First H.S.Practice Dec. 1st @ 6:00!

Journey Coffee 896 Alamo Dr. Vacaville

The time has finally come for season to start! After many frustrating days and weeks of trying to find a field, we finally got one!

The first practice we will be meeting at Journey to discuss the practice location and guidelines surrounding our use there.

PLAYERS AND PARENTS MUST ATTEND!

We will also be getting much of the administrative work out of the was as well, so please bring with you:

1. Player paperwork 

2. Concussion waiver

3. Dues ($200 total) or whatever you can bring at this time

4. Student ID

We will have extra copies on hand if you have not printed yours yet (available on the website).

A parent signature is required on all paperwork if you are under the age of 18.  

You CANNOT participate until the concussion waiver has been turned in.

Please do your best (players and parents) to be there.  It will make the start of the season run that much more smoothly if we can all meet and start off on the same page and get any questions answered.

** Player Assistance Fund **

https://www.gofundme.com/vacavillerugbyclub

YOU CAN HELP!!

Vacaville Rugby Club is starting a Player Assistance Fund to help athletes who cannot pay their full dues.  Each year, athletes are asked to pay $200 in dues.  $95 goes directly to USA Rugby and Rugby NorCal to register the athlete.  The remaining $105 goes to the team to help with the cost of fields, lights, and equipment.  Every year there are athletes who don't pay their full dues because of financial hardships.  With your help, we as a club can support those athletes who need assistance.  We don't want an athlete to miss out on the opportunity to play rugby because they can't pay their dues.  We want everyone to be given the chance to learn this incredible game and culture that we all love!  

Any donation you can make, big or small, makes a huge difference and is greatly appreciated by everyone in Vacaville Rugby Club.  Thank you!

2016 USA Rugby College Seminar

Nov. 12th in Oakland @ Merritt College

OR

Nov. 13th in Sacramento @ McClatchy H.S.

“The Rugger’s Edge is a college advisory firm that focuses on the unique needs of rugby players. The Rugger’s Edge works with the best colleges in the country to prepare material to help families find the perfect fit for their child. With an intimate knowledge of the landscape of US collegiate rugby and how athletic recruiting applies to college admissions, The Rugger’s Edge offers aspiring collegiate student-athletes sound advice to help reach the child’s goals and fulfill the family’s needs.”

Sunday, November 13 at CK McClatchy HS, The Rugger’s Edge is hosting a College Seminar for any players wishing to learn more about the below topics and SO MUCH more!

                How do I apply to college?

                What college offers a program that I’m interested in?

                What do I need to do in HS to help me get into college?

                Who do I contact if I want to play rugby?

                How do I write an application essay?

The Rugger’s Edge is partnering with ArborBridge (a high quality ACT test prep company) to offer a FREE Mock ACT exam for all interested students attending the college seminar. By taking this Mock ACT, each student will better understand the experience of taking an ACT, what types of questions will be asked, how long each section takes, etc. Once the students complete the Mock ACT, ArborBridge will grade the exams and give each student feedback on their performance, what their skills are, what sections need to be improved upon.

Lastly, there will be a college fair where colleges from across the country will be present for you to talk to them about their academic offerings and rugby programs.

What is Rugby??

Rugby is a team sport where 15 players on either side work to advance the ball (with no forward passing) and score a Try in the opposing team's Try Zone.

Where did it come from?  Rugby is believed to have began in 1823 when William Webb Ellis was playing soccer and he picked up the ball and ran with it.  Someone was probably unhappy about that decision and "tackled" him.  While there is no concrete evidence to support this story, it is so widely accepted that the World Cup trohpy is offically named the "William Webb Ellis Trophy".

Rugby is played in over 100 countries around the world, and across six continents.  There are even 7 countries where rugby is their national sport.  There has even been rugby games played in Antartica by American and New Zealander researchers!

Some rugby terms, rules and positions:

The ball can only be passed lateral or backwards, never forwards.  It can however, be kicked forward at any time.

Try: When the ball is placed on the ground in the Try Zone.  If it not placed on the ground under control it does not count. It is a literal touchdown, unlike American Football where it merely has to cross the line.  A Try is worth 5 points.  The kick after is worth 2 points, 7 points in total.

Scrum: After certain infractions the game is re-started with a scrum.  The team who is awarded the scrum will feed the ball into the scrum giving their team and advantage to maintain possesion.  It consists of the forward pack of 8 players against the other team's forward pack.  With the Scrum Half (#9) rolling the ball in.

Lineout: When the ball is carried or kick out of bounds the game is re-started with a Lineout.  It is like a jump ball, a cheerleading lift and soccer throw-in all mixed into one.

 

Ruck: Rugby is a continuous game, much like soccer.  When a player gets tackeled the play does not stop there, like it does in American Football.  There is a contest for posession of the ball, called a ruck.  There are many rules surronding the ruck to keep the game moving along, as well as keep it safe.

 

Tackle: When a player is taken down to the ground by an opponent.  Both the ball carrier and the tackler must the release the ball, and the tackler the ball carrier. A ruck is formed.  Both players must attempt to get out the way so that the ball can be played.

Positions: There are 15 positions on the field.  The forwards make up the first 8 positions.  With the backs making up the remaining 7 positions.  While the positions do have some specific roles, the game of rugby is open and flowing.  Each player must pass, catch, run, tackle and ruck.  The number of the jersey corresponds with the position.
1. Loose Head Prop
2. Hooker
3. Tight Head Prop
4. Locke
5. Locke
6. Flanker
7. Flanker
8. 8 Man
9. Scrum Half
10. Fly Half
11. Wing
12. Inside Centre
13. Outside Centre
14. Wing
15. Fullback


Go search "Rugby" on YouTube and start watching!! Men's and women's rugby is played exactly the same, so it does not matter who you watch!  

WHY YOU SHOULD PLAY RUGBY

Men’s, H.S. Boys & H.S. Girls

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  So here are a few thousands “words” to convince you that you should play rugby too. :)

Plus, we have the cutest, craziest, most mean-mugging, new to the world, amazing kiddos there are! We have an amazing Rugby family!

** FREE SHIPPING UNTIL SUNDAY **

Enter Code: OCTSHIP at checkout

Check out World Rugby Shop for awesome Vacaville Rugby gear, including those black rugby shorts you need!!

http://www.worldrugbyshop.com/club/11434930/ 

** In case you missed the meeting today here is all the information we went over! If you are interested in playing and weren't there today please email your coach!
** Also the Player Info. Packet link is on the blog so you can print it and bring it to practice!!

Vacaville Blackdog Rugby Club

2016-2017 High School Season Information Packet

Team Communication:

• Must have an email address that is checked regularly - either you or your parents.
• Text messaging - coaches will communicate via text and group chats can be set up by the players within the team.
• Social media - Instagram (@vacaville_rugby_club), Facebook (Vacaville Rugby Club) and Snapchat (vacavillerugby) - please READ the information on those sites.  DO NOT JUST “LIKE” THEM.
• Website - vrfcblackdogs.blogspot.com - will have a calendar with events and times, player paperwork can be printed from there as well.

Practice Time/Locations:

• First practice will be on Thursday, December 1st
• December practices will most likely be at Vacaville Christian School on the football field. 1117 Davis St. Vacaville, CA 95687
• Time is TBD - probably 7:00-9:00pm

Season Schedule:

• Game schedule is being released on Dec. 1st.
• League games start in Feb. and finish in April
• Boys typically play games Friday nights
• Girls typically play games on Saturdays
• Both are subject to change due to field availability/weather!

Kickoff Tournaments:

• Saturday January 14th - Girl’s KOT in Sacramento Area
• Sat. and Sun. January 21-22 - Sac Valley KOT (boys and girls)

Player Cost and Dues:

• Total dues = $200, cost breakdown is below
• USA Rugby CIPP registration is $95 - this is REQUIRED to play and must be paid prior to the first game.
• Team dues are $105 - these help us pay for fields, referees, and equipment.
• Payment Methods:
• Check - made out to Vacaville Blackdog Rugby Club
• Cash - in an envelope, clearly labeled with your name, date, and amount paid.
• If there are financial issues please talk with your coach ASAP so we can help.  There are ways in which the club can assist those who need it.

Equipment:

• Mouthguard - required at practice and games.
• Black rugby shorts - $35 at the Coliseum Soccer Store (1595 Holiday Ln. Fairfield, CA 94534) or online at worldrugbyshop.com
• Cleats - soccer or rugby only, softball/football not allowed.

Travel:

• Away games include Sacramento Area, Chico/Gridley, and the Bay Area
• CARPOOL! You are responsible for getting to and from away games.  Coaches can usually take a few people with them to most games as well.  Communicate early and often to get rides sorted out.

* FITNESS IS YOUR FRIEND! Rugby is not enjoyable if you are unfit - so come to the first practice ready to go so it can always be fun!

* Rugby is an ACCEPTING, INCLUSIVE, AMAZING sport and culture.  Anyone and everyone is always welcomed to the family, no one is too big, too small, too fast, too slow, too tall or too short to play this sport.  RESPECT and TEAMWORK are a must at all times for our club to be successful.

Coach Contact Info:

• Brett Fortney - Boy’s Head Coach - vacavilleblackdogrugby@gmail.com
• Samantha Miller - Girl’s Head Coach - vacavilleblackdogrugby@gmail.com