Middle School Group - First Tackle Scrimmage

The Middle School group playing their first tackle scrimmage. None of these kids had played contact rugby before so we put them on a small field and let them have at it. They loved it. Sure the tackles are all high but what's the point of waiting to have perfect tackles? They wanted to play rugby! It was a great day.

And for those wondering or with a short memory, the temperature was around 35 degrees.  It was cold.

Tackle Scrimmage Day

Thank you Mark Aylor and Brian Auerbach for coming out and helping our humble youth rugby club with our first tackle scrimmages.

Mark and Brian came out, helped us get over the tackle scrimmage jitters and reminded us that we are out here to have fun and not to worry if we are playing perfect rugby or not.  We had a really great day and it was all thanks to them.  Thank Brian! Thanks Mark!

For those not in the know, Brian Auerbach is the head of rugby here in the state of Georgia. He does more work in a week for rugby than should be legal in the state of Georgia.  He referees also. If you ever meet him, shake his hand and thank him.

Mark Aylor is a former USA Eagle. Stop. Yep! He was on the national team. The kids loved that. They paid way more attention to him than they ever do to us.

Mark played with the Denver Barbarians and was on the USA National Team during the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Mark still does rugby, but now he is also a chiropractor in Buckhead. Check him out. http://www.ablchiropractic.com

Here are some pictures on the day. This first picture... This is our new Facebook banner.

Colin runing. Soma supporting. Grant ready to jump in.
Photo: David Spencer

Mark and Brian setting up a passing drill.
Photo: David Spencer

Soma getting tackle.  Check out the adults grinning at the mayhem.
Photo: David Spencer

Soloman getting tackled by Colin. Colin coming in low, looking good!
Photo: David Spencer

But wait! Colin could not make the pass and
Soloman passed it! Skills!
Photo: David Spencer

Colin really shouldn't be playing with sunglasses, but he looks cool.
Photo: David Spencer

With the middle school kids, we did not get any pictures of the scrimmage.  We got some video and we will post that later.  In the mean time, here are some pictures of a new drill Mark taught us.

Photo: Josh O'Connor

Photo: Josh O'Connor

Photo: Josh O'Connor

Mark Aylor, Brian Auerbach, Coach Stewart
Ethan, Karl, Cam, Justice, Joseph, Owen
Makaio, Gabriel, Jackson, Soloman
Photo: Josh O'Connor

Mark Aylor, Brian Auerbach, Coach Stewart
Ethan, Karl, Cam, Justice, Joseph, Owen
Makaio, Gabriel, Jackson, Soloman
Photo: Josh O'Connor
Photo: Josh O'Connor

Mark and Brian Came For A Visit!

Mark Aylor (in black), former USA Eagle during the 2007 Rugby World Cup and Brian Auerbach (green), the head of rugby in Georgia, came to help with tackle drills and our first tackle scrimmage.  It was a great day!  More to come!

The Middle School Kids, ready to take on the World!

No Acting

January 18th Was Cold Too

I think we are willing the ball to jump into our hands.  Telepathy!

Another cold day!  It was not as cold as two weeks ago though and we had a good turnout.  The elementary group really came out.  We did a lot of drills that kept them running so they could keep warm.  Then a scrimmage.  Always a scrimmage!

Afterwards, a few stuck around for tackle drills.  Grant, Kingsley, Vince, Soma.  Aiden hung out to watch.  The kids loved it.

Afterwards, the middle school boys scrimmaged with the kids who stuck around for the tackle drills.  Good stuff.  Then more tackle drills!

Check out the picture below with Joseph in shorts and short sleeves.  He said, "Yeah, my hands are numb, but I'm alright."  That guy is tough.

Flooded

Thunderstorms are why we canceled practice, but the field ended up being flooded.  Standing water up to four inches.  It's a good day not to drown.

Cold

It was cold this past weekend! COLD!  We still played though.  There were a few that could not handle the cold and did not come out to practice. We will deal with them later!

Mateo was the first to show to practice

Soma did not care about the cold.  What cold!?

From the older group, Ben, The Russian Bear and Gabriel practiced kicking and tackling. It was excellent.  Where were the others?  Probably still at home in their Snuggies.

Water Break