The Angry Ref is back and we got pictures!

Maybe its Punxsutawney Phil seeing his shadow, but the Angry Ref is back out from hibernation!

The first post from the ref for the year is an oldie (did we mentioned the hibernation bit?) but expect plenty of fresh stuff as the spring season kicks off.

Meet Joe

To join the ref this year, I have the great pleasure of introducing Joe Hunter, whose fantastic artwork will now be accompaning the trials and tribulations of our beloved referee.  You can check out Joe's comic and other great work at ghostbucket.com 

Stay tuned...the Angry Ref and Joe will be right back!

Rugby Academy of New York Launches to Develop Elite Players & Coaches

Press Release courtesy of Bret Costain, Rugby Academy of New York

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Rugby Academy of New York Launches to
Develop Elite Players & Coaches

Partnership with HSBC Waratahs and Village Lions (NYC) brings International Rugby Luminaries Eddie Jones, Scott Bowen and professional players to US for Player and Coach Development

New York, NY – February 9, 2011 - The HSBC Waratahs and the Village Lions Rugby Football Club announce the establishment of the Rugby Academy of New York, an elite rugby academy, to be based in the New York Tri-State area and serving to improve the skills, knowledge and welfare of US-based rugby players, coaches, administrators, and referees.

World Cup winning coach Eddie Jones and HSBC Waratahs coaches, along with a number of professional players, will feature in the Academy’s program in its inaugural year. Player and coach programs for Men and Women will begin in August 2011.

Expo Mejia, Village Lions Head Coach and Director of Rugby at the Academy certainly knows a few things about high performance rugby. As the former Coach Education Coordinator for the HSBC Waratahs, he points out that the Academy will utilize the very same program developed in Sydney which over the years has consistently produced great Wallabies.

Inaugural TRY donation drive with the Village Lions this 6N Saturday!

This Saturday not only sees the clash of the Celts in the 6 Nations, but I'll be hosting my 1st TRY donation drive with my good friends, the Village Lions, at Dorian Gray in the East Village.

As well as your thirst, please bring any old or new, clean kit (jerseys, boots, shorts, socks, pads etc) for donation.  All kit will go directly to HS boys and girls who are new to the sport and play for local Community Clubs established by the fantastic folks over at Play Rugby USA.  

All cash donations will go to the TRY Donation Program to help share the love with other kids across the Nation.  As TRY is a 501(c) organization, all donations are tax deductible.

I'll be at Dorian's from 11am onwards and BBC America will be providing free coverage of the game at 11:30am.  Look forward to seeing you (and your kit) on Saturday!

Dorian Gray's is located at 205 E 4th St New York, NY (between Avenue A & B). 
Nearest Subway is Lower East Side - 2 Avenue (F)