ROOMS AT THE INN FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 3
We would like reserve the hotel rooms for those who will be attending the Sevens conference at Treasure Island on August 3 and the Palo Alto Sevens on August 4. So far we have six takers for rooms.
Pat McNally and Al Caravelli will be the featured speakers, two men well worth listening to and particularly on the topic of Sevens refereeing.
If you plan to attend both of these events and you live more than an hour from either site, the Society will pay for rooms.
Please let us know if we need to leave the light on for you.
PACIFIC COAST SEVENS QUALIFIER THIS SATURDAY
John Meyers of North Carolina will be visiting on exchange this weekend to help out at the Palo Alto Sevens at Cubberley.
This weekend will also be the sole national qualifier event for the Pacific Coast in 2007. We need to provide a team of five for all of the games in the qualifying bracket, so please make your plans now to attend. Even if you are not keen on refereeing the summer game, we’d love to have you work the touchline and in-goals.
Two things to do: let us know you’ll be there and start thinking about your contribution to the post-play picnic!
SF/GOLDEN GATE SECOND ANNUAL TOUCH TOURNAMENT
The second annual Touch tournament at Rocca Field was the occasion for a lot of fun and a great day in the middle of the Bay.
It was also the occasion for a couple of injured folks to run around with a whistle for the first time in a while.
About twenty teams participated on the three smaller fields into which the main pitch was divided for the occasion. With six a side it was still very crowded out there, putting a premium on intercepts in order for teams to be able to score.
Touch emphasizes handling and elusiveness, even more than does Sevens. Not surprising to see teams from Golden Gate and former Cal players doing so well.
There was also a netball tournament at the clubhouse, with plenty of food and drink. The weather cooperated – the fog lifted before noon but the breeze never rose. It was perfect tanning weather.
Referees coming off the injured list were Tina Nesberg and Bruce Carter. They filled out a corps comprising Mike Gadoua, Eric Rauscher, Tony Wells, Arona Paloma, and a couple of Aussies who knew the game better than the refs and agreed to take the whistle for some of the big matches.
A television dirigible was seen approaching in the early afternoon, promising unprecedented exposure for the sport of Touch in the United States, but alas, it was merely tacking into the wind, trying to get back over AT&T Park.
SF/Golden Gate found the best way to reduce expenses at tournaments: it the home team wins, no prize money need change hands. Their 7-a-side team began the day practicing for the Pacific Coast Qualifier and then won the Touch event.
Report by Eric Rauscher:
“What a Blast! It was so much fun!
“The morning started off overcast and with a chill wind blowing. It did however clear up enough later on so that I was able to get a rather nice sunburn.
“Touch (as it was played that day) is sort of like a cross between Sevens and Rugby League but with touches instead of tackles. It is a very fluid and fast game. The teams were comprised both of male and female, with the age ranges being from about 10 to mid 50s. Twenty-four teams were divided into three groupings, two social and one competitive. I decided to watch a couple of the competitive games first (never having seen the game played) and wisely chose to ref only the social games. The first two games had a steep learning curve, but after that it got easier with each successive game due to becoming more familiar with the rules. The general level of play increased for each of the teams as they also became more familiar with what was expected of them.
“After the final games, many of the players and refs took advantage of the clubhouse bar. All in all a very enjoyable day and I look forward to it again next year.”
SF/GOLDEN GATE BANQUET
Report by Bjorn Stumer:
"Pelicans in the City"
Pelicans Jake Rubin and Bjorn Stumer flew the Society's flag at the San Francisco Golden Gate's Grand Rugby Banquet, an annual rugby extravaganza designed to bring the club members together to raise funds for youth rugby. The sold out event was a great success with present and former members of the club enjoying great fellowship, free flowing libations, and a wonderful dinner. Many familiar faces were found in the crowd, and the Bald Eagles were well represented with a table where Jake and I sat for the evening.
Beyond the customary speeches and awards, a fundraising auction was held to raise funds for youth rugby. Among the prizes a Canterbury Crusaders jersey signed by all the members of the squad, as well as a US Eagles jersey, also signed by the players. The after dinner speaker was legendary English player Dean Richards. With 48 English caps, 6 British Lions, and a presence at 4 World Cups, Richards is undeniably one of rugby's all-time legends. He also proved to be a genial fellow, good sport, and excellent speaker (one never imagines what goes on behind those international doors!). Currently he successfully coaches London Harlequins, though he confesses to be a country lad at heart, and is rumored to be in line for further duties when his country comes calling.
Overall a fabulous event. Mark your calendars for next year!!
OUR FRIEND IN THE CARIBBEAN
Aruna Ranaweera sent along a word postcard last week after refereeing two of the preliminary games at the NAWIRA U19 tournament.
“It's been fun refereeing here, but I'm pretty tired from yesterday's exciting match in which Jamaica beat Caymans 22-9. Lots of back and forth running in the sun. Jamaica needed to win by 11 to qualify for the final, but apparently, neither team properly understood this (some of them knew), so the wrong team (Caymans) celebrated after the final whistle! The organizers quickly announced that Jamaica had, in fact, qualified for the final. www.nawira.com.
“I'll be refereeing the final: Jamaica vs Guyana on Saturday evening. Should be a very good match. Both teams like to run out wide: lots of speed. Larry Mendez (Trinidad) will referee the Barbados vs Cayman 3rd place match, and Aaron Christie (Jamaica) will referee the Mexico vs Trinidad 5th place match.
“All matches are played at the Cayman Rugby Club, which has a nice clubhouse and excellent field. The original clubhouse was destroyed in Hurricane Ivan, but has been rebuilt. They have locker room w/showers, large bar, and big screens with Setanta. Locals, mostly of British descent, show up at the clubhouse in the evening. I even ran into a few Americans who recalled their rugby glory days in the 1970's.
“All the officials are staying at a hotel near seven mile beach. Roy Harvey (Canada) and Niall Brooks (British Virgin Islands) are taking us sightseeing by car today. The island is tiny, so "downtown" George Town is small. There are many Canadians living here: apparently it's too cold up north... “
And how ‘bout that final on Saturday:
Final:
Guyana 14-14 Jamaica
(Half Time: 0-7)
Jamaica win 4-1 in penalty shoot out
Referee: Aruna Ranaweera (USA)
Penalty shoot out? What did we send them, a SOCCER ref?
And, ahem… about that tied score…
THIS WEEK’S PHOTO
Saint Padre Pio Mother Pelican blesses you and yours, which is a nice thing to have in your favor when the time comes.
HAIL, PELICUS!
For the Senate
Pelicus Scriptoris
