An inaugural Pac-10 tournament not being enough, rugby chose
UCLA once again to launch one of its most prominent events.
This time around, national teams were involved, as the first USA
Rugby Women’s National Team Sevens Invitational took place on
the UCLA North Athletic Field on Friday.
“There is an (International Rugby Board) sevens tournament
every year at the Home Depot Center, and this year USA Rugby wanted
to extend it to the women’s side,” senior UCLA
women’s rugby club president Erin Murray said.
“The initial idea was to create a women’s tournament
parallel to the Home Depot event,” USA Rugby general manager
Anne Barry said. “We had to find a different venue and found
a great destination at UCLA.”
Although only two nations were able to make the trip as 2006
marks the World Cup year for the discipline, the Westwood rugby
family has been more than thrilled to be part of this project.
“Hosting this tournament makes us feel like our campus is
valued,” sophomore UCLA women’s rugby co-captain Dara
Yung said. “Usually public schools do not get to host much
except Californian events.”
The UCLA women’s team was in charge of game management,
from presenting a proposal to the recreation center to supervising
team practice. Undergoing these responsibilities as a fundraising
opportunity for a rugby tour of England scheduled for spring break,
the UCLA women’s rugby team members were able to expand on
their leadership skills through the sport they love.
“They are proud and inspired by the game,” USA coach
Julie McCoy said. “They graciously helped us, adopting a
fantastic attitude. We could see they wanted to be part of
this.”
Canada and USA each brought two teams to the tournament with a
total of 10 games played. USA “A” won overall beating
Canada 5-0, while USA “B” claimed third place beating
Young Canada 19-0.
“This was our first opportunity to play sevens
competitively,” said Canadian co-coach Suzanne Chaulk.
Although she believes rugby is the fastest growing women’s
sport in Canada, Chaulk said that this has been their first sevens
side since 1996.
“USA Rugby has been very active in the development of the
sport while we have been playing on a collegiate level. It has been
a very exciting opportunity to be here, but what we need now is our
own circuit,” Chaulk said.
With several close games on the board, McCoy qualified the U.S.
performance as phenomenal and said the experience gained here will
be of great use when they are stretched to their limits again.
“We really had to play a “˜bend don’t
break’ defense against Canada today,” McCoy said.
“I am very happy with the resourcefulness and tenacity the
teams showed.”
Highly involved in the introduction of women’s sevens
sides at the Home Depot Center, McCoy said that the results of the
weekend were very positive on more than just the scoreboard.
“This is really two victories for me,” McCoy said.
“The team won, and we pulled off having the
tournament.”
USA and Canada played again Saturday at the Home Depot Center
for an exhibition game. USA ended up winning that game 12-0,
playing for longer than expected to the satisfaction of
onlookers.
“It was fantastic to see them play in such a big
venue.” Murray said. “With 10 minute halves, we got to
see them develop their game, which was a lot of fun.”
“I hope that people will watch us play and realize that
the women’s game is very exciting as well ““ this is the
victory I want.” said McCoy.