Harvard-Radcliffe Rugby Football Club Newsletter

Spring 2012 Volume 3 Issue 1

Captains Notes
Since our exciting Division II National Championship last spring, Radcliffe Rugby has undergone a few changes. Seven integral seniors graduated in 2011, and a couple players have been on semesters abroad. However, the rookie class of 2015 looks extremely promising, and most of them have already made their mark on the scoreboard this year! Other changes include our move up into Division I, the formation of the Rugby Ivy League, our brand-new scrum machine, and our fitness program that includes two weekly weightlifting/conditioning sessions with our awesome trainer, Beth Zeitlin. Our goals have shifted, too: with a DII title under our belt, the next step is a DI title to match it, and we definitely have the dedication and skill on our team to attain it. With our high proportion of new players and tougher opposition this past fall, we fell just just short of a bid for 2012 nationals with a couple tough losses to very strong Princeton and Army teams, but we showed the Ivy League that we are still a force to be reckoned with. This spring, we came away from the Four Leafs tournament in New York with a strong second-place finish. With one weekend of play left (Beast of the East), we are 6-1 this season, posting strong results each time we step onto the field, including at our beloved prom dress game, which we played against Tufts this year. It hasnt been the easiest year, as we must learn to play without some key players who have either graduated or succumbed to ACL tears and other injuries. But it is absolutely amazing to see the rest of the team and all our rookies step up and fill in those gaps, maintaining our high level of play and dominating status in the league. Our backs can take down huge forwards, and our forwards can run with the ball like backs our athleticism has never been greater, the team dynamic is as strong as ever, and we cant wait to see what well be able to do in the fall. Radlove, Megan Verlage 13 and Ali Haber 14

In this newsletter
- Captains Notes - A Letter from the President - Congratulations Seniors! - 2012 Spring Schedule - New HRRFC Social Media - Give back to Radcliffe - 30th Anniversary Reunion Updates - Friends of Rugby Alumni Group - 3rd Biannual International Tour Summary

A Letter From the President

Dear Harvard-Radcliffe Alumni, Fans, and Friends, As we wrap up our spring season, I find myself reflecting on what an incredible year it has been for Radcliffe. Spring of 2011 took us to the DII National Championships, where we fought our way to the title through hard work, commitment and determination. We are proud to share this victory with all our alums, fans and supporters who made it possible. Last spring was also bittersweet, as we graduated a large class of veteran players who are all truly missed. This past fall brought big changes when we moved back up to DI, and into the newly created Ivy League division. Weve tried to incorporate some more opportunities for players to try Sevens-style rugby, and walked away with a 1st place finish at the Cianci Sevens in November. Weve also gained a strong rookie class this year and are actively working towards our next goal- a DI National Championship. Looking ahead, there are some exciting plans on the horizon. Firstly, our 30th anniversary celebration will be taking place this fall and we are looking forward to marking this occasion with the rest of the Radcliffe family. Second, we are working to develop an official Friends of Rugby alum group to assist with alumni outreach, programme development and fundraising efforts for the team. If you are looking for a way to become involved in building the future of Radcliffe, please reach out to us about this opportunity! As we review game tape this season from our championship game against Notre Dame, I am struck by the fact that it really is our undeniable team cohesion that sets us apart from other teams. This comes through not only from the current team members, but also from our strong base of alumni and other supporters, all of whom contribute to the success of our programme. We are very grateful for this support, and we look forward to continuing this tradition of shared success with all of you in the coming year. Sincerely, Sarah MacVicar 13

Congratulations 2012 Seniors!

Marlee Morris, Janelle Lambert, and Meg McCarty Our forward pack will miss your leadership!

Spring Schedule
April 13th, 2012 Tufts @ Radcliffe Prom Dress Game April 21st/22nd, 2012 Beast of the East Tournament in Portsmouth, Rhode Island

NEW HRRFC Social Media

http://hrrfc.wordpress.com/ - Created by our Social Chairs Chloe Bates and Rachael Foo, the new website supplies up-to-date events and activities of HRRFC as well as including all the favorite pictures and memories from the old site. http://www.facebook.com/HRRFC - The fastest way to hear about Radcliffe matches near you is to check the new HRRFC facebook page. http://twitter.com/#!/radclifferugby - Rad is also on twitter! Follow us for play-by-play game updates. @RadcliffeRugby

30th Anniversary Reunion Updates

This upcoming fall season, Radcliffe Rugby will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary of its establishment in 1982. The Reunion will take place in early October 2012. Please keep those weekend dates open, an announcement will be made as soon as the dates are finalized. There will be an Ivy League regular season match followed by an alumni match vs. the current team. A formal dinner will follow, during which we will look back on Radcliffes history and honor those who have made this team what it is today. A key part of this will be alumnae players giving brief anecdotes from their Rad years. If you are interested in speaking, please e-mail Emily Yorke (eyorke@college.harvard.edu). Of course, the evening will conclude with a classic Radcliffe rugby social- start thinking up some lyrics now Further details with formal invites will come in the mail before summer. Feel free to e-mail if you have any suggestions!

Post-match picture, Rad with ITESO Womens rugby team in Guadalajara, Mexico. March 13th, 2012

Give back to Radcliffe!

Your donations provide equipment for the team, fund transportation, and cover logistics costs for our away games. We could not be successful without the generous support of our donors thank you! Donate by either making an online gift through the Make a Gift to Harvard Athletics link on gocrimson.com/information/support or sending a check made out to Friends of Harvard Club Womens Rugby to: Radcliffe Rugby c/o Sarah MacVicar 510 Eliot Mail Center Cambridge, MA 02138 All donations are tax-deductible!

Friends of Rugby Alumni Group

In an effort to ensure the sustainability of our programme, we are currently working to create a Friends of Rugby group to help guide the direction of the team and assist in fundraising efforts. This is a joint effort with the mens team to promote the interests of both programmes within the university as well as to safeguard the future of these teams. If you are interested in becoming involved in this initiative (note that non-local residence does not preclude involvement!) or have any questions about it, please contact Sarah MacVicar (sarah.macvicar@gmail.com).

3rd Biannual International Tour

This spring break Radcliffe travelled to Guadalajara, Mexico. As a member of the Mexican National Sevens team, captain Megan Verlage was able to contact one of her teammates whose home team (ITESO) graciously arranged a Sevens tournament for Radcliffe to play in. Radcliffe dominated the tournament, and introduced these developing teams to a different and more advanced style of play. All teams enjoyed the Mexican version of socialing after the game, and brought back some fun and amusing traditions to incorporate into our own socials.