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.

Rug Rat Ruggers

Got some little tykes and live in New York City? Then Lil' Ruggers is for you.

Not just another Rugger Owned Business to add to our ever-expanding list (see the list on the left), but a Rugger Owned Rugby Business.

From the Lil' Ruggers website: "Rugby is the perfect sport for any age, gender, size, and speed; with 15 players on each team, there is a position for everyone. Children are notorious for exploring with their hands which makes rugby the ideal sport for kids as they are encouraged to hold the ball and run, run, run!

Through simple drills and flag scrimmages in the great outdoors (where kids belong!), the goal of LIL' RUGGERS is to foster listening skills, sharing, communication, and healthy behavior that will ultimately last a lifetime. In a safe, controlled, non-contact and undeniably fun way, of course!"

Getting kids outside, letting them run around and have fun, and learning "The Best Sport Ever". What else could you ask for? This is a great idea. If you live in New York City, definitely check them out. If you already have kids in the program, let me know what you think about it.

Week 9 Results

Hawaii Rugby Week 9 Results:


Islanders 43 Tries - Marciano, Afa, Tiki, Jake, Tofi, Ray, Toa / Con - 4 Lofi
Harlequins 7 Try - Agamagi / Con - Setu

UH won against Kahuku by Default

Raiders had a bye

As previously mentioned, Tama Sulu Ie hasn't been playing since early in the season (I don't know why). And it seems some of the teams have been having trouble fielding enough players, so the past few weeks there's only been one game played.

But Hawaii Rugby is going strong. The youth and the Hawaii Youth Rugby organization have been going great. And the adult games, and especially the management of the Union, have been great. Looking good.

Hawaii Youth Rugby Tournament

Hawaii Youth Rugby is getting noticed. Many thanks to Kevin Perry for all his hard work and vision for youth rugby in Hawaii.



Hawaii Army National Guard & USA Rugby Announce Support of the Hawaii Youth Rugby Invitational Tournament

The Hawaii Army National Guard and the Hawaii Youth Rugby Association is proud to announce the Hawaii Youth Rugby Invitational Tournament, the largest youth rugby venue ever held in the great state of Hawaii. In addition to the local island clubs, teams from US Mainland and Canada will be in attendance. All are invited to join “Hawaii’s Own” and share the “Aloha Spirit” in cheering on fine young athletes and future leaders to victory at Kapi’olani Park March 26, 27, 28, 2009.

USA Rugby and The Hawaii Army National Guard officially announced the extension of its partnership agreement with the Hawaii Youth Rugby Association for the 2009 season. Through the Rugby Kit Campaign, USA Rugby and the Hawaii Army National Guard have provided field equipment and uniforms to several qualified Hawaii rugby clubs. This gesture has afforded much of Hawaii’s youth an opportunity to participate and enjoy the sport of Rugby. More importantly, it has helped to establish the solid infrastructure and stability necessary for rugby to continue to grow throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

The National Guard partnership will build upon the foundation of rugby in the State of Hawaii, allowing players and coaches to become better in their sport and in their communities. This program will continue to create better leaders with the strength of character and mental toughness that embodies the values of the Hawaii Army National Guard, USA Rugby, and the Hawaii Youth Rugby Association.

For more information contact SFC Dana L Mueller dana.mueller@us.army.mil or David Maafu Wendt at hawaiiguide50@hotmail.com

Referee clinic

The Hawaii State Rugby Union website is up and running. The information for the upcoming referee clinic is posted there, so if you're interested in attending, check it out.

I was also contacted by someone at Hawaii Youth Rugby yesterday. Seems they had a meeting here on Oahu sometime last week, but because of technical reasons I didn't find out about it until yesterday. Sounds like they're still growing, and need help in different areas, but I'm still concerned about the disconnect between the Hawaii Youth Rugby group and the Hawaii State Rugby Union.

There needs to be one overriding body acting as the focal point and top administrative unit for all of rugby in Hawaii. Since Hawaii Youth Rugby is already well established and doing well, they need a fair amount of autonomy and a lot of control over their own organization. That can be accomplished while still melding with the adult teams governed by Hawaii State Rugby Union. To market, promote, and raise funds, without confusing supporters, fans, and the general public, there has to be one primary point of contact. If that point of contact then directs interested people to the appropriate sub-unit or group, that's OK. Any confusion is eliminated, all of rugby in Hawaii acts, or appears, to be governed as one cohesive unit, and greater success for all is more likely.

Hawaii Rugby News

First, yesterday's game. The Hawaii Harlequins played Briars Rugby Club from New South Wales, Australia. Looking at their website, it seems they're on an end-of-season tour. Somebody told me they were heading to California. Cool. The score was 19-Harlequins : Briars 24. Briars scored four tries with two conversions. Two tries with conversions in the first half, and two unconverted tries in the second half. Harlequins scored three tries with two conversions. On unconverted try in the first half, then two tries with conversions in the second half. Since I arrived late, not knowing if there was a game and just showing up at the park, I only saw the second half. It was good though. As I said in a previous post, there's nothing like watching rugby up close and personal, even if it isn't the best rugby you've seen. What I saw of the game was pretty sloppy. A few good runs, but lots of bad passes, taking the ball while standing still, poor tackling, and the like. Still fun to watch though, so who's complaining.

What I did find at the game was some good information. Here's what I found, and what I found out last time I found a game.

There's a tournament next week, November 30 - December 1, at Kapiolani Park. That's the big park at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki, on Oahu, if you're not familiar with Hawaii. Should be fun. I'll be there. I don't know who all will be playing, but I now it's being hosted and organized by the Kalihi Raiders Rugby Club, and that the Islanders Rugby Club and the Barbarians (all from Oahu) will be participating. It's supposed to start at 11:00 am on Friday, the 30th.

Here's some information on clubs and their practices:

Hawaii Harlequins, practice Tues/Thur at 7:00 pm at Kapoalono Park in Kaimuki (near KCC, sort of). Their website is not too up to date, but there's some contact info.

Barbarians, practice Mon-Fri (so they say) at 5:30 pm at Paki Park, across from the Honolulu Zoo. No website and I don't have any contact info yet.

Kalihi Raiders Rugby Club, practice Mon-Thur at 6:30 pm at Kalakaua Field behind Farrington High School. No website and I don't have contact info yet.

Islanders Rugby Club, practice Tue/Thur at 5:30 pm at Kam Field (Kamehameha Field for those of you who don't like to see Kamehameha abbreviated like that), off of Likelike Highway mauka of H-1. I have a phone number for Lofi if you want to contact him.

I also spoke with someone who's involved with the Hawaii Youth Rugby League. They sound like they've got a good organization. Sounds like they just added a third team (U19, or Under 19 year olds) on the Big Island, which is really cool. There's supposed to be teams on Oahu and Maui, and then the three on the Big Island. I'll have to find out more about them and find out when and where they play. They have a website.

I also understand there's a team, the Hurricanes, on the North Shore (Oahu), so I'll have to find out about them too. They have a website.

I'll put links to the teams and organizations who have websites over on my links list, and when I find out more I'll post it here.


And don't forget to Adopt-A-Rugger and Hug-A-Rugger.