The Met Union has
assembled a good side to
travel down to the Fort
Lauderdale Ruggerfest.
Interest in the trip was
sparked by MikeToth from
New York/Manhattan down
at the National All-star
Championships. Toth,
quite a good player (and
teammate of Eagle James
Lik), related that
some teams in the Met
Union (not in
playoff's) were looking
for some meaningful play
headed into the
spring. Teams in
playoff's are
usually set with their
spring competitions and
plan scrimmages and
training weekends in
preparation a year in
advance. NYAC, for
instance, will be
traveling to play
perennial collegiate
powerhouse Cal-Berkley.
Old Blue has scheduled a
full training weekend
with Army at West Point.
NYCONN is traveling to
Fort Lauderdale and is
scheduled to play in the
Premiere
Division. Other teams
want some competition
too, Toth pointed out.
While interest was
slow to materialize back
in December, players
from NY/MN, Union, OB
(D1), and the collegiate
ranks have quickly
joined together to
head down to this warm
weather competitive
tournament. The Met had
nearly 120 players down
there at this particular
tournament last year
(Met Senior, Met
Developmental, NYAC, Old
Blue); but, the cost of
air travel to Florida
(at this time of year)
and "same old," was
making this a tough
sell.
Toth was correct. If
you offer it, they will
come. Players have had
to be turned away due to
the "traditional" last
minute interest. As one
players said, "Just
offer the trip every
year. Players will want
to go just to get away
from the snow." The trip
is at player expense.
Players pay a
$50.00 tournament fee.
This covers the
tournament
cost, medical, 3 vans,
Gatorade and water. A
commemorative tee is
included. The Met side
will be entered in the
club division and will
open up with the Toronto
Scottish and then the
Denver Barbarians later
in the day. Met New York
has won the tournament
several times in both
the premiere and
club division. Last year
the Met lost in the
finals in the last
minute to New Haven.
NYAC and Old Blue have
been recent champions,
with NYAC winning last
year. The Met has
garnered a great amount
of respect at this
tournament and is viewed
as the team to beat.
Progress at the
tournament can be
followed by going to the
Fort Lauderdale
Ruggerfest web site.
Players interested
in the future can
contact Met Senior
All-star Colin Kiley
Coach at
coachbk@aol.com
