Monday's Musings

March 16, 2015 Posted in B.C. Rugby / Canada Rugby / Clinics / Juniors / News / NSWT / RWC / Sevens / VIRU Tide Rugby

NSWT SEVENS

Heartiest congratulations from the Castaway Wanderers to our women on yet another stellar performance on the IRB World Circuit. The Atlanta Series saw Canada drop their final pool game to England as well as losing their equivalent of Philly Mack, Jen Kish, to injury. What an amazing squad this is!

Day #2 saw the girls defeat France to move into the Cup semi-final against the Kiwi “Dream Team”. This was an amazing game, fluctuating back and forth with new heroines stepped to the stage. This writer must applaud Ghislaine Landry. The Kiwis won a 24 – 22 squeaker – the closest they have been run for some time. The women then defeated USSR, 28 – 17 to finish in third place. The Black Ferns won this leg by defeating Sluggo’s US ladies, 57 – 0. Canada has now taken another step up the ladder, tying the Aussies for second place as they reach for Rio.

Final comments on this event – another small crowd in a large arena. This is an excellent product which is not garnering its fair share of sports fans and rugby fans specifically. The Ruggernut issues a challenge for every Victorian rugby fan who is able, to make the next leg of this International Circuit, held at Westhills on April, 18^th and 19^th to load Westhills with a full house. It is a venue that would look very good on computer screens world-wide, if it is a full house and such support would go miles for how the IRB views Canadian Men’s and Women’s Sevens programs. Footnote: To boot, Canada and US will meet in Pool play!! What a tussle this will be.

NATIONAL U20 MEN: A tip of the cap to these boys who sent Romania packing again on Saturday evening. The 36 – 13 score line being a great spring board into the upcoming tests against the U.S. The team showed character, desire and passion to come from two tries down and win going away. The lads have given the coaching staff quite a challenge in reducing the ranks for the two “qualifying tests”. The games are slated for;

March 23^rd, 3:30 p.m. @ Shawnigan Lake School and March 27^th, 7:00 p.m. @ Westhills Stadium.

Book these in your calendar!

SHAWNIGAN SUMER RUGBY ACADEMY FOR YOUTH

COACHING STAFF: Jim Delaney (Canada U18 Head Coach)
Ander Monro (Vice-Captain Canada RWC 2011, Canada U18 Assistant Coach)
Paddy Riordan (Captain of Canada at RWC 2011)
Barbara Mervin (silver medal winner at last year’s Women’s RRC 2014)
Megan Gibbs (Former Women’s Canadian 7s and 15s player)
Tony LaCarte (Former Canadian 7s player and BC Age Group Coach
Tanja Ness (Former Women’s Canadian 7s player, and Head Coach of Shawnigan girl’s rugby)
Clayton Panga (Played for Maple Leaf’s 7s, and Canada ARC 2014 player)

The SLS Rugby Academy costs $799 for residential players. This includes: meals, accommodation, a playing jersey, a training singlet, and an outdoor activity. Non-residential players are charged $399 and this includes: lunch, a playing jersey, a training singlet, and an outdoor activity.
There are discounts! Encouragingly, so many players keep returning for more camps, and are starting to bring club mates and friends with them. In appreciation of this benefit to the camp, and to encourage clubs and schools to encourage their players to get involved, we offer discounted pricing to players who come with one or more teammates (from the same club or school).

Costs are as follows:
2 or more players from the same club or school = $766 ($33 discount)
3 or more players from the same club or school = $733 ($66 discount)
4 or more players from the same club or school = $699 ($100 discount)

COACHING CLINICS: Simon Cross, the Defence Coach of the Worcester Warriors in England, will lead the Coaches Clinic this year. Having played with Simon at Edinburgh, and having watched him coach at local clubs in Scotland, he clearly had the knowledge, character, and passion to become a top coach. As a student of the game, Cross loves discussing different philosophies and finding solutions, and he will be a super fit for leading this clinic. The Coaching Clinic will be an experiential learning opportunity for male and female coaches (Canadian and international). The full schedule of workshops is posted at www.shawnigan.ca/rugbyacademy under the coaching clinic tab.

For more information, contact;
[email protected] for any further enquiries about either camp.
www.shawnigan.ca/rugbyacademy is the website with more information.

South Island Jr. Tide (VIRU) - Seeks Applications for qualified Junior Boys & Girls Rugby Coaches, Managers, Trainers and Co-ordinator

The Vancouver Island Rugby Union, South Island, Junior Tide, Representative Rugby Program seeks qualified individuals for the following positions for the U16 girls and U18, U17, U16 & U15 boys XV rugby teams. Honoraria are provided for all positions, commensurate with experience, qualifications and position. Travel to the PRC event will be required for all positions. Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered for staff. Application deadline is April 5^th, 2015. E-mail [email protected] with application, details below.

Positions Available:

Junior Tide Co-ordinator & Treasurer
Head Coach U16 Girls
Assistant Coach U16 Girls
Manager U16 Girls
Head Coach U18 Boys
Assistant Coach U18 Boys
Manager U18 Boys
Head Coach U17 Boys
Assistant Coach U17 Boys
Manager U17 Boys
Head Coach U16 Boys
Assistant Coach U16 Boys
Manager U16 Boys
Head Coach U15 Boys
Assistant Coach U15 Boys
Manager U15 Boys
Head Coach U18 Boys
Assistant Coach U18 Boys
Manager U18 Boys

Coaching applicants should meet the following criteria:

Coaches must have experience coaching or managing youth/junior age groups at the competitive level.
Coaches must have completed, at a Minimum the NCCP, “Introduction to Competition” certified or willing to work toward certification.
Completion of the on-line, Making Ethical Decisions (must be completed prior to the season)
An understanding of youth skill development at the individual and team level.
Excellent verbal communication and organizational skills
Evidence of Leadership / People Management skills and the ability to work with others
Desire to achieve a standard of excellence
A positive and enthusiastic attitude with a healthy sense of humour.

Coaching Duties/Description:

To implement a comprehensive player selection plan and policy
Provide feedback to players on areas of improvement on a regular and timely basis, as well as explain selection decisions
To provide technical and tactical coaching to individual players as appropriate
To develop well-structured training sessions and provide team progressions in all areas of play
Provide leadership of the team and team management through effective communication
Attend all training sessions and games
Sound Technical & Tactical Knowledge
Enjoy working in a team environment
Introduce leadership skills to the players
Along with the manager, set team standard with respect to dress, behaviour, expectations

Team Manager Duties/Description

. Team list management & communication via e-mail & phone with players and parents

Accountable for team’s finances*, registration, collecting dues
Organizing players during travel to and from games and at PRC event
Assisting the coaches in implementing a fair selection process, including photos of players for ease of player identification prior to final selections

Other volunteer duties and descriptions can be found at; [email protected]

Applicants should submit a brief rugby resume, brief covering letter with 2 or more references on or before the closing date of April 5th, 2015. Applicants should indicate their FIRST & SECOND CHOICE positions. Candidates will be contacted within ten days of the closing date.