As we kick-off our 2017 rugby season, I think the best way for me to describe the feeling is “Wooohoooo!!!!!” So much effort has to happen between registrations, fund raising, organizing practice fields, re-supplying playing and first aid equipment, designing practice plans, on and on and on… So many great people, volunteering so much time to make this season happen.
All this work, and show up to official practice #1 in subfreezing temperatures with a blanket of snow on top of Liberty Field. Every player and coach frozen to the core, showing up under the lights after long days of work and school. Practice pads literally frozen… and smiles on every face! Varsity, JV, 7th/8th, and Lady Liberty (in great numbers by the way) all out on the field starting down the long road that is our season, together.
This is what it’s all about. I will admit I have days that maybe work is particularly stressful or exhausting, or something is going on at home that’s weighing over my head, but when we lace up the boots, and step on the pitch it all snaps into focus. We do this because we love this. We do this to see our younger players progress and develop, and our JV and Varsity players move on to opportunities that open up as a result of all this hard work. We do this to watch our players create lifelong relationships with the sport and the rugby community.
I want to identify, and thank our Board Members and Coaches for all they do behind the scenes to make this all happen.
Coach Jeff “Bobcat” Candler – Director of Rugby
Michelle Connor – Co-President
Coach Sean Twohey – Vice President
Coach Shane Tangen – Secretary
Coach Todd Preimsburg – Acting Secretary
Denise Oakes – Treasurer
Jamie Osier – Director of Operations
Scott Wright – Manager, Registrations
Brian Hoare – Tour Director
Coach Laurent “Frenchy” Cauchi – Director of Youth Rugby
Coach Allen Dodd – Lady Liberty Director of Operations
Amy McGann – Marketing/Graphics and Website updates/content
Jim Johnson – Merchandising and Website Management Allen Dodd - Manager Lady Liberty
Shannon Nielson - Head Coach Lady Liberty
Laurent Cauchi - Head Coach Grades 1&2
Sean Twohey - Head Coach Grades 3&4
Bob Graham - Head Coach Grades 5&6
Rob Helrigel - Middle School Coach
Tei Stalodi - Backs Coach
Shane Tangen - Head Coach JV
John Shoe - JV Assistant Coach
John McGill - JV Backs Coach
Tony Maphosa - 7’s Coach
Keith VanDoren - Head Coach Varsity
Joe Schmidt - Varsity Assistant Coach
Sean Garland - Stregnth/Conditioning Coach
Scott Wright - Club Manager/Registrar
And finally, thanks to our parents that sacrifice your time and effort for all of our kids.
Liberty Rugby 2017 Season, here we go!!! See you on the pitch.
Sincerely,
Kirk “Tree” Delaurenti