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.