Dallas Harlequins is one team that expects their new residence in the West Conference to be a challenge.  Previously in the East Conference, coach Mike Engelbrecht is anticipating a different style of play in their new home, with the ball being moved around more.  Interestingly, the move to the wide open spaces of the West might actually mean less of a travel burden on the Harlequins.  Dallas made it to the quarterfinals last year, losing to the eventual champions San Francisco Golden Gate. Incidentally Vaughn Crowe who scored all Dallas’ points in that game has retired, along with other notables David Care and Scott Schmidt.  Dallas hopes to get a number of new recruits up and running quickly, while Zach Rutledge and former USA U-19 player Jimmy Jewison are expected to continue to impress.  Dallas has not had many games this preseason, but a win against Glendale and a round-robin with Life University and Arkansas State should be good preparation for the season.

Also looking to develop young players is Old Puget Sound Beach.  Their two preseason games have been encouraging, and Coach Haigh seems to be still experimenting with his lineup.  The club has been focusing heavily on recruitment and about half the roster are expected to be players who are new to the RSL.  This investing in the future should pay dividends in raising the level of rugby in the NorthWest.  Old Puget split their two preseason games against tough California opponents, winning against Santa Monica and dropping one against Belmont Shore.

Continuing the youth theme, OMBAC also expect a serious youth contingent for the upcoming season.  Joe Welch is a National Panel player who should feature, as well as number 8 Tai Tuisamoa.  Zach Pangelinan is a former international soccer player who is developing quickly and should feature at flyhalf.  Last year the club had several games in preseason, and felt they peaked a bit early.  In addition, several preseason injuries hurt the club last year.  This year, there have been significantly fewer games scheduled, with wins over Back Bay and games against Huntington Beach and Santa Monica upcoming.  It remains to be seen what the trade-off between game preparation and injury prevention might be this year.

Struggling to get quality games into their preseason preparation, the Denver Barbarians had just three outdoor sessions before their tune-up scrimmage against National Collegiate Champions Brigham Young University.  This annual fixture is an important part of Denver’s preparation, and the teams seemed well matched, with the Barbarians edging a close contest.  A League semifinalist the last two years, Denver will host the National Champions San Francisco Golden Gate in the season opener at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.  With a raft of representative level players on display, it promises to be a great season opener for the spectators.  SFGG coach Paul Keeler will no doubt want to get his defense of the RSL crown off to a good start.  San Francisco had their final tilt of the preseason with a well attended game and a victory against Olympic Club, with a portion of the proceeds from the gate and a subsequent reception contributed to the KAM Foundation, a breast cancer patient support foundation.

Heading over to Chicago, the Chicago Lions have deepened their roster with a slew of recent college grads.  The Lions will be aiming to continue their streak of qualifying for the playoffs the last five years, and with their success on the 7’s circuit, will be looking to use speed to their advantage.   Scrimmages against Life University have featured in their preseason preparations.   The Lions will have their bye-week first and then begin their campaign in week 2 against the cross-town rival Chicago Griffins.  The Griffins had their first run around of their preseason in Fort Lauderdale, and team representative Brendan Brown was happy with the improvement shown over the two days.  He mentions Andrew Suniula and Keikiokalani ‘Keiki’ Misipeka as new and exciting players to watch as the Griffins look to improve their record from last year.  With a six game season, it looks like little room for error for the members of the very strong West Conference.

This year many of the Western teams seem to have a common theme – the focus on youth.

Still in the Big Apple, Old Blue coach Gui Cieutat is also fresh off a successful trip to Florida where he took a young squad to play a couple of games against Miami based opponents.  He feels the squad is getting ready to gel and step up to the Super League level, and with a renewed focus on homegrown talent, he is looking forward to taking on what he calls a “red-hot” Boston team.  
That Boston team had a great Fort Lauderdale tournament, with wins over Boca Raton and a noteworthy win over NYAC, the latter game played in horrific weather conditions.  Boston has a young and eager squad, bolstered by a couple of recruits with Division 1 experience in Ireland.  With their focus on fitness and conditioning and game preparation, this is a team that continues to improve.  Boston is certainly a team to watch in 2010.

Boston’s cross-town rivals, the Boston Irish Wolfhounds will surely be looking to improve on last year’s  1-6 record. Another team with a number of new faces on their roster, new Wolfhounds Coach Adam Lewis seemed to be playing his cards close to his chest, trying out various combinations.  Perhaps their final run-out in West Point against Army will give an indication of we can expect for 2010.

Further South, PAC will also be looking to improve on last year’s standings.  Their first week’s opponent, Charlotte Rugby will be looking to continue the club’s solid results from the fall season.   Charlotte has struggled with getting preseason games in because of the weather, relying on mostly in-house preparation.  Joe Crowley and Dutch Jones are two promising young backs that are expected to contribute to Charlotte’s run this season, complementing veterans such as hooker Jason Hinchmann.

Last but certainly not least, we have Life University.  Following their spectacular return to the Super League last year, Director of Rugby Dan Payne will surely want to go one further in 2010 and win it all.  With a solid D1 and developing undergraduate programs, Life should have no problem maintaining depth and will likely be the team to beat in 2010 in the East.  

As you may know Michael Jones ‘Jonesy’ recently suffered a life threading spinal cord injury while playing in the Ft. Lauderdale Rugger Fest, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This serious and life altering injury left us all of us concerned for his well-being and the long term financial challenges his family will face in years to come.

We can only imagine what his wife and family are going through at this time. The overwhelming concern and desire to help by so many speaks volumes about the character of the man that we all know and love.

Doctors say the immediate concern, is to stabilize him, then he can be physically moved to a spinal injury center. This might take several weeks. It is impossible to predict what the future holds but there is no question that an injury of this nature is a drastic life-altering event.  Changing daily family life and creating significant financial Challenges.

Our first concern is to ensure that Michael’s family can be at his side to offer support and comfort, now. The next step is to help in establishing assistance to meet the financial burdens his family will face in the future; these will be significant and most likely for the rest of Jonsey’s life.

The team is establishing a supplemental needs “Trust” for Michael and his Family.  Funds will be used first to immediately help the family with travel expenses, then ongoing family medical and other supplemental cost that the family will incur beyond what is covered by insurances and other assistance.

The Albany Knickerbockers Rugby Football Club is accepting contributions to be used by Michael’s family to face the challenges ahead.  Many initiatives will be forthcoming but we are asking for your generous contributions, now to deal with the already mounting pressures.

Contributions can be made payable to:
Michael Jones, Supplemental Need Trust

and send to:
Albany Knickerbockers R.F.C.
P.O. Box 1654
Albany, NY 12201

Thank you for your concern and support,
Albany Knickerbockers Rugby Football Club
Charles I. Colley,
President