Windsor Rugby Update – April 2007

Junior Help Needed:
April Roy is again running club programs at Belle River High School and will need a lot of help with both the girls’ program and the new boys group. The boys will practice on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4.30-6.30, with the girls going Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2.30-4.30. If you are able to help out, please contact me at windsorjuniors@hotmail.com or April directly at bean_bean45@hotmail.com
We really need people to help out here and promote the sport in this region.

Dues:
As practices begin and with the new season just a few weeks away, it is vital that everyone completes the registration process. There have been a number of insurance issues with Rugby Ontario/Rugby Canada over the past few months which have led to an increase in fees – the base rate insurance with Rugby Canada is now $130 per player. Regardless of payment plans that you may have negotiated with the club, this is the minimum payment that must be made before you can play for any of our teams. The 2007 dues structure is listed below – the additional money covers your individual game fees and club administration costs such as facility rentals and liquor licenses. If you chose to pay the non-inclusive rate, game fees must be paid before the game.
Typically, due to schedule differences, the non-inclusive rate is only available to women’s team members – men are expected to pay the inclusive rate to reduce gameday admin. If you are unable to do so, or would like to discuss a payme nt plan, please speak to club treasurer, Dave Koebel at practice.
Please be aware, due to all the insurance issues, we will be firm on our NO PAY, NO PLAY policy.

 

*Must be in full-time education.

**Must have paid full dues with either Detroit club during immediate past season.

***Must have paid full dues in Detroit and be in full-time education.

 
Schedules:
We have only 1 more indoor session left at St. Francis School, which will be on Tuesday April 10th from 7-9pm (nothing on Monday due to Easter). If you need more info such as directions, please contact me directly.
Outdoor practices will begin next THURSDAY – APRIL 12th at AKO field for both men and women. The first session will be mixed, then we will likely start our staggered practices the following week with the women practicing before the men – times will be dependent on available daylight.
Attached is the 2007 schedule both men’s teams and the women. The women have one pre-season event as they attend the Ruck City Tournament on April 14th in Detroit. The men will play in Flint on April 28th for the Rogues Cup and then host Akron on May 19th before all 3 teams start their NRU regular seasons on the 26th.

** For any interested men’s players, there is an opportunity to play at Detroit Tradesmen this Saturday, April 7th as part of their collegiate tournament. If you are interested, please contact Benny directly at BWendt@nhmichigan.com

Women’s Open House:
The women’s team is running an open house session for newcomers at AKO with a provisional date of May 5th. They will run a clinic to introduce people to the game and basic concepts in a comfortable environment, while also introducing them to club members. The clinic will likely run from about 12.30 – 2pm and will be followed by a sort of meet-and-greet / presentation inside with slide shows, speeches, videos and other introductions to the game. Although mainly aimed at promoting the women’s program, this is open to everyone who wants to learn more about our club and our game. Rookies, please feel free to come out and participate, while vets should be looking to come out and help run the day, or even just meet and welcome the newbies.
We will send out a reminder closer to the time and promote the event further, but please keep the date in mind and invite friends, family and any other interested parties.

Fundraising:
There will be a pasta dinner fundraiser for the club on Thursday April 26th immediately following practi ce. Tickets will be $10 and that gets you pasta, salad and rolls. Invite all you family and friends as well and let’s get the social calendar off to a big start.
We have also secured a new club sponsor, Charley’s Brew Pub. We will drink there for a round or two following Thursday practices and receive a cash donation for the club.
If you have any contacts who are interested in sponsoring our club, or are interested in helping with fundraising events, please contact a member of the executive – a list of which is on the website.

PLEASE FORWARD TO YOUR RUGBY CONTACTS –
If you have e-mails for people who would like to be added to our e-mail lists, please forward them to me at windsorjuniors@hotmail.com

Andy Pilkington
(519) 258-0157
windsorjuniors@hotmail.com
www.windsorrugby.com

Andrew Pilkington
Coach / Jnr Development Windsor RFC