Monday, December 14, 2009

Thank You & Happy Holidays!

A very special "thank you" to all those players, supporter, families and friends who came out this weekend to show their support for Budd Bay. Members from every level of the club helped to recruit and promote their teams and Budd Bay RFC. We all had a great day, watched a fantastic movie and even got in a little recruiting!

For those of you who may not have seen "Invictus" yet... it's an inspiring movie revolving around a bunch of exciting rugby. I highly recommend setting an evening aside to go see it.

As a final note, the holidays are upon us. If you are hoping to purchase some Budd Bay RFC gear, get your orders in soon. Your team coordinators have order forms for custom kit bags and Budd Bay blankets. Sweatshirts and jackets are available online, as is the club store (order today from Scrumbot for delivery by 12/24).

From everyone at Budd Bay RFC, I wish you and your family the very best for the holidays and a prosperous new year!

Warm cheers,
Dan

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Budd Bay goes to the Movies

The latest rugby insired movie opens this weekend! "Invictus" is showing at the Lacey Regal Theatre and Budd Bay will be holding an information booth in the theatre lobby from 1 to 6 pm on Saturday the 12th. There will be promotional materials to hand out to the public, as well as a donation box.
We are looking for about ten volunteers willing to work the booth in shifts. This gives everyone a chance to inform the public on the BBRFC and see the film. It would be ideal to provide some game footage. Any member who has filmed matches and/or owns a laptop to show them on OR any member interested in volunteering at the booth please email Dan Smith president@buddbayrugby.com.
Events like these are a terrific way to inform the public on BBRFC and recruit players! Lets all help the club grow by coming out this Saturday. Wear your Budd Bay gear and we'll see you all this weekend!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Buffaloes Make History

The Budd Bay Rugby men's team made history this weekend in Seattle. The Buffaloes played the Seattle Quake and won 48-24. This makes the Buffaloes winning streak 7-0, which is a first in BBRFC history. Coach Jerry Quirke is ecstatic about the sportsmanship and effort displayed in the match. "Everyone played their best rugby" Jerry said. Ryan Cole earned title of "Man of the Match" with 3 tries, 1 penalty and an amazing 6 out of 6 conversions. Taylor Briscoe also had three great tries and Triston Selchlin made one penalty kick.

The Buffaloes complete the first half of their season triumphantly. This is all thanks to the wonderful support from the Budd Bay Bandits, fans, members, coaches and the talented rugby players who make up the Buffaloes. The men get a small break, but are back to training in January. We can look forward to their first match in February 2010!

On December 3rd the Budd Bay Buffaloes will hold a team meeting at Ballyhoo at 7pm. This meeting is mandatory for players, but anyone interested in joining the men's team is encouraged to come and see what Budd Bay Rugby is all about!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

6-0 Winning Streak

The Budd Bay Buffaloes traveled to Eugene OR. this past weekend excited to extend their winning streak to 6-0. After a rough start in the first half, the men's team did just that. Not only was history made by the 6-0 record, the Buffaloes also beat Eugene on their home pitch for the first time. The score was 22-15.

Congratulations Buffaloes-what an exciting season so far!

The Buffaloes compete in their final match of the first half of the 2010 season this coming weekend in Seattle against the Quake. An 11am kickoff is scheduled for the match at Magnuson Park, the newly dedicated rugby pitch in Seattle. See you there!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Buffaloes v ORSU - Watch the match online!

Couldn't make the match? Want to relive the moment the Buffaloes beat ORSU III, 43-19?

Now you have your chance. Thanks to the LaValla's for filming the September 9, 2009 men's match. For future club matches, if you take some video of the match and would like to share with the club, please send us an email to video@buddbayrugby.com and we'll work to get it posted on the site for everyone to enjoy.

Here's the video:
Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4

Enjoy!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Buffaloes Improve to 5 - 0

Last weekend, the #1 and #2 teams clashed in Lacey, WA. At the final whistle, the Buffaloes improved to 5 - 0 in league standings, an impressive feat for any rugby team. The men were vigorously challenged for all 80-minutes by the Kitsap Renegades, but their commitment to the game and the team's cohesion helped keep the Buffaloes on top throughout. This match also marked the 2nd Annual Olympic Shield Challenge, commemorating the fist match ever played by Budd Bay RFC against the men's rugby brethren from Bremerton, WA. The final score was 57-0. Budd Bay retains the trophy for another year, until next fall when the two will meet again to vie for the Olympic Shield. Congratulations Buffaloes.

The friendly match scheduled for this weekend against Microsoft RFC has been canceled. The next match for the Buffaloes will be on November 14th against the Eugene Gentlemen in Eugene, OR.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Budd Bay Welcomes Lena & Ryan

At the last board meeting, Budd Bay RFC confirmed the appointments of two new directors for our club. I encourage you to welcome both Lena Neal and Ryan Cole the next time you see them. It is the dedication and commitment of folks like Lena and Ryan that keep our club going strong.

Lena, our newest club Secretary, will take over all the recording and outreach duties of the position. She will need the assistance of our team coaches and coordinators to get the word out to our club mates and local press outlets. Lena became aware of Budd Bay RFC while working at Ballyhoo, one of our club sponsors. She soon came to know and love most of the senior teams players and has enjoyed going to games, learning the rules and culture of rugby. Lena says, "I want to help the club continue to grow so that the community can appreciate what the Budd Bay RFC brings to youth and adults in the area."

Ryan will fill the Director-at-Large slot. Ryan comes to us from the 2009 men's team, where as inside center he has quickly become a force on the pitch. We can expect many good things from Ryan during his time on the board. Ryan says the club has brought a lot of happiness and pride into his life and he hopes to help the club progress to the next level, on and off the pitch. "The things that happen behind the scenes affect how our club can grow and prosper, which is what I want to see continue to happen. I'll only be able to play the sport for so long, but serving as a board member and advisor is something I'll never get too old to do..."

Many thanks to both Lena and Ryan for stepping up to help work for the betterment of Budd Bay RFC and grow our fantastic sport in the area. If you would like to contact Lena or Ryan, their information can be found on our web page, http://www.buddbayrugby.com/contact_us.php. If you would like to send a message to all the directors, you can do so at directors@buddbayrugby.com.

Cheers,
Dan

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Another Impressive Win

Last Saturday, October 24th the Budd Bay Bandits had a great win against the Portland RFC Women's team in Lacey, WA. Bandits collaborated to dominate the Piglets 69-5. Kaya Wilcox played well with 1 try and two drop kick conversions. Both of which earned her the "Man of the Match" title. In the opening minutes of the game, Nic Munson and Sam Elmore wasted no time in getting the ball across the line and paving the way for the Bandit's success. That makes two great victories in a row for the Budd Bay senior women and a fantastic finally to their playing season. Go Bandits!
Tries:
Megan Sanders x 4, Jen Harell, Sam Elmore, Kaya Wilcox, and Stacy DiPasquale

The Buffaloes played Valley RFC in Kent, WA. The final score was Budd Bay 26- 59 Valley. The Buffaloes were down by four tries at half. Just before the half-time whistle, Taylor Briscoe breaks away for a try that was converted by Dan Conklin. In the 2nd half Matt Beagle successfully broke out with a 30m try, also converted by Conklin. After repeated high tackles by Valley, sir awards Budd Bay a penalty try. Corey McClanahan ran down the side to the line and Conklin converted.

This coming weekend the Budd Bay Buffaloes play the Kitsap Renegades in the 2nd Annual Olympic Shield match in Lacey, WA. The shield honors the fact that the Budd Bay/Kitsap match was the first match the men ever played. When the teams meet in the fall they compete for the shield. Whoever wins the match gets possession of the shield for the year untill they meet again in the fall. The Buffaloes won it last year. Fans will be cheering for the Buffaloes to keep the shield at the home pitch this Halloween!

Monday, October 19, 2009

A Pair of Victories on the Weekend!

This weekend, both the men and women of Budd Bay Rugby took big victories against Oregon teams for a supportive home crowd in Lacey, WA.
Budd Bay's men's team, the Buffaloes beat division rivals, Corvallis RFC, 60-15 to go 4-0 in league play. The experience, fitness and team cohesion of the Buffaloes were big factors in the dominating win. The Buffaloes continue their progress toward a second divisional title next weekend when they face Valley RFC in Kent, WA. The Buffaloes improve to 4-0 in league play.
Tries:
Jonathan "Shorty" Thomas, Tristan Felchlin, Evan Gesche, Derek Riffe, Taylor Briscoe, Matt Beagle x2, Dan Conklin, Kirk Rose, Patrick LaValla
Conversions: Ryan Cole x5
The Bandits, Budd Bay RFC senior women's side, earned their first victory of the season. The women from Eugene, OR, were blanked by the Bandits 69-0 in a friendly match in Lacey, WA. The Bandits showed impressive skill in the back line as they readily broke through the defense for the scores, while the forwards ensured Bandit possession of the ball till the final whistle. The Bandits play again at home next weekend at Rainier Vista park against the Portland Piglets - a women's team from Portland, OR.
Tries:
Megan Sanders x4, Jen Harrell x2, Sam Elmore, Stacy DiPasquale x2, Emily Newton, Katie Lary
Conversions: Sanders x7


In other Budd Bay Rugby news, former Budd Bay Barbarian, Kevin Erskine earned a starting lock spot on the USA Select XV side. Saturday's match was a nail-biting loss to the Ontario Blues, 27-24. For more information on USA Rugby and its representative sides, please visit www.usarugby.org. For more information on the championship series, visit www.americasrugbychampionship.com.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Weekend Update - Buffaloes Move to 3 - 0

The Budd Bay Buffaloes improved their record to 3-0 this weekend with an hard-earned win over the Vancouver Sharks, 24-17.

In the opening minutes, the Sharks struck first, kicking off what would be a fast paced and hard hitting game. The Buffaloes immediately returned the favor, with Mike Radasa darting across the line for 5, evening the score with 13 minutes gone in the first half. After a grueling 23 minutes of scrums and back and forth rucking, winger Joel Swenson sets up the Buffaloes second try with a 30m run and a pass to Kirk Rose for the points. Ryan Cole converted to bring the score 12-5. Without a second to lose in the first half, Tristan Felchlin quick taps off a penalty to lead the Buffaloes into half, 19-5.

The second half opened with multiphase play on both sides and well-placed kicks keeping the ball out of the red zone. At the 52nd minute, the Sharks added another 7, to bring the match withing reach for them. 15 minutes later, 8-man Taylor Briscoe broke through the line and raced 60m for the final Buffalo try.

The Buffaloes face Corvallis RFC next Saturday at home, 1 p.m., Rainier Vista Park in Lacey, WA. The Bandits will face the women from Eugene, OR for a friendly match after the men's game. Come on out and cheer 'em on!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Global Rugby Family Celebrates Olympic Games Admission

From USA Rugby...

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - The global rugby family are celebrating the announcement that Rugby Sevens will be included at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

An overwhelming vote in favor of inclusion by the International Olympic Committee members at the 121st Session in Copenhagen means that the world’s top men’s and women’s rugby players will have the opportunity to compete for an Olympic Gold medal, the pinnacle of sporting achievement.

Bernard Lapasset, President of the International Rugby Board, said: “This is a historic moment for our sport and for the global Rugby community, who were united in support of our campaign.

“We are excited and honored to be joining the Olympic Games and I would like to thank the IOC members for believing in our Olympic vision and our values and recognizing that Rugby Sevens is a perfect fit for the Olympic Games,” Lapasset added.

“We are now looking forward to working in partnership with the IOC to develop and implement a Rugby Sevens tournament in Rio that will reach out to new audiences and inspire a new generation of sports fans around the world.”

The Olympic Games will be the pinnacle of the sport for rugby athletes, with the best men’s and women’s players in the world extremely excited to be able to showcase their talent on the world’s greatest sporting stage.

“Inclusion will provide a massive boost to the development of the game not only in the U.S., but worldwide,” USA Rugby’s CEO Nigel Melville said. "Rugby has grown steadily in popularity across North America in recent years, but Olympic inclusion could attract thousands of new participants and crossover athletes.”

Presently there are 116 nations playing the Game, but the Olympic family currently stands at 205 nations, and through the platform of the Games, rugby could reach out to more nations and more men, women, boys and girls worldwide.

“The Olympics are deeply engrained in our sports psyche and the explosive, exciting, unpredictable and highly competitive nature of Rugby Sevens will be a huge draw for a whole new set of fans,” Women’s Sevens Team member Jen Sinkler said. “For the women’s game in particular, we could see the popularity grow in a similar fashion as women’s soccer did over a decade ago.”

"I don't think people realize yet how big this could be for rugby," said IRB Chief Executive, Mike Miller. "The Olympic Games is the biggest stage in the world for sport. It would be massive for the game."

The sport of rugby was actually included in four previous Olympic Games in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924. The Americans are technically the two-time defending Olympic gold medal champions, following wins against France in both 1920 and 1924. The last Olympic rugby match was played at Colombes stadium in Paris and the USA took the gold with a 17-3 victory before 30,000 fans.

"From an early age, Americans believe that the greatest success an athlete can achieve is becoming an Olympian and competing in the Olympics," Men's Sevens Coach Al Caravelli said. "With this inclusion, I believe we will see more athletes taking up rugby who previously played other American sports. The United States has a massive quantity of these untapped athletes and one of our goals will be to convert these athletes into rugby players."

Both the Men’s and Women’s U.S. National Sevens Teams are currently preparing for their upcoming international season, with their first international tournament held in Dubai, UAE. Currently, the U.S. Men's Sevens Team is ranked 11th in the world, while the U.S. Women’s side is third.

America is also featured as one of the eight IRB Sevens World Series stops and is the largest international rugby event held in the U.S. Bringing in a crowd of over 35,000 during the two days of men's and women's sevens competition in 2009, this upcoming year's event, which is set for Las Vegas on Presidents’ Day weekend, is looking to be bigger and better than ever.

For more information on the U.S. Sevens Team or to set up interviews, please contact Sara John at sjohn@usarugby.org or visit www.usarugby.org. For more information on the USA Sevens, please visit www.usasevens.com.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Bandits End Tough League Play

This weekend the Bandits fought against the division leaders, Belmont Shore, to end thier first-ever DI league season. Despite the 55 - 17 loss, the Bandits style of play was coming into view and team efforts were beginning to pay off. Belmont netted 29 points in the first half, but before the whistle at half, Angie Watkins charged one in over the line after a red-zone battle on multi-phase play.

The Bandits were charged up after half and came out ready to step it up a notch. Early on in the second half, fly-half Megan Sanders broke through the line to run in a 30m try and convert. The Bandits ralleyed and played some of their best rugby in the second half, holding Belmont to just 7 points for a solid 25 minutes. After another Belmont try, Watkins again rose to the occasion, tearing through the line to run down the side for the Bandits final try of the game.

The Bandits play next at home after the men's game on October 17 against the women from Eugene, OR. The men face the Vancouver Sharks next weekend in Vancouver - a guaranteed pulse pounder.

Bandits - 17 Belmont Shore - 55
Tries: Watkins x 2, Sanders x 1
Conv: Sanders x 1

Monday, September 28, 2009

Weekend Update - Buffaloes Win Big!

The Buffaloes reined in another victory this weekend, dominating a newly formed league opponent, Portland IIIs. The Buffaloes have faced the DII Pigs in previous years for "friendly" matches, but never as league opposition in DIII. In the fast paced game, "man of the match" Taylor Briscoe continued his onslaught of hat tricks to add three more against Portland. Evan Gesche, Ryan Cole and Matt Beagle contributed one try apiece to land the Buffaloes 52-5 and improve the team's league record to 2-0.

The Buffaloes have a weekend off coming up, and they will use that to prepare for division rivals Vancouver RFC on Saturday, October 10th in Vancouver. Contact Paul Bornemann for details on the upcoming match.

The Bandits had their first double-header this weekend against league foes, the San Fransisco Fog and San Diego RFC. Despite the beautiful northwest weather and invigorated fans for the home matches, the Bandits were defeated by both California squads. While the matches ended in defeat, the Bandits improved their rucking, teamwork and intensity - and proving they can be dangerous in the red zone. During the 55-12 loss to San Diego, the Bandits fought hard in the first half to show they are capable of playing in the new DI structure, actually leading the match 12-5 for most of the half. Rookie Noelia Ragland and flyhalf Megan Sanders contributed tries for the Bandits against San Diego. Megan Sanders also scored the lone, unconverted try in the 43-5 loss to the San Fransisco Fog.

The Bandits play at home again next Sunday, October 4th, facing division leaders Belmont Shore from California at Rainier Vista Park in Lacey. Contact Casey Kilduff for match information.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Herd Stampedes ORSU 43-19

The Buffaloes opened league play this weekend, making it clear they want another shot at the title. Facing strong opposition from Portland's ORSU, the Buffaloes quick ball and faster feet secured the 43-19 win for a home crowd at Rainier Vista Park, in Lacey, WA.

The men set the tone early on, takling hard and rucking well. The scoring started early, with center Matt Beagle crossing the line to add 5 in the first five minutes. Play was back and forth in the first half, with the Buffaloes speed matched only by their intensity. At about 15 minutes, Beagle was sent off the pitch, but the Buffaloes earned the penalty at their own 40 meters. Center Ryan Cole stepped up to sail the ball 60 meters through the uprights for another 3 points. By the end of the half, the score was Buffaloes 15 - 5 ORSU, with Derek Riffe complimenting the score with another try converted by Cole.

The excitement didn't stop in the second half. Immediately after kickoff, 8-man Taylor Briscoe broke through the line and with blazing speed, scored Budd Bay's third try of the day. With strong support from the forwards, the team kept marching into ORSUs red zone. ORSU fought back and was rewarded with a try in the 65th minute, but not before Ryan Cole's dive across the line under the posts and another long run by Briscoe netted Budd Bay another 10 points. ORSU kept at it, forcing the Buffaloes back a few more times and threatening to score. Budd By broke through again, with Briscoe scoring another 5 on a 40m run down the sideline. Cole converted all 4 tries in the second half, adding 8 points for the Buffaloes.

Not giving up at any moment, ORSU kept challenging the men to the final buzzer. Some quick ball in the back to the outside brought ORSU to the Buffaloes line. After a few strong stands by the Buffalo defense, ORSU was able to sneak a final converted try at the 80 minute mark.

"The Buffaloes are building the road to the playoffs one brick at a time, and today they mortared that first brick. These guys are coming together well and their performance today sets the pace for the season" says head coach Jerry Quirke, earning his first league victory as coach of the Buffaloes.

Stay tuned for more Buffalo news after they take on Portland RFC next weekend in Portland.

Budd Bay 43
ORSU 19

Tries: Beagle, Riffe, Briscoe x 3, Cole
Penalty Kicks: Cole
Conversions: Cole x5

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Weekend Update - 9/12/09

The Buffaloes traveled south for the annual Cascade Classic 15s tournament in Bend, OR, ending the weekend 2-1, and third overall.

During the first match against ORSU A's, the Buffaloes worked out the cobwebs and improved considerably into the second half; however, it was not enough to overcome the point deficit, with the match ending in ORSUs favor, 40-3. "The score does not always indicate the game," Coach Jerry Quirke said, adding, "these guys played their hearts out against ORSU and pulled it together by the end."

This became evident. In the second match versus Butte RFC/OIT, the Buffaloes brought back their championship style, overtaking the men from Montana 33-17. In the final match on the day and a look toward the coming league season, the Buffaloes faced the Gentlemen from Eugene. The Buffaloes handed league opponents Eugene 15-7.

Tries: Briscoe x3, Radasa x2, Beagle, Conklin, West.
Conversions: Conklin x3, Cole

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The Bandits also played this weekend - traveling to Scottsdale Arizona to take on the Tempe All-Blues. In this first head-to-head ever, the women played under the lights against a solid southwestern squad. The Bandits fell 64-0.

Bandits Rattle the Mudhens in Season Opener (9/5/09)

In the club opener for the 2010 season, the Budd Bay Bandits came out fighting in their inaugural Division I Women's Rugby season. Despite the 20-17 loss, the Bandits maintained solid possession for most of the match, spending the majority of time in the Mudhen red zone, and exhibited strong defensive skills that will only get stronger as the . A very impressive start for the Bandits...

Thanks to Alex Goff for the great update (below). To read the full article, go to:
http://www.erugbynews.com/article.php?sec=131&a=5378

The Emerald City Mudhens survived a huge scare in the opening round of the women’s Competitive Region 1 DI league, scoring two second-half tries to edge DI debutants Budd Bay 20-17 Saturday in Lacey, Wash.

Budd Bay, which played a shadow DI competition in 2008-09, was playing their first ever DI game and shocked the Mudhens with their wide open style of play.

Good work from hooker Maggie McLaughlin set up center Ellie Linn for a try in the 15th minute, which put Budd Bay ahead. U23 All-StarMegan Sanders hit the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

The teams traded tries, with Angela Watkins crashing in from close range for the Bandits and the Mudhens getting tries from Sarah Falk and Katie Fuskarud before Budd Bay scrumhalf Marion Foor sniped in to make it 17-10 Budd Bay at the break.

In the second half the Mudhens had the better of tight play and used that to their advantage. With neither team able to throw in straight at the lineout, the game became more scrum-oriented, and that, along with some Budd Bay penalties, helps the Mudhens come back.

Scrumhalf and captain Kammi Lopez and center Janey Yoo scored to give the Mudhens the lead, and a sterling late goal line stand - punctuated by a try-saving tackle by fullback Liz Pallas-Jacobs - kept the Budd Bay women from crashing over the line and winning the match. "We spent the first half playing their game and their tempo,” said Lopez. “And we got in trouble.”

For Budd Bay, which is only a couple of years old and featured two starters just a year out of U19 rugby, it was a very creditable result.

“I’m proud of them,” said coach Chris Cousins. “I thought our backline played awesome. We tackled really well and overall our defense was very strong, and we were much fitter than we’ve been in the past. But we committed some crucial penalties and we had problems being strong in the rucks. That will come in time.”

The Mudhens move to 1-0 and Budd Bay starts their season 0-1. Next week Budd Bay travels to Arizona to play the Scottsdale Women.

Emerald City Mudhens 20
Tries: Falk, Fuskarud, Lopez, Yoo

Budd Bay 17
Tries: Linn, Watkins, Foor
Convs: Sanders

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Congrats Budd Bay Ruggers!

Steelheads alum Maddy Glainyk was named to the Pacific Coast all-star 7's team playing this weekend at the National All-Star Championships. This is the competition for senior women. Well done Maddy.

Also of note, Kevin Erskine, former stand-out Barbarian and Steelheads coaching assistant, will be playing for the Collegiate All-Stars at the same tournament.

Congratulations and best wishes to these Budd Bay ruggers!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Budd Bay Bandit Poker Fundraiser - Sunday August 30th

The Bandits are working on raising money for the fall season, their first attempt competing in the regional DI league. In order to help offset the costs for travel (they are taking trips to Arizona and California for league competition this year), the Bandits are hosting this exciting event.

This fun, and possibly financially rewarding tournament will be held on Sunday August 30th at the Moose Lodge in Olympia. Sign-in starts at 2:00pm and the first hand is dealt at 3:00 pm. Even if you don't want to play, come on out and support the team!

The game: No Limit Texas Hold 'Em

Buy-in: $40 (a portion of which is tax deductible)

There will be $10 re-buys for the first three rounds. The re-buys are designed to replenish the prize pool since a generous portion of original buy-in will be donated to the rugby team.

Each round will be approximately fifteen minute rounds with a two re-buy limit per player.

5,000 starting chips, 2,500 for re-buy. The top 3 placers are paid cash!!!

Additional Bounty prizes for knocking out a rugger, such as an official club sweatshirt and many other goodies!

21 and over only.
Tickets sold at door depending on availability (60 players maximum).

Pre-registration is recommended. Please send any questions or registration information to Erin Louis to treasurer@buddbayrugby.com.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

The Beginning of a New Season...

A new season is upon us... and we're off to a great start!

On Sunday, Budd Bay RFC officially kicked off it's 11th year. Despite the heat, a number of ruggers and supporters gathered to review the '08-'09 season, elect a few new officers and take care of business for the coming year. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed some good food, thanks to Pat & Jackie Norton and Kaya Wilcox.

Congratulations to the officers that were affirmed. Many thanks to these hard working folks who will lead us through the next year or so. They are:
President - Dan Smith
Vice President - Chris Cousins
Treasurer - Erin Louis
Secretary - Amanda Haines
Senior Rep - Debbie Lainfiesta
Youth Rep - Tom Cusack
Fields Coordinator - Kyle McKown
Director-at-Large: Dr. Monti Sorem
Director-at-Large: Mike Steenhout
If you have any questions or would like to drop any of us a line, contact us individually here or send an email to us all at directors@buddbayrugby.com.

A couple of important upcoming dates - Mark your calendars!

Friday, July 31st - Bandits Pre-Season Meeting

Tumwater City Hall, 6:30pm.
Contact Casey Kilduff for more information.

Saturday, August 1 - Barbarian Alumni Game

Bush Park, 1pm.
Fun rugby, the old vs. the new and a little BBQ. Contact Cody Katow for more details.

Tuesday, August 4 - Bandit Trainings Begin
Bush Park, 6:30 - 8:30

Thursday, August 13 - Buffalo Pre-Season Meeting
Contact Paul Bornemann for more information

Saturday, August 15 - Bandit Kickball Tournament
A seriously good time, this all-ages event is a fundraiser to help support the Bandit's travel schedule. If you are interested in putting a team together, or would like to join an existing team, contact Jen Harrell for more information.

Tuesday, August 18 - Buffalo Trainings Begin
Bush Park, 6:30 - 8:30

I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to an exciting fall season! I hope to see many of you out supporting our ruggers for the first two home matches of the season - the Bandits take on the Mudhens on Sept 5, and the Buffaloes defend their title against the hard hitting boys from ORSU on Sept 12.

Till next time.... stay cool!

Dan

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

More 7's & the Barbarian's Season

This weekend, a few rugby-ready Buffaloes traveled up to Seattle's new rugby fields in Magnuson Park to play in Beach's annual 7's tournament. While light in numbers, the herd gave it their best in the small tournament, but were outmatched by their opponents. According to Joel Swenson, the fella's all had a good time and learned a lot against tough opposition. They'll be ready for the next big tournament coming up July 4th - the Freedom Fest 7's at Fort Lewis. Good luck Buffaloes.

The Barbarians also hosted their End-of-Season Awards Banquet last week, honoring the time, commitment and success of the players (and parents!). Coach Trevor Anderson had this to say:

The 2009 Barbarian season was a huge success. We fielded an Under-15 side for the first time ever with many of the young athletes being instrumental in the U17's State Championship win! A couple stand out players, Tossi McCarthy and Justin Henry are going on to represent the Budd Bay Barbarians as Pacific Northwest U17 Loggers - our regional representatives.

In a real tough U19 division, we saw our Barbarians rise to Budd Bay's standard of class, courage, and commitment, placing 3rd in Washington State while sending over half a dozen young men on to the U19 Loggers. Taylor Briscoe led the way as both a force and a leader on the pitch during our matches and training, earning a spot on the Logger team as Forwards Captain. Taylor was also selected to represent the United States during a recent trip to South Africa to play for the USA U18 Eagles at the World Championships. With the many team-wide successes this year, we expect big things from our Barbarians heading into next years season!

We also look forward to seeing those graduating Barbarians in the area stick around and apply their skills at the senior level, competing with Barbarian alumni and the rest of the Buffaloes as they strive to defend this year's title and the #14 national ranking.

This year's Barbarian award recipients include:
U-19 Recipient
Best Forward Taylor Briscoe
Best Back Dan Conklin
Most Improved Josh Vega
Rookie of the Year Logan Rose
Coaches Award Aaron Turcotte
U-17 Recipient
Best Forward McCarthy “Tosi” Tonuao
Best Back Nicholas Detzler
Most Improved Jacob Durr
Rookie of the Year Justin Henry
Coaches Award Campbell Glass

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Scott Lavalla Earns First Cap


Scott Lavalla became the first member of any Budd Bay Rugby club to earn a senior national team cap, as he started at No. 8 for the USA against Argentina June 10. Scott played a very solid game in the 35-14 loss (not his fault!). Here's a photo from Ian Muir.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Weekend Update - Buffalo 7's & Ellensburg

The 15's season officially came to an end this weekend, with the Barbarians wrapping up the season with a tournament east of the mountains for the Cascade Classic in Ellensburg, WA. The boys had a stellar weekend, winning two matches on Saturday against Yakima and Montana before losing to another side from Montana on Sunday. Coach Quirke reported that the boys had a wonderful experience and all matches were played with intensity, few errors and with honor to the game, opponents and officials. Great work Barbarians.

The Buffaloes kicked off the summer 7's season this weekend at ORSU in Portland. A big thank you goes out to Matt Beagle, Alex Q, Mike Radasa and "new" Joel for stepping up and playing hard. The Buffaloes picked up four players from Butte Montana to balance out the numbers. The first match was lost to ORSU 41-0. Next, the Buffaloes took on Valley and lost a real close one 22-17. The last match was against the Missoula Maggots, aka The Sickness, who played hard but fell to Budd Bay! It was such a match that no one remembers the final score, but the Buffaloes did walk away the winners. Way to represent Buffaloes!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Weekly Update: U17 Barbarians = State Champions!

This weekend, the U17 Barbarians won the Washington State U17 Championship, beating Liberty RFC by 20-15 at the final whistle. Coach Pete Sullivan remarked, "it was awesome to watch our young fellas win the U17 State Championship on Saturday. In a match where Liberty were clearly the favorites, our kids played with so much heart and passion. The likes of Carrick, McGregor, Tossi, Paul, Nick, Ethan and Cody Hartsoch played so well, and overall, it was a great day for the club. I was very proud to watch them play." Interim Head Coach Jerry Quirke was very proud on the day as well. "The boys played tough, competitive rugby and they ruled the day! We couldn't have asked for a better performance."

The U19 Barbarians went unchallenged for 3rd place in the division after a forfeit by Harbour RFC.

In other news, the 2009 Pacific Northwest U19 Logger's have been selected. Athletes from Budd Bay are a major force on the team this year - Barbarians and a Buffalo. Your representatives on the select side are:

U17

Tossi Tonaa / Justin Henry / Jeff Henke / Luke Richmond

U19

Jed Elam /Aaron Turcotte / Logan Rose / David Correa / Taylor Briscoe / Dan Conklin / Jesse Fox / Trevon Gault

Congratulations to all the players making the side. This demonstrates the skill, passion and commitment Budd Bay athletes make for the game.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Budd Bay Email Groups

Everyone in the Budd Bay RFC community may notice a few changes on our website. We are attempting to enhance and promote communication among all our members and keep everyone informed of team events, match results and general club news.

One such change is the "News & Updates" section located on the main page of our website. This is for all announcements from the club. The next change is the "Google Group" email listserve. The adult teams have been using such a list for many years successfully. This year, we add the U19's to the Groups. All club-wide announcements will automatically be distributed to each teams email group, so no one should miss anything!

If you would like to sign up for the email group, please visit your team's homepage by clicking on one of the links above this article. You can also sign up for any of the other teams you may be interested in. If you are already signed up with YahooGroups (adult teams only), you will be transitioned to the new site in the coming months, so you don't have to do anything and you won't skip a beat!

Don't forget - you can also see what's scheduled by clicking on the Club Calendar on the upper right hand of most pages. And, as always, if you have specific suggestions for something you would like to see included on the site, let me know!

Cheers,
Dan

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Budd Bay Bandit Makes PNW Grizzly Squad

Megan Sanders, a rookie with the Bandits in her first season, has been selected to the U23 Grizzlies, the Pacific Coast's All-Star team.

This rare honor will pit Megan against some of the best women ruggers in the nation - something she is excited to take on.

"I'm excited to play at this new level and learn all I can from the experience! Thank you Budd Bay for all you have done for me, getting me ready for this amazing opportunity!" - Megan

Megan will be kitting up to play in the National All-Star Competition (NASC) on June 13-14, 2009 in Pittsburgh, PA.

"We are very proud of her accomplishments on the pitch. She earned this spot through her hard work all season. Megan has what it takes to seriously compete at the higher level. Congratulations Megan!" - Dan Smith, Coach

If you would like to make a donation to help offset Megan's travel costs, she would be most appreciative. As a starving college student, travel to the East Coast is not always that easy.

Good Luck Megan! Keep us posted!


Checks can be made out to "Budd Bay RFC / Bandits" and mailed to:
Budd Bay RFC
c/o Bandits
5702 22nd Ave SW
Lacey, WA 98503

Please indicate your donation is for player support.

Budd Bay Buffaloes Earn National Berth

Team first from state to win Northwest title

BY GAIL WOOD | The Olympian • Published May 15, 2009

Chris Cousins wasn’t sure what to expect when he took over as player-coach for the Budd Bay RFC Buffaloes, an Olympia men’s rugby club.

But Budd Bay RFC did the unexpected by winning the Northwest Rugby Division III championship, becoming the first Washington team to win the title and advance to nationals.

The Buffaloes, with players ranging in age from 19 to 46, fly today to the national tournament in Austin, Texas. They’re seeded 14th after finishing 11-2-1 for the season and will play Beaumont RFC, Southern California’s No. 1 seeded team, at 10 a.m. Saturday.

“I never expected this to happen,” said Cousins, who became player-coach a year ago. “We were in transition. Our coach stepped down last year. I stepped in, and being a player and going into a coach’s role … it was a hard dynamic to go from peer to coach.”

If Budd Bay RFC wins Saturday in the 16-team tournament, it will advance to the round of eight and play on Sunday. If the Buffaloes lose, they’ll play a consolation game Sunday.

“It’s the first time a Washington team has done this,” Cousins said. “There’s never been a team from Washington that’s made it to the national tournament for Division III.”

Budd Bay has been a regional runner-up to Oregon teams several times in the past decade. The team was formed in 1998.

“From the start, we laid it out on the table,” Cousins said. “They decided they wanted me to coach. To be honest, I don’t know how we did it. But they put up with me running them to death at practice.”

Bud Bay RFC will be the only team at nationals with a playercoach.

“With our level of talent and the experience we have, it was the best fit,” Cousins said.

Cousins, the team’s scrum half, leads the Buffaloes in scoring. He has played rugby for 17 years and has played on an Army national championship team.

Other key players include Dan Santana, second-leading scorer Mike Radasa, flanker Cody Smith, eighth man Alex Queirolo and hooker Zach Dona. The team has 36 players making the trip.

If the Buffaloes win games both Saturday and Sunday, they’ll be among the final four teams to play the next weekend in Boulder, Colo.

“Nobody expected anything from us. We’re going to surprise some people,” Cousins said.

Budd Bay RFC beat Eugene, Ore., 51-10, in the Northwest championship game last month to earn the trip to nationals.

Gail Wood: 360-754-5443

gwood@theolympian.com

LaValla named to US Men's National Rugby Team

Former Barbarian & North Thurston graduate will play against Ireland and Wales

The Olympian | • Published May 19, 2009

Scott LaValla, a former Budd Bay 2007 graduate of North Thurston High School, has been selected to play for the United States men’s national rugby team.

LaValla will play for the USA Eagles against Ireland on May 31 in Santa Clara, Calif., and against Wales on June 6 in Bridgeview, Ill.

He played for the U.S. Under-19 team in 2007 and was a captain for the U.S. Under-20 team in 2008. LaValla also was a member of the Eagles for two games in November at Japan but did not play.

Locally, LaValla has played for the Budd Bay Barbarians U-19 team and the Pacific Northwest Loggers U-19 team.

He currently is a student in Ireland at Trinity College Dublin and plays for the university’s team, Dublin University Football Club, the oldest active rugby club in the world.

In other national news, former Budd Bay Barbarian Kevin Erskine scored two tries to help pace San Francisco Golden Gate to a 48-13 defeat of the Dallas Harlequins in the USA Rugby Super League quarterfinals.

SFGG will play the Denver Barbarians next week in one of two semifinals in USA Rugby’s top club competition.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Buffaloes Win PNW Championships! (4-5-09)

Budd Bay's Senior Men - The Buffaloes - take first place in the 1st Annual PNRFU Divisional Playoff in a 51-10 victory over the Gentlemen from Eugene, OR.

Budd Bay RFC was proud to host the DIII Playoff's this weekend with all six regional teams competing for a berth at the National Sweet 16's in Austin, Texas. On Saturday, the #2 Buffaloes competed against #3 Oregon Sports Union (ORSU) Jesters in a hotly contested match. After the full 80 minutes, the match was tied, 26-26. About 11 minutes into the 20-minute overime, Trevor Anderson kicked a penalty for the game-winning points, beating ORSU 29-26 and putting the Buffaloes into the Championship match on Sunday versus Eugene OR. Chris Cousins scored three tries on Saturday, adding to the victory.

On Sunday, the Buffalo pack dominated Eugene RFC and spun the ball wide to the backs for a flurry of tries. The game ended with a try from Dan Santana, one of the club's founders, centering the ball under the posts for a victory of 51-10.

This win signifies the first national DIII berth earned by a senior men's rugby team from Washington State and the first playoff victory by Budd Bay in the 10 years our club has been competing regionally. The Buffaloes now join the Barbarians (PNW Champions 2001 & 2006) and the Steelheads (PNW Champions 2004 & 2006) as Budd Bay RFC championship-winning teams.

The Buffaloes look forward to the National Champrionships, Sweet 16's, as the #14 team in the nation. The Austin, TX tournament will be a two-day tournament held on May 16 & 17. The winners from that round will head to Colorado for the Final Four.

Scott LaValla - USA U20 Captain! (6-15-08)

Scott Lavalla, Captain USA U20 & former Budd Bay Barbarian, stands with his fellow captains at the U20 World Championships. (click for image)

Alex Goff Achievement Award (5-30-08)

Alex Goff announced his retirement as Head Coach of the U19 Steelheads. During the Annual Steelheads Awards Banquet, Goff recieved his own surprise... The first ever "Alex Goff Achievement Award", presented in recognition of his dedication, commitment and outstanding contributions to the betterment of Budd Bay RFC and to the overall development of rugby in the community. For complete text of the presentation, click here.

4-30-08 Steelheads Plaoff Recap

For the third year in a row the Budd Bay Steelheads girls U19 rugby team were denied a state title in the Washington Youth Rugby girls final, losing a close game to rivals the Kent Crusaders.

Sunday in Redmond the Steelheads made the final by beating Lynnwood 63-0. Kelsi Stockerts scored three tries, and Erica Fife and Audie Haisch added two, while Erica Legaspia, Mika Underwood, Jel Santos and Kati Barker all added tries. Ellie Linn kicked four conversions.

But it wasn't to be in the final as Kent scored two late tries to win 10-0.

"We are very disappointed," said head coach Alex Goff. "We suffered a bit from bad luck in this game and we're more than a little frustrated. But the kids worked very hard and kept at it. Kent is three-time national #2, and we beat them twice this year, just not today."

The Budd Bay 2nd side also competed on Sunday for the stat Plate competition. in the semifinal Budd Bay and Chuckanut played to a 0-0 tie, and the game went to penalty kicks. Maria Noonan's kick won the game for Budd Bay 1-0. They went on to play Seattle in the Plate Final, where Noonan scored a late try, but Seattle scored two to win 10-5.

"We wanted two trophies out of this weekend and we got them, they just turned out to be the runner-up trophies," said Goff.

Next up for the Steelheads is a trip to Palo Alto, Calif. for the Pacific Coast Invitational May 9-11.

Budd Bay is currently 13-3, having lost to BC school champs Carson Graham, the University of Oregon, and Kent

Sunday, May 24, 2009

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