Gentlemen

Congratulations to everyone who participated in our recent Aromalight Candles fundraiser!

Through your efforts the club is well on its way to being able to buy a new set of jerseys (so guys playing in the second match don't have to wear the sweaty jerseys from the first match!)

Selling candles may not seem like it has much to do with rugby, but you'll find in life that the skills it takes to be successful in one arena are the same ones that will make you successful in anything.

The commitment and persistence it takes to hit the pavement and sell a product are key ingredients to success on the pitch. For many of us (me included), approaching others to ask for money puts us out of our comfort zone. But if the cause is one we believe in, we do it - and sometimes we even grow as a result of doing something that wasn't easy for us. Self-sacrifice (of your time, of your personal comfort) for the greater good is vital. You have to ask yourself: If your mate won't go sell a few candles to help his team, can you really count on him to make that tackle or hit that ruck when he's dog tired at the end of a match? If dedication and commitment aren't part of a guy's internal make-up, don't expect them to be his natural reaction in a time of urgency.

The thing is, dedication and commitment aren't traits one just turns on at critical moments. They are constants that define a man's character. Successful people give their best effort in whatever they do because doing their best is who they are, not a switch they flip on and off.

Cape Storm's first fundraiser was a success, thanks to the commitment of our players. With that under our belts we move ahead, stronger for the experience. On the near horizon are our 2010 Season Kickoff Meeting (tentatively scheduled for Monday, Dec. 14) and a Pre-Season Skills Clinic (Sunday, Dec. 20). Our level of commitment to both these events will be a good indicator of what we can expect to accomplish as a team come Spring.

I look forward to seeing all of you soon.

Cheers,

Coach Badger 

 

Gentlemen

I hope this message finds you all well.

Preparations for Cape Storm Rugby's 2010 season are underway. I wanted to give you a preview of what to expect in the coming weeks and months.

First, we will be kicking off our first major fundraiser in early November. Ambitious goals on the pitch necessitate ambitious off-field efforts, including raising the money needed to be a first-class club. Equipment - including new balls, goalpost pads, a set of second-side jerseys and a scrum sled - are among our priorities. Beyond the immediate needs, we hope to be able to offer scholarships to graduating players and possibly take the club on rugby tour overseas in the relatively near future.

Toward those ends, we will be asking all players and coaches to participate in selling Aromalight Candles during the two-week period between Nov. 2 and Nov. 16. We've run this fundraiser before with our previous U-19 Rugby club and had great success. Any woman you know - mother, aunt, grandmother, girlfriend, wife, etc. - is an excellent potential client. These candles are made by a family-run business out of Kentucky using clean-burning, American-produced, soy wax  They will be shipped before Christmas, which makes them great gifts, so use that as a selling point.

Order forms will be here within the next two weeks. LCMR students can come get them from me in Room C-6. Guys from other schools will get them in the mail. Everyone will receive a large envelope to return their order forms and money (please don't mail cash! Call/text/e-mail me to arrange pick-up).

At the same time we will be distributing order forms for the Cape Storm Rugby windbreakers that we discussed last season. Any player who sells a minimum of $150 worth of candles will automatically have his windbreaker paid for. However, please don't just shoot for the bare minimum. The more we raise, the more our club can do. Windbreakers should arrive before the new year - just in time to wear them around and recruit new players as we begin training for the season.

Other club functions are in the planning stages that I am excited to tell you about, so stay tuned. In the meantime, don't neglect your mind or body. Keep them both tuned and ready. This Storm has only just begun to take shape ...

Cheers,
Coach Badger

As players, it had to feel good to control the tempo of Sunday's match and earn a very convincing win over a more experienced Downingtown squad.

As a coach, my greatest satisfaction came from seeing so many individual players trying new things on the pitch - actively pursuing avenues to evolve their games.

That you want to win is a given. Everyone does. Rare is the athlete who strives to lose.

That you're willing to push the limits of what you know and risk failure for the opportunity to become better players is what i find impressive.

I truly believe that the major barrier that holds most people back is the fear of failure. The vast majority see failure as simply, well .. failure, rather than a necessary and undeniable step toward self-betterment.

The greatest kickers in the game have shanked thousands of balls wide of the posts as they've honed their craft. The greatest tacklers have been bowled over, blown past or left grabbing at air countless times along the road to success. The difference between them and the masses is that they were able to step back from their failures, assess them, and use what they learned to make themselves better. Thus, without failure, they would never have known true success.

Each of you has received - or will soon have received - an index card with some personal goals that we, as coaches, feel are key to elevating your current game to the next level. Keep those goals close over the next two weeks. See yourself achieving them in your mind and be prepared to achieve them on the pitch. And know that trying to achieve them likely will , in the short term, result in some small failures - a chip kick that didn't quite go where you'd intended; a dummy pass that didn't fool anyone, a pick-and-go that got snuffed at "pick."

Take those setbacks in stride. Assess them and learn.

Then use what you learn to get better.

You've made incredible progress over the past two months. Anyone who has seen you play is struck by it. But I know you're not done growing yet. Not by a long shot. We have almost two weeks until our next match - an ideal stretch to focus on our individual and collective goals.

Let's take full advantage.

See you at training,

Coach Badger

A tough loss on the Rugby pitch will teach you a lot about a guy.

The best Rugby players I've known - the best people I've known - are the ones who don't let themselves be too devastated when things don't go their way, or too full of themselves when things do. Believe me, boys, you're never quite as bad - or as good - as you think. There's always something positive you can take out of even the most lopsided loss, and there's always something you can do better than you did in a big win.

Either way, it's the guy who evaluates the past objectively, learns from it and then puts it behind him that keeps moving forward. Too many folks dwell on the past, get mired in it, and never realize their potential.

if you're sitting around right now making excuses for why we lost today, stop. Focus on yourself - what you did well (and each of you, to a man, did many things well) as well as what you need to do better. Come to training with some achievable goals for the week and use the time we have to make yourself a better player than you were when you left the pitch today.

Each guy's goals will be different, and they need not be more than something very basic: I'll tackle with my shoulders, not my hands ; I'll keep the ball in two hands when I run, so I can offload more effectively; I won't complain when there's a penalty - I'll just get back quickly, ready to play; I'll bring guys with me when I know we need to spread out and mark the opposition in defense.

If every guy improves one aspect of his game every week, our forward momentum will be unstoppable.

Forward, boys, is the only direction to be going. Digest today's match, set some goals and then turn your eyes to the road ahead. The coaching staff and I will be waiting for you at training.

Cheers,

Coach Badger

Sunday's win over Wilmington was a great way to start our inaugural season, boys. Congratulations!

As a club, we set some excellent precedents: First and foremost, we maintained our focus on playing Rugby.

This is an intense, emotional game, no question. It takes discipline and maturity to channel that emotion and make it work for you, rather than against you. The entire coaching staff was extremely pleased with how you guys handled yourselves on the pitch in the face of some heated situations. Our goal for the day was to play good Rugby and not to be distracted by anything else. I think we all can agree that your focus on that goal certainly paid off.

As the season progresses, I expect we will have more players interested in coming out to join the club. We should all welcome these guys and set a good example for them. When the opportunity arises, take the time to help teach those new players not only how to play the game, but how to conduct themselves on the pitch. Remember - as some of the relatively few Rugby players in this area, people will form their impressions of the sport and of this club based largely on their impressions of you. Be a good representative for Rugby and for Cape Storm.

We'll have a bigger challenge this weekend at St. Augustine than we did on Sunday. Lets all make our best effort to get out to training so we can keep improving. I know getting a ride has been an issue for some guys - don't forget I always have room for three or four in my car if you're coming from Lower, or from anywhere near the school. And between Vanessa, the other coaches, your fellow players and I, we can always get you home from practice too.

The sky is gray and the winds are kicking up, boys. There was a clap of thunder over Avalon on Sunday. I think I even saw a few flashes of lightning - but that was just the beginning of this Storm that we're building.

See you at training.
Coach Badger

There is a certain satisfaction that comes with the requisite post-Rugby match soreness.

By now, many of you have recognized that bittersweet sensation.

Soreness for soreness' sake has no real appeal. Given the choice between bruised and not bruised, I imagine we'd all choose the latter. But when that aching shoulder is linked to the memory of a well-executed tackle; when the last remaining evidence of your burst through the defense is a scab forming on your elbow, then you find that little bit of pain much easier to bear.

Sometimes you even miss it when its gone.

In the short run, boys, this sport will cause its share of physical pain. There's no sugarcoating that. But while pain is temporary, the lessons learned on the Rugby pitch endure and are well worth the effort.

Like the bounce of a Rugby ball on uneven ground, life is unpredictable. it doesn't always follow the script you had planned. And when the unexpected happens you can fight against the current (and eventually drown) or you can adapt and renew your efforts in a productive way. Many times success in life comes down to the choice between stopping your progress to complain or continuing to move forward, even if its down a path you weren't expecting.

Argue with the referee or get back ten meters, ready to make a tackle?
Punch back at a dirty opponent or rejoin your mates in a real show of strength?

The smart decision isn't always the easy one. But the successful player - the successful man - is the one who finds the inner strength to make it despite his emotions. Rugby offers us the opportunity to make such decisions each time we and our emotions take the pitch.

A pretty good training ground, I'd say.

Enjoy your well-earned soreness, boys. We'll see you at practice.


Coach Badger

Over the course of what was the most enjoyable weekend of coaching I've ever experienced, both Vanessa and I heard the same compliment. It came from two different referees on two different days. Both went out of their way to come over and tell us how impressed they were. Their comments were identical:

"Your guys really listen."

Yes, they also talked about your toughness, and athleticism. But they were particularly impressed with how well Cape Storm players listen, learn and adapt.

It's something Coach Roger Howell noted after his first training session with you as well. As a group you  seem quite adept at taking in information, processing it, and changing your behavior in a positive way. Sounds simplistic, I know, but the lack of this ability is what keeps most people from ever reaching their potential. At some point, folks tend to think they are experts at one thing or another and stop listening, stop learning. Maybe they get tired - it's a lot of work to keep adapting, changing. Sometimes it's a bit tough on the ego to admit you could be better. I guess it's easier to get to a point where you feel comfortable and then convince yourself that your way is the best way.

So thanks to all of you for being so willing to listen and learn. It has made it a pleasure to coach you - the entire staff agrees. It's also the primary reason that you keep making such excellent progress and are well on your way to being fantastic Rugby players.

Think about it. At the onset of the Delaware Military Academy scrimmage on Saturday, we looked a bit disorganized. Spirited, for sure, but very bunched up on defense and unsure at the rucks. We were offside quite a bit as well. The referee said he explained to you once the onside rule and it wasn't an issue after that. As the scrimmage went on and we talked to you about spreading out in defense, rather than clumping up at the tackle, you changed your defensive alignment and shut them out in the second half. No one tried to place blame on a teammate for the tries they scored early - you took it upon yourselves to alter how you played defense and that changed the tone of the scrimmage in our favor.

Today at St. Augustine, we asked you to work on two things: Running straight ahead, rather than across the field, and coming up together as a flat defensive unit, spreading out to mark up the attacking players.

Result? The defense was stellar from the get-go, and our attack was twice as effective because 80% of our takes went North-South. i saw guys start out going sideways and then correct themselves, turning upfield and making positive gains while putting the defense on its heels. A great example was Angel's run off the line out that set up Mike Fancher's try on the other side of the field. Angel directly attacked the defense, drew in at least three tacklers and then got the ball cleanly back to Pat Wood, who then moved the ball wide, where Fancher was able to run around the defense. Why was the space there? Because the defense all converged on Angel the phase before, sucking them in and leaving them vulnerable outside.

I'd also like to compliment you on your on-field composure. You saw first hand what it looks like when a team starts to bicker amongst itself and I think we can all agree it's unimpressive. We asked you to represent our club and yourselves with dignity this weekend, and to a man you did that. You played the game and left the talking to others.

Seems you were too busy listening, and learning.

Keep it up, boys. There's much fun to be had as we go forward with our ears and our minds open.

Coach Badger

Our first scrimmages as a team are close at hand and I know everyone is excited.  I'm sure everyone's a bit nervous too. Who wouldn't be? You're competing for the first time in a sport you've been playing for less than a month!

It helps, I think, for you to know what the coaching staff expects of you going in:

1. We expect you to make mistakes.
We all do, every time we play, even after decades and decades of matches. If you're not making any mistakes, one of two things has happened: you've died or you've stopped improving. There will come a point with most things you do at which you will have very nearly mastered certain routines, and if you stick to those things you'll never make a mistake. You'll also never get better at all the other things you aren't as good at, and in the end you'll find yourself frustratingly single-dimensional and limited. So try something this weekend that you're not sure you can pull off. Give it a go. And if it doesn't work out, no worries. I'll applaud you for making the effort.

2. We expect you to have fun.
You're not on deadline or under review this weekend. No one's getting fired if things don't go perfectly. Rugby has graced this world to provide us with enjoyment. Lets never forget that. Sure, there are times when you'll feel frustrated with yourself or with a teammate because you want to do better. Just don't let that frustration cause you to act in a way you'll be ashamed of later . Take a deep breath, think about the enjoyment you're going to get out of your next tackle, your next ruck or your next try and go make the most of your time on the pitch. If you want to help your mates, let them know it's OK when they drop a ball or miss a tackle. No one's out there trying to mess up, trust me. They'll do the same for you and you'll appreciate it.

3. We expect you to show respect
This is a great group of guys, playing a great sport. We all know that, and I for one am incredibly proud to be a part of Cape Storm - to be a part of Rugby in general. Once you put on that jersey you are a representative of our club and our sport in this community. You have a duty to represent us well - not by winning matches, but by comporting yourselves in a way that we can all be proud of.

You will get knocked down on the pitch . Multiple times. At times you will be bested.

The Rugby man understands that and responds by getting up each time and continuing to play the game. We don't cry about our little defeats to the other team, or to the official. We don't take cheap shots in retaliation. We play our hardest within the laws of the game and, win or lose, we congratulate our mates and our opponents for having endeavored to participate in this sport that many lesser men wouldn't dare try.


I can't wait to be a part of your first Rugby competitions this weekend. This is the very beginning of a journey that I know will be an incredibly positive one for you. Soak it in, enjoy it and know that there is much more ahead of you.

 

Coach Badger

You know guys are serious about Rugby when they come out to training in freezing, 40 mph winds with bronchial infections and other ailments that would keep most men home in bed.

Our Cape Storm boys have heart, no question.

One suggestion for the back of the team t-shirt that came in through the gear survey was: "Only trophy we won this day was the blood and sweat we left on the pitch ... and it was enough." In a nutshell, I think that sums up all that I love about this sport and the guys who play it. For the true rugger, the payoff isn't in the recognition. It's in the utter satisfaction that, merely by stepping on the pitch and putting your best boot forward, you've again rejected apathy's sway.

This group isn't just gritty, it's skilled - and looking more and more like a group of Rugby players who know what they're doing. Coach Roger Howell made a telling comment earlier this week when he said, "These guys actually listen!" It's true, and its a big reason you've come so far so quickly.

Next weekend will be a great opportunity for everyone to get their first real Rugby experience. We have controlled scrimmages set for Saturday (March 28) at Delaware Military Academy - another relatively new team - and for Sunday (Feb. 1) at St. Augustine, where we'll do a round robin with Auggie's brand new team and a more experienced South Jersey squad. It will be somewhat akin to attending a weekend Rugby tournament, without having to cram four and five guys into single-occupancy hotel rooms. Ah, but I digress ...

The staff is planning some excellent training sessions for the upcoming week and we'll use the controlled scrimmages as teaching sessions as well, with coaches on the field to guide you through the different phases of the game.

We're still at the very beginning of your Rugby journey, gents. Your teammates will all learn at different speeds, but if you stick together and help each other out the team will ultimately be successful, I promise. And if there are other guys out there who you think would like to be a part of this, get them out and bring them along for the trip. It won't ever be too late to join.

See you Sunday.

Coach Badger 

It occurs to me that as brand new Rugby players, you guys may be wondering just how you stack up with the teams that will be your competition this year. I know that if I was in your shoes, I'd be curious.

With four training sessions under our belts and two solid weeks of training ahead (Tues., Thurs. Sun. - don't forget!) before our first scrimmage, I can confidently say that you will be competitive with any squad on our schedule. Frankly, if you keep progressing the way you have been, you will be more than competitive. I suspect Cape Storm will surprise a few long-established clubs this Spring.

My second season coaching Valley Forge Rugby Club we beat South Jersey for the EPRU Div. II Championship. That squad had a bit more experience than you - some players had played for a year or two - but athletically our Cape Storm squad would stack up well. And your overall attitude toward each other is as positive as I've seen. I can't stress enough how vital that will be to your success. Work hard to maintain that relationship with your mates, and to nip any negativity in the bud.

Where we can all make a big difference for this club is in recruiting. As you know, we'll play two full matches each weekend. Ideally that means between 30 and 42 players will take the pitch for the Storm every Sunday. The strongest clubs have players competing for spots all week, with younger or less-experienced players proving themselves and gaining valuable experience in second-side matches. Not that having some guys play both games (first side and second side) is bad - its a great way for an ambitious player to get experience at multiple positions. But we'd like to be in a position to make that a choice, not a necessity.

So get the word out. We've got a great thing going and I'm sure there are more guys out there who could be positive additions to what we're trying to do.

I'll look forward to seeing everyone Tuesday.

Coach Badger

Every time I step on the Rugby pitch I try to improve one aspect of my game. As long as I'm getting better at something - even just one small nuance of the game - I'm satisfied. Progress beats the heck out of stagnation.

What I love about this young club is that every week we coaches see marked improvement from every single guy. I can say without hesitation that each and every one of you left the pitch today a better Rugby player than when you arrived. As long as we keep that up, we'll be very successful.

Your improvement is a tribute to your willingness to learn, which is really the key to never becoming stagnant in life. Don't ever be afraid to try something new on the Rugby pitch - that's the only way you get better. And I can assure you that as coaches we'll always support you, even if you don't entirely succeed with what you try.

One thing I always keep at the forefront of my mind is that I don't know everything. I find that if I keep my mind open to the possibility of learning something from anyone, at any moment, I generally do learn something valuable. You can always improve and you should always be looking to improve. Otherwise you're either backsliding or standing still, and neither option appeals to me.

So far, I've seen that crucial desire to progress among our Cape Storm players and in my mind, it is your most valuable asset - beyond speed, strength or fitness. Be comfortable with the fact that you're going to make mistakes as you push yourself to improve, and be tolerant of your teammates as they go through the same process. Remember, we're all in this together and none of us will succeed without the others. Every guy on this club has the potential to evolve into an excellent Rugby player. Some will progress faster than others, but lets be mindful never to leave one of our mates behind.

Within the next week I hope to announce our regular weekly training schedule and location. Please keep an eye on your e-mail and on the new Bulletin Board page of the web site. We'll be going full-contact for part of every session from here on out, so bring your mouthpieces and cleats.

And keep bringing that drive to learn - believe me, it becomes you.

Coach Badger

Whether you know it or not, we're being watched!

A day doesn't go by without one of my Jersey Shore Sharks teammates, or one of my fellow teachers asking me how Cape Storm Rugby is coming along. People are genuinely curious, for different reasons, I suppose.

My teammates? They're excited about the prospect of there finally being a high school Rugby community here at the Jersey Shore. Most are quite envious that our guys are getting to learn and play this sport so early in their athletic careers. And frankly, they can see ahead to the future, when former Cape Storm players who have stayed in the area, or have come back from college, decide to join our mens club, and bring with them several years of Rugby experience. The futures of the two clubs, they know, are linked.

My fellow teachers? Most don't know much at all about Rugby, only that you have to be pretty tough to play. I imagine many of them aren't sure which of their students will really be willing to give Rugby a try - and who will have the tenacity to stick with it. Those who have coached understand that you tend to learn a lot more about the character of a student when he is outside of the classroom setting. I suspect we'll see a lot of those teachers at our home matches - watching not only how you play, but how you respond to the demands of this sport.

So what do I tell the curious? The truth: We have a impressive core group of players with athleticism, toughness and a willingness to learn that will take them far. And we're growing all the time.

After just two practices we've seen marked improvement from each and every player, despite having a lot thrown at them in a short amount of time. We see players helping each other out rather than tearing each other down. We see camaraderie amongst athletes from different schools - guys willing to put aside traditional rivalries to build something special. And we see a great enthusiasm for a sport they're just beginning to understand.

On top of all that, we have a group of knowledgeable coaches that are really passionate about the game and about passing their love of Rugby on to another generation.

All the ingredients are here for an incredibly successful Rugby club. I, for one, am extremely excited for the upcoming season. It's going to be something to remember - and something worth watching.

Coach Badger

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  

If you've made it this far, there's a good chance you'll be playing your first Rugby match soon. That prospect has me as excited as if I was playing my first match again. To be honest, I forget most people's names almost immediately and I usually can't remember what I did last week but the memory of my first Rugby match is vivid in my mind. This sport has been the source of many of the most positive experiences of my life. If it provides for you even a fraction of the what it has added to my life I will be glad to have helped introduce you to the sport. 

I am extremely excited about the staff we have put together for The Storm. We are all looking forward to the opportunity to start you off on your Rugby career. This can be a lifelong sport if you want it to be - almost every college in the country has a Rugby club and most cities have at least one Senior Men's club. Friends I've made through Rugby over the years run the gamut from purely social players to those competing for spots on the U.S. National Team. Whatever your goals within Rugby there will be a place to pursue them.

I look forward to seeing you on the pitch.

Coach Badger