...You'll Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

The end of our third full year is bittersweet.  We are saying goodbye to great players who have been a part of this team all 3 1/2 years.  They have been the leaders, the examples, the mentors in the game of rugby.  We have all looked up to them and tried to duplicate their example.  These four are the end of our beginning.

From the entire team, we congratulate you on your graduation.  And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance  I hope know you'll dance.

Madeline Clark

Elizabeth Aliss

Sydny Small

Victoria Ellis

From 15 to 7

15s season is finally complete, but that isn't the end of rugby.

UNCCharlotte Women are starting their summer early with 7s practice every Tuesday and Thursday on the upper fields.  Join the ladies as they spend a memorable summer doing what they love - playing rugby.

Mean Green Ladies ended their first 7s season at the first National Collegiate Championships - this year they hope to expand their understanding of the game and make it even further.

Miss Southern Rugby Tourney

To end out the spring season, UNC-Charlotte travelled to Atlanta GA for the Miss Southern Rugby tourney hosted by Georgia Tech.

The field was dry, and the sun was hot- but it was a great chance to get everyone in the game.  Rookies got some quality playing time, vets were able to learn new positions.

The first game was against University of Georgia - UNCCharlotte won 15-10.

The second game started out rough, we were making a comeback when the game was called due to injuries.

Thank you to GT for hosting a great tourney

High School Skills Clinic

Calling all FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL RUGGERS!

UNC-Charlotte Women's Rugby team is hosting a skills clinic on March 31, from 1-4pm at the John Kirk Fields adjacent to campus.  Here is your chance to see our campus, meet the team, and spend a few hours learning core rugby skills from a nationally ranked team!

The clinic is free!  All you need is to be cipped (with your own team), a signed player release form (found here or filled out at the clinic), and a mouthguard.  If you have rugby shorts, cleats, and jersey- that would be helpful, but not required.

RSVP to unccwomensrugby@gmail.com or add yourself to the facebook event.

DIRECTIONS: 

From Hwy 49/ University City Blvd. Go north past campus, turn left on John Kirk Drive. Go 1/2 mile and fields will be on right. 

From I-85 North, take exit 46A/ Mallard Creek Church Rd East. Turn Right off the ramp. Go to the 4th light (1.5 miles) and turn right on John Kirk Dr. Fields will be the first driveway on your left.

From Coach

This is your first game, my child. 

I hope you win. 

I hope you win for your sake, not mine.

Because winning’s nice.

It’s a good feeling. 

Like the whole world is yours. 

But it passes, this feeling. 

And what lasts is what you’ve learned.

And what you learn about is life.

That’s what sports is all about. Life. 

The whole thing is played out in an afternoon. 

The happiness of life.

The miseries. The joys. The heartbreaks.

There’s no telling what’ll turn up.

There’s no telling whether they’ll toss you out in the first five minutes or whether you’ll stay for the long haul. 

There’s no telling how you’ll do.

You might be a hero or you might be absolutely nothing. 

There’s just no telling. 

Too much depends on chance. 

On how the ball bounces.

I’m not talking about the game, my child. 

I’m talking about life. 

But it’s life that the game is all about. 

Just as I said.

Because every game is life. And life is a game. 

A serious game. Dead serious.

But that’s what you do with serious things. 

You do your best. You take what comes. 

And you run with it.

Winning is fun. Sure. 

But winning is not the point. 

Wanting to win is the point. 

Not giving up is the point. 

Never being satisfied with what you’ve done is the point. 

Never letting up is the point. Never letting anyone down is the point.

Play to win. Sure. 

But lose like a champion. 

Because it’s not winning that counts. 

What counts is trying.

~Author Unknown

Showdown vs. App State

Across the south, matrix season is starting to wind down.  Final games will be played over the next couple of weeks, and yet some of the winners have already been decided.  Many teams have already established themselves as the team going to regionals, but not here, not in the NC Dogwood Division.

Appalachian State was moved from DI to DII this year, creating a stir among the NC teams.  App played their first three games demolishing the competition, never allowing more than 7 points scored against them in one game.  UNC Charlotte has done the exact same thing.  The two teams will face off in the final matrix game on Saturday February 25 11am at App.  There is no real history between the teams, the last time they faced off was in the fall of 2009 when UNC Charlotte was first starting out.

Going into Saturday, both teams are tied in points for matrix, so the winner of this game, takes it all.  The winner goes to regionals, the winner represents NC for the south, the winner gets the glory.  And the loser, well the loser just gets to stand back and watch.

Both teams have something to prove.  Appalachian State is proving its ability after moving to DII.  Charlotte is proving it belongs back at Nationals.  If you skipped a game or two this season, waiting to watch some action, this is the game you want to see.  This is the game we'll be talking about for years to come.

Kickoff: 11am on Saturday February 25, 2012

Location: Kidd-Brewer Stadium 270 Stadium Dr, Boone, NC 28607

Update on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 10:12AM by UNCC Women's Rugby

The stage of the game of the year was set with a temperature of 27 degrees, snow flurries, and a pitch location of the App State Football Stadium.

App has arguably the best kicker in the south, and of 5 penalty kicks, she made three.  Charlotte fought hard, but the penalties won the game.  There were numerous moves up field by both teams, but there was never a break through.  Late in the first half, App scored a try off the weak side at the 5 yard line, but Charlotte just couldn't come back.  Evenly matched, both teams played a lot of defense.  In the end, App won 14-0 and will be going to regionals as their first year back in DII.  

Charlotte had nothing to lose, they have proven themselves as a great team in the south DII and will only build into a stronger team going forward.

Last Home Game

This is just our second matrix season.  Our first spring we only had 6 players, our second we were developmental - we played matrix games, but they didn't count.  Last year was our first official season, and we went to Nationals.  This year we hope to go back to nationals, but it also marks a huge year for us.  Our seniors have been with us from the beginning.  They have been together through all the ups and downs for all the years of this team.  Saturday is our third game of matrix, but it is the last game our seniors will play at home. It is the end of our beginning.

Please join us in supporting their love for the game and the team, support their dedication to our success.  Join us for our third match of matrix season Saturday February 11th at 3pm on the Charlotte Rugby Pitch against Elon University.

 Charlotte Rugby Club 2911 Bellhaven Circle Charlotte NC 28270

Update on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 11:06AM by UNCC Women's Rugby

The wind was fierce, and by the time the game was over it was 35 degrees out.  But that didn't stop the Charlotte ladies from bringing home another win 47-7.

Game 2: HOME GAME vs. UNCG

Our second matrix game of the season will be in Charlotte on February 4th against UNC-Greensboro.  As our university pitch is under construction, we will be travelling across town to the Charlotte Rugby Pitch.  Please join us for an 11am kickoff!

Charlotte Rugby Club 2911 Bellhaven Circle   Charlotte NC 28270

Update on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 6:38PM by UNCC Women's Rugby

Mud and rain always make for an interesting game. The cold just make it even more fun.

 Again, we started with a plan, and went to work.  Within 2 minutes, rookie full-back Danielle Moore showed more understanding of the game and scored her first try ever.    Minutes later Meghan Bradsher scored from outside center.  Greensboro rallied after the second try and ran us back to defend our try line.  After 10 minutes of hard work, they finally pushed through to score.

Charlotte realized that they would have to play defense in addition to offense during this game.  The rain and mud made for slick balls and lots of knocks.  Every scrum was a fight to the finish as Greensboro got low and pushed hard.    We fought hard defensively with major hits from Sydney Small, Stacie Rembert and rookie Liz Oliver.  We took control of the game and started to communicate, which allowed for a couple 30 and 50 yard runs - bringing in trys from Liz Alliss, Rise Shine, Dominique Williams and Meghan Bradsher.

At the end of the day - we walked off the field never letting Greensboro on the scoreboard again.  The final outcome 56-5.  Two games down, two to go.  Matrix isn't over and it will only get tougher from here.

MVP: Liz Alliss

Pack Player of the Game: Sydney Small       Back Player of the Game: Meghan Sydney

Defense Player of the Game: Stacie Rembert     Offense Player of the Game: Rise Shine

Journey Begins

It's a crisp Saturday morning in January.  

For the south - it's the beginning of matrix season, and our first game is today at 1pm against Wake Forest.  Just because we have beat Wake in the past, doesn't mean they are a team to count out.  They bring a strong game and it will take our A game to win.

This is our first of four matrix games this winter, and we have to win them all to make it to regionals.  

Let's go MEAN GREEN!

Update on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 7:58PM by UNCC Women's Rugby

Even though we've beaten Wake in the past, we've always enjoyed playing them.  As our first game of the season, both teams were nervous prior to kickoff.  

When the whistle blew, UNC-Charlotte took control of the ball and never let up.  They followed their plan and came together as a team.  Even with new positions, Mean Green was ready for Matrix.  Liz Alliss scored the first try in minute 6 from eight-man off of a scrum.  Rookie flanker Jerolyn Madina wanted a piece of the action and scored 8 minutes later.  It seemed as if Charlotte never left Wake's half of the field.  Liz Alliss put a second try in before half time.

Short on subs, Wake Forest tried to regroup at the half, but they only got as far as the 20 before Charlotte took control again.  Tired of the pack having all the fun, the back line wanted in on the action and made some amazing runs up field.  Meghan Sydney scored twice from outside center.  Not to be left out Christina White scored off a lineout from scrumhalf.  And then to seal the deal, Liz Alliss scored two more tries.

One game down three more to go.  There is still work to do on this journey, but today we left it all on the field with a final score of 46-0.

MVP: Morgan Gales

Pack Player of the Game: Liz Alliss       Back Player of the Game: Meghan Sydney

Defense Player of the Game: Christina White     Offense Player of the Game: Dominique Williams

It's Never Too Late to Learn

You've seen a flyer, or talked to someone on the team, and it sounds.... well a little intimidating.

Let me tell you, it's never too late to learn to play rugby.  And now is the best time to learn.  Practice starts back January 17th at 6pm on the fields at John Kirk.  

Yes, the team is nationally ranked, and has a great history, but a team is only as good as the people on it.  People graduate and move on and we are always looking for new players.  Very few (like 1 out of 10) have played before college.  We are all here to learn and grow.

If you think you're interested but want to know more, look around the site, come to the interest meeting (Thursday January 12th @ 6pm in Atkins room 123), contact one of the players, or just come to practice next week.  We can't wait to have you a part of the team!