2012 Rugby VirginiaState Rugby Championships

June 2, 2012 5pm-8pm kickoff 6pm432 Industrial Park Drive Newport News

FORT HUNTHAMPTON HEAT

First let me thank you and your company for your countless hours of dedication to supporting our local community. e Hampton Heat Rugby Football Club formed a U-19 rugby program in the fall of 2011 to provide an opportunity for youths throughout the city of Hampton with the ability to play rugby and fill a void in aer-school activities and community resources, that leave many urban high school aged youth lacking practical skills and values to reach their full potential.

e U-19 program promotes citizenship and teaches the transferable values of commitment, honesty, sportsmanship, trust, teamwork, selflessness, discipline, diversity, competition and fitness through expose and participation in a club rugby sport that competes in the Virginia Peninsula Rugby Foundation (a non profit 203c organization and league with citywide clubs), which falls under the governing body of Rugby Virginia and USA Rugby national organizations.

While fostering the many documented benefits of participation in team athletics, rugby and its code is particularly well designed to reinforce core values and provides an anti-gang initiative. e Hampton Heat girls U-19 program finished their first season in late April undefeated. e boys U-19 program has had equally great accomplishments both on and off the field during their first season. ey were the first Peninsula and first minority team to win a long-standing respected national rugby tournament in the spring. ey finished regular season competition ranked 3rd in their district. ey competed this past Saturday in a semifinal match up with a repeat championship team from Springfield, Virginia, SYC West End. e boys of Hampton Heat displayed all the qualities of champions with a comeback victory. ey are now headed to the Rugby State High School Championships. ey will be the first minority coached team to reach this elite honor as well as the first minority and Hampton Roads team to ever make it to the D1 State match. is is a history making moment.

e benefits for a partner would be outreach to the youth in the local community as well as access to young men and women that have demonstrated that through pure determination, hard work and in spite of the circumstances can raise to the occasion and be successful. e ability for a partner to be associated with a positive group of young people is priceless.

Your support is needed.

Get out of the pack and be a leader!

Support Youth Rugby

RUCK FOR A SPOT

TRY LEVEL Media Partner $2500As the TRY level Media partner, you will score big! The TRY level is open only to media partners who wish to partner with a dynamic club offering exclusive game day coverage and opportunity to reach the Peninsula family market through representation and marketing opportunities. The TRY level benefits will be adjusted to meet your business needs and can include remote broadcast, giveaways, banners, exclusive coverage. Rugby is one of the first growing youth sports in the United States and with its presence and activity your business will be one step ahead of scoring over your competition. Anticipated Audience: over 500 Reach: Middle class 30-50 year males/females, Urban Teenage and Tweens 13-19, Families and Sports Enthusiasts.

LINE OUT LEVEL Vendor Partners $ variesAs a LINE OUT level partner, you have exclusive access to a family friendly day. All vendors will be asked to make a donation to hosting foundation, Virginia Peninsula Rugby Foundation, a non-profit organization. Vendors will be exclusive. All vendors will be concerned for acceptance based on the needs and constraints of program. Food vendors are welcome and a VIP Food vendor is needed to host the VIP tent for players, coaches, referees, invited officials.

SCRUM LEVEL Donating PartnersAs a scrum level advertising/donation partner, you can get your business in front of a family friendly crowd. Offerings at this level are open for donations that can be in-kind or may include official day program exposure. Signage and giveaways are options as well.

Donations are accepted! Want to Sponsor the Team-please ask for details

All Partners will be recognized for their contributions to this first time event in the Hampton Roads’ market.

Sponsorship

What is RugbyWhat is Rugby?Rugby is a game that is

played in over 120 countries throughout the world.  Many of the values of rugby come from its rich history, traditions, camaraderie, and community involvement with the sport.

Through non-contact versions of the game, children as young as six can greatly enjoy rugby.  These games are played at both junior clubs and schools.

Senior club rugby, including colts rugby, offers players an opportunity to experience the camaraderie of the game.  Women's rugby is also popular at clubs and schools.  Rugby is traditionally played as a 15-a-side game, and is also very popular as seven-a-side - the new Olympic sport for 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.  Ten-a-side rugby is also played, most commonly in School age and Women’s Competitions.

While many players continue playing the game well into their adult years, others often choose to experience the benefits offered in rugby by coaching, refereeing, and volunteering with their local schools or club side.

TraditionsThere are many great

traditions and rivalries in rugby.  There is the cross-Tasman rivalry between Australia and New Zealand exemplified by the annual Bledisloe Cup.  In the Northern Hemisphere there is the annual Six Nations Championship between the national teams of Italy, France,

England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

One of the great traditions of rugby is the Haka, the Maori war dance traditionally performed by the New Zealand "All Blacks" before an international test match.

History of Rugby

Rugby Virginia-Dedicated to the Development of High School and Youth Rugby in Virginia

Rugby Virginia is dedicated to the growth and development of boys and girls high school and youth rugby in Virginia, while promoting an atmosphere consistent with the values of the game.

Rugby Virginia was founded in 2008 and is organized under the authority of USA Rugby.  Rugby Virginia is the primary development vehicle for youth and high school rugby within the state of Virginia and is a USA Rugby Level 3 State Based Rugby

Organization (SBRO).

Promote and FosterRugby Virginia is operated

exclusively to promote and foster the growth of high school and youth rugby football and to educate the public and players in the game of rugby as played under the laws of the International Rugby Board.

Rugby Virginia is composed of high school rugby clubs and youth clubs within Virginia.

For more information on Rugby Virginia, please visit www.rugbyvirginia.com

ClubsAlexandria High School, Bethel

United Rugby, Braddock Road Youth Club, Chantily Youth Rugby, Culpeper High School, Denbigh High School, Fairfax Police Youth Club, Fort Hunt Youth Association Rugby Club, Great Falls Rugby, Hanover County Youth Rugby, Hampton Heat Rugby Football Club, Heritage Hurricane High

School, Kecougthan High School Boys Rugby, Langley-Mclean Rugby Football Club, Menchville High School, NOVA U19 Rugby Football Club, Prince William Youth Rugby, Rappahannock Youth Rugby

Football Club, Richmond Lions Youth, Springfield Youth Club U19 Rugby, TC Williams High School RFC, Tidewater Rugby Youth Club, Vienna Youth Inc Rugby, Warrenton Wolfpack Youth RFC, Warwick High School, Western Loudoun Rugby Football Club, Western Suburbs U19 Rugby Football Club, Winchester U19 and Youth Rugby, Woodside Wolverines High School

Rugby Virginia

In concrete terms, Rugby Virginia wants to let "coaches coach" and works to remove the financial, administrative, coaching, and refereeing

barriers that face new teams. 

Fort Hunt Rugby Football Club

Our overall philosophy for Fort Hunt Rugby is as basic as it can be: have fun and play fair. If the kids are not having fun, then the program will go nowhere. If they are not playing fair, we adults are not doing our jobs as coaches and role models, throwing in those life lessons which pay off years down the road.

Being Part of Something Bigger than Yourself Many popular sports focus on a single position as a marquee position, and therefore the players who play that position tend unfortunately to become THE player the team goes to and relies on. Rugby is vastly different in that there is no marquee position. Each position has a function and responsibility, and each player must play offense, defense, carry the ball, tackle and make countless individual decisions to benefit the team.  Rugby is a non-specialized team sport, in which the  whole--when working properly--truly is greater than the sum of its parts.

Rugby is a very unique sport in that it really is all about teamwork. The best rugby teams are those in which unselfish play is the norm.  The best rugby players draw defense to them, bringing the opposition close to draw a tackle, to create space for their teammates to receive the ball and then exploit.  The best rugby players are the ones who do not focus on the ball, but focus on the myriad other actions on the field that can maximize the team’s opportunities.

Being the best rugby player you can be means realizing your strengths and weaknesses, and integrating both of those with those of the other players on the field with you. You are a single team, and your strength comes from making yourself part of something bigger than yourself. When everyone contributes fully their share in this environment, many individuals become one unit, and it is impressive and highly enjoyable to watch in action.

Fort Hunt U19 rugby program is in its second year. They play out of Fairfax, Virginia and are part of the Fort Hunt Youth Athletic Association. For more information on this growing program, check them out online

at www.fhyss.org/rugby. Fort Hunt U19 Rugby Football Team is coached by Dale Roach, USA Rugby Level 1 Certified Coach.

Rugby is a very unique sport in that it really is

all about teamwork.

The Hampton Heat Rugby Football Club formed a U-19 rugby program in the fall of 2011 to provide an opportunity for youths throughout the city of Hampton with the ability to play rugby and fill a void in after-school activities and community resources, that leave many urban high school aged youth lacking practical skills and values to reach their full potential. The U19 girls program went undefeated in their first season of Sevens play. The U19 boys program excelled with wins at national and local tournament play.

Shari Wilson (Coach Mama) Backs-Shari Wilson has been a long time football enthusiast. Her husband, James Wilson, has played football on all levels and her oldest son, Tyrel Wilson, is currently attending and playing for Virginia Tech. Her second son, Daunte, currently plays Crabber football. Shari wanted to find a sport as demanding as football, that would continue to keep Daunte active, improve his skills and carry him over into the next season. She found this in rugby. Upon discovering that the Hampton High area students did not have a club of their own, she took the initiative to form one. She has worked tirelessly to promote not only the boys’ rugby skills, but the sport as well. It is her goal to grow the sport of rugby within Hampton Roads for ages 3-19.

William Jefferson (Coach Jeff) Forwards/Strength&Conditioning Coach

Jeff is a long time friend of the Wilson family and a natural selection when it came to conditioning and teaching skills of the game. Although he has no prior rugby experience, he used his football background to help build his knowledge of rugby. He is an example to the boys of how young men should behave and a testament to dedication and loyalty. He consistently preaches good sportsmanship, positive attitude and team before self. He has become an exemplary model.

Geoff Maw (Coach Maw)-Player Development/Skills Coach

Maw is a New Zealander (Kiwi) and grew up within the tradition and sport of rugby and he is the head coach for the Elizabeth City U19 Rugby Club When introduced to the Hampton Heat staff, he volunteered his vast experience and knowledge in skills to help this young team become established. His love for the sport and his

desire to help the program grow within Hampton Roads is un-paralleled. He has become an important part to building rugby tradition within the club and the players.

Natasha Graham (Coach Grizzy)-Girls Head Coach/Positional Coach

Natasha Graham has long been a football enthusiast, and has been a cheerleader/cheerleading coach by trade. Coming from a family with a football tradition, she was indoctrinated at young age to the game. She has been a long time friend of Shari and her football-watching partner. When Shari presented the idea of forming a club to her, she immediately said yes. As an educator, Natasha saw the void that rugby would fill for many kids and wanted to help kids succeed academically via rugby. With coaches Shari and Jeff, she too put her football ways aside and adopted the sport of rugby.

Hampton Heat RFC

Meet the Heat Forwards

Austin WrightLoosehead, Senior

Chris HawkinsHooker, Senior

Dominic LusterTighthead, Senior

Treyvious ManagoLock, Junior

Anthony CopelandLock, Senior

Omar ShepardFlanker, Junior

Christopher FloodFlanker, Senior

Amed RosadoEightman, Senior

Forward CaptainsOmar “Big O” ShepardBig O is a first time rugger and a member of the Crabber band. He has traditionally played recreation

league football, but when presented with the opportunity to play Heat Rugby, he took it. He is a force on the field to be reckoned with. He leads his

team in most of the offensive attacks that lead to green space.Chris “ Gauges” Hawkins

A wrestler by trade, Gauges first joined the Heat as a means to get himself healthy and fit for the upcoming wrestling season. It did not take him long to become

passionate about rugby and he made a full time commitment to the team and has become one of the

most skilled hookers in the league.

Meet the Heat Backs

Greg LopezScrumhalf, Junior

Paul TravisFlyhalf, Senior

Tojah SmithWinger, Junior

Daunte WilsonCenter, Junior

Nick SandovalCenter, Sophomore

Kevin LichowriczWinger, Senior

Jarvis WilliamsFullback, Junior

Back CaptainsGreg “Bubba” Lopez-Scrumhalf

Bubba is a first year rugger with no prior rugby experience. When he heard about the Hampton Heat, he enthusiastically joined the ranks. He has become a very skilled scrum

half (scrummie), and controls the pace and tempo of the game. Rugby has become one of his top three passions.

He lives by the motto: “Stay in school, believe in Jesus and play rugby!”Daunte Wilson-Inside Center and Euightman

Daunte is in his second year of rugby. With a strong football, baseball and wrestling background, rugby was a natural fit for this dynamic leader and athlete.

Paul Travis-FlyhalfPaul is the Mayor of the team and resident hype man. His dedication to excellence has excelled him on the pitch with a remarkable 2012 season. He is in his third year and has

broken all his previous records in his final year of U19 play.

According to the USA Rugby’s website. (www.usarugy.org) USA Rugby’s dream is to inspire America to fall in love with rugby.

Founded in 1975, USA Rugby is an official member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Rugby Board (IRB).

The organization has approximately 90,000 members and is responsible for the development of the boys, girls, high school, collegiate and club rugby programs, and ultimately all of the national teams representing the U.S. in international competitions.

The current structure of USA Rugby comprises seven Territorial Unions (TU) and 34 Local Area Unions (LAU) that compete for regional and National Championships. 

USA Rugby's national headquarters is located in Boulder, Colo., and is run by full-time staff under the direction of current CEO and President of Rugby Operations Nigel Melville. 

USA Rugby is based upon these core organizational beliefs:• We believe that rugby will be the best experience in

American sports.• We believe in delighting and creating value for our

members.We believe rugby has something for everyone and that anyone can play.• We believe in lifelong camaraderie beyond the game.• We believe that our greatest assets are our players.• We believe in developing peak performance at all levels

of the game.• We believe in owning our performance.

For more information about USA Rugby, please visit www.usarugby.org.

Rugby FACTSRugby is played at the youth,

high school, club, semi-professional, and international

levels.

There are over 450,0000 players registered with USA

Rugby; including over 67,000 high school students. There are over 2500 clubs in the

United States.

Contact for Sponsorship

Natasha Graham,

Sponsorship Coordinator

810–597–9544

hamptonheatrugby@gmail.com