In the News - Boston Women`s Rugby

Boston Women’s Rugby
S S T W A H!
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News and Information from Your Favorite Rugby Team in Boston
Volume 1, Issue 1
A Sensational Spring
BWRFC started the season with over 20
girls traveling to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
to play in Ruggerfest. By the end of the
three day excursion they were traveling
home with a trophy. Next, the team
was onto New York for the Village
Lions Tournament where, again, they
were victorious, bringing home another
tournament trophy. It was then home to
meet cross town rivals; Beantown
Special Points of Interest:
! BWRFC Wins
FL Ruggerfest and
Village Lions
Tournaments
Phillip Griffith’s take on the match:
“This match was played to the high level of
intensity you would expect between old rivals.
Boston came out strong at the start, pressuring
Beantown and scoring first with a penalty. After
twenty minutes Beantown were finally able to
organize themselves and were awarded a
penalty try when Boston collapsed a maul on the
goal line. The match remained competitive and
hard fought, but Beantown had the downhill
advantage in the second half and managed to
outscore Boston by a total of four tries, one
conversion and one penalty to one penalty for
Boston.“
Despite the loss, BWRFC returned giving
Maryland the boot with a win of (31-0), and
reciprocated the victory again against the
DC Furies winning (35-5).
The winning ceased there when Nova
managed to pull ahead and sent BWRFC
back to Boston with a loss of (5-24). The
team then traveled to New York once again,
for a friends and family tournament, but
came out with a loss from the A side. With a
record of (3-3) BWRFC traveled to the Mid
West in an attempt to win back another seed
for the NRU’s.
! BWRFC Welcomes
Assistant Coach;
Frederick Clark
! BWRFC Competes
to win Northeast
Seat
Inside this issue:
! Success of the
Season
! Coach Clark Recap
and Welcome
! 22nd Annual
Cape Cod 7’s
Tournament
! BWRFC in the News
! Community
Involvement
! Board Members &
Roster
Boston vs. Beantown Spring ‘07
Challenge Match Recap by Frederick Clark, BWRFC Assistant Coach
together and used its larger pack to good
effect, forcing Boston to make a lot of
tackles in the latter stages of the first half.
Although Boston created many more
scoring opportunities with clear line
breaks in the first half, the scoreline
reflected Kansas City's abilty to seize their
opportunities. When Kansas City scored
again right on half time the game was
anyone's for the taking at 12-10. Boston
was clearly wilting in the heat.
“Kansas City Jazz met Boston
Women's RFC on May 12 in KC to
decide the all-important challenge
for the 15th Seed in the Fall
National Championships. A win
for Boston would mean the NRU
could lock up four seeds in the
Nationals (there are four D1 clubs
in the NRU - meaning all would go
to Nationals), while a win for
Kansas guarantees the Jazz a seed
at Nationals.
Boston prepared carefully
throughout the spring for the
challenge match, with an extensive
schedule set. Four away trips to DC
(twice) Florida and New York, plus
two home games comprised the
BWRFC preparation. Boston
entered the challenge match
confidently with strong displays in
losses to Beantown, New York and
NOVA and sizable wins over DC
Furies (35-5) and
Maryland (31-0).
Kansas City Challenge Match Scrum
The game was a hot one, with the
mercury reaching the mid 80s.
Boston attacked from the onset,
overpowering the Jazz in the rucks
with good teamwork at the
breakdown. The first twenty
minutes belonged to Boston,
running in two tries to lead 10-0. A
third opportunity for a score went
begging in the 25th minute when
Boston squandered fourth phase
ball on the try line - only to see the
Jazz scoring at the other end two
minutes later. A possible three try
lead became 10-5.
At this point Kansas City got its act
Kansas City Challenge Match lineout
The second half began badly for Boston
when the Jazz scored very quickly after
the kick-off. Boston was going to have to
dig very deeply to come back from 19-10.
Boston attacked deep into Kansas territory
on four occasions, only to see the Jazz
steal ball with effective defensive play.
The last thirty minutes of the game saw
the Jazz repel every attack Boston could
muster, with stout defense keeping Boston
out. Kansas City Jazz ran out 19-10
winners in a very hot see-saw affair that
was a great game to watch. While the
packs cancelled each other out in the
physical match-ups, the difference-makers
were the near perfect tackling by the KC
backline and a stellar performance from
Kansas fullback Sara Wood. Boston
certainly suffered in the heat. For Boston,
flyhalf Meaghan Johnson shone with a
creative and spontaneous display. For
Boston, the road to Nationals lies through
the September qualifying in the NRU,
where it must win at least one game.”
The Season Concludes
The ending of the spring season brought
BWRFC to the ever friendly Newport, RI
tournament. Wins against Worchester,
Portland, and Seacoast brought them to
the Championship match up against the
all too familiar faces of Beantown. As
always tensions were high and the will
to win was strong, but it was Beantown
who managed the win. The conclusion
of the season although not the outcome
hoped for, still left a great number of
peoples’ reflections on the progression
and improvement of the team as a whole
with positive thoughts and remarks.
Spring Season 2007
BWRFC Welcomed a
new Assistant Coach;
Frederick Clark
Fred happened upon
the BWRFC via taxi
(literally)! We were lucky
enough to have a current
BWRFC player as one of
Fred’s taxi fares who
convincingly persuaded
him to help coach us!
A “B” Side Perspective
What does the new side of BWRFC looking
like?
“That was one of the
best performances
from the pack
against Beantown
since I’ve been on
the team…” Magpie
The B side team, the future of the club is
showing what potential is has, and it is
clearly seen by this season’s performance.
The B side team played a great game
against the Beantown B’s, refusing to let
them score, but unfortunately not able to
score themselves. Their second game
against Seacoast was a valiant fight
however even with help from some
alumnae Seacoast won the match.
By the date of the third match,
improvements were visible everywhere
including the score when they beat the DC
Furies B side (27-7) and even more so when
they once again stepped it up against New
York who they allowed only one tri scored
but reciprocated the score, leaving the
game tied (5-5).
Claustrophobic!
He was the Head Coach of
the RI Men’s Collegiate
Team for three years as well
as the Co-Coach and
Manager of the RI
Collegiate Select Side in ‘06
Fred’s rugby career began
in Sydney Australia in 1982,
where he played for eight
years.
He continued on for two
years for the Sydney
University Rugby Club.
He then played for Merton
RFC, men’s league in
Surrey, UK, from 1998 thru
1999.
Newport Tournament 2007
"On female rugby teams - Everybody thinks we should have moustaches and hairy arses, but in fact you could put us all on the cover of Vogue." Helen Kirk (1987)
22nd Annual Cape Cod 7’s
Rugby Tournament
Every year BWRFC hosts the largest
women's sevens tournaments in New
England with over 35 teams in
attendance in 2007. The Cape Cod 7s
Rugby Tournament stands out as a
unique experience. It is distinguished
from most of the other summer
tournaments on the East coast by the mix
of fierce competition (several of the
country's 4 top-ranked women's teams
attend every year) and chaotic fun (teams
are strongly encouraged to play in
costume!). Each year we carefully select a
theme to which participating teams are
"required" to conform - either in their onfield attire or in a skit performed at the
post-tournament party.
Hosted by: Boston Women’s Rugby
The theme of this year's tournament was:
Super heroes and villains!
The tournament took place on Saturday, July 28th at Nauset Regional High
School, 100 Cable Road, North Eastham, MA.
Three divisions:
Club Competitive: Nova, champions
Club Social: Dirty 30s, champions
Collegiate: Northeastern, champions
For additional information please visit our website: www.bwrfc.com
Our tournament participants are as
diverse as our themes. We have college
A favorite family
teams, women's club teams, teams of
phrase
or slogan
can
"retired"
players
who have
decided to
dust off theirgo
boots,
and a few teams
here.
united by some pretty odd
commonalities: they all play the same
position; they all have the same name;
they all have the same color hair.
"In my time, I've had my knee out, broken my collarbone, had my nose smashed, a rib broken, lost a few teeth, and ricked my
back; but as soon as I get a bit of bad luck I'm going to quit the game." - J. W. Robinson
BWRFC “In the News”
“Former A-B hoop standout plays in New England Tens rugby tourney at NARA”
Original Article featured in The Beacon and written By: Stephen Tobey
When she was growing up in Acton, Emily Malkin
was not aware of the New England Tens rugby
tournament that has taken place in the town every
summer for the past 29 years.
Last year, when she was recovering from knee
surgery, she attended the tournament as a
spectator. On Saturday, she was playing in it for
the Boston Women’s Rugby Club.
Malkin, who now lives in Brighton and works as a
research assistant at Tufts University Medical
School, has been playing for Boston since 2005. She
started playing rugby at Brandeis, where she also
played basketball.
“I’d always been interested in football and contact
sports,” Malkin said. “Some friends recommended
I start playing [rugby] and I loved it and I loved the
contact.”
“She’s [Malkin] very fast and elusive, really tough. Give her some space and she can
break free. She tries really hard to improve.”- Fred Clark
Most contact sports that are available for women
do not have as much contact as the men’s versions
of those sports. Body checking, which is an
essential part of men’s ice hockey and lacrosse, is
not a part of the women’s games. Though boxing is
mostly contested with the same rules, women fight
two-minute rounds, instead of the standard three
minutes.
“Most contact
In rugby, however, women play by exactly same
rules that the men use.
women do not
“If you’re an athlete, you should be able to pick it
up,” said Diana Parkhurst, a captain and
player/coach for Boston. “If you’re an athlete, you
usually want the contact and are able to give and
receive contact.”
Malkin plays outside center for Boston and has
played wing on occasion. The athletes who play
those positions are usually some of the faster
players on the field. With no forward passes
allowed in rugby, what they do resembles a nohuddle option offense in football.
“She’s a natural athlete,” said coach Fred
Clark, a native of Australia.
sports that are
available for
have as much
contact as the
men’s versions
of those
sports… In
rugby,
however,
“It’s comparable to a running back,” Malkin said.
“On the wing, you’re catching and running. In the
center, you have to control play more and pass
more. [She was moved to outside center] because
we needed a better defensive player there.”
women play by
In her tenure with Boston, Malkin has
demonstrated the qualities needed to play either
position.
men use. “
exactly same
rules that the
Said Parkhurst, “She has really grown as a
rugby player. She reads the field well and
her decision-making has improved
tremendously.”
Malkin feels she still has room for
improvement, however.
“I’m still learning the game,” she said. “The
older players have a big advantage. They
know the game and a lot of little tricks.
Sometimes I still play like a basketball player.
That can be good sometimes and sometimes
it can be bad.”
Boston has players between the ages of 21
and 37. The team practices and plays its
home games at Moakley Park in South
Boston. It’s one of only two Division 1
women’s teams in New England. The other
team, Beantown, is also based in Boston and
is among the top 10 women’s club teams in
the country.
“We travel quite a bit,” Malkin said. “We’re
even with Keystone and we’re trying to get
the fourth spot. We hope to go to the
nationals.”
BWRFC Community Contributions
This year BWRFC decided to make a team goal of participating in three
philanthropy events. We are well on track to complete this goal…
Historical Involvement:
! American Cancer
Society: Relay For
Life
! MS: Great Mass
Getaway
! Youth Rugby
Clinic
! Breast Cancer Walk
! 12/2005 - Christmas
Caroling
! 01/2005 - Tsunami
Relief
! 06/2004 - Special
Olympics
! 06/2004 - MSPCA's
Nevin's farm
This year BWRFC decided to make the Great Mass
Getaway. The event is a two day, 150 mile bike ride, from
Quincy to Provincetown. Team Donut Holes and M&Ms
was led by Boston Women's player Katie Smith and
included a combination of BWRFC players, alumni, and
friends. A total of $14,103.00 was raised.
Improving Youth Rugby
In addition to these major
philanthropy events the team
made a commitment to give back
to the rugby community and help
to promote rugby in youth
communities. The team attended
twice weekly rugby clinics for
Boston youths in April and May.
The team also ran one clinic for
High School girls from LincolnDonut Holes & M&M’s cycling group
Sudbury, Cambridge, and
MS Great Mass Getaway ‘07
Needham. The Lincoln-Sudbury
Cancer has surely affected every member of the BWRFC High team is coached by alumnae
community but this year a few members have been more Sarah Greeley and Heather
directly affected. On June 8th 14 members attended relay Eglintine. The Cambridge and
for life in Watertown. An incredible 9 participants stayed Needham teams are coached by
all night and shared the responsibility of walking the last current players Judy Wu and Di
two hours. BWRFC raised $2,538.00.
Parkhurst, respectively.
Eight of the nine
BWRFC players that
stayed till morning at
Relay for Life
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
On October 14, 2007 BWRFC will be
participating in the Making Strides walk for
Breast Cancer. To join us or to sponsor the
team please visit the website:
http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/site/TR/Makin
gStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY08NewEn
gland?pg=entry&fr_id=3496
Emily Malkin
dodges a New York
player’s tackle with her
teammates there for
support.
Summer Practices:
Currently held:
Tuesdays at Moakley Park in South Boston
from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.
Team conditioning night:
Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Moakley
Park (meet on the track).
Directions link:
http://www.bwrfc.org/Columbus.htm
Continuing the Success of BWRFC with your help!
In order to remain competitive and continue the growth BWRFC a
great deal of energy is put into training and scheduling highly
competitive matches. Since the BWRFC policy encourages
participation regardless of financial status, all of this preparation
comes to a great financial cost to our team. BWRFC engages in
fundraising activities to ensure that each player can play without
worrying about cost. Your contribution to our club helps offset the
cost of training, equipment and travel as the team strives for success.
Fall 2007 Schedule:
All Contributions are extremely appreciated, here are some ways you
can help:
August 4-5:
Saranac
Away
August 25:
DC
Home
September 1:
Beantown
Home
September 8-9:
Pumpkinfest Away
__ $30 Purchase team gear, shorts, MS Team jerseys, T-Shirts
September 15:
Keystone
Home
__ $50 Donation to Cape Cod 7’s Fundraising
September 22:
NYC
Away
September 29:
Berkeley
Home
October 6-7:
NRU Playoffs Away
October 19-20:
Chicago
Away
October 27-28:
Round of 16
Away
November 9-11: USA Rugby Championship
__ $25 Purchase cones or other equipment
__ $100 Contribute to the transportation to a tournament
__ $250 Host an after game social
Make an open donation to the team via the website:
http://www.bwrfc.org/index.html
**Please use our online Paypal account for all
contributions/purchases**
2007 BWRFC Board Members
President - Maria Ruiz (Caro)
Vice President - Erin Broderick
Secretary - Johanna Bernstein
Treasurer - Christine Price
Captain - Diana Parkhurst
Match Secretary – Lisa Dobbs
(Dobbinhoff)
Cape Cod 7’s Chair / Field Secretary –
Jennifer Jones (JJ)
Fundraising / Publicity – Stephanie
Lafferty & Kate Kleene (Kleenex)
Social Chairs – Katie Smith (Smitty) &
Sarah Porzig (Ziggy)
Equipment – Meghan Conley
Clinics / Members at Large
Coordinator: Meagan Johnson
(Megs)
Alumni Director – Emily Ryzak
Tours & Tounaments Director:
Alison Freidheim / Kristin Howley
Boston Women’s Rugby Football Club
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 391455,
Cambridge, MA 02139
Website: http://www.bwrfc.org/index.html
Email: [email protected]
Boot Phone:
Call 617-824-4294 to hear current BWRFC news,
directions, and information,
for new player inquires, match scheduling,
or other questions.
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