Upcoming Old Boys Match at Elizabeth Celtic Festival

07/11/2008
The Old Boys will be playing against a combined CSOB/Harlequins side in an over 35's match on Sunday, July 20th. The match will be part of the 2008 Elizabeth Celtic Festival with the kickoff scheduled for 1:30 PM (see the festival website for a map and directions). Old Boys that wish to participate need to show up at the park by noon to get taped, greased, and apply liberal amounts of "Old Boy Warm Up" prior to the match (you might also strongly consider turning out for "training" next Thursday - 6:00, Village Greens Park - bring some PBR). Everyone is encouraged to come join the fun and cheer on our OB's as they continue preparing for their glorious return to the Ruggerfest.

The Celtic Festival hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM - the admission fees are as follows:

• Adults (18 - 64) - $10
• Teens (13 - 17) - $5
• Seniors (65+) - $5
• Parking - $2
• Kids (12 and under) - Free

Mid-Summer's Update

07/07/2008
Hope everyone had a great Independence Day (or as Lizard calls it - "Good Riddance Day"). Just a few quick notes to knock some of the dust off of this website.

Fall Match Schedule Announced

The fixtures for this fall have been posted on the Calendar page:
8/5 – Mandatory Training starts
8/9 - Training Camp
8/23 – Air Force Academy
8/30 – Breckenridge (a)
9/6 - Mountain Select (h)
9/13 - tbd
9/20 – Aspen Ruggerfest
9/27 - tbd
10/4 – KCRFC (a)
10/11 – Boulder (h)
10/18 – KC Blues (h)
10/25 - Glendale (h)

Note: All 4 games in October are Division I League matches.

Summer Sevens

Summer Sevens is once again in full swing. The games are held on Wednesday evenings at 6:00. Come on out to the Jake and share in the fun as your Denver Highlanders attempt to win an unprecedented fourth straight championship.

2008 Highlander Raffle

This year's raffle tickets are now on sale. Please contact Alex Johnson if you need more tickets. He could also use some more prizes to add to the pot, so if you have any restaurant gift certificats, movie tickets, personal services, etc. to donate, please get in touch with hime at your earliest convenience.

Welcome Leo Ray Paulson

Congrats to Yippie and Jen on the birth of their son. Born on 6/25 at 4:55 AM (good Lord!), young master Leo checked in at 7 lbs. 6 ozs. and a skosh under 21" in length. Mom and babe are fine, but Yippie is still reported to be a bit off his feed.

GO Auto Nation Fundraiser (Part Deux)

After an abysmal start on the first session of the fund-raiser, the club rallied in the second half to earn another $2,420 for the treasury by simply moving cars for the latest GO Auto Nation event at the Pepsi Center. Thanks go to those that participated and for Bryan Ellsaesser for organizing the event. This fundraiser earns some very easy money to supplement the club's operating budget - it's a shame that the general lack of effort on the first day may have jeopardized our chances to be involved in future events.

USARFU Referee's Clinic

The next referee's clinic will take place on Sunday, August 17 from 9 AM until 4 PM at 6300 So. Syracuse Way. The cost is $35, and checks to be made out to "USA Rugby". There could be reimbursements. If you've been bitching at the referee, maybe finding what it's all about'll cause you to take a nice, long draft from the STFU cup (as well as showing support for our game). Contact Bernie if you need more details.

A Highlander Falls

06/06/2008
It is with heavy hearts that we must report that Bill Steinmeyer passed away in his sleep early Tuesday morning. Bill played for Metro State and the Highlanders from 1983-1990. He had recently become very active with the Old Boys, and had just assumed the role as the Old Boys liaison for the club.

Bill was very proud to be a Highlander and like all of us had a great love of rugby. His father has asked us to take on the responsibilities of pallbearers for his service.

A viewing will be held on Monday, June 9, 2008 from 6PM - 8PM at Horan & McConaty, 5303 E. County Line Road, Littleton, CO 80122 (just west of Holly). Phone (303) 221-0030.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday June 10, 2008 at the above mentioned Horan & McConaty funeral home. He will be laid to rest at Olinger Chapel Hill Mortuary & Cemetery at 6601 South Colorado Blvd. in Littleton. A reception will follow the burial services at Lodo's Bar and Grill, 8545 S. Quebec St. in Highlands Ranch.

His father John will be attending the Old Boy's game this Saturday 11:00 at Jacobs Field. Please turn out to as many of these events as possible to show your support for our fallen brother.

If anyone has any stories or pictures of Bill that they would like to share, please send them to Sloan Holloway as we are sure his family would love to have them.

If you have questions please call either Sloan (303) 641-2082 or Craig Tarr (720) 480-0941.

Quick Updates

06/06/2008
On a brighter note:

Old Boys News

As noted above, the DHRFC Old Boys will be taking to the pitch in all their former glory this Saturday to take on some equally legendary Old Quins and CSOB's. Kickoff is at 11:00 at The Jake. The Old Boys are still meeting at 6 PM on Thursday evenings to tune up for Ruggerfest, at Village Greens Park (Field 11). The park is located at 9301 East Union Avenue (just north of Cherry Creek High School accross from the boat house at the reservoir - see map ). All Highlanders are welcome to attend these *ahem* "training sessions."

Auto Nation Fundraiser #2

Volunteers are needed for another fundraiser with GO Auto Nation. If you have a driver's license and can volunteer your time next Tuesday (June 10) and/or Sunday (June 15), please contact Bryan Ellsaesser ASAP. The last such event netted over $3,000 for the club, so your participation is vital.

Summer 7's

Next Wed. (June 11) Summer 7's will begin. We'll be sending out more details about this to the eamil groups as well. Stefan has been working hard to get this organized and I'm sure he'll be asking for some help each week. This is also a big money maker for the club so everyone needs to chip in and help

Rocky Mountain Challenge - help wanted

The 8th Annual Rocky Mountain Challenge - America's Premier U20/U18 Rugby Tournament is this June 14th-15th.
The Highlanders have been a great force in supporting this tournament for many years and we could use some volunteers again this year for the following tasks:
1) Friday ( morning @ 10 ) set up. (6-8 guys)
2) Saturday, watching rugby and pitching in during the day to pick up any unattended trash, maybe drive the golf cart around to transport trash can contents to dumpsters. (6-8 different guys)
3) Sunday, come out to watch rugby and as the tournament winds down, help take down fields, tents, and empty trash. (6-8 different guys)

Questions? - Call Whitey at 720-220-9326

Children's Hospital Visit Recap

Highlanders Score Early and Often at Children's Hospital
(by Bernie)

05/15/2008

Video courtesy of Graham Hawley

Forget compassion, corporal works of mercy, and the warm and fuzzy feeling one gets from attendance at a Children's Hospital Visit, the vast amount of information gleaned is payment enough! For instance, who would have known Happy Drew misspent his ribald youth tear-assing up and down Goodland, Kansas's main street in his Granpa's pickup? Well the cat's out de bag now! Upon learning the young man we were visiting was attending Colby College, which is apparently close by Goodland, Happy 'fessed up that he often threw caution to the wind and, in my own words, "pushed the envelope remorselessly" speeding up and down Main Street, Goodland, Ks. with, "great abandon". Too much info? Not yet! Then Big Mike Dellere enhanced the moment with recollections of Frielanders, Wassons, and Grilachs - nuovo-America tribes that populate our heartland around Goodland's vast suburban network of hamlets and so forth.

Then Senor Shafroth impressed America and all the ships at sea with communication de la Espanol (como se yama) who'd have known? End of the day(or evening), it was yet again proven that DHRFC is singular in its commitment to both our sport and the community that enables it.

For off-the-pitch Highlander rugby at its finest, one really should check out a Children's Hospital Visit.

When's the next one, you ask? Wednesday, August 13 at 6:30 pm, I'd have to answer.

Live Life, be Highlander!

Your Pal,
Hugo

Annual DHRFC Banquet To Be Held May 24th

04/11/2008
It's time once again for our annual awards banquet. This year's 40th anniversary event should be nothing less than stellar. Please direct any RSVPs or questions to Mike H. or Herr B. (see contact information below).

Date: May 24, 2008
Time: 5:30 PM - ?? Cocktails at 5:30, Dinner at 6:30 with awards ceremony and live entertainment to follow.
Location: The Irish Snug Pub (Atlantic Room), 1201 E. Colfax
Cost: $45 per person if pre-paid by May 10, $55 per person.

2008 Highlander Banquet Reservations ($45 per person)

The Buffet Menu :
Appetizers : Chips and salsa for the guests to munch on as they arrive.
Salads : Tossed mixed green salad with a variety of dressings, and Caesar salad.
Entrees : Chicken Marsala, Sliced Beef Tenderloin Burgonione, and Pasta Primavera.
Sides : Mashed potatoes and gravy, rice pilaf, vegetable medley, and creamed spinach.
Etc : There will fresh baked rolls and a choice of coffee, tea, iced tea or soda. There will also be a platter with assorted bite size cheese cakes.

Drink Specials :
$4 pints of Guinness, Newcastle, Smithwicks, Pilsner Urquel, wells, wines, and Car-Bombs. Included in the price of the dinner will be two beverage tickets for each guest to use for beer, wine, and well cocktails at the bar.

Entertainment: Brendan Clancy will be performing upstairs following the dinner and awards ceremony (the idea will be to try to get all of that stuff wrapped up by around 8:30). There will also be additional music downstairs in the main bar area for those that wish to mingle with the common-folks.

Pre and Post Party :
A block of rooms has been booked at the Ramada Inn Downtown (1150 E. Colfax, across the street from the pub). There are 15 rooms reserved, the cost is $75. Reservations must be made prior to May 10th to receive this rate. The reservation group code is "DHFC" and the confirmation number is "G0036-156."

Contacts:
Mike Herskowitz - email - ph: 303.396.8411
Scott Bredehoeft - email - ph: 303.887.6585

Old Boys Gearing Up for Ruggerfest

03/14/2008
Yes, we know that it is only mid-March. And yes, we are aware that Ruggerfest is still some 6 months off. But we also have an inkling that it might take that long for some of our esteemed alumni to shake off enough rust to not be totally humiliated when they take to the pitch in the highly competitive Over 35's bracket at this year's Ruggerfest.

With this in mind, the Old Boys will begin training at Village Greens Park (Field #11) each Thursday at 6:00 pm to run touch and progress into some form of practice in preparation for some games before Ruggerfest this year. We will meet after touch/practice at the City Pub South (southwest corner of Yosemite and Hampden) for a few frosty beverages.

At this time, we have the following Old Boys games tentatively scheduled this season:

• April 5, 2008 against Boulder Old Boys 12:00 noon at Dicks Sporting Park (we may move this game to sometime in May depending on turnout)
• July 19, 2008 against CSOB at the Elizabeth Celtic Festival (field location and time to be confirmed)

All DHRFC Old Boys out there that are either interested in attempting to re-live their glory days, or just to meet up and share lies about how great we all were back in the days before the new sissified law-book was introduced (remember when tries were only 4 points, boosting the lineout jumper was illegal, and it was okay to administer a well placed boot in the ruck?), are encouraged to turn out. If you are interested in playing, please contact Craig Tarr and get your name added to the roster if you have not already done so.

Our entry in this year's tournament is just a part of the Highlander's 40th Anniversary Celebration planned for the week of Ruggerfest. All current and former Highlanders are invited to join us for the festivities, please contact Scott Bredehoeft for more details. A reunion dinner is being planned in Aspen for the evening of Sept. 19th and Scott needs to get a head-count of those that will be attending as soon as possible, so if you could at least get him a heads-up if you plan on attending the dinner it would be greatly appreciated. Other events are also being planned for the week-long reunion (Rockies game, golf tournament, etc) and further details will be posted here as they become available. Please note that if you are planning to join us at Ruggerfest (Sept. 18-21) you need to make your lodging arrangements as soon as you can - the place fills up early and the club will not be booking any rooms for this event.

In Other News...

Kickoff Time for Saturday's Albuquerque Match moved to 2:00PM

To give our New Mexico brothers a bit more time to make the drive, players please report to Dick's by 1 - 'nuff said.

Training Moves to Veterans Park (a.k.a. Vine and Iowa Park)

For the remainder of the season, regular training sessions will be held at the Veterans Park Softball Field commencing promptly at 6:00 PM (weather permitting).

Children's Hospital Vist Scheduled for March 26

Our next visit to Children's Hospital is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26th at 6:30pm-8pm. Ask any of the participants who participated in Beanie Baby Bingo during our visit last fall, and they will tell you how much fun it was. They will be playing Beanie Baby Bingo again during this visit too. Please contact Big Mike if you plan to attend.

The new location is near Colfax & I-225 at 13123 East 16th Avenue (see map). If you use the parking garage, bring your ticket into the hospital and they will validate it, or you will have to pay $2. We will meet in the Atrium of the hospital. To go inside to visit, you will need to be signed in, so BRING A PICTURE ID.

All visitors must be 18, so children cannot come with us. Sorry.

Because out team tends to run on rugby time and we are trying to give a good image to the community, plan to arrive early so we can start on time!!

Car Mover Fundraiser Nets $2K on Day 1

So, the Highlanders sucessfully pulled off the first half our fundraising opportunity with GO Automotive. We helped move 102 vehicles at $20/trip. We met our minimum quota for volunteers and the staff complemented us on our professional behaviour (except for Chooch). We showed up around 6:00 am, and drove cars from ~7:00am - 2:00pm. Breakfast and Lunch were provided.

Thanks to David White, Dave Doessel, Mark Mayfield, Mark (Sarge) Williams, Chris Sykes, Mike Dellere, Jon Taylor, John Rhoner, Cole Burley, Chooch (Mark Jewell), Mari Moeller, Clinon Camp, Travis Nelson and Brad Nelson for volunteering.

We will be repeating the effort this Sunday (March 16, 8:00 AM - Noonish). Volunteers are still needed to provide some back-up for those that already signed-up, so if you can offer your services as a "ready reserve" please contact Bryan Ellsaesser ASAP. A valid driver's license and the ability to drag yourself out of bed early on a Sunday is all that is required.

And special thanks go to Bryan for setting it all up. Great job Bryan!

Highlanders Open Season at 4-0

03/10/2008
The 2008 spring season has opened well with the club winning all four of its opening games. Steve Tarr’s B side comfortably defeated the University of Denver 47-19 at Dick’s on March 1 with many of the club’s new recruits able to go through their paces. Saturday March 8th saw the Highlanders claim the inaugural British Bulldog tournament also held at Dick’s winning all three games against the cross-town rival Barbos, Provo and a Ft.Collins/Harlequins combine.

The first game was against the Barbos who sat all 15 of their Super league starters and opened confidently. Some inconsistent refereeing led to a scuffle or two but gradually the Highlanders asserted themselves and dominated the second half to win more convincingly than the 13-8 scoreline suggests. Among the forwards Clinton Camp looked sharp. In the backs, Greg Seaman ran good angles with Ryan Diehl also showing a newfound enthusiasm. There was also a typically effective defensive display by Tim Guerra..

Game 2 was against Provo of Utah and again the Highlanders triumphed 14-0 showing admirable (for the most part!) restraint in the face of provocation and consistent foul play which resulted in Provo lucky to receive only 3 yellows and a red in an abbreviated 40 minute game. Leif Gibson was much more authoritative in this game and a solid scrum and superb close-range defense against some rather large gentlemen were the highlights

The final was played against a Ft.Collins/Quins combine helped by a few Barbos. The Highlander coaches had already decided that win, lose or draw, the third game would be an opportunity for those who had not previously played. Consequently there were only three starters and the B side came back in the second half to post an 11-10 win and pick up the cup. Andrew Bean played well, Gonzo ran strongly for his try and Matt Chandra made numerous excellent open-field tackles. All in all, a great day for the club, 3-0 in matches, the Barbarian hordes repelled, a tournament win and most of all, everyone saw some action. Next up the A’s host old friends Albuquerque while the B’s play Harlequins.

Are You Ready for Some Football Rugby?

03/07/2008
Spring is in the air and that means it's time for the Highlanders to return to the pitch. The boys had a bit of a warm up run against a spirited DU side last weekend to help prepare them for tomorrow's British Bulldog Tournament to be held at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The clubs participating in the event will be the Barbos, Colorado Springs, Great Plains, Ft. Collins, Provo Steelers, and your mighty mighty Denver Highlanders. The tournament runs all day, and the Highlanders have drawn the early match that will kickoff at the somewhat odd time of 9:25 AM. An awards ceremony will be held at the British Bulldog Pub, 2052 Stout St. (corner of Broadway & Stout), at around 6:00 PM. It should be a nice day, so get out and support the boys.

Catching Up

02/12/2008
Yeah, I know it's been awhile - sorry. Let's try to catch up a little, shall we?

Volunteers Needed (NOW!) for Spring Fundraiser

Bryan Ellsaesser is heading up a fundraiser in coordination with the folks at GO AutoNation. This is a great opportunity for the club to raise about $4,000 if we can provide about 20 volunteers for a day and a half. Please read carefully as there are some details we have to get right to pull this off. If we do a good job for this event, we may get to participate with more volunteers at future events.

1st what is this fundraiser: Go AutoNation is having a big sale at Invesco Field where they need to transport most of their cars from their local dealerships. First, we need 20 volunteers to show up at Invesco Field at 6:00 am on Tuesday, March 11. From here we will be assigned to a van which will take us to a car dealership. Each volunteer will be given a car to drive back to Invesco Field. Back at Invesco, you'll get in the same van again and repeat the process. You will repeat the process until all of the cars have been moved and then you may go on to another dealership. Each driver will earn $20 per trip. On March 11 we will probably make 7-8 trips up until about 3:00 pm. Then, on Sunday starting at 8:00 am March 16th, we will perform the reverse process and drive the remaining cars from the sale at Invesco back to their home dealerships. Obviously there will be less cars to move back, so we will probably only get 4-5 trips in and be done by 1:00 pm.

2nd, who can participate: Any one willing to volunteer for the Highlanders (players, old boys, wives, girlfriends, etc.) can participate as long as they are at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license. So far our biggest concern is with Volunteers for Tuesday as this is in the middle of the work week. Volunteers for Sunday is not much of a problem. We don't have to have the same volunteers for both days.

3rd, whats next: We need to register all of our potential drivers by Monday February 18th (1 week from today!). To do this, we simply need all volunteers to provide Bryan with the following information:

• Full Name
• Date of Birth
• Your Driver's License Number
• State of Issuance for you DL
• Whether you can volunteer for Tuesday or Sunday or both

If you are interested in volunteering for this extremely important fundraiser, please contact Bryan by email and include the above information in your message (or just sign up at one of the training sessions).

Highlanders 40th Anniversary and Reunion

Calling all Olde Boys. The club is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and plans are well under way to do it in style with a week long reunion in September. The celebration will ultimately end up in Aspen just in time for Ruggerfest, so if you are interested in hooking up with us there you might want to think about making some lodging arrangements (Ruggerfest runs from Sept. 18-21). If this is the first you have heard about this then I'd strongly suggest you get in touch with Scott Bredehoeft for all the details at your earliest convenience. The Olde Boys will also be entering an over 35's side in this year's Ruggerfest, contact Craig Tarr if you are interested in taking the pitch for a chance to relive your glory years.

Notes From the AGM

The AGM was held on January 10th to elect new officers and go over the current state of the club. This year's club officers are as follows:

• President - John "Zilla" Rohner
• Vice President - Jon Taylor
• Treasurer - Matt Mains
• Treasurer in Training - Matt Stampfle
• Secretary - Travis Nelson

There was an amendment made to the club by-laws to change the number of members in the Board of Directors. The Board will now consist of not less than 4 and not more than 8 directors at any given time. Term lengths will remain at 2 years. The currnt Board of Directors is as follows:

• Scott Bredehoeft (Chairman - 1 year remaining)
• Steve Tarr (1 year remaining)
• Steve Chapman (2 years)
• Sloan Holloway (2 years)
• Dave McLain (2 years)

Matt Stampfle will also be in charge of the team store again this season - if you need gear, he is the guy to see. Alex Johnson will be taking over the reins from Craig Tarr for this year's raffle. Hojon and Stephan will be running the show for the Summer Se7en's this year. Your slacker of a webmaster is unchanged (sorry, but you seem to be stuck with me)

You need to give these guys a pat on the back (or buy them a beer) the next time you see them. There are a lot of familiar names on this list and we appreciate the fact that they are willing to keep stepping up to the plate when it comes to the daily operations of this organization.

Westerns Update

The WRFU has voted to use the following format to determine this year's D-I champions. The #1 seed from Texas will play the #1 seed from North. The winner of this match will takes West title, but both teams will go to Sweet 16. North #2 plays Texas #3, and Texas #2 plays North #3. The winners will then play on Sunday for the 3rd slot from the West at the Sweet 16. This year, the Western playoffs will be held in Ft. Worth, and the USARFU Sweet 16 is moving to Austin.

There is no update as of yet with regards to the Glendale forfeit. If Glendale does forfeit that means we are in first place. Beat Aspen and we go to Sweet 16. Lots of variables if Glendale does not forfeit or if we lose to Aspen. Just beat Aspen by a lot and worry about the rest later.

The Spring season is just around the corner, the schedule has been posted on the fixtures page, and training sessions have already commenced. Now is the time for all active players to get CIPP'd for the spring season. Use the link in the lower left margin or go to www.usarugby.org to sign up. Remember, no CIPP - no play. And while we are on the subject, now would be a dandy time to head over to the membership page and pay your dues.

Hopefully this should get us all up to date and I haven't forgotten anything important. If I have, please send any complaints to Herr B - he's got my back...

Highlander's Mark Bokhoven Makes Eagles 7's Roster

11/26/2007
Reprinted from USARugby.org

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – USA Rugby Men’s National Sevens Team Coach Al Caravelli has selected the final squad set to compete at the Dubai Sevens Tournament - the first stop on the USA team’s 2007-2008 IRB Sevens World Series circuit - on November 30 – December 1, 2007. The initial pool of 22 players was narrowed to the final 12 after a week of intense training, including weight sessions led by National Strength and Conditioning Coach David Williams and three Thanksgiving Day scrimmages officiated by Japanese IRB referee Taizo Harabayashi.

The Men’s Sevens National Team departs for Dubai on Sunday, November 25 and kicks off the tournament at the Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground against Wales on November 30. The squad also faces Samoa and Kenya in Pool C competition.

“This was one of the most difficult teams to select,” Coach Caravelli said. “We had such outstanding players in terms of their overall speed, fitness and ability. We were very thorough in our deliberations, but everyone on this team proved themselves this week.”

The Men’s National Sevens Team chosen to travel to Dubai includes: Mark Bokhoven (Denver Highlanders), Todd Clever (OMBAC), James Gillenwater (CR Santa Rosa), Riaan Hamilton (OMBAC), Justin Hundley (NYAC), PJ Komongnan (Radford University), Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Jone Naqica (San Francisco Golden Gate), Thretton Palamo (San Francisco Golden Gate), Milemoti Pulu (East Palo Alto), Dallen Stanford (At-large) and Chris Wyles (At-large).

USA Men’s Sevens staff include Coach Al Caravelli, Assistant Coach Craig Hartley, Assistant Coach Emil Signes, Trainer John Hague and Manager Jason Maloni.

It's been awhile since we've had one of our own make the national side. Congratulations Mark!

Bokhoven Selected for Eagles 7's Training Camp

11/20/2007
Congratulations are in order to Highlander Mark Bokhoven for having been selected to attend the Eagles 7's training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, FL this week. Mark is one of 22 players selected to attend this 8 day camp in hopes of securing a spot on the Eagles roster for next month's IRB Sevens World Series event in Dubai and the George (South Africa) Sevens the following week. The top 12 players will be selected for the squad.

Good luck in camp, Mark. Well done!

Fall Recap

11/12/2007
With 5 of 6 league games played, the Highlanders have dug themselves out of an early hole where they were surprised and beaten 26-21 by a youthful and entertaining Boulder side and held to a 19-19 tie by Glendale at their spectacular new stadium. From there victory over Goats (50-7), an away win over KC Blues 26-21 and a comfortable home win over Kansas City RFC 39-12 sees the boys in reasonable shape going into the midwinter break.

Much will depend of course on the ineligibility issue regarding Glendale. Former Eagle captain and Barbo stalwart Andre Bachelet played against Aspen and the Highlanders while still registered for the men in green. The West committee ruled against Glendale but an appeal is pending. If the initial decision is upheld then the boys in red will be in first place followed by Boulder and then the KC Blues with Glendale out of contention. If not, who knows? The spring sees a vital league game against potential wild card Aspen, who still have 5 games to play, before the Highlanders attempt to make the National Sweet 16 for the third straight year. Early fixtures include a trip March 8 to Atlanta to play the fast-improving Life followed by the Aardvarks in Denver and then the vital Aspen league game.

While the fall showed plenty of character in at times difficult circumstances, there is still a feeling of under-performing, of not playing to potential and this, along with fitness concerns, will be the coaches’ primary focus in the off-season. To conclude, our record of 3-1-1 or even 4-1 (pending Glendale appeal) means we are not there yet and efforts must be re-doubled to remain genuine national playoff contenders.

Attention Ladies!

Sarah Holloway (a.k.a. Mrs. Sloan) has organized a new Denver Highlanders Wives and Girlfriends Meetup group to help promote camaraderie amongst the women of the Denver Highlanders. Please check out her website at http://rugby.meetup.com/36/ if you are interested in joining.

Highlanders Beat Blues

10/23/2007
The Denver Highlanders traveled 34-strong for two games in Kansas against former Super League stalwarts the Blues. On a very large pitch somewhere in rural Kansas the boys took the field knowing that a win was essential to maintain hopes of championship rugby in the spring. Electing to play into the wind the Highlanders started well, controlling the game and earning a Gibson penalty for a 3-0 lead. More good play in the Blues 22 saw a turnover wasted when a forced wide pass went loose and the Blues pounced to make it 3-7 very much against the run of play. Two useful forays deep into enemy territory went unrewarded when Ryan Diehl inexplicably stopped and tried to cut inside and a fine Clinton Camp break also foundered for a lack of support. However, Diehl, in what was to be a typically schizophrenic performance, then made good by intercepting and going sixty yards for the score. Gibson goaled for a 10-7 half-time lead.

Obviously feeling that the strong wind would do the job for them, the Highlanders then played the worst 25 minutes of rugby all year, missing tackles, knocking-on, ignoring team-mates in superior positions and generally underperforming. During this period, the Blues scored two long-range tries reminiscent of the Boulder debacle and the Highlanders were on the ropes 21-10 down with 15 to play. However, some improved scrimmaging saw Brian Ellsaesser knock on over the line and substitute Mike Herskowitz (on for Camp) also denied. However a Bokhoven chip and chase, converted by Gibson pulled it back to 21-17 and three clutch penalties from Leif Gibson saw the Highlanders hold their nerve and finish 26-21 winners.

The B side finished a tremendous unbeaten year under new coach Steve Tarr when they overcome a 13-0 half-time deficit to triumph 30-18 in a towsy bad-tempered affair which saw one Blues player sent off and another in the bin for dangerous high tackles. Andrew Bean at fly-half controlled the game well, the go-ahead score coming from Serge who, cat-like, pounced on a loose ball on the opposition line. All in all, a successful weekend apart from the those two lost souls who missed their flights back.

Not exactly sure where this puts us in the league standings at this point (because our friends over at WRFU have been slow to update the results for us), but it would seem that a win this weekend against Kansas City (the other KC) would dramatically improve our chances of returning to the playoffs next spring. Let's all get out to Dick's Sporting Goods park this weekend to cheer them on - the weather's supposed to be nice, the RWC is over, and, as an added bonus, Nigel and Craig have organised an Olde Boys match against CSOB so there should be no excuses for not turning out.

PS - Mr & Mrs Sarge took their cameras on the road with the team last weekend. Head on over to ringo.com and check out the pics (email him if you need logon instructions again - as it would be very bad internet security mojo to post them here).

Fit to be Tied (and other news)

10/10/2007
The Highlander A's and Glendale fought to a 19-19 draw last Saturday at Infinity Park. The killer B's fared better against the Raptors, winning 18-12. Details are scarce, but if you've a mind to (and a Windows Media Player capable PC), you can download and view a video of the match from Glendale's website. Sarge has also posted his photos from the weekend on ringo, contact him by email if you need the login information required to view the pics.

The Highlanders are now 0-1-1 in Division I league play, and will likely need to win out the remainder of their fall schedule if they want to keep their threepeat league championship hopes alive. The next match is this weekend versus GOATS at Dick's Sporting Goods Park (Field 10). Kickoff is at 2:00 with the B's v Western State to follow at around 3:30. Reminders: Dick's does not allow alcohol or pets, so please buy your brews at the concession stand (cash only) and leave Fido at home. Also, if you have some sort of "wardrobe malfunction" and need to change your shorts, please do so in the bathroom. There was an "incident" at the last match resulting in complaints being logged by the Dick's security staff. It's unclear if a Highlander or someone from the visiting side were at fault, but despite what you may think of your own glutes, nobody really wants to see your hairy butt anyway (that's a throwback thing to the era of the mud, blood, and beer image of rugby that is now apparently frowned upon in this kinder, gentler rugby nation).

In other news...

Children's Hospital Visit #5

Bernie has graciously provided the following account of the club's most recent visit to Children's Hospital:

Being the fictional account of a non-fiction occurence
Children's Hospital, Fitzsimons Campus, Aurora, CO. 10-3-2007.

Visitors for the home team got things off to a bang! at the brand-spanking new Children's Hospital when one of the lads, loitering-with-intent-to-visit, spotted an open staff member across the reception area in the Boettcher Atrium. "I'm going long!" our bonnie lass called out, arms filled with one large soft drink, file folders, and other accoutrements of her profession. Swiftly assessing options, our exuberant youth spins one, sweet pass: minimal, if any, rotation; angled slightly less than 30 degrees; and drifting just in front of our brave angel as she increased her pace to keep her appointment with destiny. One thing had to go. Not even the most accomplished juggler can simultaneously maintain hold on an armful AND catch a pass, yet our heroine made that attempt! In the end she lost the soft drink as its contents performed predictably in free space after being bashed by a rugby ball ... yet our courageous soul DID make that magnificent reception, offered one, sweet deadleg to a security technician which rendered him posteriorally [sic] challenged onto the bold, terrazzo flooring, and darted into space and over the try line, dotting down neatly under the elevator bank - Game Over - but the visit had just begun ...

Highlanders, ably assisted by hospital volunteers Kim, Susie and Tammy, were at their visitatious [sic] best making new friends old as they ranged about floors six through nine. Alex Johnson (AJ) and Gray Stimson (Rowdy) were brought to ground by one Princess Sophia, Rowdy sustaining an injury that forced him to leave the playing field. Thus our boys struggled on, one man down. Joshua N. and Steve (Little Stevie) Swofford were schedule card sharks, dispensing game info pervasively. Big Mike Dellere and Happy Drew Albrecht were the Tweedledee and Tweedledum of Crutches Brigade, brandishing their temporary metallic appendages with undisguised pride and aplomb. Nolan surprised and delighted everyone by inquiring incessantly as to the whereabouts of his imaginary friend who apparently is on staff at the hospital. And Travis, what more can be said of Travis than he had the balls...

End of day a fundamentally sound visitation was had by all as your DHRFC represented well and worthily.

PS - Pictures from the visit are also available on Sarge's ringo.com site

Olde Boys News

Nigel has been doing an oustanding job with his resuscitation of the Highlander Olde Boys. The OB's have been meeting for touch on Thursday evenings at Hampden Heights park (just north of Hampden on Dayton St), and celebrated their return to the pitch in glorious fashion against Boulder a few weeks back. Next year is the 40th anniversary of the club, and in that regard a big reunion is being planned for next year's Aspen Ruggerfest. If you are interested in joining up with Nigel and crew, either to play or just be an allagadoo, please give him a shout via this email link.

Speaking of anniversaries, the High Desert Classic is celebrating its 30th anniversary on October 20-21 in Albuquerque. There are quite a number of esteemed Highlander alums planning on making the trip. Please contact Terry Wadsworth for more information regarding this event. Albu-coo-coo is always a good time!

Trust Fund Update

Dr. Sands has provided the following report regarding the current state of the DHRFC Trust:

Subject: Trust Fund - good news and bad news

Highlanders - the good news

We have made steady progress in the last 8 mos. In summary, our net value has increased from $9977 to $12,250

Of interest, in the 12 month period from Aug 06 - Aug 07 we had more than $5k in contributions and earned dividends. We had a substantial number of one-time donations during this time period. Thank you to all members who have contributed.

The bad news - a number of subscriptions have expired and have not been renewed. (The web site is now set up to automatically renew monthly donations unless terminated by the individual).

We currently have only 9 monthly recurring donations for a monthly income of $175. I've had a lot of verbal promises to donate that have not been fulfilled. Several seasons ago, I sewed up a facial laceration on one of our players after a match, saving him a minimum of $200-300 and a 2 hour or more wait in the ER. In return for this pro bono work, I asked him to send a donation to the Trust Fund - never happened.

A solid financial basis is essential to ensuring the further success and progress of this organization. The Highlanders have done well in the past on dues alone but this will probably not be sufficient to move up to the next level.

If 20% of active and Old Boys had contributed as little as $10/mo over the last several years, we could easily have $50 - $60k in the fund at this point.

Take the time now and head over to the Membership page and find a suitable link to sign up (near the bottom of the page) - every little bit helps.

Thanks,
Art

Letter from the Webhead

My Fellow Highlanders,

I realize that there have not been any updates to this site over the past 6 weeks or so. Understand that this website is currently a one-man show and relies on you, dear reader, to provide timely news and information if you wish for the site to remain current. I can not post scores or match reports if I don't receive any. I also don't always have the time to scour the yahoogroups in search of juicy gossip or newsworthy items to post (and have been burnt by exercising such literary license in the past).

As a result of a mild rant I made in response to a mail-group message regarding the recent lack of updates, I have now been labeled as "part of the problem and not part of the solution" in a subsequent email tirade. Rest assured this is not the case, and I will continue to provide the hosting services and coding chores for at least the foreseeable future (hopefully with some much appreciated help from Stephan). But this is your website, and all I am asking is for you to participate by providing a bit more input regarding what you would like to see posted here. In that light, I am asking that if you have news items or updates that you would like to see posted, please email them directly to me using the following email address: Mike [at] Prilliman [dot] com (replacing the [at] and [dot] robot-foiling mechanisms with the appropriate symbols). That way it should be much easier for me to keep the wheat separated from the chaff that often litters the yahoo mail groups.

Thank you for your support,
MP

Older News and Events for 2007

Index

08/25/2007 Highlanders Take Two From Zoomies
08/18/2007 Children's Hospital Revisited
08/13/2007 Raffle Winners Announced
08/06/2007 Super Summer Sevens 3-Peat
08/01/2007 Ruck and Runs (July Updates)

07/11/2007 Fall Schedule

06/29/2007 New Fund Raiser Page
06/18/2007 Highlanders Welcome City Pub as New Sponsor

05/15/2007 Eagles to Borrow Our Lizard
08/15/2007 Highlanders Fall to Grunions at Sweet 16
05/13/2007 Clash of Rugby Worlds! Saracens v. Crusaders
05/07/2007 High School Playoffs - Final Four
05/02/2007 Highlanders Advance to Division I Sweet Sixteen

04/16/2007 Highlanders Down Zoomies
04/10/2007 Everything You Ever Need to Know About Our New Dick
04/07/2007 Highlanders Take Two in ABQ
04/05/2007 Highlanders's 2nd Half Explosion Leaves KC Singing the Blues

03/17/2007 How's Your Aspen?
03/12/2007 Highlanders Wallop Wyoming
03/05/2007 Black Sunday
03/02/2007 Lizard Attends USARFU Coaching Clinic

02/07/2007 Catching Up

01/22/2007 Burns Supper
01/17/2007 Highlanders Victorious in Children's Hospital Debut

Highlander Archives

Highlanders Take Two from Zoomies

08/25/2007
The Denver Highlanders opened their Fall 2007 account with two come-from-behind wins at the Air Force Academy on Saturday. Aware that their opponents would be fit and full of vim and vigor, the Highlanders had a poor warm-up and it did not take long for the Zoomies to remind a few of the boys that summer was now officially over. A lack of focus and composure on the little ball they had saw the Highlanders down 10-0 in as many minutes and facing disaster. A good line-out catch and drive of over 30 yards was the first positive sign albeit five minutes from the half, and the resultant pressure allowed Leif Gibson to goal a penalty which saw Air Force turn 13-3 up at the half. Mercifully the second half was an improved performance with veteran heads dictating the pace of the game for a 23-13 result. Close range tries came from skipper Jeff Wineland and #8, Ryan Cuthers (at the third attempt!). Gibson added the rest from his trusty right boot in a good second-half performance for the Highlanders which demonstrated resolve and testicular fortitude. Good performances were scarce and fitness was, for the most part, woeful but an away win will suffice.

The B-side, under new coach Steve Tarr, also came back from a deficit to win 27-19 with two late tries engineered by the sure hands of Brendan Clancy. 19-5 down, this game was marked by fine performances from Ryan and Cole in their debuts as well as solid efforts from two slightly more senior gentlemen, Rowdy and Alex.

Fitness for the squad will be an emphasis in the coming weeks, particularly at the Labor Day training camp. Next up, the B side plays Metro on Wed 5th while the A’s play the combined might of Vail, Steamboat and Breck in a pre-Ruggerfest warm-up on Sat the 8th September.

Children's Hospital Revisited

As submitted by Bernie Decker - over?

Denver - August 8, 2007
Once again Denver Highlanders Rugby Football Club’s season kickoff activity proved a win-win situation for all parties involved. 6:30pm, when most people (civilians and Highlanders alike!) are contemplating what to do with the remainder of their day, the Highlander A+ squad were restless, milling about the lobby of Children’s Hospital.

“You got the books?”
“Check.”
“Rubberbands?”
“Check.”
“Crayons?”
“Check.”
“Schedule cards?”
“El checkay grande!”
“Did somebody say Bingo?”

And it was game on, as the our boys (and one girl!), ably abetted by hospital volunteers Cody, Jeremy, Meghan, and Tammy, began their fourth visit to Children’s Hospital in 2007. But it was to be no ordinary visit, for on this night of nights after bringing cheer, coloring books and crayons, schedule cards and tall tales of short stories a happy ending was assured when, at the volunteer’s recommendation, we sauntered on down to the “Bingo Emporium” (aka lunchroom) and became embroiled in a fast-paced game of Bingo with staff and kids. And the level of intensity ratcheted several notches higher. It was every ably-bodied individual for theirselves as alpha-numeric shouts rebounded off the walls. Truth be told this reporter was unlucky enough to have a cheating, thieving Serge the Indomitable overlooking his shoulder, thus no wins for this man; yet prizes of stuffed animals were awarded to most contestants, and as the saying goes, “Good times and Fine Frolic were had by All.”

Next visit = Wednesday, October 3, 2007. 6:30pm – be there or be somewhere else, but there’s better.

Raffle Winners Announced

08/13/2007
The drawing for the 2007 Highlander Raffle was held last Friday at the Old Hole. The winners are as follows:

1. 2 Broncos Season Tickets - Liliana Ramey
2. 2 night stay at Blue Lake Ranch, Don Gaspar Inn, or Casa Blanca Inn - Marla Pitts Rogers
3. $250 Ruth's Chris Steakhouse certificate - Gregg Brown
4. 2 Broncos single game tickets (game TBD) - Clay Campbell
5. "Continental Luxury" treatment at A Day Spa - Serge Blaco
6. "Continental Luxury" treatment at A Day Spa - J. Scheere
7. 2 lift tickets for Arapahoe Basin - A.J. Sawhney
8. 2 Avalanche single game tickets (10/13 vs Columbus) - Kathy Spomer
9. $50 J. Alexanders certificate - Steve Conner
10. $50 The Hornet certificate - Maurice McNamee
11. $50 Valente's certificate - Lloyd Chavez
12. $50 Imperial House certificate - Doug Akin
13. 4 Rockies single game tickets (9/8 vs San Diego) - Debbie Bruner
14. 2 Mammoth single game tickets (game TBD) - Ruben Canchold
15. BBQ utensil set - Cole Kuepper
16. $25 Valente's certificate - Shawn Barnett
17. $25 Valente's certificate - Robin Dinkel
18. 2 Comedy Works tickets - Debbie Bruner
19. 2 Comedy Works tickets - Erin Kirby
20. Athletic bag - Steve Swafford
21. Autographed Avalanche pennant - Beth Arnone
22. Kenyon Martin autographed basketball - Scott Dalex

Congrats to all of the winners, our staff at raffle central should be in touch with you shortly. If your name is on this list and you have not heard anything from us, please send an email to Scott Bredehoeft at your earliest convenience so that we can arrange getting your prize delivered to you.

Special thanks to everyone who purchased (or sold) tickets to this year's raffle. Running this club is always an expensive endeavor, and we truly appreciate your help in offsetting some of these expenses.

PS - Please forgive me for any misspelled names (in my defense, the list of winners I received appears as if it may have been prepared by semi-literate, slightly-inebriated chicken).

Super Summer Sevens 3-Peat

08/06/2007
This just in from roving reporter, Scott Bredehoeft:

Congratulations to the Denver Highlanders who have won the Super Summer 7’s tourney for the 3rd straight year. Highlanders went into Friday night as the 5th seed and then proceeded to knock off everybody in their way. Quarter-finals had Highlanders beating #4 CSU 3-2. Semi-finals against the #1 seed UNC was a back and forth affair which finally ended 9-7 in favor of the good guys. The finals were against #3 seed Glendale and this one was never really in much doubt as Highlanders went up 2-0, gave up an easy one then made it 4-1 at half. Final score was 4-2. Congratulations to the finals squad: Bean, Stoter, Leif, Timmy, Dragon, Nick, Grinder (no, that is not a mis-print), Jeff Wineland, Homer, Clinton, Big Mike Edwards, and Quaker. Thanks to all of the boys who showed up all summer long and to our adoring fans, who seem to follow us everywhere.

Reminders

08/01/2007
Just a quick reminder to all players - Training for the fall campaign starts tomorrow evening (08/02) at Garland Park (6:00). It's also time to start thinking about paying your fall dues ($125 for veterans and $100 for new players). For your convenience there are PayPal links on the Club Membership page. You are not required to re-register with CIPP if you already did so for the spring season.

Ruck and Runs

07/30/2007
Some quick and dirty updates as July comes to a close:

This is the last week of Summer Sevens. The regular season ends Wednesday night and the playoffs will be held Friday, August 3rd. All games are at The Jake, and the fun starts at 6:00 PM both nights. This is a good chance to get out and enjoy some summer fun in the park, and gives you one last chance to snag yourself some Highlander Raffle tickets.

Big Mike has set up another visit to Children's Hospital for Wednesday, August 8th at 6:30. Give Mike a shout if you can lend your time for this extremely worthy cause (303.589.5281).

Matt Stampfle (a.k.a. "Dragon") has set up a couple of new group e-mail lists for all those of us who simply despise yahoogroups. Please use these new links whenever the urge to spam either the General Mailing list or the Olde Boys mailbox strikes you. Thanks Dragon.

How about some rugby with your lunch? This Friday (8/3), the City Pub South will be showing live Currie Cup action featuring the Blue Bulls versus Boland. Kickoff is at 11:00 AM, why not pop into our home pub for lunch and help remind our sponsors why they like us? Don't forget to print your FREE BEER COUPON and let Leif how much you spent getting "loosened up" for the Summer Sevens finals later in the day.

Head-Bangers Unite!

07/18/2007
Your Uncle Greg has lined up some more gigs with the folks at Argus Event Staffing. The line-up includes the likes of Ozzy, Def Leppard, Poison, Marilyn Manson, Blue October, and more! If you are into metal and/or 80's big-hair bands you will definitely want to check out all the added dates over on the fund raisers page. You south-siders might be interested to note that all these new shows are being held at the Coors Amphitheatre (formerly known as Fiddler's Green). Contact Greg to volunteer your time and go have a head-bangin' good time while you earn some much needed cash for the club (don't forget your earplugs).

Fall Schedule Announced

07/11/2007
The preliminary schedule for the Fall season has been posted over on the Fixtures page. It looks as if our boys are in for an interesting autumn campaign with a fixture list chock-full of Division I matches, tours, and tournaments. Training starts on August 2nd and it has been humbly suggested that it is time for the lads to get off the patio furniture and start doing some running.

Reminders:
The 2007 Raffle drawing will be held Friday August 10th. If you haven't bought (or sold) your tickets yet, the time to do so is NOW! Head over to the fund raisers page for more information. Highlander Olde Boys - the club could use your assistance selling tickets. Please contact Hojon if you can help out.

The Aspen Ruggerfest is September 15-16. If you are planning on going you need to get your room reservations made ASAP or face the possibility of camping out on the El Paso pitch (this can be somewhat unpleasant, trust me).

Summer Sevens is in full swing. Why not head over to the Jake (Wednesdays at 6) and enjoy the action?

New Fund Raiser Page

06/29/2007
Our little website has a new feature.

Maintaining a top-level rugby club can be an expensive proposition for both the club's administrators as well as its players. Each year, the Highlanders strive to provide a variety of different fund-raising programs in order to defray some of these costs (and keep membership dues as low as possible). The participation of the club's players and fans are crucial to the success of these programs. On our brand new Fund Raisers Page you will find a listing of all current fund-raisers. If you can help, please do not hesitate to sign-up. As always, your support is greatly appreciated.

A "Fund Raisers" button has also been added to the menu on the left to help you find your way back over there. Please make sure to visit it frequently for updates. Thanks again.

Coming Soon: A page dedicated to our current and future sponsors.

Catching Up

06/18/2007
Upcoming Fundraisers: Uncle Greg has some more summer fund-raisers lined up with Argus Security. He is needing volunteers for 4th of July Fireworks show at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. This one pays us time and a half so it would be a great way to knock down some easy money for the club (and get to see one of the best fireworks shows in the state as a bonus). For you boot-scooters in the crowd, he's also looking for security staff for the Kenny Chesney show on June 30th (Dick's) and the Tim McGraw / Faith Hill show on July 31st (Pepsi Center).

As always, if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Greg Hansen at your earliest convenience (email, ph. 303.317.8952 ).

Reminder: Summer Sevens is in full swing - Wednesday evenings at The Jake. Get out there and cheer on your defending champion Highlanders...

New Photos: Got a bunch of new pics over on the photo gallery thanks to Jill, Scott, Greg, and Sarge. Check 'em out...

New Pub: See below...

Highlanders Welcome City Pub South as New Sponsor

06/18/2007
The Highlanders have packed up their mugs and moved south to the City Pub. Located just up the road from "Highlander Heights" at 3575 S. Yosemite (see map at the bottom of this page), the City Pub boasts 18 beers on tap with daily drink specials, a 100" High-def TV and the willingness to use it for viewing rugby matches served up by Setanta, pool, shuffleboard, darts, and Denver's Best Burger. City Pub has also made a significant sponsorship contribution to the club in exchange for our patronage, so not only is City Pub going to be a great new place to go enjoy some refreshing malted adult beverages after the match, they are also actively supporting our club. We need to support our supporters even during the off-season, so go drop in and introduce yourself as soon as you can.

Eagles to Borrow Our Lizard

05/15/2007
A somewhat reputable, yet unnamed source (who's initials are S.L.), has let it be known that our very own Highlander head coach and team Lizard, Steve Lewis, has been invited to accompany the US Eagles on their upcoming trip to the UK to participate in the Churchill Cup competition that begins this Friday (USA vs England Saxons, 8:00 PM MDT on Setanta). As yet we remain uncertain that this is not a clever ploy by Team Scotland to plant a mole in the Eagles camp prior to their Pool A match against the USA next Wednesday, but it would seem that congratulations are in order nonetheless.

Well done coach. Looks like consecutive WRFU North championships and trips to the USARFU D-I Sweet 16 might get you noticed after all. You make us all proud.

Highlanders Fall to Grunions at Sweet 16

by Steve Lewis

Hopes were high as the Highlanders traveled to Columbia, SC for the 2007 Division 1 Round of Sixteen. The draw had been favorable pairing us against Southern California qualifiers, the Santa Barbara Grunions. Practice had been good and despite some late arrivals due to airline diversions, it appeared that the boys were ready and focused for the 9am kick-off in perfect conditions.

However, as in the Western final against Austin, the Highlanders got off to a nervous start, missing touches and tackles and put themselves under the gun early conceding a try and a penalty for an 8-0 deficit. Then after a Gibson penalty for 8-3 came the turning point. A tremendous surge upfield was held a yard short of the opposition line and it was the Highlanders unlucky to be penalized. Play returned to the Highlander half and poor follow-up on a Highlander drop-out saw Santa Barbara move to a 15-3 lead just before the half.

The second half saw the Highlanders trail 22-3 most of the way before a Shafroth consolation try converted by Gibson made it 22-10. However two late tries were conceded for a 36-10 final scoreline and a very disappointing end to the season. For the Highlanders, Patrick Stoter was immense in defence and attack, helped by a typically pugnacious Clinton Camp and a re-energised Ryan Cuthers. Some others seemed overawed by the occasion and as a team we clearly did not perform to the best of our abilities.

With the cancellation of the Sunday game against the Maryland Exiles due to lightning, it was a sad finish to a season that promised much. Temperament, not talent, was the issue and unfortunately, we have all summer to reflect upon it. That having been said, club standards and expectations are much higher and we must continue to raise the bar to progress.

Look for an upgraded fixture list this coming fall.

Please follow this link for photos from all of the weekends Division I, II, III playoff action.

Clash of Rugby Worlds! Saracens v. Crusaders

by Dave "Sammy Hagar" Farmer

05/13/2007
This is not an email about the Mighty Mighty Saracens. It is an amusing ‘vignette’ that I thought some of you might enjoy:

Well we’ve stumbled our way through the season. We’ve arrived at every game with somewhere between 11 and 17 players. And yet we’ve had at least 30 different individuals ‘start’ for us on the A (and only) team—think that through and it doesn’t represent a team built on tradition and consistency—but it has led to a pretty steady core of guys. We’ve had a guy miss two practices because he joy rode to Vegas (but showed up at the game on Saturday), had a guy miss practice because he was giving plasma to get some money for his family, and had lots of guys miss practice because their manager at Burger King would not let them have one more day off ‘for Rugby’!

And yet this remarkable assemblage of knuckleheads has gotten themselves into the State Championship Semi-Final Round this Saturday (that’s out of 24 teams). They’ve won their last 3 games by a combined 108-5, including a 24-0 win over last years State Champs (Ken Caryl/Chatfield) in last Saturday’s Qualifying Round.

But remember, this is not about the Saracens, it’s about the ‘Vignette’. We’re just setting the stage.

So we’re playing Regis Jesuit in the semis. Regis has about 52 players all dressed out in full kit at every game. And if they have 52 players at the game, that means they have 104 parents at the game, cuz that’s the kind of people they are. They have scrum sleds and field houses and eight coaches and practice 5 days a week. We have somewhere between 11 and 17 players and 2 parents (one’s the coach), and we practice in a rumpled up old park in north central Aurora twice a week, cuz if we added one or 2 more practices, we’d end up with 3-5 players at each practice. And our ‘scrum sled’ is two 50+ year old guys and whoever we can find to stand in at hooker.

But that’s not what this is about, it’s about the ‘Vignette’

So tonight(last practice before the State-Semi), there’s 12 players and two coaches running around in our park. And we’re not in ‘Full Kit’. There’s guys with no shirts and guys in ‘Guinea T’s’, and guys with kerchiefs on their heads and beads in their hair and they’re all runnin’ around with giant zeppelin like silk shorts mid-shin, sometimes pausing to pull them up as they run. It looks a lot more like a pick-up basketball game in Newark than a rugby practice. A working knowledge of rudimentary ‘Chaos Theory’ is one of the fundamental assets when coaching this group.

And then a late model silver Mercedes SL pulls up and parks on the edge of the park—kind of behind a mangy bush. Well there’s probably a few late model silver Mercedes SL’s in north central Aurora, but the fact that it’s a white guy driving this one sets it apart. It’s the Regis coach and he’s come to ‘surreptitiously’ scout us.

(Now this isn’t to make fun of Dan O’Leary(the Regis Coach) or his players. He’s a good guy that knows his rugby and his players are the kind of people you’d like to claim as sons, friends and relatives. He’s a doctor that spends all his spare time flying around the country taking and giving Coaching Clinics (well he is an ex-Barbo, so I guess he does have his warts)

So what’s the Point? Or more to the Point, where’s this ‘Vignette’ I’m talking about?

Well I had one of these quick flashes where all of a sudden you’re seeing things through another person’s eyes ! And my buddy and co-coach Dave White must of had the same experience. We couldn’t stop laughing. While we’re honored that he was worried enough about us that he tried to scout us, we’re worried about what this might do to the foundations he’s built his life on ! What are his eye’s seeing? This is the makings of a Top 4 Rugby team? ! How do you apply the teachings of Graham Henry, Jack Clark, Sir Clive Woodward and Chuck Kiven to analyzing this group? What would Thomas Aquinas say? When he fed our trends and tendencies into his software programs, did it/he blow a hard drive ? ! What type of Game Plan did he derive from his analysis ? ? How do you Game Plan for this group ? ? It was perhaps a teetering ‘Copernicusian’ moment for him and his faiths ! I kept thinking about this and laughing until I fell asleep that night. Our basic faiths and perceptions of the world may be challenged at any moment ! !

Epilogue

It’s Sunday now and the Planets have returned to their orbits. The Center has Held. Regis beat us pretty squarely, 25-5. And the Saracens left everything they had on the field— a whole lot to be proud of and hopefully some lessons learned. After the game I asked Coach Dan what he ‘Game-Planned’ for us and he said ‘The only thing I could come up with was run away from you guys’(he was being modest)

One of the really nice things was that after the day was over, one of the refs/touch judges came up to us and said that the level of sportsmanship our guys displayed was the highest he saw over the day; that is even more amazing in the perspective of the fact that our team was by far the most physical out there of the four. I was actually ‘touched’ by this. We’ve run into a lot of really good kids.

Aurora, Denver East, Regis, and Colorado Springs Advance to CYR Final Four

05/07/2007
The Colorado Youth Rugby Regional Playoffs were held this past weekend at Robert Easton Park in Littleton. The event featured 16 Colorado high school rugby teams competing for the opportunity to advance to next Saturday's state semi finals at Greenbriar Park in Ft. Collins. The four pool winners earning trips to this year's Final Four were Aurora, Denver East, Regis Jesuit, and Colorado Springs. Colo. Springs and East will kickoff at 12:30, with Aurora vs. Regis to follow at 1:45. The winners will advance to the state championship match to be held on May 19th at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch.

A number of our esteemed Highlander alumni are amongst those who volunteer their time and services to coach these young men, and the club was well represented on the sidelines at this year's playoffs. Congratulations go to Whitey, Farmer, and Turtle for leading their Aurora Saracens to the Final Four by winning their two pool matches by the combined scores of 63-nil. Tom Watson also assists with semi-finals bound Denver East where his son toils in the backline. Commiserations go to Doessell, Stu, and Pobar who saw their defending state champion S.W.A.R.M. end up on the wrong end of one of Aurora's shutouts, and to the Hojon-spawn that played for the Cherry Creek side.

Marc "Sarge" Williams was also in attendance with his ever present photo gear, and has created a photo-share so that all can view the images he captured on Ringo.com by following these simple instructions:

1. If you already have a Ringo account then go to Ringo.com and click on the “Everyone” at the top of the page. Then, in the light blue box on the right hand side, type in “errfuunder19@hotmail.com” and hit the “Go” button. This should take you to the page where you can see the pictures.

2. If you do not have an account you can use the one that was created specifically for this purpose. Go to Ringo.com and select “Sign In”. In the Email box put “errfuunder19@hotmail.com”. The password is “youthrugby” then hit the “Sign In” button. At the top of the page, click on “You”. From there you will be able to see all of the pictures that were posted from Saturday.

If you have any problems or questions regarding the pictures or getting logged in, drop a line to Sarge.

Win or lose, we'd like to extend our heartiest thanks to all of the Highlanders involved in the CYR for the great job they are doing to build the future of rugby in Colorado.

You're Invited to the 2007 Highlander Awards Banquet

It's that time of year again. The annual awards banquet will be held on Saturday, May 19th at the Wyndham Hotel in DTC. This is one week after the team returns from the Sweet 16 so come join them in celebrating their tremendously successful 06-07 Division I campaign. Cocktails start at 6 with dinner to follow at 7. Please get your RSVP to Brendan Clancy as soon as possible.

Reminder - Children's Hospital Visit #3 Tonight

05/02/2007
We will be touring and visiting with the patients & families at Children's Hospital (1056 E. 19th Avenue) tonight, May 2nd from 6:30-8ish. We will be meeting in the Lobby, and try to be there before 6:30 so we can get started on time.

We had a great turnout on our last 2 visits in January & March. Remember that every player is expected to attend at least 1 of the visits each season, so if you missed the first 2 opportunities, you need to make plans to attend this one. Of course, there will be the customary beverage consumed after the visit is completed, location TBD.

Last visit, we handed out our very own DHRFC coloring books to the kids, and they loved them! If you want your own copy of the new coloring book, you'll have to come to the Hospital on the 2nd.

Many of us did see Meghan during our last visit, but I have no idea if she will be available to guide us around again. If you are wondering who Meghan is, you will have to attend on the 2nd to see her.

Childrens Hospital website

See you there,
Big Mike

Highlanders Advance to Division I Sweet Sixteen

[Update 05/02/2007] Official Report from our own Ever-lovin' Lizard

The Highlanders traveled to Texas (again) for the Western Championships this past weekend and faced The Woodlands (again) in the first semi-final. Temperature at game time was a purported 93 but hopes were as high as the humidity, and a motivated Highlander side opened up a 13-0 lead early on with a fine try by left-wing Diehl after a textbook McQuade intrusion. Gibson added the conversion and two penalties before The Woodlands fought back to score just prior to the half-time whistle after some poor tackling and a discernible loss of composure. (13-7). Having re-grouped the Highlanders opened the second half with some assured rugby, sticking to the game plan and posing all sorts of trouble for the Texan back division. Tries were added by Diehl (two more for a hat-trick and a fine individual performance), one from a sublime Gibson grubber, and Stoter whose superior pace saw him beat el presidente for the scoring pass from wing replacement Brad Nelson. Final score 37-12 to the clansmen.

Sunday was a little cooler and the opponents were the Austin Blacks (again). Last year they had had their way with the Highlanders, particularly at the line out and finished 51-10 winners. But this was no groundhog day with a defiant performance from the Highlanders, particularly up front where the pack refused to be bullied. Early nerves saw a failure to clear the lines and Austin camped inside the Highlander 5 metres from where they ground out two converted tries for an early 14-0 lead. The Highlanders had struggled to break out of their half due to some superior line-kicking and stifling defense from Austin but turned at the half with the breeze in their favor. A tense, taut game ensued but when push came to shove, there was only a Jeremy Wineland try to show for it. Final score 14-7 Austin.

The weekend was an tremendous success and a new standard of play was set, great intestinal fortitude shown and another trip to the Sweet Sixteen assured. Piotr Niemkiwiecz had an outstanding game against Austin, followed closely by Jon Taylor who won a new (for good play and superior citizenship) award from the West. Pick of the weekend was Clinton Camp’s tackling, Ryan Diehl’s finishing, and some magnificent pool (what rules) from the two non-players. Next up are the Santa Barbara Grunions in Columbia two weeks hence.

04/30/2007
The Highlanders lost a hotly contested match to the Austin Blacks by a 14-7 margin in the finals of the Western Regional Playoffs Sunday in Fort Worth, TX. According to head coach Lizard Lewis, “It was a big step up for us as they (Austin) beat us by 40 points or so in last year’s final, so we’re making progress.” The victory earned Austin the #9 seed in next month's National D-I Playoffs in Columbia, SC. The defeat was not an utter disaster for the Highlander's championship hopes however, and the boys will still be making the field of 16 teams as the tenth seed.

The Highlanders handily defeated the Woodlands on Saturday by a 37-12 score to advance to Sunday's championship showdown against Austin. Austin earned their way into the title match by blanking Aspen 33-0 in their semi-final round. Aspen were the 44-28 victors over the Woodlands in Sunday's consolation match, and will be joining the Highlanders and Austin in South Carolina as the twelfth seed.

Highlanders Down Zoomies

04/16/2007
With the expected snow storm a no-show, conditions were nigh on perfect for the Highlanders on their debut at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City. The facilities are tremendous although the short in-goal area and a portion of the retaining wall were problematic. Unfortunately the Highlanders happy Saturday afternoon was spoiled by opponents, the Air Force Academy who had not read the script and proceeded to cause problems all over the place with a committed, speedy and gutsy performance. As the last match before Westerns, preparation was spoiled by an injury to Shayne Kawana in the warm-up and a succession of injuries throughout the game which disrupted the coach’s intentions.

After the Zoomies opened the scoring the Highlanders responded Bredehoeft dotting down from a Gibson break. 7-7. Numerous opportunities were scorned with some poor handling which was compounded by woeful tackling for a poor first-half and a 24-19 Highlander lead. Tries had been added by Stoter, following up a well-placed Guerra kick, and a quick tap from Clinton Camp who filled in well for the suspended Jeremy Wineland at hooker. The Academy kept it close profiting from poor decisions and a lack of clinical finishing from the home team getting as close as 29-26 before a late spurt from the Highlanders closed things out at 48-26. Second half tries were added by Rohner from close range, Cuthers controlling a 5-yard scrum, Bredehoeft and Stoter completing their brace with good angled runs. Overall a disappointing performance with mistakes aplenty and lots to do on the practice field in the coming weeks.

Once again the B-side put in a good performance to defeat their Air Force counterparts 38-29. Pick of the bunch was Andrew Bean at fly-half and the Moolet man who popped up everywhere and got through a ton of work. (He also had a telling kick in the A-side game worthy of someone with a better haircut.) Bryan Trautwein also scored twice from the unfamiliar position of center. Highlander numbers were excellent with 46 people available to play and 5 players helped out the Vatos in their victory over Air Force C’s.

Everything You Ever Need to Know About Our New Dick

04/10/2007
The Highlanders will be moving to their new home pitch at The Dick's Sporting Goods Park complex in Commerce City beginning with this weekend's match against the Zoomies. "The Dick" is located just a skosh east of Quebec St. at 60th Avenue on the southwest corner of the old Rocky Mountain Arsenal (I sure hope they cleaned that place up as good as advertised). This is supposed to be top notch facility and will be our home field for the foreseeable future, so come join us at the inauguration on Saturday. 

Kickoff is at 1:00. Click this link for driving directions. We'll get a map posted up here pretty soon.

(What did you expect this article to be about? Ya buncha pervs!)

Highlanders Take Two in ABQ

04/07/2005
Fasten your seatbelts and keep the sedatives close. Last weekend’s trip to the police state that passes for New Mexico will surely go down as one of the top 3 in Highlander history for a variety of differing reasons. First the journey, which was a miserable experience taking between 9 and 10 hours and resulting in hotel check-in times of 3.30-4am. Caught in the Friday night icestorm and traffic, progress was slow and fraught with peril, never mind the choice of music. Never again.

Saturday morning started with snow but the weather cleared up before kick-off and a cool, overcast afternoon was in store. The Ardvaarks have been improving the last few seasons and proved to be pugnacious and committed opponents. With 4 starters unavailable, the Highlanders started well recycling the ball and applying pressure. Yet the Ardvaarks scored first for a 3-0 lead. The Highlanders responded well with Gibson’s astute chip kick to the corner caught on the full for the flying winger Diehl to dot down. 7-3. Further Highlander pressure and another score seemed certain until a wide pass was telegraphed and the Ardvaark center picked it off for a 90-meter interception score, 7-10. With Gibson unusually errant with his goalkicking, the Highlanders had squandered plenty of good ball with careless passes and only a trademark Rohner try and a Gibson penalty saw the boys eke out a 15-10 half-time lead.

The second half continued in the same towsy fashion with the Highlanders starting to exert some dominance at close quarters and the pick-and-go paid off for further tries from Stronach, who had an excellent game, and Jeremy Wineland. Good hands also saw Kawana score in the corner and Gibson goaled a late penalty for a 35-20 road win. Skipper Jeff Wineland got through a lot of work and 2nd row stand-in Matt Mains ran straight and hard. Veterans Cuthers and Kawana were solid and dependable on their return and Stoter ran good angles all day without reaping the benefit.

Having traveled with 31 players, an excellent showing, the Highlander B’s took on the Vatos of New Mexico and secured a 27-20 win with fine performances from Andrew Bean, fast becoming an assured footballer and the Kiwi “MOOLET” man. This game also saw fine individual scores from Gonzo and Fabrizio, the Italian stallion, and a textbook tackle from Matt Shafroth.

The events of the evening need to be recounted in person rather than immortalized here, but suffice to say that zulu runs, court and a certain person who plays in the 2nd row and whose name is not Matt and who is most definitely a disturbed individual featured as did members of the local constabulary and their impressive weaponry. Oh yes, Diehl, Rohner and Bean all had issues with food retention at court, Chooch knows what we mean.

Highlander's 2nd Half Explosion Leaves KC Singing the Blues

by Steve "Blind Melon Chitlin'" Lewis

04/05/2007
The Highlanders continued their winning ways with an emphatic 57-23 win over the Kansas City Blues in the Mile High City. Having dropped out of the Super League and joining the Northern D1 next year, this would prove to be a good test for a Highlander club preparing for a tilt at the Westerns.

The Highlanders started promisingly at a reconfigured Northglenn pitch which saw a strong wind behind the Blues. First blood went to the mid-westerners with two penalties goaled for a 6-0 lead. Then the men in red produced probably their best try in two years going left-right-left through at least ten pairs of hands (Taylor and Gibson twice) before Bredehoeft dotted down, Gibson goaled for 7-6. With some indifferent refereeing (18-4 penalty count) and poor first-time tackling K.C scored twice to go into the break up 20-7 somewhat against the run of play. Rohner was close at the corner and Bokhoven also came close, unlucky to be penalized over the line.

At half-time the message was “keep calm, play rugby and the points will come.” And so it came to pass.

Andrew Bean sliced through the centers for a quick score which Gibson converted (14-20). Good ruck ball was then spun left and Stoter’s crisp flat pass put Diehl in the corner. Gibson converted for a 21-20 lead. However a rare foray from the Blues into Highlander territory saw come away with a 23-21 lead which would be their last. Gibson, who was in commanding form all day, kept the ball where it belonged, in the KC half. A deluge of tries followed, Diehl again on the left, Stoter from close quarters, a Guerra/Rohner joint effort, one from the man with the worst haircut on the field, Tomlinson and the coup-de-grace from Jeremy Wineland. Gibson converted everything but the Galatians, including a drop-goal conversion from the touchline and a 57-23 home win went into the books.

Top of the pops for the Highlanders were revitalised prop, John Rohner, and pivot Gibson. K.C did not bring a B side but it is hoped that the Highlanders will travel in strength to Albuquerque to meet old friends the Aardvaarks. As of press time, Clinton Camp, Mike Herskowitz, Mike Dellere, Piotr Niemkewicz, and Scott Bredehoeft will all be unavailable, meaning changes to the starting line-up and opportunities for others.

Highlanders vs. Kansas City Blues

03/30/2007
UPDATE - TIME AND LOCATION CHANGED
The Highlanders will host the KC Blues this Saturday at Wyco Park in Northglenn. The Blues have dropped out of the Super League this year and will be joining our D-I region in the fall, so this promises to be a good test. Kickoff is at 2:00, players need to be there dressed and ready by 1:00.

Practice Moves to Garland

03/26/2007
Effective immediately (3/27), the Tuesday and Thursday training sessions will be moving to Garland Park for the rest of the season. Training starts at 6:00, so please get there on time to make the best use of that limited daylight we started saving a couple of weeks back.

Highlanders vs. Harlequins

03/24/2007
Today's matches against the 'Quins have been canceled due to rain (and the Parks Gestapo). No word yet on when it might be rescheduled. Enjoy your weekend.

How's Your Aspen?

by Stevie "Kiss Me, I'm Irish Scottish" Lewis

03/17/2007
73 degrees in the Mile High City as the Denver Highlanders prepared to entertain Aspen in what was a critical Division 1 match-up. The Highlanders, previously 3-0 in league play had righted the ship the previous week against Wyoming but were unsure what to expect from an Aspen side which contained “guest” players from all the other mountain clubs, Vail, Breckenridge and Steamboat.

The Highlanders sustained an early blow when prop Bryan Elsassaer had to withdraw after ten minutes with an injury sustained in the warm-up. He was replaced by Kiwi, Andrew Tomlinson and gradually the home side asserted its dominance. Gibson’s line kicking was assured and two penalties from him allied to tries from Stoter and Bredehoeft saw the Highlanders pull out to a 20-0 lead and a comfortable win looked on the cards. However, some backchat after mistaken identity by the ref saw Aspen tap and go to score under the posts and faster than you can say “Zilla’s a terror with the ladies” it was 20-7 at the half.

The second half saw another early injury, Tim Guerra sustaining a nasty head knock to be replaced by the ageless Alex Agre and Aspen fought back hard, aided by Highlander mistakes. Uncertainty at the tail of the lineout saw Aspen gifted a score and at 20-14 nerves were fraying. However, the rejuvenated Pat Stoter, enjoying a renaissance at #13, poached an errant Aspen pass to stretch the lead to 27-14. Again small mistakes from the men in red allowed Aspen another score although the conversion was crucially missed. A long Jon Taylor break was spoiled with a poor pass and seven points went a-begging, front-row men Tomlinson and Wineland received yellow-cards for killing the ball but the Highlanders 13 held on for a famous if disappointing victory.

However, credit where credit’s due, the Highlanders finish 4-0 in league play and take the 1st seed into the playoffs in Texas, where they will likely meet The Woodlands. To go any further will require tightening up from 1-15, maturity regarding field position, and a more ruthless disposition all round.

Nous verrons!

Highlanders Wallop Wyoming

by Steve "Now We're Talkin'" Lewis

03/12/2007
Following the opening day debacle at Shea Stadium, the Highanders had a chance at redemption Saturday at the Jake when faced with the University of Wyoming. Poor training sessions and squad-wide apathy had to change and it did….in the second half. Wyoming opened hard and fast, recycling the ball well and taking the game to their more senior opponents and two close range-tries had canceled each other out for 7-7 after half an hour, the home side’s score coming from a breenge by the svelte and re-energized John Rohner. With some panic in the ranks and the usual suspects starting to yap rather than play, it was an even game until man-of-the-match, Iowan Mark Bokhoven scored virtually untouched from a new set scrum play, and this was followed by an impressive dummy and score from Piotr Niemkiewicz. The Highlanders went into the half-time break, up a surprising 21-7. The second half saw a significant improvement with the team settled and well-marshalled by Leif Gibson against his former club. Further tries were added by Bokhoven (2), Stoter (2) in a welcome return to form, a Diehl interception and Gibson, unstoppable from 5 yards out. The final score was 64-7 marred only by an unfortunate injury to the Wyoming center who had had a fine game. All in all great preparation ahead of the crucial Aspen league game next Saturday at Garland Park.

The B’s also recorded a fine 28-10 with an excellent display from Breck player Andrew Bean at #10, supported well by the rumbustious Brendan Clancy and hard-running Mike Simpson.

PS - WEDNESDAY IS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL DAY – BE THERE OR FACE THE WRATH!

Upcoming Fundraisers

March Madness Raffle

It's that thime of year again. We will be holding the raffle for this year's NCAA March Madness Tournament tomorrow night (Tuesday 3/13) around 8:30 PM. Tickets cost $10 each.

Please contact Craig Tarr by email or call him on his cell at 720.480.0941 if you would like to purchase tickets.

Security for The Police Concert

Greg Hansen is also looking for event security volunteers to work The Police concert on June 10 at the Pepsi Center. This is a great way to help earn some money for the club, pay your fall dues, and enjoy a sold out concert all in one throw. All you'll need are some black pants, black shoes, a small flashlight, and the spare time. Interested parties need to contact Greg as soon as you can(email, ph. 303.898.9752).

Black Sunday

03/05/2007
2007’s first outing was grim one for the Highlanders with the A-side shellacked by the Barbarians 52-6 and the B-side faring even worse. With our traditional rivals having retooled in the off-season they had seven Eagles on the field and two games under their belt. The Highlanders had only one practice outside and so perhaps the result was not unexpected even if the score was. But no excuses, poor tackling, tentativeness at the breakdown, lack of match fitness and a lineout that misfired all day all contributed to a poor performance. The upside is these are all eminently fixable and will be fixed.

The positive? The set scrum held up well, Ryan Diehl was comfortable in his new role as full-back, Leif Gibson kicked well and Tim Guerra, as ever, defended well. New #8 Mark Bokhoven had little opportunity to showcase his undoubted talents. For the B’s Brendan Clancy had a fine game and Mike Simpson and Mike Dellere also worked hard. The season will restart on Tuesday night before the boys take on the University of Wyoming at the Jake next weekend.

Speaking of Training

Practice this week will finally be moving to Tues. and Thurs. at Veterans Park (also known as Vine and Iowa Park). Try to be there at 6:00 and we'll get rolling as soon as possible. We will be practicing on the softball field and we will have lights for most of the practice. From University, go to the end of Iowa Ave and turn left into the parking lot and you can't miss the field straight in front of you.

Lizard Attends USARFU Coaching Clinic

Reprinted from USA Rugby

3-2-2007 - USA RUGBY’S FIRST WORLD CUP CAMP SETS PACE FOR YEAR AHEAD
San Diego, CA
Sixty-three of the nation’s best rugby players met in San Diego, Calif. Feb. 18-23 for the USA’s first Rugby World Cup Training Camp, which was intended to bring together potential U.S. Rugby World Cup Team members in a concentrated camp environment to work on skill improvements.

Men’s National Team Coach Peter Thorburn brought in 37 forwards and 26 backs to the camp, including 10 U.S. players who were living and playing overseas and a dozen players whom he had never seen before last winter’s USA Rugby Men’s All-Star Championships.

“It was a great opportunity for us to get a number of players together and correct or improve skill deficiencies we have seen across the board,” Men’s National Team Coach Peter Thorburn said. “It was also a way for me to get another look at the dozen or so players whom I’d never seen before December, and fortunately, every one of those players showed the value of having them there.”

The majority of the group brought into this camp will get another chance to prove themselves to Thorburn and the National Team coaching staff as 52 players will soon be selected to the North American 4 Teams-- the U.S. Hawks and the U.S. Falcons – which will compete against their North American rivals -- Canada East and Canada West -- in a series of matches throughout these next several months.

“The NA4 will be a great place to see how dedicated these guys are to practicing and improving on their skills,” Thorburn said. “I will also be checking out some key Super League matches and Division I, II and III Club matches, this season. The experience that these players have gained, even if they don’t make the Rugby World Cup, will definitely prove positive for the depth of the program going forward.”

Thorburn, a New Zealand native and past All-Black selector, invited three New Zealand-based specialty coaches of international renown to focus on specific skill areas. New Zealand’s Dave Ellis focused on the USA’s ball skills, ball handling, and decision making under pressure. The All-Black’s scrum coach Mike Cron focused on the scrum, lineouts and rucking/mauling aspects of the game, while Mike Byrne brought his expertise on kicking, catching and passing to the camp.

"The first World Cup training camp was a tremendous learning tool for the squad in terms of teaching the fundamentals of catching and passing, which are the most used skills and are the ones that break down under pressure,” said David Williams, USA Rugby’s Strength and Conditioning Coach and one of the 63 backs invited to the camp. “When professional players comment on coaches sessions they went through as ‘the best they have ever witnessed’ that says something about the class of these coaches and the ease in which the players were able to pick up what is taught and then apply it to their position. The level of biomechanical detail for each of the passing, catching, kicking, body alignment drills that the three specialist coaches went through made perfect sense and aids in the development of the players as a team. Every player is now on the same page in terms of skill development and will practice how the skills feel both in the process and outcome. This camp went a huge way to develop USA Rugby from the top down."

In addition to the specialty coaches invited to the camp, there were also over 50 coaches from all levels of the U.S. game in attendance to watch, learn and take part in this camp as part of a USA Rugby coach development program designed at mobilizing U.S. coaches, allowing them to take in and/or validate new training techniques, and thus disseminate their new knowledge through their local rugby environments, with the ultimate goal of seeing the improvement and development of American players at every level.

“This was a breath of fresh air,” said Steve Lewis, who attended the camp and represents several levels of the game as the Head Coach of Men’s West Rugby Football Union, ERRFU’s U-19 Select Side and Denver Highlanders. “To be able to learn from the world’s top specialty coaches is truly an amazing experience. This also gives us the opportunity to meet other coaches, network and share information that we wouldn’t otherwise have. A lot of gratitude goes out to Coach Thorburn and Nigel Melville for giving us this kind of access, and it’s nice to finally see this kind of transparency within USA Rugby.”

USA Rugby also had three video cameras tracking all the skills and drills being taught at these training sessions and is currently deciphering the progress and outcomes from this camp and will compile a best practices DVD for all the attending coaches, players, and any other members of the rugby community that require them.

“The logistics of travel, accommodation, sustenance, facilities for strength and conditioning and medical care were complex, but outstandingly achieved,” Thorburn said. “In addition to the National Team coaches and staff we brought, we had a great experience working with the OMBAC Rugby club, Courtyard Marriott, San Diego State University, City of San Diego Parks and Rec Department, and Point Loma Nazarene University. Everything we asked for we got, and we really couldn’t have held such a successful camp without their support.

Besides being assessed on their basic skills, players involved in this camp were also put through strength and conditioning tests. In fact, the team was put through a soft sand endurance test at the very end of the assembly that was intended to push them to their limits.

“The display of vastly increased endurance by the whole group was more than pleasing. The first ones to quit, didn’t give up until 80 minutes into it, the last players lasted for 140 minutes. This was a drill of mind over matter, which is such a big part of a successful rugby player. Attitude and learning to go to your limits both physically and mentally is an extremely important part of rugby and life in general. It was also a great team building experience, as evident by the heightened camaraderie that was expressed by the team at dinner,” Thorburn explained.

“The overall improvement in these U.S. player’s body shapes, strength and speed over these last several months was obvious at this camp,” Thorburn added. “Combine that with the skills they have picked up and will continue to practice, and you have attributes that will be paramount in the increased performances by the NA4 Teams and the Eagles this season.”

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

03/01/2007
Just thought we'd make sure that everyone is aware that this weekend's match against the Green Slime is on Sunday. The A's face the Barbos Super League squad for a noon kickoff at Shea Stadium in Highlands Ranch (map here), with the B's to follow at 2 against another bunch of equally as ill-tempered bah-bahs. The Barbos were lucky to escape with a draw the last time we met, so this should be an interesting match.

Next Children's Hospital Visit Scheduled

The Highlanders will be heading back to Children's Hospital to visit with patients and families on Wednesday, March 14th at 6:30 PM. We had a good turnout in January and expect the same for this one. If you can go, please contact Big Mike at your earliest convenience. And remember, it's a karma thing.

PS - If you take a gander at the Fixtures and Events page you're sure to see something new. The Highlanders are happy to announce our new live scoreboard powered by Mobile Score. Using this new feature you can subscribe to recieve live match results delivered directly to your cell phone. Pretty cool stuff if I do say so myself. Thanks go to Bernie for getting it set up, buy the man a beer - over?

Upcoming Event Security Fund Raisers

02/20/2007
Your Uncle Greg has asked me to pass along the following information.

The club needs volunteers to provide security duty for the "Taste of Chaos Tour" on Tuesday, February 27th at DU/Magness Arena. The bands include: 30 Seconds to Mars, The Used, Senses Fail, and Saosin. The call time for this event is 3:30, but you won't be turned away if you get there before 5.

Volunteers are also needed for the My Chemical Romance show at DU/Magness Arena on Sunday, March 4th. Call time is TBA.

The uniform is black pants and black shoes and you must bring a flashlight of some sort.

Anyone interested should email Greg Hansen or call him direct at 303.898.9752.

This is a simple way for both players and the club to make some easy money. Funds raised are distributed 50% to the team and 50% towards your fall dues (but may be applied against spring dues under "special" circumstances).

Latest Lizard Link

02/14/2007
Coach Steve Lewis has asked me to pass along his new email address (even though it's against my better judgement to do so). His new addy can be found by following this link, please update your address books and feel free to spam away.

Catching Up

02/07/2007
Sorry about the lack of posts recently but your everlovin' webhead had a death in the family to deal with. I will try to bring things back up to speed for you around here.

Smith Family Expansion Project

First off, congrats to the Nigel Smith family on the birth of son Kelby. Kelby made his Highlander debut at 10:13 AM on Monday, February 5, 2007. He weighed in at 7 pounds 12 ounces, and was a skosh over 19 inches long. Mum and Kelby are all doing well, and Zanthie seems to be diggin' her new bro.

At last report Nigel was practicing his diaper changing technique to see if he might generate more speed and craftier ball distribution.

Club Business

For those of you who may have missed the AGM a couple of weeks ago. The club officers for 2007 and their contact information are as follows:

Steve Tarr was elected to the Board of Directors, replacing Geoff Blue and joining standing members Bredehoeft, Steve Z-B, and Mclain esq. Welcome Steve, and thanks for stepping up to the plate, it will be nice to have an "outside" interest on the board. Lots of other cool stuff was discussed at the meeting (and after), but if you were there you already know it, if you weren't - you should have been.

Craig Tarr is organizing this year's raffle. Last year's was a huge success and we'd like to have this one be both bigger and better. If you have any prizes to donate, please contact Craig at your earliest convenience.

Brendan Clancy has asked me to pass along his contact information in the event you happen across anyone who is interested in helping sponsor the club. Just have them contact Brendan via email at bclancy@landam.com, or on his cell phone at 720.366.3135. You will also find a new "Sponsorship Liaison" link over on the Contacts page in the event you misplace this stuff.

Zilla would also have me remind all players that the squad is meeting on Saturdays for training runs at the South High School parking lot (1300 S. Franklin St.). The fun runs start at 11:00 AM this Saturday for those of you that aren't headed up to Breck for the Massacre.

Random Blather

Just tooting my own horn here, but your Highlander website is creeping up on 100,000 hits since I wrested control from Duma a bit over 2.5 years ago. Not a lot of hits for folks like Google or Amazon, but not too shabby for a club rugby site if I do say so myself. Look for some forthcoming changes as I will continue strive to make ours the best damn rugby website in the country. Just don't hold me to any tight schedules.

Speaking of schedules, my impending nuptials loom nigh. I'm off to Vegas this weekend where my sweet little Tennessee walker and I will be tying the knot in a full-on Elvis wedding extravaganza on the strip. Sorry for the late notice, but my liver warned me that telling you too soon might be detrimental to its health. So until next time, Viva Las Vegas!

Peace-out,
Pearls

Training Resumes January 22

01/22/2007
Denver Highlanders are kicking off the 2007 spring season on Monday nite, January 22nd at 8:00 pm. Yes, that is correct, TO-FREAKING-NITE. Don't complain, Mains and Brad worked there butts off just to get this arranged.

If you know someone who doesn't have/check their email, please call them. Attendance early on is going to be very important for the run to the Sweet 16 this year.

Due to the limited access to indoor facilities we are going to be at Velocity Sports on Mondays and Wednesdays at 8:00 pm for at least a couple of weeks. We will have limited time there so please be ready to go by 8:00 so we can get right into it.

Velocity Sports is located at 6981 S. Quentin St. Centennial, CO 80112 (303)768-8988
See Map.

Bring running shoes, water, shorts and tshirts. No boots necessary and probably no mouthguards needed yet either.

Burns' Supper

01/22/2007
The year's first compulsory social event will be held this Saturday, January 27, 2007. The DHRFC Burns' Supper and Used Goods Drive will commence at 4:30 PM in the shadows of the Robert Burns memorial statue at City Park. Kilts are optional, but your attendance is not. This event is a benefit for the Salvation Army Homeless Shelter, so please bring a $10 donation plus any canned goods, usable clothing, small appliances, etc., that could be of use to that worthy cause. 

A recital of Robert Burns' "Address to a Haggis," as performed by that renowned Scotsman, Bernard MacDecker, will kick things off. The reading will be followed by a toast from our own favorite son of Scotland, Steve Lewis, to celebrate "the immortal memory" of Robert Burns. Following the opening ceremonies in the park, the event will then proceed to the Public House Tavern at 5:30 PM for a feast of haggis, neeps, and tatties served with whisky toast. Yum!

The Burns Statue is located just to the south of the smaller of the two lakes in City Park (a.k.a. "The Duck Lake"). Due to the "one-wayness" of the park's roads, the easiest access would be provided by using the north entry into the park (off 23rd street, just to the west of the Denver Zoo). Click here for a detailed map of City Park. The Public House Tavern is located at 1905 Blake Street in Lower Downtown (about a block from Coors Field). Donations will be accepted at either the statue or the Public House the day of the event.

Highlanders Victorious in Children