USA Rugby

Oklahoma Rugby adds Wendy Young to their Hall of Fame!

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482840_10101361971090907_1467516784_nUniversity of Oklahoma Rugby will enshrine its 2014 class of Hall of Famers in conjunction with its 40th Anniversary Friday, March 14, 2014 at Sooner Legends, starting at 7:00 pm.

Jon Velie, OU’s Director of Rugby says, “This year’s class is indicative of the great tradition of OU Rugby, our first coach Kieran Malloy, our first National Team player in Drew Allan, Our biggest international rugby star Michael DeJong, our most prestigious referee and former national women’s team member Wendy Young and the longest serving referee and true character of Oklahoma rugby Lenny Burger.”

Head Coach Jason Horowitz stated, “Oklahoma’s Rugby Hall of Fame provides the bridge between the rich tradition of Oklahoma’s rugby past and the future success of today’s student athletes. We have something special at OU where we invite those that competed for Oklahoma to come back and step on the pitch and compete again against our current squad. The 40th Anniversary will be a celebration of Oklahoma Rugby, a nod to its past with a view to its future.”

Michael Al Jiboori, OU’s captain, “The history of success at Oklahoma is not only appreciated it is expected. It will be an honor to watch those that played here before us receive their Hall of Fame jackets.”

View the Oklahoma Rugby Hall of Fame Class of 2014 in full here and review Wendy’s resume below:

WENDY YOUNG

Player:
2001-2006. Scrumhalf, Captain. Inducted 2014
USA Women’s National Team XV 2006-2008;
West Senior XV 2004-2009; 2013;
West Senior 7s 2003-2007;
West U23 XV 2003-2004;
Austin Valkyries 2006-2012;

Coaching:
Texas XVs Assistant Coach 2011-Present;
Texas 7s Head Coach 2010-Present;
West Senior 7s All Stars Assistant Coach 2011-Present;
West U23 All Stars Coach 2008-2012;
Texas Rugby Union U23 All Stars Coach 2008-2011;

Referee:
USA Rugby Women’s Collegiate XVs – 2014;
USA Rugby Women’s National Club XVs – 2014;
IRB 7s Assistant Referee – 2014;
USA Rugby All Star Sevens Championship -2013;
Collegiate Rugby Championship – 2013;
USA Rugby Women’s Collegiate 15s Playoffs – 2013;
USA Rugby Collegiate Sevens Championship – 2012;

Other:
Member of USA Rugby Competitions Committee;
Texas Rugby Paid Administrator
Red River Rugby Conference Women’s Rep
Editor and Creator of Your Scrumhalf Connection;

Yes 9 Moves to a Non-Verbal Command from Referee

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chriskellyIn a minor revision to the current protocol surrounding the ongoing scrum engagement global trial, the International Rugby Board, USA Rugby and now the Texas Rugby Referee Association (TRRA) have confirmed that referees will use non-verbal communication to indicate to the scrum-half when the ball can be thrown into the scrum.

The change is effective immediately and will include this weekend’s matches. It will also include the next rounds of other elite competitions, including TRU Playoffs and USA Competitions.

**NOTE: U19, High School and other Youth matches will still use a verbal command of “Yes, 9”.

TRRA has determined that the non verbal command will be a tap on the shoulder of the scrumhalf if on the side where the ball is put on. If the referee is on the other side of the scrum, a thumbs up will be shown.

If you have questions or concerns about the Non-verbal Command, please contact TRRA Chairman, Jim Wolfinger or TRRA Vice Chair Traci Schmidtke.

IRB Notice
USA Rugby Notice

Traci Schmidtke & Wendy Young Invited to Attend Atlanta IRB 7’s & USA Rugby Referee Development Camp

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487686_10101241100636267_1516395275_n
Wendy & Traci at #Houston7s last year.

08f945b1c2261307d50158dcf3fd8bc4Congratulations to Traci and Wendy as they have been invited to assist with the Atlanta IRB 7s Tournament and attend a Female USA Rugby Referee Development Camp, February 13-16, 2014. Please take a moment and help us congratulate these two as they are very hard working referees and deserving of these invitations.

Here is the complete list of referees that were also invited:

Amanda Cross, CARFU
Emily Hsieh, New England
Jen Sturgeon, Minnesota
Karen Fong Donoghue, So Cal
Karlla Davis, Met NY
Kasia Wegrzyn, E. Rockies
Krista Kastler, Iowa
Lee Bryant, Nor Cal
Lisa Cocchiara, New England
Michelle Knurr, Pacific
Sophia Chang, So Cal
Traci Schmidtke, Texas
Valerie Griffeth, So Cal
Wendy Young, Texas

For more information on the upcoming tournament, go here.

TRRA Promotions Fall/Winter 2013

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TRRA & TRU Members,

trra_logoOn behalf of the TRRA and the Referee Advancement & Training Organization (RATO), it is my pleasure to announce the final round of referee promotions for 2013. This fall with the help of Jon Savage, RATO rolled out the TRRA Referee Mentoring/Coaching Program. This program matched each referee with a referee coach or mentor (C2 or higher).

Together referees and mentor/coaches worked together to set goals and create a pathway to success. It is the first time in TRRA history that referees could simply pick up the phone and receive instant coaching/feedback. In addition, RATO is still using the Online Assessments and video analysis to train and promote referees. TRRA would like to thank all the referees, mentors, coaches, and teams for their commitment to improving the game of rugby. Please join us in recognizing the hard work of the following referees who have been promoted.

C1 to B Panel
Scott Green
Jon Savage

C3 to C2:
Stan Cagle
Butch Neunschwander
Dan O’Donnell Sr.

C4 to C3:
Donnie Hennop
Mark Hughen

The TRRA is excited to have so many referees working towards the next level. I appreciate everyone’s dedication and hard work to themselves and to the success of the TRRA. With this group of referee leaders, the TRRA will have a great Spring 2014 season.

Please join me in congratulating all the referees.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to improving the Texas Rugby Union.

Traci Schmidtke
TRRA Vice-Chairman
RATO

Jon Savage – Promoted to USA Rugby Referee “B Panel”

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384727_336697063086457_1009359632_nIt is my great pleasure to announce, in conjunction with Jim Wolfinger of the Texas Rugby Union, your promotion to the grade of B Panel.

I know you have worked long and hard to elevate your game along with your dedication to the game of rugby.

I look forward to seeing you work at a much higher level in the game. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to improving the Texas Rugby Union.

Gary Hartzell
West Referee Chairman

Scott Green – Promoted to “B Panel” & USA Rugby National Panel

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549539_10200282944977373_963129233_nOn behalf of the TRRA and the Referee Advancement & Training Organization (RATO), it is our pleasure to announce that referee Scott Green have been promoted to  B Panel as well as the USA Rugby National Panel of Referees.

Please join us in congratulating Scott.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication to improving the Texas Rugby Union.

Gary Hartzell
West Referee Chairman

Sevens Scrums (New Cadence) Clarification from Patrick McNally

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usa_rugby_logoLadies and Gentlemen,

We have received quite a few inquiries lately about how the new scrum calls will affect Seven-a-Side rugby. Sevens scrums are quite a bit different than Fifteens scrums, so it is important that we are all on the same page moving into the fall Collegiate 7s season. Paddy O’Brien was able to verify the new procedures (see below).

For Seven scrums we will:

Call CROUCH-BIND-SET. Sevens Referees will make sure that scrums are straight and square before calling “CROUCH”, then call “BIND”. The Referee will then make sure all 4 props have proper binds on their opposite numbers (up high on the back or arm), before calling “SET” (invitation to engage). All put ins by the scrum half must be straight down the middle.

We will not be calling “Yes 9”, “Yes 4”, or anything else to the scrum half. Sevens scrums by nature, are quick restarts and should proceed without delay. We do not want to slow down the game of Sevens, but will ensure a fair contest for possession (check for proper binds, straight put in).

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Patrick McNally
USAR National Sevens Referee Manager
(323) 899-2471

IRB Scrum Trial – Notes for Coaches & Referees

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trra_logo_webAs announced on July 8, The International Rugby Board (IRB) Council has announced the implementation of a global trial of the “crouch, bind, set” scrum engagement sequence. Implementation will begin at the start of the next season.All USA competitions commencing from/after August 15th, 2013.

Along with the training videos that covers the entire process and possible issues that may occur, the IRB has supplied the below presentation:

Scrum Trial – Notes for Coaches & Referees

Note that we will be covering this topic at the upcoming TRRA AGM as well.

New scrum engagement sequence to be implemented next season (August 15, 2013)

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from USA Rugby:

logo_ENThe International Rugby Board Council has announced the implementation of a global trial of the “crouch, bind, set” scrum engagement sequence, which is aimed at enhancing player welfare by reducing impact on engagement by up to 25 per cent in elite competition. Approval of the sequence on player welfare grounds, is coupled with a call for Game-wide commitment from law-makers, match officials, coaches and players to ensure a fair and positive attitude is applied to deal with scrum issues.

Implementation will begin at the start of the next season: All USA competitions commencing from/after August 15th, 2013.

In a revision of the ‘crouch, touch, set’ engagement sequence currently being trialed, props will be expected to bind using their outside arm after the referee has called “bind” in the sequence. Should this trial become incorporated into Law, the text for Law 20.1(g) and (i) would read:

20.1 Forming a Scrum
(g) The referee will call “crouch” and then “bind”. The front rows crouch and using their outside arm each prop must bind. A loose head prop must bind on the opposing tight head prop by placing the left arm inside the right arm of the tight head and gripping the tight head prop’s jersey on the back or side. A tight head prop must bind on the opposing loosehead prop by placing the right arm outside the left upper arm of the opposing loose head prop and gripping the loose head prop’s jersey with the right hand only on the back or side. The props must not grip the opponent’s chest, arm, sleeve or collar. Following a pause, the referee will then call “set” when the front rows are ready. The front rows may then engage. The “set” call is not a command but an indication that the front rows may come together when ready. The sanction for any infringement will be a free kick.

The IRB has produced a training video that covers the entire process and possible issues that may occur: https://www.irblaws.com/index.php?domain=16&page=1

 

REFEREE NOTES:
The sequence should be easy to implement, however, there will be an adjustment period for both referees and players:

  1. Do not waste time at the scrum process by being pedantic – the new engagement sequence should reduce scrum time and scrum issues.
  2. If the scrum is unsteady/moving upon engage, the scrumhalf should wait until the scrum is stationary before feeding the ball. Referees may, but are NOT required to tell the scrumhalf when to feed the ball and the scrumhalf need not wait for the referee’s indication to feed the ball. Referees are requested to not necessarily penalize a “too quick feed” and rather manage it initially.
  3. Straight feeds are now required and referees should apply the LAW strictly.

For any questions/queries regarding the new scrum cadence, please email Richard Every at revery@usarugby.org or call Richard Every at 773-895-6013.