Thursday, February 21, 2008

Western Suburbs RFC Today

21 Feb 2008

There is a forecast for accumulating snow and freezing rain starting later today and continuing thru Friday.
This may force the closure of the Poplar Tree Park fields for Thursday's practice, and likely the same for Saturday's practice at the Panzer Pitch. Closures will be posted on the message board.
For the status of the Poplar Tree Park fields, you can call the Fairfax County Parks status line *after 3 pm* at 703-324-5264 for updates. (We are on Poplar Tree field #2.)


Also, Prez Bushy wants to move our scrum sled. It looks to be in relatively good condition and not in need of immediate repair.
Who has combo for lock? We also need volunteers to help pick it up and load into Bushy's truck. It takes a minimum of 3 people to lift it.
Contact Bushy if you have the lock combo or if you can help with this task.


19 Feb 2008

Practice for the Spring 2008 15s season is underway. The first practice was very good with good numbers.

Practice sessions are on a lighted turf field at "Poplar Tree Park" on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-9:00 PM, and at "The Panzer Pitch" on Saturdays from 10 am - noon.

***NOTE TUES/THURS TIME CHANGE TO EARLIER START OF 7 PM!***

Reminder: we are on a turf field and that studs are not the best choice.

Whoever has any team equipment (tackle bags, balls, cones, etc.) please bring those items to practice.

Directions to "Poplar Tree Park":
4718 Stringfellow Rd. Chantilly, Virginia, 22021
From the Beltway:
Exit 9A or 9C (Route 66 West) to Fairfax County Parkway exit.
Left on Fair Lakes Parkway,
Right on Stringfellow Road,
Then immediate left into park.

From Fairfax:
Take 50 West toward Chantilly.
Turn left onto Stringfellow Road.
Go past Chantilly High School and Rocky Run School.
Poplar Tree Park is on your right side.
Follow the paved walking path, next to the restrooms back to the field.
Practice time is slated for 7:00-9:00pm.

Directions to the "Panzer Pitch":
The map below describes a soccer-sized field near Fred J. Panzer's house.
These directions are a little easier to understand:
1. from Centreville, take Rt. 28 South to Rt. 29 North.
2. take a right on Pickwick Road (at O'Toole's Restaurant).
3. Go straight thru light over Braddock Road.
4. Continue thru a neighborhood -- you'll now be on Little Rocky Run Circle.
5. at stop sign go straight.
6. take immediate right into community center parking lot (or better yet, park along the road).
7. follow pavement footpath at far end of parking lot thru woods until get to New Braddock Road.
8. You want to walk across New Braddock Road (you can hear the traffic from the rec center parking lot) and head to your right a little.
Look for a trail in the grass (NOT a pavement footpath) along the tree line that leads to the pitch, which is located under those high power lines.
It's about a quarter-mile walk. The walk and playing Frogger with the traffic is a part of the whole practice experience.
9. This is an HOA field and we need to respect the community.


At Saturday's practice, KRIS SWART was voted into office as THE NEW HEAD COACH!

From Kris about the 1st practice session:
"Thank you to everybody who made a special effort, to come to practice and be on time. We had a very good run, some warmups, some fitness and some basic skill drills. This will help us to get where we want to be, as far as winning championships. I really appreciate everybody's efforts and discipline; it is an indication of commitment to the club, fellow players and yourself. I want to welcome all the new players, and hope you will enjoy yourself as part of WSRFC. Please invite all your friends who didn't make it on Saturday, the more the merrier. We will keep on with the same kind of practice, with special attention to warmups - we already lost 2 very valuable players, before the season started. On that note, we all hope you have good and fast recoveries, John and Dave. Let's make these next few weeks before the playoffs some really good we eks to give ourselves the best chance.
Rugby greetings,
Kris"
If you have any questions for Kris, contact him.


Club Dues and CIPP Requirements:

As was requested at practice, please logon to USA RUGBY's website and CIPP yourself.

Please register as a PLAYER affiliated with Western Suburbs Rugby Football Club (Club).
You will be required to read a waiver and pay $23.33 to register.
Please print, sign and deliver both the signed waiver AND a copy of your CIPP registration to one of the club administrators (Bushy or Elvis).

Treasurer Ryan Findley will be collecting dues at practices on Thursday and Saturday.
You can also pay dues via Paypal. WSRFC PayPal address for dues: dues@rugbyfootball.com
(Dues are $120 total, $23.33 of which is CIPP, $96.67 is Club Dues remainder after paying for CIPP).

Full dues deadline is Tuesday before the first regular game.
We still have a few people who owe for the Fall.
Dues status WILL affect eligibility for selection. This is a CIPP season and we will not CIPP anyone without dues payment. We have been burned on this before and you cannot play without being CIPP ed.

If you are a NEW PLAYER to WESTERN SUBURBS RFC, please email your contact info (name, email address, phone #s, home address) to Elvis.
If you played last Fall for another club, also let Elvis know if you were CIPPed to that club.
We need to establish who is eligible to play for us in the playoffs and/or who we can submit waivers for.


2 years back, we (Western Suburbs) had the honor of hosting the New York Japan Rugby Club. This was 100% in thanks to Dr. Fred Panzer, who had an old friend who plays for this club. For those who where not there, on April 26, 2006, Doc's friend organized a road trip for his club and, to the shock and horror or Steve's neighbors, Lough Field saw the first New York-based tour bus pull up. Loaded with arms full of Sake, Lovettsville saw a team of Japanese Rugby players and families enjoy a day of international rugby, Suburbs Style.

Well it is now our turn to return the honor. On May 3, 2008, Suburbs has a "Once in a Lifetime" opportunity. The New York Japan Rugby Club has invited Western Suburbs to play in Manhattan under the lights.
So please make sure you schedules are clear for this evening and plan on spending the evening in North Manhattan on the Columbia University Campus playing rugby. This is for your families as well.

Please visit the NYJRFC website. You will need translation software or run it through the Google language tool.


Reminder from El Presidente Bushy:
Now is the time to start the push for everyone to have complete uniform kit, that is solid BLACK shorts and BLACK socks!


Old Boys Update:
From O'D:
"Gentlemen:
The club side initiated its practices in earnest this past weekend under the direction of one of our own, Kris Swart. The training regimen focuses appropriately on fundamentals and fitness and you can guarantee a good workout if you can join in the fun. I would like to remind you that any engagement with the club side is welcomed and encouraged by all - increased numbers afford better drilling opportunities and helps with the training of new players. Further, any additional fitness and familiarity we gain will surely benefit the SOBs on the pitch this season. Practices are Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Chantilly on a lit turf field. Please come out and join the club for a run whenever you can. Saturday practice is in Centreville at the Panzer Pitch.

Schedules:
We still have a tentative date for the road trip to Charlottesville on 3/8 concurrent with the club side's season opener. I received a number of resp onses indicating an interest in this match, and would like to firm up our expectations of each other before further pressing our welcome on the opposition. Please respond/reiterate your interest/availability in participating in this date's event. I do not know the order of play for the day, but the club side is the visitors in this event, so we will leave scheduling up to our hosts - the Virginia club has expressed some enthusiasm in making it a full rugby extravaganza, and I am looking forward to a good day.

The combined club and old boys sides will be making their annual pilgrimage to the Old South and entering the Savannah St. Patrick's day tournament. Accommodation may be difficult, but where there's a swill there's a sway - check the message board for additional details.

We have received an invitation to play in Norfolk on April 26th for the 30th Anniversary of their club. Norfolk is a bit of a road trip, but it promises to be a good match up if we choose to ac cept. Please respond with your availability and interest in this event, as well.

We will also have additional matches locally, including a potential mini-tournament the first weekend in May (Sunday the 4th) with the Geese and the 'troons. We will also have a separate match against the Geese, and I am hopeful that West Pot and the 'troons will be fielding sides that we can schedule individually, as well.

I will be in Fort Lauderdale this weekend playing in their 32nd annual Ruggerfest with the Geese 45s - if you know anyone in the area have them look us up, as I'm sure we'll be looking to take all comers. If anyone locally is interested in a last minute road trip, I'm sure we can try to assist with coordinating your stay. Please advise.
I look forward to seeing everyone on the pitch!"
O'D


Thursday night Happy Hour social at Buffalo Wings House in Herndon (13005 Worldgate).
The Wings House has pledged a sponsorship of the club, and we should make an appearance whenever possible.
Cheap beer ($1 domestic bottles) and boneless wings.
Hope to see you all there!


Looking for an exceptional value for an exceptionally cold mug of brew?
Then look no further!! Buy an official WSRFC beer glass ($5 each, 6 for $25) for your cold brew.
A set of 6 will be a fine addition to your bar or entertainment activities.
These will sell fast, so get yours while supplies last.

Also, we've reduced the price on "Black Pack" t-shirts to $10 a piece for club members. They are great for post match drink-ups and whatever. We still have most Men's and Ladies sizes in stock.

Contact Guinness-Powered Bryan for more info




SOB's!!! The Old Boys are ordering a set of jerseys for the spring '08 season.
They will be black/white Adidas hoops. I suspect the club insignia will include Old Boys in it, and we will have a sponsor insignia under the numbers in the back and likely one on each sleeve (not billboard-sized insignia, but respectful of our generous sponsors).
Anyone interested in purchasing a jersey of their own is welcome to add to our order.
The jerseys, fully customized will likely fall in the $50 range.
Please see the size chart and photo of the proposed kit, and forward size and number specifications at your earliest convenience.
We are looking to order the kit sometime in the VERY near future (next week) in order that we can have them for the start of the season.
Please contact O.D.

 














 

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Some administrative notes:
1. if you need real-time info, always check the message board
(http://s2.excoboard.com/exco/forum.php?forumid=111697) and the "what's new"
sections of the team website at www.rugbyfootball.com.
2. if you can't get access to the message board, email Kermit at
rugbykermit@earthlink.net asking for permission.
3. DO NOT send emails to this address (wsrfc@comcast.net) if you need immediate information because it is not monitored on a regular basis. 
 

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