Past, Present and Future Rugby Fans Descend on Soldier Field

Past, Present and Future enjoy The Rugby Weekend in Chicago

Over 30,000 Rugby fans descended into Chicago-land for a Triple Header to be played on the sacred grid-iron grounds of Soldier Field. The Main event, Ireland vs Italy was bookended by the teams from New Zealand the women’s Black Fern’s and Maori All Blacks taking on our USA Eagles Women and Men.

It may not have been the sell outs of ’14 & ’16 when the #1 World Rugby All Blacks played, but the town was electric all week as the teams started arriving in town.

For someone that has been involved in rugby for 30 years, it is very exciting to see the game grow in the United States. If only I knew about the game, before that day at Southern Illinois University when I questioned Andy Hancock why he would be wearing cleats back into the dorm. You playing football without me? I questioned, no returning from Rugby, he mentions, what’s that I inquire, do you get to tackle people? Yes, he says. I’m in, sign me up. Andy says it was our last practice. Bummed I was, Thankful Randy Stroh a few months later as the winter months subsided got me out to my first training. Love at first Ruck!

Fast forward to this past weekend, when friends, foes and foreigners came together for the love of the game. Growth in youth rugby is a main goal amongst the rugby community. It is imperative to grow our game at the youth level in order to compete in International Matches and future World Cups. I was 18 that day, wish I would have learned the art of the ruck or the in/out move at a much younger age. Well enter Rugby Illinois, I can’t thank all that I have met from the kids, parents, coaches and fellow administrators through this great organization. From helping fundraise, hold the title of Event Director, or start the Chicago Blaze Rugby Academy, our work has only begun. It was so great to see so many former teammates and opponents throughout the week with their offspring enjoying rugby together.

The Black Ferns and Maori All Blacks interacted with the fans throughout the week and held a clinic and meet and greet at Lane Tech high school on Friday.

Today’s players not only get to enjoy the gains that the game has enjoyed, because of the age of professionalism, but the growth of the game in the USA allows Soldier Field to Host such an amazing event. The matches weren’t competitive as all hoped for with the Black Ferns beating USA Eagles 67-6, Ireland over Italy 54-7 and the Maori All Blacks over 59-22, but the atmosphere in and out of the stadium was electric. The best part of the game for the future players is the announcement yesterday of Major League Rugby’s 2019 Schedule which will begin play of their second season after the new year.

As a member of the Chicago Blaze Rugby Club, I’m proud of my brothers that have created a playground for youth, men and us Fossils with the 4 fields and beautiful clubhouse we all cherish like it is our own. Looking forward in seeing many out the next two weekends as we host the Big 10 Championships this Saturday and the Midwest Men’s & Women’s Championships on November 17th.

Hosting our 4th Beach Rugby Party at Reggies Rock Club has been a trick and treat around Halloween each year as you all come so colorfully dressed. The Rugby Olympics, the Irish Music, the food, the team loyalties, new friendships, Live Band Karaoke, the whole bar signing Bohemian Rhapsody in unison, ZZ Top closing the place down!!!! Thank you all that attended and those that may have been so wiped out from a great day of rugby, you should kick yourself for not rallying! Thank you all, especially Reggies as their not happy until we’re not!

To those that donated gifts like, Guinness, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Smirnoff, All Blacks, Reggies, Tighthead Brewery and those that bought tickets to support inner city youth rugby programs on the beach next summer.

The many friends and new relationships that our formed through rugby are like no other I’ve experienced, as this community is so genuine. This week I was able to interact with the Ireland Rugby teamand sign some Irish jerseys donated by Guinness, attend the USA Rugby Gala, sit down with USA Rugby Foundation President Brian Vizard over a couple of beers, Donate multiple tickets to the match, Meet British Lion Alex Corbersiero donating a ball he signed and raffled off for $250 for the Eagles XVs Club and Rugby Illinois, attend the Captains Run for USA Men’s and interview Coach Gary Gold, Captain Nate Augspurger and new comer Gannon Moore, chat with Dallen Stanford regarding Premiership Rugby Scholarship Program, have many past Eagles sign a jersey up for raffle while chatting about their current and past careers, and watch the Haka after the teams National Anthems next to Captain America Todd Clever.

Meeting the Irish and Eagles teams during of the week, letting them know about plans for Beach Rugby and culminating with raffling off the Ireland Rugby Jersey and Eagles Jersey and gear they signed for the growth of the game, is what makes the past, present and future of the game so great.

With you,

Stormin’