Directions to the "Panzer Pitch":
The map below describes a soccer-sized field near Fred J. Panzer's house.
These directions are a little easier to understand:
1. from Centreville, take Rt. 28 South to Rt. 29 North.
2. take a right on Pickwick Road (at O'Toole's Restaurant).
3. Go straight thru light over Braddock Road.
4. Continue thru a neighborhood -- you'll now be on Little Rocky Run Circle.
5. at stop sign go straight.
6. take immediate right into community center parking lot (or better yet, park along the road).
7. follow pavement footpath at far end of parking lot thru woods until get to New Braddock Road.
8. You want to walk across New Braddock Road (you can hear the traffic from the rec center parking lot) and head to your right a little.
Look for a trail in the grass (NOT a pavement footpath) along the tree line that leads to the pitch, which is located under those high power lines.
It's about a quarter-mile walk. The walk and playing Frogger with the traffic is a part of the whole practice experience.
9. This is an HOA field and we need to respect the community.

At Saturday's practice, KRIS SWART was voted into office as THE NEW HEAD COACH!

From Kris about the 1st practice session:
"Thank you to everybody who made a special effort, to come to practice and be on time. We had a very good run, some warmups, some fitness and some basic skill drills. This will help us to get where we want to be, as far as winning championships. I really appreciate everybody's efforts and discipline; it is an indication of commitment to the club, fellow players and yourself. I want to welcome all the new players, and hope you will enjoy yourself as part of WSRFC. Please invite all your friends who didn't make it on Saturday, the more the merrier. We will keep on with the same kind of practice, with special attention to warmups - we already lost 2 very valuable players, before the season started. On that note, we all hope you have good and fast recoveries, John and Dave. Let's make these next few weeks before the playoffs some really good weeks to give ourselves the best chance.
Rugby greetings,
Kris"
If you have any questions for Kris, contact him.

Club Dues and CIPP Requirements:

As was requested at practice, please logon to USA RUGBY's website and CIPP yourself.

Please register as a PLAYER affiliated with Western Suburbs Rugby Football Club (Club).
You will be required to read a waiver and pay $23.33 to register.
Please print, sign and deliver both the signed waiver AND a copy of your CIPP registration to one of the club administrators (Bushy or Elvis).

Treasurer Ryan Findley will be collecting dues at practices on Thursday and Saturday.
You can also pay dues via Paypal. WSRFC PayPal address for dues: dues@rugbyfootball.com
(Dues are $120 total, $23.33 of which is CIPP, $96.67 is Club Dues remainder after paying for CIPP).

Full dues deadline is Tuesday before the first regular game.
We still have a few people who owe for the Fall.
Dues status WILL affect eligibility for selection. This is a CIPP season and we will not CIPP anyone without dues payment. We have been burned on this before and you cannot play without being CIPPed.

If you are a NEW PLAYER to WESTERN SUBURBS RFC, please email your contact info (name, email address, phone #s, home address) to Elvis.
If you played last Fall for another club, also let Elvis know if you were CIPPed to that club.
We need to establish who is eligible to play for us in the playoffs and/or who we can submit waivers for.

“Was it over when the Germans Bombed Pearl Harbor?”
Well no.

2 years back, we (Western Suburbs) had the honor of hosting the New York Japan Rugby Club. This was 100% in thanks to Dr. Fred Panzer, who had an old friend who plays for this club. For those who where not there, on April 26, 2006, Doc’s friend organized a road trip for his club and, to the shock and horror or Steve’s neighbors, Lough Field saw the first New York-based tour bus pull up. Loaded with arms full of Sake, Lovettsville saw a team of Japanese Rugby players and families enjoy a day of international rugby, Suburbs Style.

Well it is now our turn to return the honor. On May 3, 2008, Suburbs has a “Once in a Lifetime” opportunity. The New York Japan Rugby Club has invited Western Suburbs to play in Manhattan under the lights.
So please make sure you schedules are clear for this evening and plan on spending the evening in North Manhattan on the Columbia University Campus playing rugby. This is for your families as well.

Please visit the NYJRFC website. You will need translation software or run it through the Google language tool.

Reminder from El Presidente Bushy:
Now is the time to start the push for everyone to have complete uniform kit, that is solid BLACK shorts and BLACK socks!

Old Boys Update:
From O'D:
"Gentlemen:
The club side initiated its practices in earnest this past weekend under the direction of one of our own, Kris Swart. The training regimen focuses appropriately on fundamentals and fitness and you can guarantee a good workout if you can join in the fun. I would like to remind you that any engagement with the club side is welcomed and encouraged by all - increased numbers afford better drilling opportunities and helps with the training of new players. Further, any additional fitness and familiarity we gain will surely benefit the SOBs on the pitch this season. Practices are Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Chantilly on a lit turf field. Please come out and join the club for a run whenever you can. Saturday practice is in Centreville at the Panzer Pitch.

Schedules:
We still have a tentative date for the road trip to Charlottesville on 3/8 concurrent with the club side's season opener. I received a number of responses indicating an interest in this match, and would like to firm up our expectations of each other before further pressing our welcome on the opposition. Please respond/reiterate your interest/availability in participating in this date's event. I do not know the order of play for the day, but the club side is the visitors in this event, so we will leave scheduling up to our hosts - the Virginia club has expressed some enthusiasm in making it a full rugby extravaganza, and I am looking forward to a good day.

The combined club and old boys sides will be making their annual pilgrimage to the Old South and entering the Savannah St. Patrick's day tournament. Accommodation may be difficult, but where there's a swill there's a sway - check the message board for additional details.

We have received an invitation to play in Norfolk on April 26th for the 30th Anniversary of their club. Norfolk is a bit of a road trip, but it promises to be a good match up if we choose to accept. Please respond with your availability and interest in this event, as well.

We will also have additional matches locally, including a potential mini-tournament the first weekend in May (Sunday the 4th) with the Geese and the 'troons. We will also have a separate match against the Geese, and I am hopeful that West Pot and the 'troons will be fielding sides that we can schedule individually, as well.

I will be in Fort Lauderdale this weekend playing in their 32nd annual Ruggerfest with the Geese 45s - if you know anyone in the area have them look us up, as I'm sure we'll be looking to take all comers. If anyone locally is interested in a last minute road trip, I'm sure we can try to assist with coordinating your stay. Please advise.
I look forward to seeing everyone on the pitch!"
O'D

Thursday night Happy Hour social at Buffalo Wings House in Herndon (13005 Worldgate).
The Wings House has pledged a sponsorship of the club, and we should make an appearance whenever possible.
Cheap beer ($1 domestic bottles) and boneless wings.
Hope to see you all there!

Looking for an exceptional value for an exceptionally cold mug of brew?
Then look no further!! Buy an official WSRFC beer glass ($5 each, 6 for $25) for your cold brew.
A set of 6 will be a fine addition to your bar or entertainment activities.
These will sell fast, so get yours while supplies last.

Also, we've reduced the price on "Black Pack" t-shirts to $10 a piece for club members. They are great for post match drink-ups and whatever. We still have most Men's and Ladies sizes in stock.

Contact Guinness-Powered Bryan for more info

SOB's!!! The Old Boys are ordering a set of jerseys for the spring '08 season.
They will be black/white Adidas hoops. I suspect the club insignia will include Old Boys in it, and we will have a sponsor insignia under the numbers in the back and likely one on each sleeve (not billboard-sized insignia, but respectful of our generous sponsors).
Anyone interested in purchasing a jersey of their own is welcome to add to our order.
The jerseys, fully customized will likely fall in the $50 range.
Please see the size chart and photo of the proposed kit, and forward size and number specifications at your earliest convenience.
We are looking to order the kit sometime in the VERY near future (next week) in order that we can have them for the start of the season.
Please contact O.D.

15 Feb 2008

WE HAVE A VOLUNTEER TO BECOME THE NEW HEAD COACH!
Kris Swart has stepped forward to volunteer to take over the Head Coaching duties.
Here are a few words from Kris:
"I am commited to the Club and the Game. These are both bigger than any individual. I will be at all practices and games, except for family emergencies.
My experience: Started playing 1973, School Rugby until 1985, Army - KDSC - 1986, Lowveld U/23 - 1987, University of Pretoria, Lowveld, SACD and other representative Rugby 1988 - 1998. Moved to USA, Coached at KU, played for various teams. June 2006 to Current - WSRFC Regards, Kris
Dues-paid members will be voting after practice on Saturday to ratify Kris as Coach.
The practice and game plan will be developed by the field officers with coaches' input.
We are asking that all players show respect to whoever runs practice and to conform to the practice plan of the day.
If you have any questions for Kris, contact him.