Rugby Here & There

Some great gems have been coming across my inbox this week, check them out!

• Norwich Women’s & Men’s Rugby Goes Varsity
  NORTHFIELD – The number of varsity sports at Norwich increased from 18 to 20 Tuesday with the university’s announcement of the promotion of the men’s and women’s rugby teams to varsity status.

  “The elevation of the men’s and women’s rugby programs to varsity status places these two programs in line with the other athletic programs at the university,” Norwich Athletic Director Tony Mariano said. “This move will hopefully enable us to attract a larger pool of student-athletes who are interested in playing collegiate rugby, and provide a more equitable opportunity for all of our student-athletes.”

  The Norwich men’s rugby team began competition in 1970 at club status. The team now competes in the Division I of the New England Rugby Football Union, which includes collegiate rugby powers Dartmouth and West Point-Army. A perennial participant in the New England playoffs, the Cadets struggled in 2007. Head coach Bob Weggler is excited about the prospects of his young team and the recruits who have committed for the fall 2008 season.

  “I am most grateful to the university for our new status,” Weggler said. “In 2001, the administration took two bold steps to secure the future of Norwich rugby: they hired a full-time coach and moved rugby under the umbrella of the athletic department. This announcement further legitimizes the sport in the eyes of the university community and higher education in general. I have already begun to seen the benefit as far as recruiting student-athletes. After 22 years of collegiate coaching, this is a dream come true for me.”

  The women’s team competes in NERFU’s Division II. It recently wrapped up a successful 2007 fall campaign with an unblemished 15-0 record. The Cadets won the Northeast Regional playoffs this fall for the second straight year, and will compete in the USA Rugby National championships this spring in Albuquerque, N.M. They are currently ranked No. 1 nationally for Division II by erugbynews.com.

  “Earning varsity status adds new responsibility,” women’s coach Austin Hall said. “As a university at the forefront of a national movement, we will continue to exemplify great character on and off the field. We are honored to be selected for such distinction.”

• Women’s RFU Director Steps Down (International)

  The Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW) has today announced the resignation of its Director of Rugby Carol Isherwood OBE.

  After ten years of service at the RFUW Isherwood has decided to take some time out from rugby and enjoy some personal time travelling before pursuing new career interests.

  Isherwood first joined the RFUW in 1997 as Performance Director and has since then been heavily involved in working to develop an effective partnership with the RFU and making the women’s game sustainable for players, clubs and at the elite level of the game.

  RFUW Managing Director Rosie Williams said: “Carol has made an enormous contribution to the women’s game. She has been a stalwart for the game for many years, working for over ten years as an employee of the RFUW and before that 15 years of voluntary service. Her influence will be sorely missed though we hope Carol will stay involved in women’s rugby in some voluntary capacity.”

  Isherwood added: “I am really sad to be leaving but I have had several fantastic years at the RFUW and now it is time to move on. I know I am leaving the game on good hands as the RFUW continues to be successful, expand and move forward, working together with the RFU and the IRB.”
  The RFUW Board will be reviewing the current staffing structures before any further announcements.

• Second NCAA Convention Exhibition Successful for Emerging Sports Initiative

  BOULDER, Colo. – One of the many goals for USA Rugby’s Emerging Sports Initiative is gaining support from key advocates within the NCAA. In USA Rugby’s second year of exhibition at the NCAA Convention held in Nashville, Tenn. on January 11-13, the organization proved successful in this area of advocacy.

  Overall, Emerging Sports Program Manager Becky Carlson is optimistic about the initiative’s visibility at the annual event.

  “The integration of Women’s NCAA Rugby and expansion of participation is a delicate process where the initiative can make great strides by repetition of attendance at these events,” Carlson said. “It’s really about gaining recognition from athletic directors who have some background, continuing our progress and then utilizing our contacts and NCAA advocates to get the word out to new sources of interest.”

  In addition to Carlson and the Director of Membership Relations Kristin Richeimer showcasing for NCAA Women’s Rugby, CEO and President of Rugby Operations Nigel Melville was on-site to watch the initiative in action.

  The three-day event offered invaluable face time with many athletic directors who are currently in the process of studying emerging sports to identify options for adding new programs.

  The fact that USA Rugby is taking such positive steps to engage athletic directors and promoting women’s rugby certainly raised the profile of the sport in the eyes of many. Discussions at the convention ranged from the history of the game on college campuses to facilities, equipment, scholarships and the modern game.

  Movement and discussion among athletic directors, presidents and key officials within the NCAA has created the buzz about a variety of ways in which rugby could provide the answer for institutions at all divisional levels looking to create more athletic opportunities.

  “Our pitch has been consistent, as rugby maintains high roster numbers for less cost,” Carlson said. “While our message of affordability and compliance is vital to our campaign, our primary pitch that rugby provides an opportunity for female athletes to participate in the ‘ultimate running game’ has proved to be a positive combination for the initiative.”

  The NCAA Convention is one of the five major intercollegiate and interscholastic events that USA Rugby will attend in 2008, a list that also includes the NACDA, NACWAA, NFHSA, and Title IX conferences. While the NCAA Convention is a prime meeting ground for discussion on legislation, member and organization appointments, it is a key forum that USA Rugby uses to spread the word about women’s rugby as an emerging sport.

  “Attending the NCAA Convention in Nashville was a great experience for me personally,” Melville said. “It was an opportunity for me to understand the size and scope of NCAA operations, their importance in the development of the student-athletes in the USA and the opportunity for USA Women’s Rugby.”

  The Emerging Sports Initiative’s next exhibition will be at the Title IX Conference in Boston, Mass., on April 27-29. For more information on USA Rugby’s Emerging Sports Initiative and Girls’ Varsity High School rugby, please contact Becky Carlson at 303.539.0300 ext. 102 or bcarlson@usarugby.org.

• Todd Clever Autographed USA Jersey is on the Auction Block (on ebay)

  Want to feel even more connected to the US team when they take the pitch at PETCO Park for the USA 7s? Be the high bidder for this autographed Todd Clever Eagles jersey and you will be. Arguably the best 7s and 15s player in the country, Todd is donating a jersey he wore at the recent tournament in George, South Africa to the USRFF.

  If you recall, that tournament also happened to be one of the best showings ever by a United States team in an IRB Sevens World Series event as they pulled off victories over sevens powerhouse, Samoa, France and Canada. Their weekend performance in George gave them 6 points in the standings, good enough for ninth place, and ahead of the likes of Australia, Wales, Canada, France and Tonga.

  “I am honored to be asked to donate one of my USA Rugby jerseys to the Rugby Foundation,” said the just turned 25-year-old sevens prop. “It’s a great feeling knowing that the funds raised from my jersey are going to a great cause and helping to grow the sport in America.”

  Photos, a more detailed description of the jersey and more information about Todd and his US team can be found on eBay, item #180209806852. The bidding will conclude at 9:00 a.m. (PDT) on Saturday, February 2, 2008.

• There’s Still Time to Scrumble!

  There’s still time to get your USA Sevens weekend started right by teeing it up in the 1st Annual USRFF 4-Player Scrumble Golf Tournament. The Scrumble will take place at the Salt Creek Golf Club on Friday, February 8, 2008 and will begin with a shotgun start at noon. Don’t miss out! Register now in what will certainly be a full international field.

  Registration fee is just $200 per player and includes:

  Greens Fees
  Transportation to and from downtown San Diego
  Dinner at the course (Golfers will be back downtown by 8:00 pm)
  Beverages on the course
  Hole in One Contests on all Par 3s
  Gift bag that includes a $75 gift card from TaylorMade, shirt & hat
  A chance for your entire foursome to win sets of TaylorMade clubs
  Cart with GPS
  Customized scoring
  Range balls
  Tournament results posted in the San Diego Union Tribune

  Hole sponsorships are also available for $200.

  The USRFF would like to thank the IRB, USA Sevens Steinlager and Coca Cola for their support of the 1st Annual USRFF 4-Player Scrumble. All proceeds raised from the event will further the programs offered by the US Rugby Foundation.

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