Preview of West Championships (Oct. 7-8)

West Championship Tournament Information (as of 7 Sep 06)

DATES
Saturday October 7th and Sunday October 8th in Austin.

TEAMS
• Bracket A:
o TRU 1 Austin Valkyries
o ERRFU 1 Colorado Olde Girls
o HOA 1 Kansas City Jazz
o ERRFU 2 Denver Black Ice

• Bracket B (Note: final list of teams still pending)
o Texas A&M
o Baton Rouge
o St. Louis Sabres
o St. Louis Bombers
o Boulder Babes

There will be 2 brackets: the top bracket is comprised of 4 qualified teams, with the top 3 teams at the end of the tournament advancing to USA Rugby’s National Round of 16. The lower bracket will be comprised of up to 8 teams. All club and college teams in the West Territory are highly encouraged to compete in the lower bracket. Similar to the “Best of the West” tournament (April 2006 in Austin, TX), this is not only a great opportunity for all of us to play new teams, but it also sets the framework for West Women’s structure for the future (note “West Structure Update” at bottom of details). This is our time to decide what we want and it is important to have you all here.

LOCATION
ARFC’s Burr Field in Austin, Texas (map at www.AustinRugby.com)

ENTRY FEE
$0!

HOTEL INFORMATION
Reserve under: “West Rugby Tournament”

Best Western Airport Hotel
2751 E. Hwy. 71
Del Valle, Texas, 78617 (about 5 miles from pitch)
Phone: 512-385-1000
Cost: $79 + tax (includes breakfast)
max 5 players per room, 40 rooms available

WEST STRUCTURE UPDATE
As you all may recall, there was consensus amongst the teams to look into moving to a Div I/Div II structure for Women’s Club Teams in the West for 2007 and forward. Please note the following:

• There have been no formal changes to the structure of the Women’s Clubs, and there will be no change until the 2007 season, if there are any at all.
• An informal draft proposal is still being developed and will be presented to the Women’s contacts via e-mail for comment no later than September 15, 2006.
• After e-mail comment is received, a final proposal will be submitted to the West Competitions Committee for their consideration no later than October 1, 2006.
• There will be an open meeting at the Western Championship Tournament for further comment/discussion. West Competitions Committee and possibly USA Competitions Committee members will attend the meeting.
• The revised structure (if any) will be determined by the West Competitions Committee-hopefully no later than November 1, 2006.
• Results of the 2006 bottom tier bracket MAY be used to determine seedings if a Div. I/ Div. II structure is approved for the 2007 season.
CONTACTS

Jen Joyce (512) 797-0799 Jennifer.joyce@tdhca.state.tx.us
Bethany Wilson (512) 619-4593 wilson_bethany@yahoo.com

More info at the Valkyries website.