no practice

fields are too wet. see you saturday at 10:30 at the Pavillion

Making strides

We are beginning to look like a team..both in numbers and our play. Keep recruiting.

We have a pretty nice age mix, though most of our kids are still sophomores and freshman. I think, we have 2-3 seniors, a couple of juniors. The more kids we get, the better we will be. Our coaches will get you prepared and teach you game like none other.

We had 13 at practice today with four or five committed players missing. Tomorrow, we will begin to work on set pieces and kick offs. Practice is at the Pavilion 10:30-12:30. Saturday, we go to Furman.

No practce today

No practice today. The field is mushy. I am going out there 10:30-40 to catch anyone who did not get the word. See you Monday!!

Update and practices to come

Hi all:

We had a good practice last Saturday. Keep recruiting!!

Here is our practice schedule -- and location -- in the coming days:

Saturday 12.26 10:30-12:30 at Pavillion (top field that is adjacent to Brushy Creek Road)

Monday 12. 28 Same time and location

Tuesday 12.29 Same time and location

Wedensday 12.30 11 AM- 1 PM John Roberts Rugby Field on Furman Campus

Thursday 12.31 11-1 PM John Roberts Rugby Field on Furman Campus

Saturday 1.02 11- 1 P.M. John Roberts Rugby Field on Furman Campus

The Furman Rugby pitch is located next to Paladin Stadium. As the campus is closed this week, you will need to enter the campus using the Main Gate.

The week between Christmas and New Years is vitally important. I will be putting folks in positions and teaching technique.

Coach

Saturday

Be sure to check this blog before coming to practice. If we need to cancel due to weather I will post here at least 90 minutes before practice time.

No update means practice is on as scheduled.

Coach

We are growing!!!

Though the elements conspired against us again last Saturday our numbers grew to a dozen, up from eight the week before. The weather this weekend should be more kind. Practice will be 2-4 p.m. at the Pavilion, which is off Brushy Creek Road. Like the last two weeks, our field will be located on the fenced in pitch that fronts Brushy Creek Road.

I spoke with John Devanny, an old rugger and teacher at St. Joes Catholic School, last night. They have had some sporadic success with rugby there. He said that a number of boys at the school are interested in playing and, in fact, have been running touch. But they don't have enough to form a squad.

I've invited them to throw in with us. I suspect they will and hope to see a few of them at practice this Saturday. So, if you're a St. Joe kid, come on out! Bring your parents, too, if you are inclined. I would love to meet them.

Practice and January Schedule

We had a spirited practice Saturday, but need more folks. In total we had eight, which is not bad for a first practice. All had a good time and promised to bring more out this Saturday. We will practice this Saturday 4-6 p.m. at the Pavilion Field (the fenced in one that is adjacent to Brushy Creek Road).

Also, I met with coaches and administrators with the Upstate Rugby Conference Sunday and we have crafted a schedule. Basically, there are four teams in the Upstate, 3 of them new and one (Greenville) which is established and very strong. During the month of January we will play the other new teams and Greenville B (their second team). Here is the way it will shake out.


January 9 -- Rugby Clinic At Furman
January 16 -- Upstate Rugby Jamboree at Furman, held in conjunction with Southern Conference Rugby Tournament.
January 24 (Sunday) Riverside v. TL Hanna (2 PM kick)
January 31 (Sunday) Riverside v Easley (2 PM kick)
February 6 (Saturday) Riverside v Greenville (kick to be determined)

We will practice, too, Saturday Dec. 19 and Dec. 28-31 at the Pavilion, times to to be announced.

Rugby in the snow?

Well, it seems the weather has conspired against us again as there is a chance of rain and (gasp) snow Saturday. But we will have practice nonetheless. So be there...NOON-2 PM and dress warmly. We will be on the fenced-in field at the Pavillion, the one facing Brushy Creek Road.

First practices are set

Thanks to the 30-something folks who braved the elements Nov. 22 for the rugby clinic at Furman. It was wet and rather miserable, but we all persevered, and I think the participants learned a few things that can be taken back to their home club.

I have scheduled the first two practices for the Greer-Taylors Youth Team. They will be Saturday (Dec. 5) Noon-2 p.m. and Saturday (Dec 12) 4 p.m.-6 p.m. I have a reserved a field at the Pavilion, which is off Brushy Creek Road. Please check back by Thursday to confirm the location. While I have submitted the field request and anticipate no problems, there is a small chance that the fields are booked. If they are, there are other options nearby.

There will be light contact at the practice. So bring a mouth guard. Wear some sturdy shorts, cleats (if you have them) and a t-shirt. Bring a water bottle, too. If it is cold, be sure to bring a sweatshirt. We will keep the practice active but there will be some standing around. I will be available afterwards for parents inquiries.

Encourage your friends to come out with you. Remember, your attendance does not mean you are committed to the team for the spring season. Just come out and give it a try. If you like it, stick around. If not, at least your tried a new sport.

Furman to host free high school rugby clinic Nov. 22

If you are a high school student who is interested in learning more about rugby or a current player who needs to brush up on the basics, mark November 22 down on your calendar.

Furman will host a free rugby youth camp for boys from 1:30-4 p.m. at John Roberts Rugby Field, which is located adjacent to Paladin Stadium. Groups from start-up clubs at Riverside-Eastside, Easley and TL Hannah high schools are especially welcome.

The camp will be administered by Furman Head Rugby Coach John Roberts, Nigel Platt, Head Coach of Palmetto College All-Star team, and Dr. Tom Liddle, a former member of the USA Eagles.

There will be no heavy contact at the clinic, but you should bring a mouth guard. Also wear sturdy shorts and t-shirt. Players should, also, wear cleats or running shoes. The coaches will go over the basics of rugby:

Tackling
Passing
Support
Rucking

Afterwards, there will a question and answer session for parents and players.

If you are planning to attend, please email your name, age and school to furugbycoach@yahoo.com so we’ll know how many to expect.

We have jerseys!!

Some years ago -- in anticipation of starting a new club at either riverside or eastside -- some blue jerseys were purchased. Well, those jerseys are still around and have not been worn. So, at least, we won't have to incur the cost of buying a complete kit for the team. So the club will be donning blue jerseys and probably white shorts. not sure of socks yet. We could go with a matching blue -- or perhaps -- red, giving us a patriotic look.

Furman will be hosting a clinic late this November -- probably on a Sunday afternoon -- that will be designed to introduce new players to the game, the basics of rugby. More will be posted on this once we nail down the time.

A few things about me...

I am big on discipline and doing things the right way. I firmly believe that you master the basics and then slowly build. Our practices will be organized and lively. I raise my voice a lot, but rarely in anger...in enthusiasm! I love working with and leading young men. I am competitive. I like to win but keep things in perspective. Our squad will be well-drilled. And we will look like a team -- even if it takes us a while to play like one.

Modesty aside, I am posting two recent articles that have appeared about me. I do this not to self-aggrandize, but to let parents know they will be entrusting their son to someone who is reputable.

Greenville News Article

Rugby Magazine Article

Rugby 101

Here is a good rugby primer. Good explantions of the rules and how the game is played. After viewing-- and absorbing -- you should be able to enjoy watching a game.

Meeting with the principal

Zach and I met with the Principal Crowley last week and the meeting -- for the most part -- was very postive. While Mr. Crowley was extremely supportive of our efforts, he said he could not grant the rugby team official club status. So, we cannot not have any direct affilation with the school.

No matter. We can still forge ahead with a rugby club. All we need are players and a coach. I have called the Greenville Recreation District and am working to secure some practices fields -- possibly at Pittman or East Riverside parks. In the coming week, I will arrange a meeting for prospective students and parents and announce this meeting time on this blog and the Riverside Rugby facebook page.

We will probably have a few practices next month. I have the week between Christmas and New Years off. During this time, we'll likey have practices each day during the a week. It will be an intense but fun learning experience. There is a rugby jamboree in Columbia in late January. After that, we forge ahead with the season. We can play our home games in Furman's Rugby Stadium, but need to have practice close to home.

If anyone knows of a good meeting space, please advise...maybe a subivision club house, perhaps, or church?