THE REGIONAL NEWSLETTER OF HAMPTON ROADS SINCE The Bluesletter. NCBRFC Wednesday September 9th, 2015 PRICE: 78 cents

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1 THE REGIONAL NEWSLETTER OF HAMPTON ROADS SINCE 2013 The Bluesletter NCBRFC Wednesday September 9th, 2015 PRICE: 78 cents Fall 2015 season begins for DI and DIII teams this Saturday! The Blues will begin their 2015 fall season this Saturday as the DI side will take on Charlotte in a friendly match at Lafayette, kicking off at the early start of 11am. While our Division III side will make it s debut as well against Rocktown in Harrisonburg, VA. The Blues have had some great training sessions in the lead up to the Fall season, as we ve had at least thirty guys attend most of the practices. Charlotte played against Richmond at the Porter Cup a few weeks ago, where Richmond defeated them in an easy fashion. We re not sure what kind of a squad was taken to Richmond, but we ll expect a tough match up, as you never know who could show up for the Boys from Carolina. Meanwhile, our Division III side will match up against Rocktown. I don t think anyone has a lot of information about this club, but we re very excited to be fielding a strong team to travel up there. As Head Coach Porter mentioned last night at practice, we ll try to let everyone know if they re playing DI or DIII at the start of each week (Tuesday mornings hopefully), but it s important to let Coach Porter know if you are available for the weekend as early as possible (if not, give him your availability for the whole season). Selectors were chosen last night, as Kevin Mott will be the forwards selector while I was named backs selector. The lineups were discussed last night and the backlines for both teams look very dangerous, while the numbers for the forwards was one of the only concerns (but we ll be okay). All in all, we re looking to go up and get a big win away from home at Rocktown, and also a solid win at home to start the season off right. We also want to reiterate the fact that we re looking to win, and win a lot in the DIII division (and DI). Take pride in your team and always look to play your backside off. Norfolk Blues High School Rugby The Norfolk Blues are also revealing another team! To once again improve our club, we ve always had the thought of a youth rugby club. It s been attempted and some positives have been seen but not a lot has come out of it. Anthony Kowalski has worked very hard to get this high

2 school team going. As rugby for him in Wisconsin as a teenager was huge. So we ll look to build off of those programs. Here s where we need your help! We re going to start a uniform drive, where we ll try to raise enough money to get jerseys made for this new team. Old Boys are encouraged to help out with this along with some of the veteran players on the team (or anyone for that matter. But we need to focus on our dues and equipment first!). Every dollar counts, and if there s a big enough contribution, maybe we can put your company/business as a major sponsor on the front of the jersey or your initials on the sleeve for example. I could probably design a few jersey ideas, but jerseys alone cost about $1000-$1250 for the jerseys alone. Then you have to think of shorts and socks. Wouldn t it be cool to see a Norfolk Blues High School team in our colors and stripes playing on a Friday night around the area? Capital Rugby Union Selects Squad On August 22 nd, the Capital Rugby Union selects squad took on a selects squad from the Northeast. The Capital squad won 96-15, and the team was well represented by the Blues. Fred Wintermantel Captained the team, while myself and Butters were reserves on the squad. Head Coach Porter, was also the Coach for the Capital team, while Jeremy Frayne was the Scrum Coach. Old Boy John Grasso, was also a part of the team, coaching the backs. The Northeast squad were talked up to be a good program, but most of the DI players had another tournament, so the team consisted of DII players and DIII players. The next match for the Capital selects squad will be in December. 8 players were selected from Rocky Gorge (they have won the National Championship in Division II twice in the last 5 years), while Potomac also had a strong showing on the side. Rocky Gorge have now moved up to our Division, and we ll look to show them how tough it is to play against teams at a higher standard, week in and week out. RUGBY ON TV THIS WEEK You can always google live sports streaming, and then look for rugby. You might battle with pop ups for a few minutes, but I do it all the time. YOUTUBE RUGBY!!!! Rugby is all over youtube. They have full length replays for international 15s matches. Focus on rucking, and teaming up while running for example. Here is a link for the full replay of the USA vs Australia match on September 5 th, Watch it! Focus on their fundamentals in open play, and then each position on set pieces and try to incorporate it into your game.

3 Vision for the Blues As a premier Rugby Football Club in the United States of America, the Norfolk City Blues will promote a sustainable brand as a cornerstone of East Coast rugby based on a winning tradition for all ages. We all look to improve the club. However everyone is encouraged to help out. Whether it be with new sponsors, advertising your blues gear, talking about the club etc. etc. We are a prestigious club that has won a lot over the years, but once again, we can always improve off the field (as well as on the field). Old Boys, get more involved! Instagram/twitter - norfolkbluesrfc Current players are encouraged to join the Blues current player facebook page. And anyone can go and LIKE our Norfolk Blues Rugby FACEBOOK PAGE. ALSO JOIN OUR YAHOO GROUP TO RECEIVE ALL OF OUR UPDATES.

4 GAME DAY GEAR! Coach Porter would like us to wear the white game day shirt (when showing up to home games, and traveling to away games), warm up in the blue athletic shirt, and then wear the polo shirt after the match. Warm up shirts are given to rookie/new players when they have paid their dues, or have paid a section of their dues. (if they don t own one yet) Socks are given to players if needed (for rookies when dues have been paid). Ask Johnny for some. If you re a veteran and you need a pair, they re now $7. We also require players to wear solid navy Canterbury brand (CCC) blue shorts. I ordered some so if you would like to purchase them, they re $35 (they re about $40 on worldrugbyshop.com with shipping included). Or you can purchase the BLK shorts that we ordered. World Rugby Shop is also a great online store for everything else related to rugby. Hoodies Anyone can buy these! They re great for representing/advertising for the blues! Contact me if you d like one. I have a few left in the grey, and I ll order more in the fall. Contact me if you d like one and I ll hold one for you. But I ll only hold it, if you pay up front! The hoodies are $35 and $40 if you want your name on the sleeve. We still have the coozies as well. We have about 100 left! me at johnny_cameron@yahoo.com.au or facebook message me if interested PRACTICE AND DUES Practices are currently being held at Est Ocean View Community Par on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7-pm. Practice starts at 7, so show up at 6:30-6:45 to get ready/practice passing and kicking etc. PAY YOUR DUES If it s your first season for the blues or if you re a full time student; you pay a total of $80. You can pay in full or you can split it up if needed. If you played in the Spring of 2015

5 or before, the total is $160, once again, you can split up payments if needed. There s three dates where you can split it up. Dues will be due, once the fall season starts. (at least $50 for Veterans, and at least $25 for rookies). If anyone is in need for help to pay dues, don t be shy or scared off. We are here to help. Either talk to me, or Coach Porter, and we ll work out a way for dues to be paid/taken care of. Seven s dues will be decided real soon. It s usually around $40 for the summer. This covers tournament fees, and snacks/drinks on tournament days. FALL 2015 SCHEDULE. Come to Mojos! Thursdays after training, and our socials after home games September 10 th. At least 1/3 of dues due! See above for the dues prices. September 12 th. DI vs Charlotte at Lafayette 11am kickoff. DIII at Rocktown (Harrisonburg, VA) 1pm kickoff. September 19 th. DI vs Pittsburgh. DIII vs Newport News (Both at Lafayette Park). September 26 th. Byes for both teams Breast Cancer Awareness Month October 3 rd. DI vs Raleigh. DIII at Blacksburg October 10 th. DI at NOVA. DIII bye October 13 th. At least 2/3 of dues due! See above for dues prices October 17 th. DI at Potomac. DIII at Virginia (Charlottesville). October 24 th. DI vs Baltimore Chesapeake. DIII vs Virginia Beach. Venue TBD. Possibly the Virginia Beach Sportsplex October 31 st. DI vs Schuylkill River. DIII vs Blackwater. Both at Lafayette Park. No Shave/Movember month (prostate and men s health awareness) November 3 rd. ALL OF YOUR DUES MUST BE PAID IN FULL! November 7 th. DI at Pittsburgh. DIII at James River (Richmond). November 14 th. DI vs Rocky Gorge. DIII bye JOIN THE YAHOO GROUP TO RECEIVE UPDATES AND INFORMATION Johnny Cameron. Bluesletter Guru