Congratulations Class of 2009!

As the fall rugby season comes to a close, the weather is starting to get colder (its a balmy 75 degrees in Texas!) and the craze for the Holidays is starting to buzz.

I want to take this moment and congratulate all the graduating 2009 rugby players.  Whether graduating kindergarten (if overseas), high school or college this is an exciting time in your life; a fresh start, a new beginning, and most importantly an exciting adventure.  You’ve accomplished many things so far in your life even with all the bumps in the road.  There is much more to come!

I want to take this time not only to congratulate you all, but to remind you of one thing that made this time so special and so unforgettable….Rugby.  A sport that is a part of your life, a part of your family, a part of you.  Please remember this experience and carry it with you in your next adventures.

I received an email a few weeks ago from the USA Rugby Membership Department and I want to share it with all our readers.  It included a breakdown of all the CIPP registered rugby players in the nation broken down by league (club, collegiate, high school, etc.).  It even divided the numbers between men and women.  Here are the stats:

Since 8/15/08, 81,920 Club & Individual Members have registered with USA Rugby.

21,878          Adult members  (Female 3,612; Male 18,266)

28,827          College members (Female 10,230; Male 18,597)

24,253          HS/U19 members (Female 5,133; Male 19,120)

3,388            Youth/U15 members (Female 173; Male 3,215)

1,377            Referee Members (Female 204; Male 1,173)

So, here is my shout-out to all the ladies.  Please continue to play after college and help support this game for future generations.  The numbers don’t lie.  There are 10,000 collegiate players right now, so why aren’t there more women club players?  It’s not even half!  We need to keep this sport alive by continuing to play, coaching, and refereeing.

When you start thinking about walking away from the sport that has brought you so much… road trips…rookie skits… boat races… 6 am practices… All-Star events… National Championships… laughs… loves…and friends.  Think about if you had never started this adventure.

To the Class of 2009…. Carpi Rugby!

The Girl

received this in my inbox:

So I just wanted to pass this along… since you are the goto person for all that is rugby– I am sure it will reach more women from your blog than I could ever reach.

Gabe Ortiz
CUAWRFC

USCS will be competing at Ruggerfest 2009 (Washington DC, April 25-26, 2009) USCS will be having a camp before the Ruggerfest Tournament on April 24, 2009.

Kathy Flores, Head Coach, USA Rugby Eagles (Women) and Candi Orsini,
Backs Coach, USA Rugby Eagles will be coaching camp. YES YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY.

No more discussion about military rugby not providing exposure for players. No more discussion about best spending your time.

Requirements for participation are simple:
1. Be CIPP registered

2. Be a member of the FREE USCS Women’s Rugby Discussion Group
*This is to allow for easy information distro.

3. Pay your $50 camp fee via PayPal, Check or Money Order (email etta.c.jones@gmail.com for details). *A $25 refund will be available until 01APR. Camp fees include tshirt and team entry fee.

4. Request travel letter from USCS Women’s Director if required for Command Endorsement.

5. Show up with your kit and your enthusiasm. (Please bring Navy Blue Shorts, Navy Blue Socks (no stripes) and a light and dark practice shirt).

This event is open to ALL MILITARY ATHLETES, active duty, drilling reserves, IRR, and veterans. Please forward this email to any and all military ruggers you know. We have 47 discussion group members and over 300 eligible active duty players. As a group, we need to do some additional networking to make this team a force!

The $350 tournament fee has already been paid — thanks to our Treasurer Beth Ward for making that happen. If you would like general information about the tournament please see the Washington D.C. Furies Website.

Thanks for taking the time to be a part of such an amazing event!!