You may not realize it now, but the 20 guys who turned out for our first training session today made a little history.

Give yourselves a pat on the back for finally making high school Rugby a reality at the Jersey Shore!

Jersey Cape Storm Rugby's first team practice was, by all accounts, a big success. Great energy, good numbers and some spirited, skillful play. As a coaching staff we are incredibly excited about the core group that turned out - the club's Founding Fathers, if you will. I have coached a lot of Rugby and I have never had such an impressive first practice. If you didn't recognize it at the time, believe me - you are a part of something special.

It is obvious that we have some athletic talent in our ranks, and to a man we have a group that wont be shying away from the physical side of the sport.

But what stood out most to the staff was the camaraderie we saw among guys from traditionally rival high schools. I saw guys making the effort to learn other guys' names and congratulating them when they made a good pass or a nice burst onto the ball. I didn't hear anyone ripping someone else for a mistake or venting their frustration on a teammate. It may not seem like a big deal now, but trust me when I say that the relationship you have with your teammates makes all the difference in this sport. No one goes it alone in Rugby; each of our success is inextricably linked to that of our 'mates. Help them succeed and you will succeed. Abandon them, and abandon your own chances for true success.

As coaches we already see that important Rugby bond developing among you after just one training session. It is a big reason that we're so excited about what lies ahead. 

I'm pumped. The rest of the staff is pumped. We can't wait until next Sunday - so find a ride, bring a friend, drag along your brother or your second cousin and lets build on what was a great start to a new era.

A Storm is building, boys. Be a part of it.

Coach Badger

 

Winter, for as long as I can remember, has been that down time between the men's club fall Rugby season and spring Rugby season (not to worry football and soccer guys, high school rugby is spring only). While it does provide the opportunity for some concentrated training, winter generally just makes me edgy to get back out on the Rugby pitch again. I think you'll soon feel the same way.

This winter, however, has given us time to lay the foundations for Jersey Cape Storm Rugby. To take care of all of the administrative necessities that make a club run well, but aren't necessarily as fun as breaking for a big try (that's what we call it when we touch the ball down and score 5 points, gents).

I'm happy to say that we've made great progress in the past month and will hit the ground running when we get together for our first training session on Sunday, Jan. 25 (30th St. and the Beach, indoors, Avalon). Please plan to be there and take part in this historic event - a Jersey Shore first.

Once we start training, our focus will be on playing Rugby - and believe me, I can't wait. Very little is more enjoyable for me than a day on the Rugby pitch. But a lot of work has gone into making this club a viable entity that gives young athletes the opportunity to play Rugby, and that merits a few words.

Through the efforts of Coach Tom Chernack we have secured an indoor practice facility for training on Sundays from 12-1:30 p.m. through February, as well as the upstairs facilities at the Bellevue Tavern to hold our 2009 Season Kickoff Meeting (Monday, Jan. 19, 6:30 p.m.). Coach Chernack is also working with the officials in Stone Harbor to secure the field at 80th and Dune as our home pitch. As well, Coach Chernack is leading our fundraising efforts, which will help put jerseys on your backs, pay the referees and buy the equipment we need to train - all necessary expenses that make the game possible.

Meanwhile, Vanessa Badger (my wife, our club administrator) has built for us what, I think you'll agree, is an excellent web site. By the way, she's very open to constructive criticism, so feel free to drop her a message at admin@capestormrugby.org with any suggestions for the site. Vanessa has us in good standing with the various governing bodies of Rugby - the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union, our local "league", and USA Rugby - and without that good standing we wouldn't be allowed to field a team. She also just ordered the warm-up t-shirts that each of you will receive when you submit your membership packets and your dues. Shorts and socks are also in - all of them will be available at the Kickoff Meeting.

Our season schedule is set and posted on the website. I'm in the process of locking in an opponent for the March 8 scrimmage and will be looking into another scrimmage on March 15 (our bye week). I'm also in the process of ordering the team jerseys.

All of which will gladly be pushed to the background when we finally get to start playing. That's where you guys come in. Your job is simply to show up, ready to learn - ready to enjoy this great sport. The staff and I will do the rest. 

I look forward to seeing everyone at the Kickoff Meeting on Jan. 19!

Coach Badger