ucla wraa quarterly, vol. 1

UCLA WRAA

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UCLWR

UCLUCLWR

UCLA

UCLA

UCLWRAWR

UCLWR

UCLA

UCLWR

UCLA

UCLA

UCLAAA

AN INTERVIEW WITH KELLY GRIFFIN

AND MORE!

WELCOME FROM UCLA WRAA PRESIDENT

MARISA TICE

INSIDE:

QUARTERLY

SPRING 2012, VOL. 1

Playing rugby was, hands down, the best decision I made while attending UCLA. Thinking back, I didn’t play rugby so much as I lived it, along with many others on the team. Rugby was an open, supportive environment — on the field and off — and we enjoyed a strong sense of camaraderie and commonality, despite our many differences. We worked together to

build the best team we could.

Over the years, UCLA Women’s Rugby has earned many accolades. As a women’s club team we were a force to be reckoned with in the national rugby scene. As a collegiate team, we have grown from Division II to almost yearly appearances at Division I sweet 16s. We have organized three international tours, hosted summer training programs, and have on many years maintained enough players for two teams. Since 1975, more than 200 women have played on the team, and among them you can find everything from accountants to zookeepers. With nearly 40 years of history, it is surprising to me that we didn’t already have an organized group of alumnae. We’re now trying to mend that fact, and I’d like to share with you what we’ve come up with so far.

We are the UCLA Women’s Rugby Alumnae Association (WRAA). Through our group of UCLA alumnae and associated Boosters (non-UCLA graduates who are affiliated with the team) we aim to do three basic things: (1) support the current UCLA Women’s Rugby team, (2) bring together current and past players, and (3) help to form a varsity women’s rugby tradition at UCLA.

A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENTMARISA “MIDDY” TICE

How will we do this? We are planning several fundraisers that will serve to raise money for the current team so that they can afford the gear and travel they need. There will be at least one dinner event this year that will bring together alumnae and current players to celebrate our past achievements and promising future. Through the publication of quarter-lies like this one, we hope to keep alumnae, players, and friends of the team connected to current events. We hope that these plans will benefit our alumnae as much as they do the current players, by assembling a unified network of members.

To be successful, we will of course need lots of help. We’ll need your financial support from time to time (we promise dues won’t be too high) and we’ll ask for your participation when we organize events like the dinner (why not join the party?) We won’t require, but willwelcome, enthusiastic hands and minds in creating media, marketing, and fundraising materi-als, collecting and organizing documents of our team’s history, and keeping members in con-tact with one another. Some of our alums are already working on getting NCAA consider-ation for the team, and part of what will be considered is the presence and strength of an alumnae support group.

Right now we find ourselves at the beginning of what may become the next phase of UCLA Women’s Rugby. I hope that you will be able to join us in realizing our goals and strength-ening the tradition of women’s rugby at UCLA. CHEERS!

- Middy [email protected]

KELLY GRIFFIN PLAYING FOR THE USA WOMEN’S TEAM, VEGAS 2011

by erin murray hill

Playing rugby with Kelly Griffin is a profound experience. I should know: I played with Kelly for her first two years at UCLA and I had ample time on the field to think profound, deep thoughts as I watched her leave me in the dust and run towards the try-line. To be fair, I was a forward and my idea of running quickly was a bit

slower than kelly’s, but still she was an impressive sight to be seen and it is exciting to know that the passion for rugby I saw on the field at UCLA has taken her on to achieve great things in her playing carreer. Kelly is currently training with the USA women’s Olympic team in preperation for the 2016 games. I caught up with her recently and she was kind enough to take a break from workouts to answer some questions.

For those who don’t know, Who are you? Kelly Griffin, 25 years old. I grew up in Berkeley, CA then went to UCLA, where I grad-uated in 2008. I moved back to the Bay Area and lived in Berkeley, San Francisco and Oak-land. This past January I received the honor and privilege of moving to Chula Vista, CA to train for rugby full time at the Olympic Training Center.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

What made you want to start playing rugby when you got to UCLA? After I decided to go to UCLA I looked up all the club sports and Rugby seemed like

it would be the most fun so I came to practice and haven’t stopped since. I knew I wanted to play a club sport in college since I had been playing organized sports since I was 6 and sports are super fun!

What are some of your most proud or vivid memories of playing with UCLA?

One memory that sticks out from my time at UCLA was my first year (2004-2005) when we were a brand new collegiate team. We had to beat Claremont Colleges in our last league game to qualify for D2 Nationals. It was a crazy game... I remember being so tired at the end that all I could do was lie on the ground, but we won! It was one of those games where we were in the proverbial sports zone; the whole team seemed to click and play our hearts out. It was a great feeling.

Now you are training with the USA team getting ready for the olympics. What’s your training schedule? How many sports bras do you really own?

I was invited to move to Chula Vista and train for rugby full time at the Olympic Train-ing Center. I’ve been in Chula Vista since the end of January. It is a lot of hard work and training. We generally have 2 practices or other sessions (lifting/running etc) per day followed by ice bath and recovery. It is amazing to be here and I still can’t believe how lucky I am to have this opportunity. I am working hard to make the most of it. I was not se-lected to go to Hong Kong 7s but I did play in Las Vegas 7s. Right now I own 5 sports bras... but I need to get more because laundry a minimum of every 5 days is quite often.

What has playing rugby taught you? Playing rugby has taught me a lot of things that are stereotypical to sports: persever-ance, mental toughness, the joy of running with a ball, the joy of tackling someone. I love the camaraderie and all the great people I have met through all my rugby travels.

To see all the details that are visible on thescreen, use the "Print" link next to the map.

Bruin Rugby Alumnae Abroad - Google Maps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?vps=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=2165320...

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1 of 1 3/1/2012 11:09 AM

UCLA RUGGERS ABROAD

WE ARE A DIVERSE AND INTERNATIONAL BUNCH

OF WOMEN. HERE IS A SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE PLACES WE’VE

LIVED ABROAD!

IF YOU AREN’T REPRESENTED, CHECK THE

UCLA WRAA WEBSITE FOR A LINK TO THE MAP AND

PLEASE UPDATE OUR INFO!



1 of 1 3/1/2012 11:09 AM



1 of 1 3/1/2012 11:09 AM

Bruin Rugby Alumnae AbroadGreen = currently living thereRed = lived there previouslyUnlisted · 2 Collaborators · 19 viewsCreated on Jan 24 · By · Updated Jan 26

Erin Murray

Julia Notar

Julia Notar

Kat Telles

Tally Hall

Kristina Lai

Dara Yung

Shu Ong

Lotta Chan

Ana Peck

Annie Berenberg

Rebecca Mendoza, Samantha Goldberg-Seder

Rebecca Mendoza

Aerin Cho

La Selva, Costa Rica

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Edinburgh, UK

Edinburgh, UK

Southampton, UK

Gulu, Uganda

Hong Kong

Singapore

Istanbul, Turkey

Guam

Nampula, Mozambique

Santiago, Chile

Taichung, Taiwan

Tokyo, Japan

Bruin Rugby Alumnae Abroad - Google Maps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=21653207565542...

3 of 4 3/1/2012 11:13 AMSandy Ewing, Jaxs Roper

Tam Breckenridge

Auckland

Salmon Arm, Canada


4 of 4 3/1/2012 11:13 AM

Bruin Rugby Alumnae AbroadGreen = currently living thereRed = lived there previouslyUnlisted · 2 Collaborators · 19 viewsCreated on Jan 24 · By · Updated Jan 26

Erin Murray

Julia Notar

Julia Notar

Kat Telles

Tally Hall

Kristina Lai

Dara Yung

Shu Ong

Lotta Chan

Ana Peck

Annie Berenberg

Rebecca Mendoza, Samantha Goldberg-Seder

Rebecca Mendoza

Aerin Cho

La Selva, Costa Rica

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Edinburgh, UK

Edinburgh, UK

Southampton, UK

Gulu, Uganda

Hong Kong

Singapore

Istanbul, Turkey

Guam

Nampula, Mozambique

Santiago, Chile

Taichung, Taiwan

Tokyo, Japan


3 of 4 3/1/2012 11:13 AM

USED TO LIVE THERE

CURRENTLY LIVE THERE

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FELLOW ALUMNAE

A DIVERSITY OF NICKNAMES

BOOBIES

SAMURAI

MEENON

T-BONEXENA:WARRIOR PRINCESS

EEVIE

JUNGLE

SMALL FRY

THE HULK MURRAY

KO

ROCKY

SHANNY

RAPTOR

SPILLZ

DIRTY WHOREDAN VELCRO

MOJO

MONSTER

SUPERSTAR CHOLITA:

HUGGLES

DUCK

PITBULL

MAMARAZZI

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FELLOW ALUMNAE

IN THE UPCOMING QUARTERLIES WE’D LIKE TO BRING YOU INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE DIVERSE AND WONDERFUL GROUP OF WOMEN THAT MAKE UP THE UCLA WRAA. THIS TIME, IT’S THE GREAT VARIETY OF NICKNAMES BESTOWED UPON OUR RUGGERS THROUGHOUT THE AGES...

GIO

BONECRUSHER

JAXS

LOG

MEENON

T-BONE

MUSTARD

JACK ATTACK

SIPPY CUP

DRUNKEN TEDDYBEAR

PEBBLESMENKE

TARD

KANE

MURRAY

DOZER

FLASH

LLAMA

BRUISER

LIGER

CHI-$$

SPORT

NEE

KAT

K-FONG

RORO

THE CURRENT TEAMDATE

NOV. 5 - 6

NOV. 19

DEC. 7

JAN. 21-22

FEB. 4

FEB. 11

FEB. 18

FEB. 25

MAR. 3

MAR. 10

ROSTER

GRACE BIXBYNOORIN DOROSTISTEFANI DROWNSONYA ERCOUTLUCY FILIPPONE

THERESA GIOSUNDAE HOLMESJERRIKA HUERTA

KATY JONESYUKAKO KAWAKATSU

JORDAN KLEINBRIANA MENDOZA

SAMANTHA MONTANODANI MOORECHI NGUYEN

DIANA NGUYENLIANNE PAK

REBECCA PANANA PECK

NORA RANDALLMERILOU SALAZAR

ELLIE SANCHEZCATHERINE SCHUKNECHT

LAUREN SIONGLUCY TINWEN TOH

LINDSAY ZAPOLSKI

OPPONENTSCRUM BY THE SEA

ALMUNAE

@OCCIDENTAL

STANFORD INVITATIONAL

UCSB

ASU

@UCSB

UCSD

@ASU

@UCSD

RESULTFRIENDLY

FRIENDLY

FRIENDLY

3RD PLACE

31 - 0

37 - 15

25 - 5

31 - 5

24 - 17

19 - 22

DATENOV. 5 - 6

NOV. 19

DEC. 7

JAN. 21-22

FEB. 4

FEB. 11

FEB. 18

FEB. 25

MAR. 3

MAR. 10

OPPONENTSCRUM BY THE SEA

ALMUNAE

@OCCIDENTAL

STANFORD INVITATIONAL

UCSB

ASU

@UCSB

UCSD

@ASU

@UCSD

RESULTFRIENDLY

FRIENDLY

FRIENDLY

3RD PLACE

31 - 0

37 - 15

25 - 5

31 - 5

24 - 17

19 - 22

NATIONALS PLAYOFFSApril 21-22, 2012

steuber rugby stadiumStanford University

Stanford CA

Written by Jackie Finlan Tuesday, 28 February 2012 13:37

UCLA Women Secure Nationals Berth

Heading into the UCLA v UCSD DI women’s college game last Saturday, the Bruins and their 3-0 victory were favored to exit the daywith a win. And while the prediction held true, it was no easy road to the 31-5 victory.

The first half nearly ended in a stalemate as both teamsstruggled to move the ball. Play was getting caught up in therucks, and while there weren’t many scrums, there wereplenty of penalties, which continued to stall momentum.

The UCSD’s aggression in the breakdown yielded dividends30 minutes in, when a well placed ball made its way toUCSD’s outside center, who broke through the line for a30-meter try, 5-0 into the break.

“It was clear where UCLA was getting beat,” UCLA coach TiaBlythe said. “After a quick halftime talk, the UCLA forwardsstepped onto the field with a renewed energy."

UCLA hustled to every breakdown and allowed scrumhalfLucy Tin to deliver clean ball out to the backs. On one suchoccasion, the ball made its way to wing Noorin Dorosti, whogathered her grubber kick down the sideline for the try.Dorosti converted her centered try for the 7-5 lead.

That play fired up the UCLA team and it was all Bruins afterthat moment. The backs picked up their defense and UCSDwas unable to breach the line.

Prop Elizabeth Sanchez accounted for the next two tries. The first came off a lineout inside UCSD’s 22 meter, and the second followeda series of forward punches along the sideline. Dorosti converted Sanchez’s first try for the 19-5 lead.

Fullback Jordan Klein put one in for the backs, inserting into the line and splitting the UCSD centers for the try. The forwards helpedset up the final score – and final play of the game – working to the 22 meter with another series of punches. Tin worked the ball out toher backs, and outside center Ana Peck took advantage of the same defensive gap between her opposing centers for the try. Dorosticonverted the score for the 31-5 victory.

“UCSD is a great team,” Blythe commended. “They started off the season with a few injuries and had to make some adjustments, butthey came out to the pitch ready to play. Their forward pack really challenged us at each breakdown and really forced the UCLAforwards to push themselves.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Blythe continued. “There is always room for improvement and our team realizes that the level of playthat we will see at Nationals is of a higher caliber. Now that we have secured a spot to nationals, in the final two games of the regularseason we hope to continue to develop our team and perfect our game plan.”

The teams will meet again on March 10 in their final games of the regular season. UCLA will see Arizona State this Saturday, while UCSan Diego takes on UC Santa Barbara.

UCLA Women Secure Nationals Berth http://www.rugbymag.com/index.php?view=article&catid=49:womens-co...

1 of 1 3/2/2012 11:23 AM

RUGBYMAG.COMUCLA Women Secure Nationals Berthby: Jackie Finlan, Feb. 28 2012

Heading into the UCLA v UCSD DI women’s college game last Sat-urday, the Bruins and their 3-0 victory were favored to exit the day with a win. And while the prediction held true, it was no easy road to the 31-5 victory The first half nearly ended in a stalemate as both teams struggled to move the ball. Play was getting caught up in the rucks, and while there weren’t many scrums, there were plenty of penalties, which continued to stall momentum. The UCSD’s aggression in the breakdown yielded dividends 30 minutes in, when a well placed ball made its way to UCSD’s outside center, who broke through the line for a 30-meter try, 5-0 into the break. “It was clear where UCLA was getting beat,” UCLA coach Tia Blythe said. “After a quick halftime talk, the UCLA forwards stepped onto the field with a renewed energy.” UCLA hustled to every breakdown and allowedscrumhalf Lucy Tin to deliver clean ball out to the backs. On one such occasion, the ball made its way to wing Noorin Dorosti, who gathered her grubber kick down the sideline for the try. Dorosti converted her centered try for the 7-5 lead. That play fired up the UCLA team and it was all Bruins after that moment. The backs picked up their defense and UCSD was unable to breach the line. Prop Elizabeth Sanchez accounted for the next two tries. The first came off a lineout inside UCSD’s 22 meter, and the second followed a series of forward punches along the sideline. Do-rosti converted Sanchez’s first try for the 19-5 lead. Fullback Jordan Klein put one in for the backs, inserting into the line and splitting the UCSD centers for the try. The forwards helped set up the final score – and final play of the game – working to the 22 meter with another series of punches. Tin worked the ball out to her backs, and outside center Ana Peck took advantage of the same de-fensive gap between her opposing centers for the try. Dorosti converted the score for the 31-5 victory. “UCSD is a great team,” Blythe commended. “They started off the season with a few injuries and had to make some adjustments, but they came out to the pitch ready to play. Their forward pack really challenged us at each breakdown and really forced the UCLA forwards to push themselves. “We still have a lot of work to do,” Blythe continued. “There is always room for improvement and our team realizes that the level of play that we will see at Nationals is of a higher caliber. Now that we have secured a spot to nationals, in the final two games of the regular season we hope to continue to develop our team and perfect our

game plan.” The teams will meet again on March 10 in their final games of the regular season. UCLA will see Arizona State this Saturday, while UC San Diego takes on UC Santa Barbara.

The UCLA center pairing of Yukako Kawakatsu (with ball) and Ana Peck against UCSD.

Quarterly produced by Erin Murray [email protected]

Would you like to see yourself in the quarterly? Are you or another alum up to something awesome? Please contact me with suggestions for features in upcoming editions.

Pictures of past, current and future ruggers welcome!

Contact [email protected]

Check out our websitehttp://bruinrugbyalumnae.org/

How to get involved:Pay your dues! They enable us to run events.

Participate in fundraisers. Even a little helps. Want to help organize them?

Join the team history committee!Help with media and marketing! Want to write an article for this quarterly?

Go to games!

Share your ideas with us! Reach out to your fellow UCLA Women’s Rugby supporters!

Take advantage of social events!

UCLA WRAA

ucla wraa quarterly, vol. 1

Documents

current ucla womens

current team

phase of ucla womens

group of ucla alumnae

rugby tradition

best team

current players

club team