Monday, June 2, 2014

United Youth Rugby

In 2010 i was approached by chris fisher who at the time founded Los Gatos Youth Rugby, a program that has youth clubs from u8- u19, and now he and his wife run United Youth Rugby that runs 2 clubs ( Los Gatos & Santa cruz) and will now encompass South Valley Youth Rugby and begin two new clubs in neighboring towns to los gatos. in total beginning 2015 season United will be running 5 clubs .
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LLR- care to share your past and present Rugby background
CF-  45-years in rugby. Started play at 5. In the USA, started up clubs in Juneau, Alaska; Santa Clara University women's club: Santa Clara Youth Rugby; Los Gatos, Santa Cruz.

LLR- what is united youth rugby Bay Area and what can we expect from united in the coming years?  
CF- A self contained league in the South Bay

LLR- Santa cruz  just finished its 2nd year of competition, whats in store for the next few years of that club.? CF- Massive growth

LLR- Los Gatos finished on a high note with some of its youth programs taking the championship in nor cal and high school program being able to field two sides for the first time, what can we expect from the lions going forward?
CF- Win more titles and grow big

LLR- most common event that falls after XV's is 7's summer season, will any of the clubs be taking part in any seven tournaments? 
CF- Yes, lots of club will be playing 7's

LLR- one of the issues most people forget to talk about when speaking about new clubs is the financial risk taken, can you share what the finances look like for the clubs and pricing for Practice and playing fields.?
CF- Be on top of everything. Try not to give away too many scholarships.  Biggest expense is to NorCal Youth Rugby that take roughly 1/3rd of money and provide absolutely nothing back in return. A big rip off.


LLR- is rugby in a healthy place in the Bay area?  
CF- Yes, but the idiots running it are doing a terrible job. About 10,000 plus player in NorCal.

LLR- a few questions questions about rugby globally and nationally, do you think Super Rugby should expand to America?
CF- Yes, absolutely. 

LLR- whats your opinion on the USA mens national team?
CF- They try hard but that's about it.

LLR- who will win RWC 2015 and what is your guess for the potential attendance and final score for the november test game between ALL Black and Eagles?
CF- Can't pick a winner. Too many viariables. Most people would say that NZ, OZ, SA, England and France can win. I always support the All Blacks no matter what. Eagles will be thrashed but not by as much as expected. The NZ "B" side will probably run up 50-60 points.

* it should be noted that moving forward united will be breaking away from NCYRA in the under age department and stage games amongst them self's and other local clubs along with a few clubs from the central valley and two new youth programs said to be created in danvile, ca area. united will be using a few IRB laws with its younger programs to introduce physical contact at a younger age that way as the kids move up to the u19 programs the amount of injury and preparation will go down due to the body already use to the "hits" and training of proper form when it comes to, scrumming, rucking, and tackling. the u19 programs will still participate in the NCYRA. if you wish to get into contact with Chris Fisher and learn more feel free to contact him via email @ kiora2u@msn.com or info@unitedyouthrugby.com

USARL ROUND 1

* I would like to take the time and just let everyone that my content has gone down a bit this past month due to my new daughter being born and fatherhood taking the front seat. but I will be trying to get more Q&A's and other articles out as the weeks and months go on.

After round 1 of the 2014 USARL season there's was a bit of both major blow outs and very close games. this is the first year of three conference formats and with 5 new clubs. as the season goes on it will be interesting to see who can keep up with who and if the new clubs can hold there own.
*taken from USARL website
Pos North EastPldWTL Game PointsPts
1 Boston Thirteens1100  102 - 02
4 Rhode Island Rebellion1010  30 - 301
4 Brooklyn Kings1010  30 - 301

Pos North AtlanticPldWTL Game PointsPts
3 D.C. Slayers1100  42 - 302
4 Philadelphia Fight0000  0 - 00
9 Northern Virginia Eagles1001  30 - 420
11 Baltimore Blues1001  0 - 1020

Pos SouthPldWTL Game PointsPts
2 Jacksonville Axemen1100  42 - 62
4 Atlanta Rhinos0000  0 - 00
4 Central Florida Warriors0000  0 - 00
10 Tampa Mayhem1001  6 - 420

Seeds for playoffs are based on the following:
1) Total number of wins. 2) Head-to-head if teams are tied – if tied for-and-against points. 3) For and against points of combined games.