things will kick off at Van Diemen's at 4:30, leave at 5pm to hit 6 of 12 bars at which they will have set up drink specials. Drinkers will divided up into teams of 4, (must include at least 2 non-Lions) and each team member must have a pint (or mixed drink if you're feeling adventurous) at all 6 bars while your team is figuring out riddles associated with that bar. The first team back to Van Diemen's with 6 correct riddle solutions will win a $100 gift certificate to VD's.

Other prizes (jerseys, rugby mag subscription, etc.) will be doled out for things like best dressed, best team name, etc.  There's  $10 entry fee per person, but what better way to spend a Saturday afternoon?

USA Eagle Phaidra Knight's fund raiser for the Womens RWC

With the Womens Rugby World Cup kicking off in England next month, the USA Eagles are busy getting ready at a training camp held in Brunswick, Maine.  Aside from the preparation needed, one of the challenges facing the players is raising money to fund the team's cup campaign.

Good friend of a rugby life, Phaidra Knight, recently contacted me with details on how you can help.  She has a fund raising campaign at Razoo.com where you donations don't only help her cause, but you can get some great stuff. The goodies include t-shirts and autographed merchandise right up to personal workout sessions and tickets to the world cup in England.   Even the smallest donations get rewarded with love!

In addition to the fund raiser, Phaidra's is documenting her journey via her blog.  You can also follow the teams progress via their website, wewantrugby.com.

And if you missed it, you can listen to my podcast with Phaidra on the mp3 player below or via iTunes.

Going once...going twice....sold!

Thank you to everyone who bid in the auction for Kevin Swiryn's autographed jersey. Congratulations goes to Mark Brewerton of Austin, TX who placed the winning bid of $118.

That brings the grand total to over $5000 rasied for Jordan and will see him go to IRANZ camp this summer.

Jordan Torres fund raiser update and the auction finale!

As you know, I've been running a fund raiser to help local lad Jordan Torres fulfill his dream to go to IRANZ camp in New Zealand.  The great news is that Jordan has raised $4900 so far, thanks to the kind donations of you, the fans, and one very generous boss!


I'd personally like to give a thank you to the fans and friends who help raise $200 and a big thanks to Michael Laub (Jordan's Mum's boss) who donate a whopping $4700!

To wrap up the fund raiser, I am auctioning off a 2010 USA Rugby IRB 7s jersey worn and autographed by the one and only Kevin Swiryn!

Kevin kindly donated the jersey after hearing Jordan's story and all funds from the auction will help Jordan complete his fund raising.  This would not have been possible without Kevin, nor the wonderful help of Dallen "Pakis Corner" Stanford,  who help mediate for me.  Thank you gentlemen!

The auction is current live at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250661738963 and I have included photos of the shirt below.  Happy bidding!

Play Rugby USA Auction Items Announced for Cocktail Celebration this Thursday in NYC

 

You've gotta be in it to win it! 

See you at Thursday's Cocktail Celebration and you could win some of these great auction items...

June 17th, Cocktail Celebration Tickets HERE

Auction & Raffle Items Include:

  

Raffle Premium Prize: Clint Eastwood signed Play Rugby USA Rugby Ball

& multiple other raffle prizes including designer jewelery & PRUSA merchandise

Silent Auction Items: 

• 2 round trip tickets to South Africa from NYC, courtesy of South African Airlines
• Long Weekend for 2 in Bermuda as VIP guest of Team America Classic Rugby Team at the World Rugby Classics (Nov 2010). Includes 5 star hotel, flights, player tent access & more.
  
• VIP Yankees Tickets including dinner, in game food and non alcoholic drink & Legends Seating
• 4 Mets Tickets plus 2 kids entry to pre-match kids' Mets on-field Clinic
• Weekend in Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas
  
• Signed Mark Sanchez NY Jets Home Jersey - Framed
• Signed & boxed NY Jets Football with multiple player signatures
• Premium box of Cigars, courtesy of Nat Sherman, NY
  
• 4 VIP tickets for the David letterman show Monday June 28th 6pm taping
• Yoga package kindly donated by Peter Seccia
  
• Vintage Designer Bag
  
• Designer Jewelry Items courtesy or Koru Designz
• Soho House Spa Treatment & Dinner for 2
• Premium Wine Collection courtesy of Wine Australia
  
• Signed & boxed PRUSA ball, signed by by 7 International Rugby Legends including Jason Leonard (Eng), Michael Lynagh (Aus), Justin Marshall (NZ), Mike Catt (Eng), Scott Gibbs (Wales), Jeremy Guscott (Eng), Scott Hastings (Scot)
• Premium designer bag package, courtesy of Jimeale
• Premium golf foursome at course of your choice
  
• 1 week in London Knightsbridge corporate apartment courtesy of Dr. Jock Percy
• Play Rugby USA Merchandise Pack
  

See you Thursday!

The Play Rugby USA Team

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Play Sports for Life is a registered non profit organization whose vision is to create transformational change for youth through sports. Play Rugby USA® is Play Sports' unique youth development program with an underlying philosophy of “developing youth through rugby”.

 

 DEVELOPING YOUTH THROUGH RUGBY

520 Eighth Avenue - 2nd Floor |   New York, NY   10018

Tel: 212 563 3250  | 

programs@playrugbyusa.com

www.playrugbyusa.com    

NYC: Youth rugby fund-raiser tonight at Butterfield 8

Good mates Mike York and Christan Mayo from NYAC rugby club are hosting a happy hour charity fund-raiser tonight, Wednesday May 19th, at Butterfield 8 (5 East 38th St between 5th and Madison).  

They are raising money to help four kids from disadvantaged neighborhoods in Brooklyn go to summer rugby camp at Penn State this summer . 

There will be an open bar from 7-9pm with draft/bottled beer, house wine and premium mixed drinks: $35 ($10 of which goes to the charity)

If you can't make the happy hour and would like to donate, head on over to their site for more information and little more about their fund-raising efforts.