buwrfc's blog

BU held another home game on October 27 against URI.

Wing Kendra Lenz (CFA '13) started things off strong by leading BU with a big run, followed by a big kick by Alex Hubelbank (SAR '14). URI scored their first try after a lost lineout.

UConn put a couple more points on the board after a couple handling errors were made, but 8-Man Ashley Teamer (CFA '13) shut down UConn's control of the ball after snagging the ball after a nearly lost lineout.  Hubelbank added a try to BU right before the half.

The second half started with URI breaking the line for a moment before fullback and captain Kiera Vinson stops them at the 5. UConn scores two more tries, then Lenz catches the ball and runs it in to the try zone. Noel Coleman (CGS '15) adds a forward try to BU's score.

The team worked hard until the last minute, but could not pull out a win.

Final score: URI 24 BU 15

This game wrapped up league play, making BU fourth in NERFU and heading to playoffs!

BU Today, the news and information website of Boston University, wrote an article about the development of women playing rugby at BU.

Check it out!

http://www.bu.edu/today/2012/a-league-of-their-own/

BUWRFC travelled down to UConn for their third league game.

BU steps up for a scrum

The team showed their efforts in practice had gone to good use after racking up the points on the scoreboard.  A minor defensive mishap allowed UConn to kick for a drop goal, but BU was not deterred.

Aubrey MacGill (ENG '13) runs the ball upfield.

The team answered UConn's drop goal by holding up a strong defensive line, but not before powering through the opponent's defense, allowing Emma MacDonald (CAS '13) a try and Alex Hubelbank (SAR '14) two.

The team's next game is against their rival, Boston College.

No rest for the weary! Although BUWRFC had a bye the weekend of September 22, the team met with alumnus and program development officer for Massachusetts Youth Rugby Organization, Erin Quinlan (SED '12), ready to become Rookie Rugby coaches.

The team after they received their Rookie Rugby certifications.

While the sport continues to gain players across college campuses nationwide, there has also been an increase in the development of rugby in young players.

Rookie Rugby aims to promote team work, health and fitness, skill development (which is key in rugby, a sport many people have not had the opportunity to grow up watching, like soccer or football), and most importantly, fun.

MYRO has been especially helpful in the advancement of the sport because it opts to “promote, encourage and develop the sport of rugby by providing school, community and regional youth programs,” as well as providing players with “an environment which welcomes every child who wishes to play; respects all of the participants -- players, coaches, referees, parents and fans; and values effort, integrity and sportsmanship as much as winning.”

The team was taught how to break down plays and drills to make it easy for younger, new players to learn the game in an exciting way.  For example, we taught children that you hold a ball how you would hold a cheeseburger.  Or that we pass in an underhand motion, like when going bowling.  The main idea is to make new ideas comprehensible by making them relatable to actions they are used to doing in daily life.

R.O.O.T.S., which stands for respecting the rules, opponents, officials, teammates, and self, is a useful tool in working with children.  It is used to remind players to consistently play with a level of respect towards everyone on the pitch.  Garnering this type of atmosphere early on will aid in good sportsmanship once they begin playing full-contact rugby.

A few current BUWRFC players are taking part in Rookie Rugby and volunteering for MYRO, including Christine Moyer (CAS ‘14), Ashley Donahue (SAR ’14) and Lauren McCormack (COM ’14).

Lauren (left) and Ashley (right) holding up the MYRO sign after volunteering as Rookie Rugby coaches at Excel Academy

For more information on Massachusetts Youth Rugby Organization and how to get involved, check out http://myrugby.org/league/.

For additional information on Sports Based Youth Development, check out Erin Quinlan's post on Your Scrumhalf Connection http://www.scrumhalfconnection.com/2012/09/18/sports-based-youth-development-youth-rugby-tackles-many-issues/

Back in May, the International Rugby Board introduced new rules to the game (http://www.irblaws.com/EN/), including a change in the cadence for scrums.  Scrums are now being set-up as "Crouch. Touch. Set.", a rule that has proven will take time to get used to, especially for vet players.

On September 8th, BUWRFC recalled fond memories of waking up early by departing for UMass Amherst at the sweet hour of 6 A.M..  The full A side traveled for the two-day Beantown Tournament.

BUWRFC kicked off against UMass Amherst at 9 A.M. on Saturday, September 8.  Although there had only been one official practice, the team showed they were ready for the upcoming season.

While returning players had trouble adjusting to new positions, a good back line and a defensive wall seemed to work well for BU as they shut out UMass 17-0.

Kendra Lenz (CFA ’13) proved her speed was still her biggest strength after using her footwork to get around UMass and adding two tries to her list.  Outside center Izzy Zehner (CAS’14) contributed another try after hitting a gap in UMass’s defensive line.  Flyhalf Dee Nash (SAR ’14) added 3 points with a successful conversion.

Freshman flanker, Alex Lawson (CAS ’16) earned the Player of the Day award by impressing her teammates and coaches with her intensity on the field and successful decision-making.

Final Score: 17-0 Boston University

The second game of the day kicked off at 11 a.m. against Yale.  Forwards got a bit of a break after having scrums go uncontested, while backs Emma MacDonald (CAS ’13) and Alex Hubelbank (SAR ’14) earned the nickname “Blonde Ponytails of Doom” by Coach Nick because of their tackles completed repetitively.  Whitely and MacDonald were successful in completing tries.

Final Score: 10-10 Tie

Although kickoff against UConn was at noon on Sunday, September 9, it was evident that the team was feeling the aftermath of the previous day’s games.  Despite being sore, the team managed to get a few tries on the scoreboard, again by Lenz and another by 8-Man Adaeze Olugbemi (CAS ’15).  Conversions were completed by freshman wing, Abby Waliga (CAS ’16).

Sophomore, Noel Coleman received the Player of the Game award for her strength in tackling and success in her first game as a front row.

Final Score: 19-12 UConn

BU finished in third place overall in the Tournament.