Photos: Doreen Madalian
Rugby New Jersey just completed its 4th Annual Fall 7s Series with its championship weekend taking place at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, N.J. on Oct. 22.
Pat Moroney, the 7s Director for Rugby New Jersey, noted a great improvement in play, technique, coaching and refereeing throughout the series.
“Rugby New Jersey is truly using this Fall 7s Series as a conduit to grow the game on all levels in New Jersey,” Moroney said. “The pace and flow of the games improved, players and teams expanded in all divisions, U19 Boys, U16 Boys and U19 Girls.”
Rugby New Jersey also worked with the Rugby Referee Society of NY (RRSNY) to use these games as an expanded training and coaching setting for the referees. Newer officials were abe to touch judge with a critical eye, move to a shadow position on the field with a more experienced referee, then progress to an independent role of the center referee.This partnership, fostered by Tom Sullivan and Ros Anderson of the RRSNY, will increase the confidence and skills of all referees from a novice to experienced ref.
“The RRSNY is grateful for the support of Rugby NJ in helping us provide high-quality learning experiences for referees at tournaments like these as a means of having better trained referees for our rugby community,” Ros Anderson said.
To expand the opportunities for players to play, Rugby NJ coordinated teams that were made up of players from different areas in the state. This increased the teams in the series, gave playing opportunities and built camaraderie among the players.
The Girls U19 Division worked to develop players by supporting the efforts of Morris Rugby by holding a Girls U19 Clinic mid-season.
“Basic skills and drills were led by a team of coaches who worked well to assist new and experienced players,” said Gene Caulfield, head coach of Morris Rugby’s Girls U19 team.
Hudson Catholic made history as female students joined the Union Rugby’s Girls U19 team in preparation for the upcoming spring season.
Rugby New Jersey is growing. It was announced at our AGM on Oct. 19 that the Bayonne Bombers Men’s Club will be sponsoring a U 19 Boys Club Team and Ridge Rugby and Hudson Catholic will be joining play in the Girls U19 Division in the spring of 2018.
Rugby NJs 2017 Fall 7s Series
State Champions
U19 Boys: St Augustine
U19 Girls: Morris Rugby
U16 Boys: Christian Brothers Academy
Challenge Cup Champions
U19 Boys: Play Rugby
U19 Girls: Play Rugby
U16 Boys: Play Rugby
Submitted by KJ Feury, President, Rugby NJ