Coaching Businesses and Life, a view from Long Beach

Belmont Shore NYAC, Rugby Neck To Neck

Wow, what a game!  The suspense is killing me.  In the last 2 minutes, Belmont losing 18 to 25 evened out.  What a game!  Now we have an extra 2 10 minute.

URGH!!! They lost!  31 to 28.  I can't believe it.  What a game.  They lost to a penalty!  What a game.  Darn!  Wait until next year...

Give Our Local Team Good Thoughts And Vibes

Today, our local team plays in Denver against New York Athletic Club, NYAC.  And it's a big game!

For those of you who have ESPN Classic, the Rugby Super League will be on at 5 p.m. PST.  You can always catch it on ESPN360.com.  Read more about here.  Or you can read directly from the source with Dallen Stanford, one of the team player here.

So why is this game so important?  Short of it being the finals and, by the way, congrats to our team for making thus far, they are playing against a team that got stronger and stronger this season.  Even though they won against that team, Belmont Shore has had to deal with a lot of changes this year alone.  "Belmont Shore Head Coach Jonnie Cox said. “They will be a formidable opponent.""

So the prognosis?  "...the mere mention of the Belmont Shore side evokes a long-standing tradition of success over the course of 12 years in Super League competition – appearing in a whopping nine finals out of those seasons."

"“It has been a little bit of a rollercoaster season for us, but we have battled our way through early losses, injury, illness and generational change in the club to the final.” Cox added.

This is THE game of the year.  Belmont Shore has always been a very strong player and gone to the finals regularly.  It is high time we acknowledge our team by watching them and telling people about what is happening in our backyard.  Some of our local rugby boys will be playing for our national team.

So stay tune.  I will use my iPod Touch to keep scores.  And remeber: "the Belmont Shore club who have reached the Super League final in 9 of the past 12 seasons"

Local Newspaper Didn't Cover Local Rugby Game

I often wonder about the Press Telegram...

That newspaper spends more time talking about local cities than what is happening here in our own backyard. If that is not disappointing enough, the rest of the time it only covers shooting, killings and other gory issues. To the best of my knowledge, they didn't even write about our local rugby team, and champions beating a tough team. You can read more here.

But have no fear, my favorite local newspaper (and free!), The Grunion Gazette always does a better job at reporting what is happening. You can read more of that here.

"The Belmont Shore Rugby Team is better known overseas than in its own back yard.

“Belmont Shore is well-known in international rugby circles because we have been so dominant in the (USA Rugby Super) league,” said Johnnie Cox, the team coach. “When we had the Rugby World Cup last year, the second biggest sporting event in the world behind the soccer World Cup, we had six players from Belmont Shore on the (USA) national team.

“You wouldn’t know who they are, but they are well-known in rugby circles.”

Come on Press Telegram, how about ramping up those subscriptions by actually covering what is happening in our city?

Belmont Shore Rugby Team Raocks!

You probably heard it here first 28 to 13! The Belmont Shore team ruled the entire game. They slowed down their assault after halftime where we witnessed the other team trying to take advantage of it but they couldn't catch up anymore.

It was an interesting game. For one thing, it was the fist time I ever watched an American team play another one. I found this particular game lively. Maybe it was because much was at stake. With this win, our local team has a lead over the team who defeated them last.

Our team seemed bigger and indeed had bigger players. 300lbs of fast and quick body coming down at you is something of a sight. The other team, OMBAC had some national players in it. It was a great game. I noticed OMBAC became frustrated halfway through and you could see some of them forgetting the rugby spirit. Normally in a European team, the players would have been forced to calm down at the next scrum and eventually forced to retire... Even though there was a lot of enthusiastic players, Belmont was clearly the winner. They were stronger, quicker, made a few passes that were brilliant and were simply the better team.

I am looking forward to the next games. And, Virginia liked it a lot. Hope to see more people there. It's the best bang for your buck... free and a real man's game. :)

Important Rugby Game Tomorrow

Tomorrow is an important day for our local nation champions as they take on OMBAC. If they win, they get a ride to the top, if they don't, well... let's not think about it.

There will be a BBQ, fund raiser and as always that unique Rugby game feeling.

The game will be the pyramid at Cal State. Come and cheer our local champions.

10 Quick Rugby Rules

In Case you were wondering how rugby work, you could print this out and see for yourself next time you cheer our Rugby team...

1- The ball must be passed backwards, not forward.
2- To score the ball must be placed down on the ground over the try line which is in line with the goal posts.
3- A try is worth 5 points, a conversion is 2 points.
4- If the ball is dropped and the ball goes forward this is called a "knock on" and it is a scrum down to the other team. If not, the game goes on quickly.
5- There are 15 players in a rugby team including 7 substitutes who can be brought on at any time.
6- Any foul play, the player will be given a yellow card and have to leave the field for 15 minutes.
7- A red card will be given to any player who commits a serious foul and will have to leave the filed permanently.
8- A game consists of 2 halves each lasting 40 minutes plus injury time.
9- A penalty is awarded for breaking any of the rules or foul play. A penalty is scored by kicking the ball through the posts, and is worth 3 points.
10- The ball can be kicked by any player at any time in open play.

Taken from the Belmont Shores Rugby team

Belmont Shore Rugy Season Is Off To A Great Start!

Our local national champion Rugby team is off to a great start this year with a few wins already.

Go and cheer them at California State University on weekends. For instance, don't know what to do tomorrow and want to see something new, different, exciting? Want to get riled up about a game played worldwide but little known here? Want something new in your life? Well, why not go and see our team play against Santa Monica at Cal State? The game starts at 1pm and with a little bit of luck, I will make it.

Folks, rugby is a great game that digs in team play. It's fast, it involves a lot of strategy and speed. It's a great alternative to Football. Go and check it out and support our team who has been winning consistently year after year. Yes, our local Belmont Shores team!

So when is the Press Telegram and the Grunion Gazette going to cover them consistently?

Rugby, France Against England

A little late this morning for this post but I finally got myself to my computer.

France lost against England at the last 6 minutes of the game. It was a good game all in all. The English played well despite what they have accustomed us to in the past. France played well also but a stupid wrong tackle 7 minutes t the end cost the team it's lead. France was leading 6 to 5. Nothing great but enough to assure they would play Argentina or South Africa.

Today South Africa confronts Argentina. It will be a great game.

I think I'm going to go to the Marina park and see if I see our local rugby champion team practice. At this stage, I'm itching to get rugby shoes, shorts and jersey to practice with them. It's such a beautiful sport, quick, powerful and filled with tactics.

Rugby: France Beats All Blacks!

Incredible but a truly beautiful match, France versus New Zealand, A.K.A. The All Blacks.

I wrote a little about all the big teams and their distinctive styles. Blame my roots but I enjoy the game of the French team. It's usually very fair play and elegant. The All Blacks, well what can be said about the mythical team? But France beating the All Blacks! Wow, that is something memorable.

The scary thing is France will be up against England next Saturday. I don't like the style of the English when it comes to Rugby. I played against English schools and didn't care for their drive to win at all cost. I played in Europe in High School and we traveled around where I was fortunate to play with people from around the world. Americans were great because they know how to tackle. However, playing the English, you knew people would get hurt. I'm 42 now and I still have scars to remember some games by.

Well, just personal rambling mostly but I do enjoy a clean and healthy game. I hope France wins. It deserves it. Rugby is not soccer. Rugby is a real game and there is no room for prima Donnas. And did I ever tell you how I feel about Rugby?