All posts by Coach Hawk

Two Sabres selected to Represent USA South Rugby Team

General

A huge shout out and congratulations go to team captain Connor Hayes and Noah Cone who were selected to represent the USA South Panthers u18 and u16 teams (respectively) in the Las Vegas Invitational tournament held March 2 – 4.  The LVI tournament brings teams in from all over the world so this is the best of the best!!

Noah Cone:

 

Conner Hayes:

Both players have gone through two grueling selection camps in Georgia and their hard work was rewarded as both have made the team.  Connor was only the second South Meck player to be selected to the NC All Stars team back in June and helped bring attention to South Meck HS Rugby and our talented roster of rugby players.  We wish Connor and Noah well as they will be working hard in the next month to prepare to face teams from all over the world in Las Vegas.

-Coach Hayes

Chapel Hill Tourney Recap

Game, Results

The South Meck HS Rugby Sabres traveled to Chapel Hill on Saturday to participate in the Highlanders pre season tournament.  Six of our juniors and seniors were unavailable, so it was a great opportunity for our under class men and new players to gain valuable playing time.  First up was defending Club H.S. state champs Chapel Hill Highlanders (ranked #25 in the USA) who played with a furious pace and contested every break down and ultimately ended up being more than the Sabres could handle. Final score Chapel Hill 20 – South Meck 0.  Next up was the Raleigh Rattlesnakes, another Club HS team and perennial front runner.  South faired much better in this match having learned valuable lessons in the first match and played rugby on the front foot with good attacking style and an improved defensive effort.  Raleigh scored a late one to edge South by a score of 10 to 5.  The final match of the day was against Club HS team Clayton Copperheads.  The Sabres were depleted but determined to leave on a high note.  The match started with a high kick off by Connor Hayes that was taken in the air by Derwin Lewis and that set the tone for the match.  The Sabres attacked hard and punished Clayton with aggressive play and a beautiful kick return by new comer Jamel McClendon to set up a Keyon Barnes try.  At the final whistle, South secured a hard fought 10 to 5 win.  Way to go Sabres Rugby!!!  Next up for the Sabres is the season opener against Ardrey Kell HS on Fri, Feb 3.  7pm kick off at the Matthews Sportsplex.” – Coach Hayes

South Meck goes 1-2 at first rugby event of season

Game, Results

Dec-3-2016-7s-tourney

We had an excellent turnout and great parent support on Saturday for the 7s tourney at Berry Academy.  I believe every player got playing time and that was our primary goal.

Here’s what’s upcoming for South Meck Rugby.  We need all Players & Parents to plan accordingly as we have a lot of rugby in store for the boys this upcoming season and need them to be prepared and ready:

  • Sat, Dec. 10 / 9am to 12n – South will participate in a rugby scrimmage session at Rocky River HS. The session will include Berry, AK, Rocky River, East and West Meck and it will be run by the UNC-Charlotte 49ers Rugby coaching staff and players.  **We will meet at South at 8am and leave at 8:15am**Mandatory for all players
  • Sat, Dec 17 – TBD / potentially another rugby 7s tourney.  Location will be Charlotte Rugby Club.
  • Dec 18 to Jan 2 – Winter Break / No rugby / ***The boys need to be working out***
  • Jan 3 – Rugby practices resume
  • Jan 7 – First 15s scrimmage of the season vs Southern Pines. Scrimmage will be played at the National Athletic Village in Southern Pines / Match time TBD  ***Mandatory for all players***
  • Jan 14 – Myers Park Rugby Stampede Preseason 15s tournament in Charlotte, NC.  Charlotte Rugby Club or Rocky River HS.  ***Mandatory for all players***
  • Jan 28 – Chapel Hill Highlanders Preseason 15s tournament  in Chapel Hill, NC.  We will compete against some of the best teams in the state:  Chapel Hill, Union County, North Meck, Raleigh and Clayton ***Mandatory for all players***
  • Feb 3 – 1st Match of the regular/league season vs Ardrey Kell / Kickoff at 7pm at AK

And we are working on a possible Spring Break trip to Florida where the boys would play local high school teams and we’ll also have time for fun in the sun!!!  We’re doing Big things South.

– Coach Hayes

1st Official Practice – Saturday Nov 19th

Practice

Players & Parents – we will hold our 1st official practice this Saturday, Nov 19 from 1:30pm to 4pm on the football practice field at SMHS.  All players (returning and new) must be registered to attend and must have a mouthpiece (gum shield) and cleats.  https://form.jotform.com/53008864947162

I am very happy to say that we had 25 boys registered for the clinic this past Saturday and many of them were new to South Meck HS Rugby.

It seems there was confusion because the majority of our returning players did not attend the clinic and the feedback was because they thought it was only for new players.  So we expect to see ALL returning players and new players and new recruits this Saturday.  The season begins now!!!  Spread the word and get your teammates there.

Coach Hayes

Season Kickoff Rugby Clinic

Practice

SOUTH MECK HS RUGBY WILL BE HOLDING TWO FREE RUGBY CLINICS:  SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 (9-12:00 at Practice Field by bus lot) AND November 19 (time/location TBD). THIS CLINIC IS FOR NEW AND RETURNING PLAYERS AND WILL TEACH YOU THE BASICS OF RUGBY.  IF YOU ARE STILL UNDECIDED ABOUT JOINING THE FASTEST GROWING SPORT IN AMERICA, YOU DON’T NEED TO WORRY!  THIS IS A COMMITMENT FREE EVENT.  IF YOU DO NOT LIKE RUGBY THEN YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE ANY FURTHER.

HERE ARE JUST A FEW FACTS ABOUT RUGBY

  • RUGBY IS NOW AN OLYMPIC SPORT
  • THERE ARE 10 HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE CHARLOTTE REGION WITH A VARISTY RUGBY TEAM
  • SOUTH MECK’S RECORD FROM THE 2016 SEASON WAS 7-2
  • RUGBY IS THE 2ND MOST ATTENDED SPORT IN THE WORLD
  • ON AVERAGE 0.5 PLAYERS ARE REMOVED FROM THE GAME DUE TO A INJURY, IN AMERICAN FOOTBALL AN AVERAGE OF 1.34 PLAYERS ARE INJURED MAKING RUGBY ALMOST 3X SAFER THAN AMERICAN FOOTBALL!

HOW DO I ATTEND THE EVENT?

TO ATTEND ONE OR BOTH OF THE SOUTH MECK RUGBY CLINICS YOU JUST NEED 3 THINGS! A MOUTH GUARD IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN CONTACT DRILLS, A PAIR OF CLEATS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, AND YOU HAVE TO COMPLETE STEP 1 FROM THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://WWW.SOUTHMECKRUGBY.COM/REGISTRATION/ THAT’S ALL YOU HAVE TO DO!  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CONTACT COACH BEYER IN O BUILDING IN ROOM 1310, THE HEAD COACH, COACH HAYES AT 919-280-8809 OR JUSTIN HARRIS THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUGBY CLUB AT 704-307-0097.  WE HOPE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE!  – Justin Harris, Club President

Season 3 for Sabre Rugby (Ready? I sure hope so :-)

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We’re really looking forward to our upcoming rugby season and hope you are too!!  Here are come upcoming dates/events copied from Coach Hayes’ email…

 

  • Sept 15 at 6:30pm Rugby Information & Interest meeting for all interested students and parents, including current players and parents.  We will discuss plans for pre-season, regular season and answer any questions you have.  **We do ask that a parent/guardian attend with the student.  In the large cafeteria at South Meck HS – Please park on the south side of the school by the tennis courts.
  • Sept 23 is Club Day at South Meck HS.  Be sure to wear your black South Meck HS Rugby t-shirts.  Justin Harris is in charge of the table and he will need your help so get with Justin.
  • Sept 30 at 5:30pm – we have an opportunity to volunteer at the concession stands for the home Varsity football game at South Meck that night.   **Parents we need your help with this as we can only have a maximum 3 students at each concession stand.  I have already registered myself and Connor Hayes. Be sure to wear your South Meck Rugby t-shirt. This is a great opportunity to recruit new players and show some good will to our school and give back.  Here is the link:  https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/30e0c48acab2ca3f85-20161
  • Oct 1 and Oct 15 – club fund raising event days.  Stay tuned for more information but we will work on raising much needed funds for the upcoming season as we have big plans for the boys.

I hope to see you on Thursday.  Cheers, Coach Hawk

That’s Rugby!

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Great job against Ardrey Kell on Saturday boys!  We played unselfish go-forward rugby, there was lots of talking, and you looked reasonably fit out there (maybe it was due to playing only 20-minutes sessions 🙂  Wow – what a difference the 2nd year makes.  Coach Hayes was suggesting #2NDYEAR.  Coach Barry was commenting that it looked like ‘real rugby’ out there – meaning you guys were doing what we coached you to do our there #REALRUGBY was Malik M’s suggestion after hearing Coach Barry’s comment.

And you looked good doing it – in our new kit!!!  I’m looking forward to when we go red!

Are You Ready For Some Rugby?

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Whether you answer yes or no, the Rugby World Cup Finals are on TV on Halloween (NBC at noon I believe) – New Zealand vs. Australia.

Also, the other Coaches and I are getting ready for the South Meck Rugby Camp on November 14th, 2015.  More details coming soon.

I am really looking forward to seeing all the returning ruggers AND all the newbies 🙂  I hear we have a large contingent of girls this year – very exciting stuff!!- Coach Hawk

End of Season Party!

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Hey Rugby Families! Looking forward to seeing everyone on Friday, May 29th for our end of season party! We will be celebrating at the South Meck practice field tailgate style. Bring chairs, blankets, corn hole , and a side to share. The boys/coaches are planning to play a little 7’s at 5pm( mouth guards required!) and we will be setting up food around 6. (from Mrs. Hawkins)

Also, we will be presenting Awards so we ask that the parents and family plan to attend.  Thank You! (from Coach Hayes)