Search This Blog

Subscribe to Let's Talk Business!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Hawaii Rugby Awards

Sportsmanship Award:

The Rugby Hawaii Union Sportsmanship Award was presented and accepted by one of our rookie clubs TAMA LAIE LIONS! Without a doubt, they proved to be reckoned with in both Rounds of the season, their commitment and determination proved worthy, finishing in 2nd Place!


2010 Season MVP:

CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHAEL GARVEY! of the Hawaii Pacific University Rugby Football Club!

This new (and only) Rugby Hawaii Union College club tied for 4th Place after Round 1 & 2 with 36 points - Michael Garvey's seven tries this season are just the start of what this young and talented club can and will do!



Championship Match MVP:

CONGRATULATIONS TO IKUNA PALAVI! of the Kalihi Raiders Rugby Football Club.

With Ikuna's rugby skill set as a player, as a Coach, as a referee, this RHU Finals Match MVP title is most favorable. His seven tries this season, along with his converted tries and penalty kicks, assisted the Kalihi Raiders to #1!

Hawaii Rugby Facebook Group

I started a Facebook Group for Hawaii Rugby so I'd have a place to post all the pictures I took last week. It's an open group so you can post your own pictures, comments, news, whatever. I'm hoping it will be a central information spot for all Hawaii Rugby related news, men's, women's, and youth. Take a look, leave a comment, post some pictures.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Hawaii Rugby Finals

I am glad I made it down to the park yesterday to watch the Hawaii Rugby Finals. It was a great game. Two semi-finals in the morning, then a Women's match, then the finals. I didn't get to see the semi-final games, but I'm sure they were exciting as well, based on what I saw in the finals.

Oh, before I forget, the finals pitted the Kalihi Raiders against the Tama Laie Lions. Kalihi Raiders won, 22-17. A close, and hard fought game.

The finals were a test of fitness since both teams had little rest after their morning matches. Although fitness has greatly improved over the last two years, it is still one of the things that the Hawaii teams need to work on. The game was delayed numerous times due to injuries, which only increased towards the later stages of the game. Injuries occur at a much higher rate when the players get tired.

I say this from me experience as a player and my own travels down the road to fitness. When I played rugby for the Pygmies in Socorro (New Mexico Tech Rugby Club), only a moderate amount of fitness was required. Since we often only had 15 or 16 players, and frequently less and had to "recruit" spectators, fitness was required to start or play. But then when I moved to Albuquerque and played club-side rugby for the Aardvarks, everything changed. I was competing for my position (blind side flanker) with one of the fittest people I've ever met. So I had to get fit. It took quite a while, but I did it. It also improved my game, because instead of gasping for breath I was able to actually play the game the was it was supposed to be played.

Another point that I think the Hawaii teams need to look at is the kicking. As in far too much of it. Kicking is important - when it's done right. But just kicking because you don't know what else to do, don't want to take the hit, or have no support, is wrong.

I also took lots of pictures. Some of which actually came out pretty well. Check some of them out here, and if I can get around to creating a Facebook page for them, I'll let you know.

Here's the women:





And here's the men:

Tama Laie



Kalihi Raiders



I got a few action shots. Not bad for my little camera.

Lineout


















Tama Laie scoring a try


















Ikuna, Kalihi Raiders captain, kicking for goal

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Hawaii Rugby Youth All-Stars

I should have posted this a long time ago, but it's not to late to send a donation (I sent mine on Saturday). From Kevin Perry of Hawaii Youth Rugby:


Aloha Ruggers,


The Hawaii Youth Rugby All State U17’s & U19’s are actively looking for funds through sponsorship or donation. These funds will allow us to travel & compete in the USA Rugby Regional All Star Tournament in San Francisco, California June 5, 6, 2010.

USA Rugby is officially endorsing this tournament, which will serve as the primary pathway for young players to make the Age Grade National Teams. We hope to take our HYR U17 & U19 All-Star teams to compete and show case our local talent. USA Rugby is partnering with these regional All Star sides to identify and develop the best young talent in the country bringing them together to compete against like opposition.

This is a great opportunity for the youth of Hawaii to participate on a national stage playing the game world renowned for its ability to encourage the development of sportsmanship, leadership, self-discipline and respect for authority in its players.

We would be grateful if you would consider our request for funding to support this epic endeavor. Please look over the budget below and our website at www.hawaiiyouthrugby.com and check out the sponsor’s page where your company’s logo can be displayed.

Hawaii Rugby Finals

Hawaii Rugby Finals this Saturday. From David Ma'afu Wendt, Union President:

SATURDAY 6/5/2010 RUGBY HAWAII UNION FINAL / USA RUGBY AFFILIATE.

11AM : ISLANDERS RFC (2009 CHAMPIONS) VS KALIHI RAIDERS RFC ... 80 minutes game.

12:30PM : TAMA LAIE LIONS RFC VS HAWAII MARIST RFC ... 80 minutes game.

2PM : WOMENS GAME.

3:30PM RUGBY HAWAII UNION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 2010 ... 80 minutes game.

INVITE YOUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TO KAPIOLANI PARK TO SUPPORT THE TEAMS.


Aye-yah! I've missed so much rugby this year. I've really got to make it to the park this Saturday.