Recruiting Events Planned

One of the toughest parts of being a successful team for last season was having a sufficient number of people to head into battle with. While we always had a good turn out for games, only needing to borrow a player for one travel game when we had two surprise injuries strike the team, which was running with the exact number of players we needed, the problems of being under staffed at practices definitely showed as the season progressed. Drills became difficult, reps decreased, and timing simply waned as rust accumulated. Suffice it to say that recruiting has become my number one goal of the off season.

With the pre-season meeting quickly approaching on February 22nd, the players and fans of the Stampede are ready to head out into their respective communities in force to get the message out: Saratoga Rugby is looking for a few good men. And you don't need any experience. Just a desire to have some fun and be part of a team. Being a social person would also help.

As far as age goes, we have starters on the squad from ages 19 - 52. Sizes range from 5'5 - 6'4, and from 140 lbs. to 350 lbs. Experience is also at polar ends. We have people on the team who have played three or four games in their career and it was during this past fall season that they came out for the team. And we also have a player who has been playing longer than most people on the team have been alive. Some played in high school, one didn't start until he was in his 40's! It really takes all types to play this game. And once you play, you will be hooked.

As the team's recruiting director, I also have a few events in the work. The focus of these events are to drum up some notoriety for the team and get people talking about the fact that a year ago, a men's rugby team formed in Saratoga for the first competitive rugby club in at least the last 15 years. If ever. Support has been so plentiful that a women's team has sprouted up and is looking to have a few games this spring, with an informational meeting for the ladies coming in early February.

The events will be simple. We will begin by having informational tables/kiosks at three locations in the coming weeks. The three initial locations are looking to be Wilton Mall, Adirondack Community College and Skidmore College. Hopefully, by tapping into local colleges of the North Country we can also acquire some younger and fresher legs as a large percentage of the team, at least 40% are over the age of 28, with somewhere around 30% of the team over the age of 30.

To paraphrase a line from "Necessary Roughness", this season the team wants more than your support. We want you.

For more info, e-mail me, or visit www.saratogarugby.com.

Stampede Move to New England Union, Division IV

In their inaugural season, the Saratoga Stampede Rugby Club elected to be an at-large team, playing independently, something like Notre Dame. It left then Match Secretary Owen Maranville the freedom to schedule contests and tournaments at the whim and will of the team's membership and administration. While the team played some tough competition, including twice playing three-time defending Division III Champion Syracuse, it found itself locked out of any chance for a playoff. Unlike college football, independent teams are not eligible for any type of playoff or championship. While the team's record may have precluded them such a run anyhow, they most certainly would not have been playing the caliber of teams such as Syracuse, which was a point of consideration for administrators late this fall and early in the winter.

At the Annual General Meeting (AGM), Stampede President Chuck Tempest announced that the club would join the New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU), at the Division IV level. While there was some discussion, internally, that the team might join the New York State
Rugby Conference (NYSRC) or enter either association at the Division III level. Eventually, the club decided that travel for games and lack of a complete B side really precluded them from either possibility, and that it appeared that the most beneficial route for a club interested in vying for a title with the make-up of the Stampede was NERFU Division IV.

At the AGM, administrative positions were elected for the 2007 year. Chuck Tempest and Pete Mody, and Rick Babson were reelected as president, vice-president, public relations coordinator, respectively. Bill McClain was elected as treasurer and Paul Campbell as Match Secretary. The positions of equipment manager, field coordinator, webmaster, and social chair will be appointed when the new officer board convenes in early February.

The club also announced its pre-season informational meeting date at the AGM. This meeting is for any males 18 and over who have interest in playing rugby this spring. No experience is necessary for a member to join the club. The meeting is schedule for February 22nd, 2007 @ 7 P.M. at Peabody's Sports Bar and Grille on Phila Street in Saratoga Springs. The meeting will cover items such as the spring practice and match schedule, dues, CIPP information, & sponsorship updates. This meeting is also open to all people interested in becoming "social" members of the club, or those interested in following the team, attending functions and games, but do not wish to practice or play. Contact Chuck Tempest for details.