2005-2006
Commissioner Andy Vonada got it all off the ground, with the help of the PRU’s Eric Pittelkau, laying all of the foundations to start the Fort Hunt Rugby program, convincing FHYAA to sponsor us (big-time thank-you).
In early 2006, John Dacey heard about the program, demanded to be a major part of it, and we were off and running, with Andy doing the budget, admin and field scheduling, and John doing the coaching, equipment, etc.
Our first season saw about 15 kids to begin with, and we finished with 11 dedicated touch ruggers, most of them in the U-11 range.
We had no injuries (some bumps, bruises and scrapes, sure, but no fractures, stitches, sprains, dislocations--no injuries that took a player out of practice/play, or necessitated a visit to a doctor or hospital) in this, our inaugural year.
2007
We had more kids come out and try rugby, and we managed to finish the season with 18 hard-core, super-dedicated young touch rugby players. We had two viable teams at U-11 and U-13, with many of the U-11s playing up to play touch with the older kids.
This was the first year for the FHYAA awards program, and the first FHYAA Rugby Volunteer of the Year was John Dacey.
Once again, no injuries.
2008
The program exploded in 2008, with 53 kids coming out to play rugby. We played tackle for the first time, playing tackle at the U-13 and U-15 levels, and doing surprisingly well with our speed and aggressiveness in contact, especially at the tackle. Our most impressive showing was against Vienna with our U-15s, posting a score of (approximately) 62-10 win in a 40-minute match.
Big thanks to Bobby Strawbridge (shown below doing what he does best), our first real-live European home-country coach, for stepping up to assist with the leadership and training. Also big thanks to Jim Woods, a complete newbie to rugby, who started with us in 2008 and took to it and took charge of the U-9/U-11 touch sides for almost all matches.
We took our U-9s on our first road trip, out to Winchester to play their team, and a very narrow loss.
Our FHYAA Rugby Volunteer of the Year was Kelly Perconti, for her tireless and super-enthusiastic efforts to run the highly important social end of the program, showing all of our parents and visitors what excellent hosts Fort Hunt Eagles are.
For the third straight year, and with the introduction of two tackle sides, we had no injuries.
2009
This was the first year of the free spring break clinic, and we will continue this in years to come. We had a total of 25 dedicated rugby players come out over five days, to build skills and to learn about rugby, all free of charge. Congratulations to Patrick P and Austin L as the most improved/dedicated players of the week.
The summer season was our best yet, with 76 registered players.
We fielded four full teams at U-11, U-13, U-15 and U-17, and made every single one of our scheduled matches, on time and with players sufficient to take the field. We moved up to a full season of playing tackle for the 13s, 15s, and 17s, and the season went very well. Our U-15 side was especially impressive, with lots of depth, cohesion and athletic skill--these players should make for impressive U-15 and U-17 teams in 2010.
We fielded a Fort Hunt-pure (no outside players) U-11 touch team and a U-15 tackle team in the end of season tournament, and both moved forward into upper divisions before being knocked out.
Congratulations to our team winners for 2009:
U-11 top scorer: Andrei G, 110 points (most in the club, full scoring stats
here)
U-11 MVP: Simon M
U-13 top scorer: Adam H, 10 points
U-13 MVP: Will C
U-15 top scorer: Chris B, 72 points
U-15 MVP: Colin G
U-17 top scorer: Pace W, 20 points
U-17 MVP: Austin W
Unfortunately, we did sustain a few injuries this year, all of them with tackle players, which was sadly inevitable given the number of players playing full-contact tackle rugby in three age divisions. Happily, we had no serious injuries such as concussions, broken bones and received no stitches, but we did suffer separated and bruised shoulders, a major charley horse, a black eye, and the typical scrapes and bruises resulting from tackle rugby.
Click
here for a document providing a consolidated rundown of our 2009 summer season.
Check out the 2009 scoring stats to see who racked up points, and who our men/ladies of the match were.
2010
From 76 players in 2009, we moved up to 93 registered players for Summer 2010. Lots of seasoned rugby players returning, and a lot of new faces, in all of the age groups.
We fielded six full teams this year, at 9-and-under coed touch, 11-and-under coed touch, boys 13-U/15-U/17-U tackle, and girls tackle. All six teams played their entire schedules, making all scheduled matches with sufficient numbers to play.
We undertook the first-ever club tour, a 16-and-under tour to Ottawa, Canada. We played five matches in 3 days, going 2-3-0 against some serious competition, and learning a lot in a very short period.
We fielded all six of our teams in the end-of-season tournament, and played all scheduled matches with all of our own players, borrowing only a few to round out our sides.
Congratulations to the season MVPs and runners-up:
9-and-Under Coed Touch:
MVP: Clare O’R
Runner-Up: Jack G
11-and-Under Coed Touch:
MVP: Andrei G
Runner-Up: Patrick K
13-and-Under Boys Tackle
MVP: Andrew B
Runner-Up: Will C
15-and-Under Boys Tackle
MVP: Chris B
Runner-Up: Matt P
17-and-Under Boys Tackle
MVP: Jacob W
Runner-Up: Colin G
Girls Tackle
MVP: Efua A-O
Runner-Up: Kylee E
We had a few more intense injuries this year, what with all of the tackle we were playing. We had a few stitches, a broken wrist, and a broken foot. Again, nothing major.
We end the year with plans for Spring 2011 high school/U-19 teams for both boys and girls. Stand by, and check the website frequently for updates.
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