WHITE PLAINS RUGBY MET NY 2007 CHAMPIONS
NATIONALLY RANKED
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The White Plains Rugby Football Club has achieved national ranking in the Men’s’ First Division of USA Rugby as a result of its winning The Metropolitan New York Rugby Union Championship and advancing to the National “Sweet Sixteen” playoffs in the spring. White Plains fall record of 7 wins and no losses represents a perfect undefeated season. After Last year disappointing lose in the National Club Championship play-offs, White Plains had a point to prove. With an average score of over 50 points a game against 12 by its opponents, no team was able to stand up to the constant pressure applied by White Plains Rugby.
The Metropolitan New York Rugby Union includes Manhattan, Northern New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester, and lower Fairfield County. White Plains Rugby’s achievement is especially noteworthy as The Met New York Rugby Union is a particularly strong division in East Coast rugby. This bodes well for White Plains National title ambitions in the spring.
“White Plains Rugby has advanced significantly this past year,” according to Team Coach Fiore Screnci, a former Italian National Team player, “One of the big reasons is that we have been able to practice on lighted fields in White Plains, and at Westchester Community College. This has made a tremendous difference in our preparation and attitude.”
Ed Burrell, a long time White Plains resident and member of White Plains Rugby attributes success to the younger players coming up. “We fortunate to have a very young team, with many players recently graduated from high school or college where they learned to play rugby. With the right coaching, these young men do very well and are fun to watch.”
White Plains Rugby started a high school rugby program last spring, recruiting from White Plains and Stepinac High Schools. For spring of 2008, the Club will sponsor an expanded high school program, recruiting from other Westchester school, and also a college program.
Westchester County is officially commemorating White Plains Rugby’s accomplishment at a presentation to County Executive Andy Spano, Monday, December 10. Anyone interested in learning more about White Plains Rugby and its youth programs should contact the undersigned.
Ed Burrell - Publicity Director, 914-428-7928, ed.burrell@wprfc.org
Download word doc. here.
Not Just "Organized Mayhem"
City Rugby Club Advances to National Tournament After Undefeated Season
By: Michael Pellegrin
Published: January 03, 2008 (open article here)
While National Football League fans cheer on their teams in the league’s playoffs this month, the White Plains Rugby Football Club will be celebrating its championship win last month in the Metropolitan New York Rugby Union and preparing for its entrance into the national “Sweet 16” playoffs in the spring.
The White Plains team, whose sport of rugby was a precursor to American football, dominated the competition on their way to a perfect 7-0 record. They averaged over 50 points a game while their opponents averaged only 12, making them the New England Patriots of their league. The accomplishment has achieved for the club national ranking in the Men’s First Division of USA Rugby. The region that the team won includes Manhattan, Northern New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester, and lower Fairfield County; the team also won the regional championship last year before falling short in the national championship tournament.
Coach Fiore Screnci, a former Italian National Team player, said “White Plains Rugby has advanced significantly these past two years. One of the big reasons is that we have been able to practice on lighted fields in White Plains, and at Westchester Community College. This has made a tremendous difference in our preparation and attitude.”
Ed Burrell, a White Plains resident for over 30 years and vice president and publicity director for the club, attributed the team’s success to the younger players complementing more experienced players on the club’s elite A-Side squad. “We are fortunate to have a very young team, with many players recently graduated from high school or college, where they learned to play rugby,” Burrell said. The club also fields a B-Side team, an Old Boys team for players 35 years and older, an under-19 team, and various seven-a-side teams (instead of the usual 15 players per side, which makes for a much faster and open game). They are also trying to put together an under-21 college squad, Burrell said.
The club started a high school program last spring, recruiting from White Plains High School and Archbishop Stepinac High School. They plan to institute an expanded high school program this spring, so any interested players should contact Burrell, he said. Anyone aged 14 and older is eligible to join the club, which currently has 400 total members, 150 of whom are active.
Burrell said the game is ideal for American football players and wrestlers, but tennis players also do a great job; any sport where eye-hand coordination is important is good preparation for the game, he said.
County Executive Andy Spano (center) honored the championship team in a ceremony last month. From left, Charles Rizzo, John Fraioli, Coach Fiore Screnci, Jeff Magnusson, Ed Burrell, Benjamin Feder and Oscar Salazar.
Photo credit: Victoria Hodiman
The club’s teams currently play home games at Cummings Park in Stamford, Conn., but Burrell said they are currently trying to get a field in their hometown. The county-run turf field they practice on at Saxon Woods Park is not fit for games because it doesn’t have enough cushion; Burrell said the new field at the Middle School at Highlands or one of the fields at White Plains High School would be ideal.
Asked about misperceptions sports fans have about rugby, Burrell said that one is that it is more dangerous than American football because pads and helmets are not worn. In fact, Burrell said, the lack of extensive protective equipment “levels the playing field. The armor you put on people [in American football] is dangerous; you don’t tackle the same way, you don’t play the game the same way.” When making a tackle in rugby, the player is required to wrap his arms around the ball carrier; you can’t simply plow your body into him.
Another misconception, Burrell said, is that it is simply “organized mayhem.” In fact, there’s really a lot going on, he explained. “You’ve got 30 people on the field, and there are lots of rules to keep things in control.” Most people don’t appreciate the offsides rules, he added, or the fact that offensive players are not allowed to interfere with people trying to tackle the ball carrier. “Just like in American football,” he said, “it’s all about possession. The other team can’t score if you have the ball.”
For more information, contact Ed Burrell at 428-7928 or ed.burrell@wprfc.org.
White Plains Rugby Nationally Ranked No. 6
Written by Westchester.com
Wednesday, 22 November 2006 (open article here)
White Plains, NY - The White Plains Rugby Football Club has achieved No. 6 national ranking in the Men’s’ First Division of USA Rugby as a result of its winning The Metropolitan New York Rugby Championship and advancing to the National “Sweet Sixteen” playoffs in the spring.
White Plains record was 7 wins, one loss during the fall, including victories over previous Super League Champions New York Athletic Club and perennial powerhouse NY Manhattan Rugby Club. The Title led to a knockout game against a tough Albany Knickerbockers team that White Plains defeated 24 – 16 this past weekend.
“White Plains Rugby has advanced significantly this past year,” according to Team Coach Fiore Screnci, a former Italian National Team player, “One of the big reasons is that we have been able to practice on lighted fields in White Plains. This has made a tremendous difference in our preparation and attitude.”
Ed Burrell, a long time resident of White Plains and member of White Plains Rugby attributes success to the young players coming up. “We fortunate to have a very young team, with many players recently graduated from high school or college graduated where they learned to play rugby. With the right coaching, these kids do very well and are fun to watch.”
High school rugby programs in the Westchester area include New Rochelle, Greenwich, Xavier, Harvey School, and Keio Academy. White Plains Rugby has approached The City of White Plains regarding sponsoring an “Under 19’s” Team to compete in high school competition this spring. “Greenwich HS, Xavier, and Keio have all made it to the National High School Rugby finals,” explains Coach Screnci. “There is no reason why a White Plains team cannot get there in a few years - and win!”
White Plains Rugby’s season is now over until spring. Several promising White Plains players have been selected to in play in all-star competition against other Rugby Unions. This Saturday, November 4, at Danbury High School, Troy Hall and Rob Zimba of White Plains will play for the Met New York All-Stars in a match against the New England Union. Games start at 1:00 PM and admission is Free.
Youth Rugby Clinic
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Greenwich High School
The White Plains Rugby Football Club, in cooperation with the North East All-Star Staff and Sports Com Center, will host the first annual Thanksgiving Holiday High School Youth Rugby Clinic Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at Greenwich High School, Greenwich, CT. This Development Clinic is open to all high school age boys, 14 - 18, and is expected to draw from local high school teams that include Greenwich, New Rochelle, Harvey, Xavier, Keio, Fairfield, Norwalk, and Morris.
White Plains Rugby does not currently sponsor a high school (Under-19's) youth rugby program; but plans are underway to form an Under-19's team for the spring 2007 season and compete in the Metropolitan New York High School Division. The White Plains Under-19's will be coached by Fiore Screnci and Rich Knazik.
"We know in White Plains there is interest in youth rugby," says Mr. Screnci. "We frequently receive telephone calls from White Plains high school age boys who would like to try the sport and are looking for a team. Until now, we have not been able to accommodate these young players. Starting a team in White Plains will introduce a new generation to the sport helping our men's teams down the road."
The Clinic at Greenwich High School will run from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM and feature South African International Coaches Andre Volsteedt and Dawie Synman, world recognized South Africa's Seven's Manager and Fitness Coach. The program will include fun related rugby activities and basic skills training in addition to advanced attacking and defensive lines. Rugby fitness and nutrition will also be covered.
White Plains boys, ages 14 - 18, interested in learning the sport of rugby football are encouraged to sign up and participate. Cost for the Clinic is $15 and parents are welcome. Registration is limited to 150 participants; interested players should register early by contacting Eugene Mountjoy at ewmountjoy@yahoo.com .
Ed Burrell - Publicity Director, 914-428-7928, ed.burrell@verizon.net
White Plains Rugby Met NY Champions
Nationally Ranked No. 6
The White Plains Rugby Football Club has achieved No. 6 national ranking in the Men's' First Division of USA Rugby as a result of its winning The Metropolitan New York Rugby Championship and advancing to the National "Sweet Sixteen" playoffs in the spring. White Plains record was 7 wins, one loss during the fall, including victories over previous Super League Champions New York Athletic Club and perennial powerhouse NY Manhattan Rugby Club. The Title led to a knockout game against a tough Albany Knickerbockers team that White Plains defeated 24 - 16 this past weekend.
"White Plains Rugby has advanced significantly this past year," according to Team Coach Fiore Screnci, a former Italian National Team player, "One of the big reasons is that we have been able to practice on lighted fields in White Plains. This has made a tremendous difference in our preparation and attitude."
Ed Burrell, a long time resident of White Plains and member of White Plains Rugby attributes success to the young players coming up. "We fortunate to have a very young team, with many players recently graduated from high school or college graduated where they learned to play rugby. With the right coaching, these kids do very well and are fun to watch."
High school rugby programs in the Westchester area include New Rochelle, Greenwich, Xavier, Harvey School, and Keio Academy. White Plains Rugby has approached The City of White Plains regarding sponsoring an "Under 19's" Team to compete in high school competition this spring. "Greenwich HS, Xavier, and Keio have all made it to the National High School Rugby finals," explains Coach Screnci. "There is no reason why a White Plains team cannot get there in a few years - and win!"
White Plains Rugby's season is now over until spring. Several promising White Plains players have been selected to in play in all-star competition against other Rugby Unions. This Saturday, November 4, at Danbury High School, Troy Hall and Rob Zimba of White Plains will play for the Met New York All-Stars in a match against the New England Union. Games start at 1:00 PM and admission is Free.
Ed Burrell - Publicity Director, 914-428-7928, ed.burrell@verizon.net
The Jornal News High School Sports
Rugby club shares unique passion. (download PDF here)
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
By Roderick Boone The Journal News
White Plains "Classix" Win New York 7s Rugby Tournament
Randalls Island, New York City, Saturday November 25 . White Plains Rugby continues its string of accomplishments, winning the Old Boys Division of the prestigious NEW YORK 7S RUGBY TOURNAMENT in convincing fashion. Led by the dynamic duo twins Jason and Josh Cohen, the White Plains Classix rolled up impressive one-sided victories over Morris Masters, Village Lions Kings, and, in the finals, The Gentlemen of New York.
The NEW YORK 7s TOURNAMENT is the largest sevens tournament in the United States and has been held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving since 1959. It traditionally marks the end of the fall rugby season in the New York Metropolitan area. With teams traveling from as far away as Central and South America, South Africa, Australia, the UK, France, Canada, and many other countries, the level of play was truly spectacular. Each year the Tournament plays host to nearly 100 rugby clubs that come to New York for world class competitive rugby and great fun in one of the world's great cities.
Bringing home hardware is nothing new to White Plains Rugby, recent winners of the New York Metropolitan Rugby Union Championship. The Team is ranked no. 6 nationally and in the spring will compete for the National Championship, Division I. Its veteran "Classix" team has won the last three tournaments it has entered; The Jo Jo Moore Tournament, June 2006, the Can Am Tournament, August 2006, and now the New York 7s Tournament.
Next up for the Classix, The Fort Lauderdale Tournament, February 2007. White Plains won this national event in 2003, but has struggled since in a very competitive bracket.