Friday, June 19, 2009

Silver Linings

Team USQRA finished 2nd in the Maximus Imnvitational in Brazil today. The championship game featured the developing athletes of the United States against a veteran GB. While the score was indeed in favor of the Brits the amount of experience and development gained from this event will certainly be measured and used in the years to come.

A big congratulations to Coach Troy, the staff and all the athletes that represented the US over the course of the week. Your efforts and steps on your rugby journeys have only begun team.

We are very proud of you and look forward to your return and the stories you will share.

Safe travels,

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Update from Brazil

I just got off the phone with Coach Troy and he let me know that all is well in Latin America. Some quick updates....

Don't let the scores fool you. Team USQRA divided into 2 teams today and played on their South American counterpart teams! End result a great learning, and bonding experience for all involved. "Everybody had a great time" said Coach Troy. The games were forfeits, but the play was intense and competitive.

The guys got out of the village and experienced life on the beach - Copa Cabana that is. The weather did not cooperate but the food was spicy and the change of scenery was welcome. Anything but those hills - right guys?

Our American ruggers are making quite the impression on their Latin Counterparts. Word is that the US have been the good stewards of duct tape. Seems like it is a valuable commodity and the US lads have shared the love with their brothers and sisters in South America.

Seems there has been a change in one of the US ruggers classification! You can hear the screaming from Utah already.

The big game is tomorrow and much preparation is going into correcting the mistakes from the pool play game. Expect the US to be ready for a great game.

That is it all for the moment.

Coach G

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

GB takes one from the US

An update from Brazil. It seems the boys did not fair as well today. They lost to GB 43 - 56. A tough loss for the young USA players but confidence and experience was gained against GB (who started Paralympians Collins, Barrow an Coggin). Good luck men we will see them again!!!!!!!!

In earlier action Argentina defeats Brazil - making the competition for the spot to Vancouver heat up!

Coach G

Monday, June 15, 2009

Game 1 Re-cap

The Columbia game was fun, we never played a traditional line. The entire second half we ran a 3.5 low point lineup. The score was lopsided but everyone played with sportsmanship. Brazil surprised us and gave the GB development players a good game. The young Brazilians look to be the best of the South American teams, their mid and high pointers are way more conditioned than Argentina and Columbia. Looks like the guidance and coaching of Brian Muniz has really helped these guys. We play the first game in the morning against Argentina so Wheeler, Odie, and Del should see more of the court. Goodnight from Rio.

Up and Rolling

So despite some missed flights and detours everyone made it to Miami and we ended up leaving MIA around 2:00 a.m. Me, Newby, Wheeler, Odie, Timo, and Burgler got bumped to first class. We had reclining chair/beds…shrimp, lamb medallions, grilled chicken, sundaes and probably some other good stuff I forgot. I slept the whole time and the others watched movies and game film. The rest of the team and staff were in the back and we’re not real sure how their rides were J. We landed in Rio close to noon on Saturday. The whole customs process was pretty quick and the people helped get us through quick. Everyone’s chairs got here in one piece. Flea’s luggage didn’t show up so that was the only real drama, good thing he had an extra Jay back on his day chair that Sue swapped out for him.

We loaded all the equipment in an old beater Mercedes van and piled into a bus. The ride from the airport to the facility was an eye-opening experience. We passed through shanty towns and places none of us could imagine living in. Saw packs of dog gangs, at least a dozen soccer games going on, people passing in shoulders, everything was green and tropical. When we got to the facility the first thing we noticed was the crazy triple switchback ramp going from the dorms to the court. It’s so ridiculous that they have a van carrying people all day from bottom to top, of course we’ve all scaled it a few times. The rooms work, we have four or five guys to a room. The first night we had quite an ant population and even a leach. The meals are all the same but they get us fed, if black beans and rice weren’t your thing….they are now. Thanks G for stressing the “fill your bags with food.” We pushed a bit Saturday night before bed and it was all good, no damaged equipment.

Sunday was devoted to helping some of the developing teams out with their game. Argentina and Brazil can get it going but I think Columbia found us most beneficial. Troy instructed and Gabe was the hands-on translator. Seven of us were classified with a couple possible advantageous outcomes in the works. It was a half day event but in the end we had some newly educated international classifiers. We practiced for a couple of hours and then lineups looked better than ever. GB has a few paralympians here but we will definitely be a force. Flea’s luggage showed up and he was like a giddy little school girl. The nights have been real chilly so several of us purchased some sick Brazilian Rugby jackets.

This morning we started the day with opening ceremonies and a gift exchange. It was nice but long since the star spangled banner was the quickest of the anthems. The South American countries’ anthems were upbeat and really different. John Bishop gave a speech and was recognized for being a big part of the IWRF. His work and advocacy for the sport is why rugby is growing so fast. Well more updates to come…gonna go grab lunch and a nap before we play Columbia at 5:00.

P.S.- Not a cloud in the sky and in the 80s…nice winter!

Lando, Trav, Burgler

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Here we go!

A little over two months ago most of us left it all out on the court in Louisville to end another great season of rugby. Shortly after, 12 of us emerged from a group of developing young talent to form the second edition of Team USQRA. Now we are a few days away from our first tastes of Brazilian barbeque and international rugby. Everyone is extremely stoked.

At our first camp we meshed and became a team, Troy and Sue put together multiple lineups that all work well. You probably wonder how this is even possible with little time and preparation. The simple fact is we are all here for the same reason: to work, learn, and bring our game to an elite level. That’s the best and easiest way to describe it. In club level rugby, you have your weekend warriors, your old guys, your elite players, and some rookies. It can be challenging to get everyone on the same page. In our case with Team USQRA, everyone has the same goals, level of play, and commitment, so the possibilities are endless.

Gabe and Newby are our fearless leaders that were pretty much unanimously chosen. In my opinion it’s like the brain and the poster boy, Gabe probably has the best court awareness and knowledge of the game while Newby is the stereotypical young, hard-working, developing rugger. A little about the rest of us…Travis and I are the other low pointers. Travis is a young up-and-coming picker from the U of A system with great speed and a sick bump. I’m responsible for sending all mid and high pointers home without tubes and tires, unintentional I swear…joking aside, this has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. The 1.5s, Burgler and Scham, these guys work well together. Burgler is our veteran, he went to Rio a few years back and has the most experience. Scham is a beast in a low point chair; quick, soft spoken, but he can lay anyone out. On to the other deuces…Flea, Timo, and Cougar. Flea is very unique, he can defend anyone and rove like nobody’s business..he’s basically our Nick Springer. Timo has the size and the drive, you’ll always hear him on the court or see him posting up. Cougar…I personally saw him a couple of years ago when he came to check out rugby, he was a typical post-rehabber lacking only a helmet and some reflectors on his day chair. He has since found his niche and developed a nice racing stroke. Our high pointers are all very fast. Del’s amp skills are insane, he can muscle through defenders to grab a quick goal and you’ll know when he’s open. Odie handles the ball well and can really use his speed and side-to side to work the ball up court. Wheeler probably has the most endurance, after 9:00 at night when we’re wrapping up a long day of hard work he is still fresh and hauling around the track. Hopefully this gives a brief insight to who we are. Last to recognize but most important, the coaches and staff, none of this would be possible without them. Troy, Sue, Scham(AB), Susan, Paula, Carolyn, Judge, Kris, Gumbie, and the Lakeshore Staff: Thank you all!!

Everyone has been training hard on their own time and the evidence is there. We’ll all meet up in Miami to begin the journey to Rio. Updates will be on the way for sure. Our jerseys say USQRA but everyone knows where we come from and what we represent so the expectation is high and we plan to deliver.

-Landon, 1.0 Team USQRA
Team USQRA held their first mini-camp, May 21 – 24 at the home of US wheelchair rugby – the Lakeshore Foundation in Alabama.
Surrounded by legends past, present and future, the team tackled the immense job of being game ready in a short amount of time. Assistant coach Sue Tucker described the task as “daunting” but felt the team and staff were up to the challenge.
With lines being developed and strategy quickly employed it took time to see the benefits of the classroom and 3 session days. However by Saturday leaders were starting to emerge and take the reigns from the coaches. Strong areas of performance were noted in all areas of the game. “I feel a lot better about the team after the camp”, said Head Coach Troy McGuirk on his assessment of the teams progress.
Saturday night was capped off with the selection of team captain’s. Gabe Nyrkkanen and Eric Newby were selected by their team mates to represent them in meetings, competitions, and to work with the staff to ensure clear lines of communication.
As Sunday afternoon approached the final touches were added to the team including a debriefing of what the team could expect traveling, how to prepare for the demands of being an international athlete, and of course international competition. Many questions were asked during the 4 days of work but as the camp closed, all agreed the Team had many more answers and were ready to test their talents on the international stage.
[Team USQRA will play in the Maximus Quad Rugby Open in Rio de Janiero, Brazil]
Team USQRA is a player-funded team. If you are interested in sponsoring or become involved with the Team, contact TeamUSQRA@gmail.com