Your Scrumhalf Connection

Basketball to Rugby – a woman’s story

wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com — Fri, 24 May 2013 21:33:20 +0000

One and half years ago a talent identification search began in the Netherlands to find cross over talent that was currently playing sport at an elite level. Organisers were interested to find out if athletes playing other codes in the Netherlands were keen to give Rugby sevens a go. Basketballer Tessel van Dongen read an article about it and a year later decided to take the leap.

“I read an article about how Sevens had been added to the Olympic programme for Rio 2016, and I thought that this could be a real opportunity for me” said Tessel.

“However, at the time of reading it I was heading off to represent the Netherlands at the Under 20 European Basketball Championships. I decided to concentrate on playing basketball and I left the article for what it was. But there was a burning thought in the back of my mind that I must find out more about the sport of Rugby sevens”.

“The Olympic Games is often regarded as the pinnicle for an athlete to compete in front of a truly global audience, representing their country. To be honest I didn’t think I had quite what it takes to reach that level through playing basketball and I had also heard the Rugby sevens talent identification programme was going to host an induction day. So I thought that this is now my chance to give it a go! At the time I didn’t expect too much, however, all I knew is that I needed to know if whether I had the talent and if rugby is really a sport for me?”

The talent identification day went better than expected as Tessel was included in a women’s selection side to play in three tournaments in the Netherlands. “Looking back to my introduction to sevens, I think that playing in those tournaments was really the turning point for me”.

“At the time, I was anxious to tell my basketball team mates, coaching staff and management that I wanted to cross over and soley concentrate on playing sevens, therefore having to give up playing basketball. Up until then Basketball had consumed much of my life but I sort of knew that I wasn’t going to become the next biggest basketball star in the Netherlands”.

“In terms of playing basketball my strength was not so much with the technical side of the game but I considered myself more of a hard working team player, someone who hustled up and down the court.

“I had always made the Netherlands squad , however most of my game time came from off the bench. I was mainly used as a bench player and my coaches had told me of my weaknesses & limitations. I didn’t let this put me off and I continued to work and train harder than ever, hoping to improve my performance. I guess I kind of wanted to prove myself”.

SPEED AND POWER

The fear of quitting basketball ended up being welcomed with lots of positive energy and feedback from her teammates & management, according to van Dongen.

“I remember many questions following my announcement. In the back of my mind I was wondering if I had made the right descison to give up basketball and follow my newly chosen sport. As I said earlier basketball had been the only sport I knew anything about for the last 10 years of my life. However, I can honestly say I fell in love with sevens rugby – it has it all speed, power & explosiveness. What I also really enjoy is the fact of playing outside, whereas we trained and played indoor’s with basketball. Although I must say it was tough getting used to playing in all the different types of weather conditions”.

Tessel only entered the world of rugby in recent months but her on field performance attracted the attention of head coach Gareth Gilbert during a tournament last September, where she gained selection to the Netherlands Women’s Sevens Squad.

“It came as a complete surprise” according to Tessel. “It was an opportunity I welcomed with open arms after having just jumped in boots-and-all. I’m proud of how far I have come and it wasn’t until just prior to the inaugrural Women’s Sevens World Series tournament in Dubai that Gilbert informed me that I had made the final cut of those players who would be competing on the circuit.”

“I think my ability to stay focussed and mentally switched on helped me make the transition from basketball to rugby easier”.

AMSTERDAM

With the Amsterdam Sevens just over a month away, Tessel van Dongen and her team mates will be hoping to put in a massive performance on home soil. It’s something Dutch coach Gareth Gilbert is confident about.

“Tessel is a very talented individual who has the made the switch from basketball to rugby look very easy. Her evasive skills and hand eye coordination are of the highest level,” he said.

“She is still learning a lot about the game but she has a very good learning ability and that’s why she has been able to step up to the elite team in just one season. I expect even greater things from her as she has the right mentality and work ethic to be a top athlete.”

The Women Seven’s World Series continues in Amsterdam on May 17 and 18.

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Jonah Lomu’s Movie Trailer ‘The Blackline’

wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:41:09 +0000

We are proud to present the sports movie of the year, with the first rugby World superstar:
« Jonah : The Blackline ».

This movie called « Jonah : The Blackline », offers a glimpse of an extraordinarily full and courageous life, the life of Jonah Lomu.

« Jonah : The Blackline » tells the story of the man, behind the legend, with Interviews, stories, and exclusive content!

The movie will be broadcasted on Canal+ TV channel for an exclusive premiere in June 2013, and then all around the world. A promotion tour with Jonah in Europe is scheduled in a few weeks only.

After the trailer first episode, stay tuned and watch many other behind the scene videos.

Stay connected:

Facebook
Twitter @jonahtheblack

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Stripes Demolish Stars in Top 60 USA Rugby Women’s Team Scrimmage

wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com — Fri, 24 May 2013 19:22:46 +0000

from USA Women’s Rugby:

GREELEY, Colo. — A close game it was not. Stripes only built on its momentum from the first scrimmage to post a 48-5 win over Stars.

Proving relentless on defense once again, more kicking opportunities resulted in an even more lop-sided victory for Stripes in the second contest of the three match series.

Samantha Pankey and Kaelene Lundstrum accounted for two tries a piece on the day, which was only boosted by the kicking efforts of Meya Bizer. Bizer slotted three penalties, while converting on two tries.

Katie O’Malley, Christina Zier, and Caroline White crossed the line for scores, respectively, in Stripes favor.

Stars had no answer to the staunch defense of Stripes. That is until the waning moments of the contest. Coming on as a late-game sub, Mel Denham capitalized on her freshness to score the lone try for Stars.

The final scrimmage of the Top 60 camp will take place on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. (MT).

The rosters will be lighter for both sides in the last scrimmage as four players depart for the U20 camp. Bizer, Cassidy Meyers, Anne Peterson, and Hope Rogers will be absent from the final Stars and Stripes contest as they travel to Chula Vista, Calif.

Saturday’s scrimmage will be the final event of the Top 60 Camp.

Stars vs Stripes | Top 60 – Scrimmage | Greeley, Colo.

STARS:

Naima Reddick (Hope Rogers @ 32)
Rachel Ryan (Devin Keller @ 40)
Jamie Burke (Katy Augustyn @ 54)
Francine Bray
Emily Van Gulik (Sarah Walsh @ 40)
Kristen Zdanczewicz (Mel Denham @ 70)
Christiane Pheil
Laura Miller
Elena Cantora (Cassidy Meyers @ 70)
Anne Peterson
Andrea Prusinski
Aly Gleason (Sylvia Braaten @ 61)
San Juanita Moreno
Valerie Griffith
Jessica Wooden (Amanda Street @ 49)

STRIPES:

Sarah Chobot (Jessica Davis @ 40)
Christina Zier (Joanna Kitlinski @ 59)
Sarah Wilson (Sarah Chobot @ 78)
Molly Kinsella (Lauren Daly @ 59)
Carmen Farmer
Shaina Turley
Samantha Pankey
Stacey Bridges (Phoebe Boone @ 54)
Jocelyn Tseng (Caroline White @ 49)
Lauren Rhode
Kaelene Lundstrum
Megan Bonny (Hannah Stolba @ 62)
Meya Bizer
Erica Cavanaugh (Erin Overcash @ 32)
Katie O’Malley

Stars (5)
Tries: Denham
Conversions: -
Penalties: -

Stripes (48)
Tries: Pankey (2), Lundstrum (2), O’Malley, Zier, White
Conversions: Bizer (2/7)
Penalties: Bizer (3)

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IRB launches website to Keep Rugby Onside

wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:19:26 +0000

from IRB.com:

The new website will eduacate players, coaches and match officials in the fight against betting, match-fixing and corruption.

The International Rugby Board has launched an interactive online awareness and educational resource dedicated to the fight against betting, match-fixing and corruption.

The fully interactive Keep Rugby Onsideprogramme is available atwww.irbintegrity.com and is central to forward-thinking revisions to the IRB’s Anti-Corruption Regulations which establishes a set of regulations and a scheme of enforcement and sanctions that have applied across the Game at elite level from January 2013.

The resource will accompany a global education process rolled out in collaboration with IRB Member Unions and the International Rugby Players’ Association aimed at informing, advising and protecting players, coaches and match officials at the elite level from the dangers of betting and wagering.

Keep Rugby Onside will concentrate on the threats posed by match-fixing, the impact on family and friends, how to recognise approaches, reporting mechanisms, disciplinary procedures, actions underway by relevant authorities and how to seek help if they have been affected or suspect the integrity of a match or the sport has been compromised.

The launch, following wide-ranging IRB consultation, sets a new global best practice for sporting integrity regulations that builds upon the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee and other elite sporting bodies and International Federations.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Match-fixing and corruption is one of the biggest threats to all sports. While there is no history or prevalence in Rugby, collectively we should be making all efforts within our power to preserve the fundamental character of sporting competition as an honest test of skill and ability and to prevent corrupt gambling practices from undermining the integrity of the Game.”

“The Keep Rugby Onside site reaffirms the IRB’s commitment to continue collaborating with the global Rugby and wider sporting family to take a progressive and best-practice approach to prevention and education.”

IRB Disciplinary Officer Susan Ahern added: “The IRB recognises that education is key to the successful implementation of these modernised Anti-Corruption Regulations. We are collaborating with our Member Unions and partners to run a comprehensive programme of education for all stakeholders, and in particular players, team management and match officials. It’s built around online information and self-assessments modules, face-to-face workshops, downloadable resources and materials.”

And it’s a move that has been backed by the International Rugby Players’ Association.

“It is important that not only the players, but all rugby stakeholders are aware of the implications of the new Anti–Corruption regulations,” said Josh Blackie of the International Rugby Player’ Association.

“Throughout the IRPA network we are focused on working together with the IRB to ensure all professional players know how the new regulations affect them and how they can keep themselves safe in regard to corruption in sport.”

Integrity and the fight against illegal betting and wagering in sport will be a topic of discussion at the inaugural IRB World Rugby Convention and Exhibition in Dublin in November 2013.

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Rugby World Directory – an international rugby social media, a rugby directory and a travel resource

wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:38:12 +0000

from RWD:

The Rugby World Directory is a new website created to help Registration is FREE and using the site is fast and easy – to visit click www.rugbyworldirectory.com. The Rugby World Directory is an international rugby social media, a rugby directory and a travel resource.

Our mission is to provide a platform that will connect you to all things rugby and create a true global rugby community. Link up with teams, players, fans, coaches, sponsors, brands, pubs, tournaments and so on. RWD is for anyone and anything that’ll enrich your enjoyment of the game and our rugby way of living. RWD has been conceived and created by rugby players.

Once you have registered and created your personal profile you can use RWD to create profiles for your various groups, staff & events. Use the Directory to find and connect with other referees world-wide creating your own community.

Each and every Fan, Player, Club, Sponsor and Brand will have access to the site. This gives you the opportunity to engage directly with the rugby audience, teams, Clubs and Governing Bodies.

We’ve created RWD to become an effective tool for the sport internationally; to support and build Rugby from grassroots through to international level. We hope you will join us!

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5th Annual Lost Afternoon Luncheon – Houston, TX, June 7, 2013

wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:50:04 +0000

The Lost Afternoon Rugby Luncheon is the brainchild of Scotsman Malcolm Douglas who holds fond memories of similar events in the UK. The concept is to bring together the rugby community once a year in the spirit of the game to renew friendships, relive past glories, and explore ways in which to move the game forward. Initially we had 3 goals.

Demonstrate to USA Rugby that Houston wanted another test match. Last year Houston broke the attendance record for a domestic Test match when 17,214 people saw the USA play Italy.
Support Youth Rugby Initiatives with donations to Houston Youth Rugby Association, Inc. (a non-profit 501c(3)
Have a great time.

It’s called the “Lost Afternoon” for obvious reasons: once you get together with your mates in such an atmosphere, the typical 90-minute luncheon turns into three hours – or more – so you might as well stick around and fully enjoy the experience! The extended time also provides the opportunity to hear from multiple speakers, watch some great action on the big screens, and still have plenty of time to “network.” It’s not unusual for guests to even book rooms or suites in the host hotel to continue well into the evening, especially those traveling from out-of-town.

In the past five years we have had the pleasure of listening to Eddie O’Sullivan (former Irish & USA coach), Nigel Melville (CEO of USA Rugby & former England captain), George Hook (RTE commentator & longtime friend of Texas Rugby), John Rutherford (Scottish #10), Rob Louw (Springbok legend & cancer survivor), Brian Vizard (former Eagle captain), & Roly Meates (former Irish coach & scrum guru). If this was done in London it would be impressive. That it was done in Texas tells you how serious we are about our rugby.

Register here

Facebook Event

Come in early for the Lost Afternoon and stay for USA vs Ireland!

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28th Annual Cape Cod Sevens Tournament

wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:53:30 +0000

Boston Women’s Rugby is hosting the 28th Annual Cape Cod Sevens Tournament this summer.

THEME: DISNEY DREAMS

WHEN: July 13, 2013

WHERE: Nauset High School, 100 Cable Road, Eastham, MA 02642

WHO: Women’s collegiate, and club teams of all skill levels from across the country

DIVISIONS:

Competitive (e.g., WPL, D1 club, Select-sides)
Social (e.g., D1 B-sides; D1 mixed A/B; Competitive College Teams)
College (e.g., D2 Club teams, college teams)

REGISTRATION AND FEES:
Early Bird Registration ends June 15th.
Register at this link: http://www.bwrfc.com/cape-cod-sevens/registration/

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Northeast 7s Rugby Olympic Development Academy/NRU and EMPIRE 7’s Series

wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:40:57 +0000

from Empire Rugby:

Sport Management Internship – Summer, 2013

Term:
This internship is expected to start in mid-May 2013 and continue through August 2013. This is a part-time, unpaid internship at 10-20 hours per week. Interns must be enrolled in the Sport Management program in order to be considered.

Overview:
The primary focus of this internship is to support and assist in the launch and management of the newly-established Northeast 7s Rugby Olympic Development Academy (Northeast ODA), the newest academy system to be launched under the USA Rugby Olympic Development Program (ODP).

The individual will also work closely with the Director of the NRU and Empire GU 7’s series dealing with weekly operations for this growing competition.

The Northeast ODA will operate academy teams out of the Boston and New York City regions, and will support the ODP’s goal of developing “up-and-coming male players who are not yet performing at the international level, but have demonstrated the potential to be; players who have played at an international level but are not in the USOC residency program; and men’s national team pool players who are aiming to evolve into the USOC residency program in the future.”

The Sport Management Intern will report to the Northeast ODA Director, and will manage a diverse array of responsibilities, including marketing and communications, social media, athlete communications, athlete data management, scheduling and logistics, and athlete registration and documentation.

Responsibilities include:

· Support the Academy in select events, such as tryouts and tournaments
· Assist in the creation of Academy marketing and communication materials
· Managing the Academy’s social media presence
· Supporting athlete database and data management
· Maintaining athlete roster, registration and USA Rugby documentation
· Supporting Academy scheduling and logistics
· Supporting athlete communications
· Dealing with all logistics for the Empire and NRU 7s series
· Other duties as assigned

The ideal Sport Management Intern will be a self-starter who is able to work independently with limited supervision and possesses the ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks and responsibilities. The intern will have the opportunity to work with elite coaches and players who have national and international experience and to work with the sport’s national governing body, USA Rugby. The internship also presents a unique opportunity to participate in a sport returning to the Olympics in 2016, and as a result, is receiving increased international exposure and sponsorship.

To apply, please send a résumé and cover letter to Sean Horan, Director of Rugby. The deadline for applying for the internship is Friday, May 10, 2013.

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