A MOMENT OF SILENCE WHILE THE KNEES CREAK
“Thanks, Bruce for letting me put a little announcement in the newsletter. This is very difficult.
”It is with great sadness that I report I am having to hang up my cleats. After years of abuse, my knees are no longer willing to go along with my plans, and I consistently pay for a good week or so after having a run about the pitch on Saturdays. However, I am hopeful that I can help out with our newer members so I can still be out in the fresh air on Saturdays helping to improve the game we all love. And, maybe one day, Santa will bring new and improved knees!
“Kat Todd-Schwartz”
Since retiring from a playing career that included representing Canada in the World Cup and winning a USA championship with the All Blues, Kat has been a valuable addition to our society. We are sad to note the end of her active involvement on the pitch, which has been greatly appreciated by the rugby players of Pelicanland and beyond.
At the same time, we are pleased for our current and future referees that Kat will remain involved, sharing the expertise of her refereeing, the experience of her career and the love she obviously has for The Game They Play in Heaven.
We are so lucky.
TOUCH TOURNEY ON TREASURE ISLAND JULY 15
Who can ref some Touch on Saturday?
San Francisco/Golden Gate is hosting a touch tournament this Saturday. They will play across Rocca Field, with two pitches being created. They anticipate having various brackets: Women, Youth, High School, Old Boys and Men’s Competitive and Social.
There will also be a luau afterwards to which the officials are of course invited.
The rules of Touch are easy to learn and the game is a ton of fun. Refs will be welcomed to play as well should they wish.
Please respond if you can help out for all or part of the day. It would also be a great opportunity to check out our soon-to-be-famous changing room!
TONIK PALO ALTO SUMMER SEVENS
The Las Vegas Blackjacks won top dollar at the Tonik Summer Sevens last Saturday, taking home $3000 after demonstrating both pace and power.
A total of seven thousand dollars was awarded. In the women’s division, the Grizzlies took first place, worth $750, while San Jose State won $250 for finishing second.
Twenty-four teams competed in the men’s division.
In the traditional manner of USA sevens, several faces appear on different rosters once the tight five retires from the pitch. Vegas featured Utahans Alipate Tuilevuka and Mike Palefau, both recently running up and down the pitch a few miles south of Greer Park with the Eagles in the Churchill Cup.
All of the money winners in the Tonik Cup:
Las Vegas: $3000
Hayward: $1000
Diablo Gaels: $1000
Grizzlies: $750
Mission: $500
San Mateo: $500
San Jose State: $250
(It should be noted that the Olympic Club’s best side was in Denver and took second to the Denver Barbarians there.)
This was a very well-run tournament. Your reporter arrived at 8 AM and was probably about the 40th person present, an unprecedented delight. Crews were finishing field preparations, erecting tents and sponsorship booths, and getting ready for the most fun under the summer sun.
On August 5 at Greer Park, Air Pacific will put up another $7000 for the best of the best.
You should plan to join the festivities for the Pacific Coast Qualifier on July 22 and the money tournament on August 5 – national-level Sevens in our own backyard!
WHO WANTS TO GO TO THE NEW YORK SEVENS?
We have a handful of folks interested in refereeing the New York Sevens the Saturday after Thanksgiving. If you’d like to toss your name into the hat for this exchange, please let us know.
GIVE A THOUGHT FOR OUR TONGAN FRIENDS
Two members of the Tongan royal family were killed in a traffic collision in East Palo Alto last Wednesday.
News Article
THIS WEEK'S PHOTO
Fourteen referees from the Best Referee Society in the USA and one of the best from the Met NY worked the Tonik Palo Alto Money Tournament Saturday.
Many had gone by the time the camera came out. They were: John Coppinger, Mike Gadoua, Aruna Ranaweera, Sam Reagle, Sandy Robertson, and visitor Bruce Brown, formerly of the PNW but now living in Las Vegas and refereeing with Southern California.
Left to right: Grill Master Ray Schwartz, Paul Bretz, Dixon Smith, Tony Latu, Bruce Carter, Jim Crenshaw, exchangee Brad Kleiner, Pete Smith and David Williamson.
HAIL, PELICUS!
For the Senate
Pelicus Scriptoris
