Army National Guard Partners with USA Rugby
Boulder, Colo. (October 31, 2007) – USA Rugby and the Army National Guard announced today that they have signed an agreement that will make the Army National Guard an Official Sponsor of USA Rugby. This deal includes title sponsorship of USA rugby’s College and High School Championships as well as select National Team.
This strategic partnership will enhance the support provided to the nations’ top performing rugby athletes in premier matches throughout the United States. The National Guard’s sponsorship of USA Rugby will include events such as the U.S. National College Playoffs and Championships, the Boys and Girls High School Championships, the National Guard Military Challenge and select Men’s and Women’s Championship events.
“The National Guard is looking forward to partnering with USA Rugby,” said Col. Mike Jones, chief of the Army National Guard’s Strength Maintenance Division. “This initiative will reach communities across the nation, increasing awareness of the Army National Guard. USA Rugby’s beliefs of lifelong camaraderie beyond the game and the greatest asset being the players are beliefs the Army National Guard shares. These shared values are a big part of the reason I think both organizations will benefit from our partnership.”
In addition to title sponsorships, another added benefit of this new partnership is that in conjunction with official USA Rugby licensees, USA Rugby and the National Guard will also launch a comprehensive college kit campaign that will provide apparel and equipment to 300 college teams across the U.S. All colleges in good standing with USA Rugby will be eligible to apply for the free college kit.
This partnership between USA Rugby and the National Guard also includes an array of highly visible sponsorship programs that will be announced throughout the ’07-’08 rugby season.
“This is great news for the sport of rugby in the U.S.,” Vice President of Business Development David Voth said. “USA Rugby is always looking for the right kind of partner. USA Rugby and the National Guard share several admirable traits among members, including character, strength, vision and intelligence. A partnership with the National Guard will ensure positive exposure for both organizations at the highest level of play.”
USA Rugby Changes High School National Championship
In a release sent out this week, USA Rugby has announced that they will change the structure of boys high school national championship as part of a long term transition to reshape the high school rugby game in America.
The changes for 2008 include the creation of an eight team competition Boys High School Championship for single high school teams (e.g. St. Edward, Gonzaga, Xavier, etc.), and a separate eight team competition championship for Boys’ U19 club teams (e.g. Westerville, Penn, Highland, etc.).
According to USA Rugby, the goal of the reorganization is to support the development of rugby as a mainstream high school sport, conceivably to allow rugby enter the various high school organizations, such as the OHSAA.
“The strategic goal for USA Rugby is to have rugby formally recognized and supported by High Schools,” said Peter Steinberg, Age-Grade Manager for USA Rugby. “The new championship structure will support this goal by encouraging the formation of single high school teams, while allowing multi-school club teams to continue to compete. The end of the transition will include separate tracks for high school and club teams so the game can be as inclusive as possible.”
Along with the format change and an addition of a girls U-19 national championship, the dates of the 2008 High School Championships has been changed from May 24-26th, 2008 to June 6 - 8, 2008 at Founders’ Field in suburban Pittsburgh. The date was changed so teams could prevent traveling on Memorial Day at a premium cost.
You can view a run down of the changes at the Gainline blog.
England vs. South Africa Rugby World Cup Disallowed Try (Video)
Almost a week after the Rugby World Cup final, England fans are still debating the disallowed try by Mark Cueto in the first half. Had the 42nd-minute score been allowed to stand, then England would have narrowed South Africa’s lead to a point.
Video referee Stuart Dickinson has stated publicly that he reviewed the decision frame by frame after the match and is convinced that Cueto’s left foot was in touch before he grounded the ball.
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“I’m 100 per cent happy with the decision. His foot runs into touch by about 25 to 30 centimetres,” Dickenson said. “Factually it is indisputable. If you know the decision is correct and people are still upset, well there’s nothing you can do about that is there?”
Of course, the Springboks went on to win the final 15-6.
Wilkinson wakes up, England beats France 14-9 in Rugby World Cup Semifinal (Video Updated)
In a repeat of 2003 World Cup semifinal, England defeated France on Saturday 14-9 in front of a packed house at the Stade de France.
Jonny Wilkinson missed two place kicks and two dropped goals, but drove his penalty from about 30 meters in the 75th minute.
Wilkinson did most of the damage in the 2003 semifinal, landing five penalties and three dropped goals in the 24-7 win over France at Sydney.
“England did exactly what they had to do. We didn’t have the tempo,” said France captain Raphael Ibanez. “We worked really hard after a bad start to the tournament. We believed in ourselves. We thought we could do it, be world champions. In the end, we couldn’t.”
England will meet 1995 champion South Africa on Saturday, Oct. 20. France goes into the third-place match against Argentina.
Video highlights after the jump…
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Video Friday: Sébastien Chabal, “l’Homme des Cavernes”
Video highlights of French lock/number 8/Caveman Sébastien Chabal. Don’t forget to turn up the volume for the French rap/song awesomeness.
While not playing for France, Chabal plays professional rugby for the Sale Sharks in the English Guiness Premiership. He is renowned for his hard-hitting and aggressive style of play, but a short temper and lack of fitness has led to disciplinary problems, including a red card for stomping English legend and Wasps player Lawrence Dallaglio in 2006.
Video Friday: Your Favorite Spear Tackles
By popular demand from one of our biggest fans, some of the most vicious spear tackles over the last couple of years. Feel free to contact us with any other suggestions.
Ohio Rugbyfest Schedule
Below is the field schedule and times for the first ever Ohio Rugbyfest on Saturday, October 13 at Lou Berliner Park in Columbus.
Field 1A
9 a.m. Kent State Women vs. Denison Women
1 p.m. Ohio State vs. Ohio University
3 p.m. Ohio State B vs. Ohio University B
Field 2B
9 a.m. Ashland Women vs. Kenyon Women
11 a.m. Scioto Valley Women vs. Lousiville Women
1 p.m. Scioto Valley vs. Indianapolis
Field 3C
9 a.m. Ohio Northern vs. Denison
11 a.m. Miami vs. Wright State
1 p.m. Ohio State Women vs. Navy Women
Field 4D
9 a.m. Oberlin vs. Cleveland State
11 a.m. Kent State vs. Cincinnati
3 p.m. Marshall vs. Eastern Kentucky
Field 5E
9 a.m. Oberlin Women vs. Miami Women
11 a.m. Ashland vs. Kenyon
3 p.m. Kentucky vs. John Carroll
Ngwenya Proves His Handling Abilities at 2007 Rugby World Cup
USA Eagles wing Takudzwa Ngwenya (Dallas, Texas) credits his ability to deal with the pressure of the IRB Rugby World Cup to his tough upbringing.
Ngwenya has earned four international caps – all of which were at the 2007 RWC - but his performances, which saw him score two key tries for the U.S., have already caught the eye of several European clubs, who have contacted him to express an interest.
The speedy wing, whose tongue-tying name is shortened to ‘Z’ or ‘Taku’ by his teammates, said his previous life in Zimbabwe was always in the forefront of his mind when he stepped on to the big stage.
“Before every kick-off the first thing I tell myself is that I grew up in a hard life and this is the same thing,” said the 22-year-old, who emigrated to the United States with his family four years ago.
“Back home (in Zimbabwe) you have to work hard to get any success. This is just same. In rugby I just have to work hard at it.”
He says his story is not uncommon among the USA backs.
(more after the jump)
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College Rugby Scores from Oct. 6
Bowling Green State University 49 - Michigan State University 0
University of Dayton 31 - University of Kentucky 12
Ohio University 31 - University of Michigan 13
Marshall University 29 - Wittenberg University 22
Xavier University 35 - Wright State University 0
Ashland University 39 - Cleveland State University 7
United States Naval Academy 36 - Ohio State University 26