That said, some people never read their emails or tournament literature and attempt to make our lives, um, complex on the day of the tournament. With that in mind, the following is offered as a guide to the New York Sevens. It's all meant in good fun, so enjoy it, have a good laugh, and remember, we told you so…
REGISTRATIONWhen we say that you have to be paid in full in order to be confirmed and entered in the tournament, we mean it. One person handles all of the tournament entries, and that one person also handles registration on the day of the tournament. If you come to the scoring table to complain about this, we will make fun of you until you cry.
THE WEATHERAs much as we might try, we can't control it. Our tournament goes on rain or shine. November in New York can be an interesting time of year meteorologically speaking. It can be a mild fall day or a freezing cold winter day. It can be sunny or cloudy. It may rain, it may snow, it may sleet, it may hail. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse may ride across the main field. No matter, we're playing! Regardless of the weather, it's always going to be colder on Randall's Island. Dress in layers and dress warmly. Your team is welcome to bring a tent, chairs, and pretty much any other protection against the elements you can haul out there. Just keep it off the playing fields.
THE FIELDSWe are quite aware of the fact that our fields are "less than optimal." Unfortunately, when you're based out of New York City, your options for field space to hold a 90+ team Sevens tournament are extremely limited. We have Randall's Island. For those of you not familiar with Randall's Island, it is a multi-use island right under the Triboro Bridge. While field conditions and the state of the Island have improved over the last couple of years, there's still not enough money in New York's budget to maintain things like grass. And to those who would suggest that we seed and maintain the fields ourselves - that's a great idea and we have had it ourselves and even tried it out in the past. Unfortunately, the City can and will go ahead and schedule concerts, rodeos, and 400 rounds of kiddie lacrosse on the very same fields we would put time, effort, and money into maintaining. "Dem's da breaks" as they say, when dealing with a public city park. Keep in mind; all of New York Rugby Club's teams play here - the men, the women and even the old boys! So just relax and enjoy a great weekend of rugby in the greatest city in the world.
BUT WHAT ABOUT CENTRAL PARK? THAT'S BIG ISN'T IT?Ain't gonna happen. True, for you true New York Sevens veterans, we have played in Central Park in the past. However, times have changed. Ever since the great clean up of Central Park about 10 years ago, when the city started caring what went on there, hardly anything happens in Central Park anymore - at least not without a lot of $ to rehab the fields afterwards. If Central Park Police even catch you walking around with cleats in your bag you might get asked to leave. Seriously. It would be awesome to have the tournament on the Great Lawn, but the Parks Department doesn't want their grass torn up. This being said, if you know someone that can change this, drop us a line.
OR THAT NEW STADIUM WHERE DOWNING USED TO BE? THAT LOOKS PRETTY SNAZZY…Yes it is. It's called Icahn Stadium and it's for track and field only. And that's all folks. No soccer. No lacrosse. No rugby. We've asked. We promise.
THE SAT NIGHT PARTYIn nearly half a century of hosting this tournament, we have spent a lot of time looking for the panacea of rugby party locales. When you need a space for over 700 people in New York City, and you don't have about $100,000 dollars to spend, your options are pretty limited. And between places changing ownership and changing into lambada bars, we've found Connolly's. Please trust that there is not a larger bar space in New York City that we have not looked into already. We are really excited to keep building a great relationship with Connolly's...they actually like having us take over their place so much that we'll be able to use the whole place - not just the upstairs - this year. More room for everyone to "meet new friends."
Dancing- We heard that some people were told dancing is "illegal" in some bars. While it may be the case that your particular moves were being judged a crime against nature, we have not heard of anyone being arrested for dancing in NYC. Of course, Connolly's isn't really a dance club - and that's by design, in direct response to surveys taken after the last couple of NY Sevens Tournaments. You told us you wanted a pub more than a dance club, and we have tried to deliver. That said, if you'd like to dance to the tunes playing at Connolly's, you are more than welcome - just try not to hurt yourself or anyone else. And of course - it's New York City...there are plenty of places to shake your groove thing within a few blocks of wherever you might be.
Attire - And for those who didn't read the website or read the information packet when you get to the fields, no you can't show up in your dirty kit to the party. That's why it's not right after the games. Go to your hotel and clean yourself up.
A NOTE TO OUR INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS ABOUT RUGBY IN THE UNITED STATESFirst off, thanks for coming to our tournament. You help make the tournament interesting for everyone - whether it's by your dashing play on the pitch or your kilts and cool accents at the parties. Although it may be hard for some of you to imagine, rugby is not the only sport on every New Yorker's mind this weekend. With American football, ice hockey, and basketball in full swing, rugby is an afterthought to most New Yorkers, if we're lucky. Yes we are trying to change that - and our promotional drive this year is miles beyond anything we've been able to carry off before, but it still ain't the NFL. So here are some things you shouldn't expect:
We can't pay for your hotel, feed you, pay for your airfare, send a car for you or pay you to play.
We don't have a clubhouse for you to change in or a separate field for you to warm up on.
So what do we offer? A whole crop of single women/men who think your accent is really cute. Play that card for all it's worth.
NEWSFLASH: NEW YORK IS EXPENSIVE!We make every effort to find inexpensive hotel rates (and the New Yorker is giving us a GREAT deal), and bars with relatively cheap drinks (and Ship of Fools and Connolly's both fit the bill there)...but remember, it's still New York City, and it's probably a lot more expensive than where you are from. Plan ahead.
REFEREESDon't complain about them. Period. As tough as it is for even us to admit (after all, we're all players too) they are doing the best they can. If you think you can do a better job, feel free to bring your touch flags and your whistle with you next year. With over 100 matches in one day, we can always use more referees.
WATERDelis (in other parts of the country they are apparently called "convenience stores") are all over New York. Pop into one on your way to Randall's and grab a few gallons of water for your team for the day. That was easy wasn't it?
TOURNAMENT STRUCTUREBrackets, kickoff times and field locations are posted online at least two or three days before the tournament. Schedules are available at the pre-party the night before the tournament. Field maps, kickoff times and locations are posted on the scoreboard at the field. If you miss a game, it's your fault. Take your forfeit like a man/woman.
SPEAKING OF FORFEITS…New for this year! If you miss your first match, we might understand. Maybe. That 8 AM kickoff is tough to make when you have the cocktail flu. Especially if you're a team of backs. However, if you forfeit your second match or just don't show up on tournament day, you also forfeit your chance of ever playing in our tournament again. We'll also keep your money. We have teams coming from all over the world to play in this tournament. How would you like it if you traveled to a far and away land to play in a rugby tournament only to find out some deadbeat team decided to not show up? Generally, teams do not like to accept forfeit wins in this tournament. Everyone's here to play. Don't be the team that ruins it for everyone.
HAVE FUN AT A UNIQUELY "NEW YORK" RUGBY EVENTThat's what this game is all about. Play hard: maybe you'll win and maybe you won't. But have fun with your team on the field and then with all the other teams at the party. Make a new friend (interpret that however you want). Have a great weekend in New York City that's nothing like what the tourists in Times Square can even imagine.
TOURNAMENT RULES
n All matches will kick off at the time and place that we schedule on the draw, or at the completion of the previous match, whichever is later.
n Teams that are not ready to play at their appointed time and place will lose the match by default.
n It is the responsibility of the team captain to be aware of the time and place of the matches in which his or her team is to participate.
n Due to the number of games, we will allow no warm-ups on the field of play.
n Players are encouraged to warm up on the sidelines to begin playing promptly after the preceding match
n All teams must provide their own competent touch judge.
n All teams should have matching uniforms, full rugby dress (No T-shirts).
n Please have an alternate kit available in the event there is a color clash between sides.
n If a referee orders a player off the field-of-play during a match for any reason, he or she may not participate further in the tournament.
n An appeals committee consisting of the tournament director and the head referee will handle any disputes during the tournament.
n The committee's decision will be final in all matters.
The matches will be played according to the laws of rugby football as agreed to by USA Rugby, except:
n Rosters will be limited to 12 registered players per entered team.
No more than seven players from each team may be on the field-of-play during a match at any one time.
n Three players are required to form a scrum.
Substitutions
Social and Hero's Divisions will be allowed up to four substitutions per match
n All other divisions will be allowed up to three substitutions per match
n Each match will consist of seven minute halves with a one minute interval between each half.
n The final matches will consist of two ten-minute halves.
Tie-breakers
n Tie matches will stand in pool-play.
n Tie matches in elimination play will be decided by a succession of five-minute sudden death overtime periods, played without intervals, until the referee declares a winner.
We will rank teams in each pool after pool play as follows:
n Best record.
n Head-to-head competition.
n Most points scored.
n Best point differential.
n Number of tries.
n Coin toss.
The team captain must register all players who will play on his/her team throughout the tournament.
Only players previously designated at registration time may be used as replacements.
Any inappropriate behavior at the field or at the tournament hotel or party by any individual or team will be reported to the individual/team's local union and will result in banishment from the New York Sevens in the future.
Inside the Scrum: USA Rugby's Under 23 Rugby Program
By Laura London
"Crouch, hold, ENGAGE!" The ref steps back as the air fills with a united grunt and the sounds of shoulders clashing as the two teams scrum for possession of the ball. After being toed back by the hooker, it's pulled out and thrown to the fly half, who gracefully catches it and switches with a center. Scrum? Hooker? What is this phenomenon that is catching attention across college campuses and cities throughout the U.S? It's rugby, and USA Rugby's Under-23 Women's Rugby Program is putting more fuel in the fire that has women across America lacing up cleats and forming mouth guards in record numbers.
Women's Rugby Gains Steam in the US
Around the world, rugby is a popular sport played by everyone young and old, men and women. In New Zealand, it is not just the official sport of the country, but a way of life. Children are taught how to play rugby like American children are taught T-ball. But in the U.S., it's a strange sport that when mentioned, gets referenced either to being a cross between football and soccer, or is reduced to a fashion statement by Old Navy's rugby shirts. Interest in the sport has been rapidly growing in the U.S. as more and more people are exposed to the game. Not only is it cheap to fund a program at a school since all you need are balls, jerseys, and field space, but it is also a sport that offers women the opportunity to play a full contact sport with the same rules as the men's game. Often rugby is a sport that people don't expect women to play. Full out tackling with no pads or helmets isn't typically considered "lady-like".
Bridging the Gap Between Collegiate and International Play
The U23 program, a feeder program for the national team, was started in 1996 by Franck Boivert when he was the Women's National Team (WNT) head coach. He recognized the need to prepare women in the U.S. to play at an international level. If American women were to compete at the World Cup level, this was the path they would need to take.
"He held a camp for collegiate players in order to introduce them to a higher level of play at an earlier stage in their careers" said Barb Fugate, current U-23 National team head coach.
Today, camps are conducted through out the country, which is divided into seven different regions: Northeast, South, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-west, West, Pacific, and Southern California. Each region's select side has women coming from club teams and college teams with their own talents and background.
The New Face of American Rugby
The result of the U23 program has been an American female rugby player that is faster, stronger and more experienced. A shining example for what affect the U23 program has had on women's rugby became evident this past December at ITT National Championships. Not only did the U-23's prove that the program was a stepping stone to upper-level rugby, they proved they have evolved into being that level.
"We are indeed making progress, and in result I have to say that being a part of the U-23 national team that upset every senior side regional team in the country last December at the ITT National Championship was one of the most memorable experiences in my year long rugby career" said Jenna Flateman, a member of the 2004 and 2005 National team. "These were teams that were filled with past and current national team membersÊthat have been playing on an international level for years. This is a huge indication of the kind of growth and expansion that we are talking about."
National Network of Ruggers
The rugby community that exists across the country is a strong network filled with people who share a common passion for the sport. When players have tryouts or tournaments far away, they'll call up a friend on another team whose teammate lives wherever they need to go and they'll have a place to stay, no questions asked. Because rugby players play a sport so few know about, when coming across a fellow player you have an automatic bond and respect for them.
"It shows you there is a world beyond college and it's a great way to make a home in a new community. I have known many women that have moved across the country and ended up finding jobs and a group of friends simply because of the helpfulness of the women on their team," said Dobbs.
Even after taping fingers that have been stepped on, icing bruises from hard hits, and putting up with comments like "girls play rugby?" or "isn't rugby really football with no pads?" these women are proud and passionate to play a sport so unknown in our country. Rugby isn't just a sport, but a passion, a disease that you catch for which there is no cure. Once you've hit your first scrum or scored your first try, you're never the same person. It's about time we catch the rugby bug, and the U-23 program will unleash it to the masses.
Women's rugby is hitting the U.S. and it's hitting hard. From Denver to D.C., development programs for high school girls are gaining popularity. A look at the U.S. U-23 national program paints a vivid picture of rugby's growth amongst women and the effect it is having on the most elite levels of play.
