Pride Rugby Guest Book

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Kicking has always been a challenge for us as most of our players grow up with a ball in hand rather than ball on foot. With limited time for practicing and a very limited coaching staff(2 of us on most days), we have not been able to focus on kicking as much as the other areas. This season we hope to change that. As far as Touch, most of my kids when not playing rugby are playing football but we do play informal touch/tag rugby 2 nights a week over the summer. 

Stay in touch and keep an eye out for future youtube videos. You can also watch most of the guys play American Football on my youtube channel: teebayer  I will also be posting video of this weekend's event with the New Zealand EMbassy. www.ambassdorsshield.com check it out. 

Coach Bayer

Posted by Coach Bayer at 15:41, 11/8/2012

A gift from NZ on Touch-Rugby: via Youtube: - www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mW0tXO8i5E

P.S. - We could use your Football coaching and players experience down here - to help grow the game of American Football down here when possible.

Posted by Tangiora at 00:51, 11/4/2012

Kia ora (Greetings) from "NZ"/New Zealand (Yes - another Kiwi Fan!) Pride Rugby!!!!

A long story short - was on the net today looking to see if there were any American (of African origin especially) students' - who could play rugby to a NZ standard.  Came across you guys' on Youtube and watched MANY of this year's games' you played recently (2012 season).  You guys' are VERY good and athletic!!  As a NZ rugby player (& American Football Fan); was absolutely "Blown -away" at the skill level you guys demonstrated.  Would be prepared to say that you would do well winning games' at your age/weight group division - if you did a tour of NZ.  If you would like a few of my personal (Rugby) suggestions' please read on......

1/  After watching you guys' so far this year (I know some of you are new to rugby),  I noticed that you guys' (though current Champions'); are good runners' with the "ball in hand"(with good passing skills too); but I vaguely saw you guys' punt the ball very rarely; only once or twice on ocassion from the several Youtube videos' I saw of you.  So IF you guys' appreciate an outsiders' observation of your teams' play; watch Youtube on All Blacks Grant Fox, Jeff Wilson, John Timu, Gramme Bachop and Carlos Spencer on tactical punts (for the wings - a "cross/wipers" kick or yardage "kick for the  corner flags'") and "chip-and-chase or "grubber-kicks" - which are a very good tool for bad weather and faster defensive teams' you may have to play with.

And finally 2/  Do you play the "Formal"(Proper) version of Touch-Rugby (six-a-side player version) at rugby practices' or outside School time? Or the USA State Schools' (of your level) play competition touch-rugby either?  Why? - because if you think your school - can do well at Rugby-Union 15's; - from what I saw today - AM VERY CONVINCED you could go one better to become THE BEST AT TOUCH-RUGBY in the USA Nationals' (Boys, Girls & "Mixed"(Co-Ed) also!  If you have not heard of or played Touch-Rugby before - it is faaar easier to play with and teach a Football fan/player over there than rugby-union - especially the rules'.  Plus - I know if you guys needed to improve your passing skills' or "trick pass-plays" - touch-rugby would assist BIG time.  Just need to watch a few Youtube videos' on the "Whakatane Touch-Rugby Nationals'" Tournament here in little 'old NZ' (this Touch-Rugby Whakatane Tournament - has secretly developed some of our best Rugby Stars' and talent from the past and current ones' like - Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Carlos Spencer, Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu and Benji Marshall). SO - "IF" you get the chance or invitation to play touch-rugby here in NZ AT the Whakatane Tournament (During your winter season up there in the US); -TAKE IT!!!! Because what you will learn from taking part in/at it WILL improve your ("Trickster") SKILL-LEVEL!!!

Thanks for your time and patience to read my rantings';  all the best for the year and next - with your future endevours'; whether it be rugby or not; our prayers and thoughts here in NZ are with those on the Eastern Coast of the US who have suffered recently.

Regards Tangiora

Posted by Tangiora at 09:38, 11/3/2012

I am surprised at the talent you guys possess from watching some of the U tube Vids. I am sure you would even give some of our school boy teams a run for their money. Keep up the pride and as we say all the way from NZ - Kia Kaha - (Stand tall.)

Posted by Hek at 08:36, 9/15/2012

DC Rugger,

Thanks for the heads up. The tournament was a lot of fun. We look forward to hopefully returning next year. With only 1 senior on this years team we should be another year better.  Thanks for the link. I wish we could do it but the camp is right in the middle of football preseason and pretty much everyone on the rugby team is on the football team. Keep us in mind next time you come across something. thanks!

Posted by Coach Bayer at 03:04, 6/17/2012