‘Tis the season! Rugby action begins at all levels in January
R
nament is considered preseason ugby season is here! Schedules are finalized, tournafor our high school boys and ment dates set, and there’s girls programs, and is a fantastic lots of rugby to be had for everyplatform to introduce the sport to one. I wanted to take some time new club recruits. Over 80 teams in this month’s issue to discuss the participating yearly. upcoming season and the various High school programs begin tournaments the NCYRA will be regular-season schedules on Jan. supporting throughout the year. 31. The format follows the same carney’s The season officially gets as above, with each region playing corner: underway on the weekend of inter-region matches until the Mark Carney playoffs. Our youth and middle Jan. 10. This is the first week of competition for the Junior Youth school seasons conclude in March (under-8, U10 and U12) and middle-school with U8s finishing March 8, U10s and U12s divisions. These divisions compete in on March 15 and the middle school teams round-robin matches, with one team hosting on March 22. between one and three teams; ensuring good The high school season wraps up in April competition and ample playing time. at the Northern California Invitational TourOur league is separated into four distinct nament on April 18-19 at the Cherry Island regions, Sacramento Valley, Bay Area, Soccer Complex in Antelope. This tournaRedwood (Marin County and north) and ment serves as the first and second round of Central Valley (Fresno area). Our leagues playoffs and as a year-end round-robin tourcompete in inter-region competition, with nament for non-playoff teams. The following everyone getting the chance to play each weekend will be a championship weekend other at the end-of-season tournaments. with the location still to be determined. An interesting aspect of our youth rugby All in all, it is a very busy season — with programs are that we do not keep track of lots of rugby and excitement is to be had by results and standings for U8-middle school. everyone. If you are interested in getting inThe reason for this is to promote character volved and playing with a local club, or comvalues such as camaraderie, sportsmanship, ing to check the sport out for the first time, fair play and respect. Too often in youth please visit our website (www.ncyrugby.org) sports, we see players, coaches and parents or call the NCYRA office at 707-693-8803. getting too focused on winning. See you on the sidelines! ✪ The season gets underway in earnest on the weekend of Jan. 24 at the annual Sacramento Kick Off Tournament at Rancho Cordova High. This is one of the premier youth tournaments in the country. This tour-
Mark Carney is the executive director of the Northern California Youth Rugby Association. He writes for SportStars as part of the magazine’s partnership with the NCYRA.
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December 18, 2014
SportStars™
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