Let me say again, that my intent is not to be adversarial. I am interested in bringing the facts to the light of day and providing more opportunities for local HR players to grow and develop. I ask for your support to limit the number of kiwi import players from NZ to two on the field at any one time.
With help from HR comments we have established the following as being facts:
- The annual migration of rugby players from New Zealand to the HR rugby club is well planned and coordinated
- HR families provide room and board for these players
- These young men enter the country on visitors visas and not the required, J1 exchange student visas.
- 98% return home immediately at the end of the season
- They were banned from attending the Utah Public School system in 2005
- They were banned from attending Highland High School prior to 2005 (I had nothing to do with this)
- Little to no tuition was paid to the Utah High Schools that hosted these players prior to the 2005 closing of the "guest pass loophole."
Time to fill in the missing pieces.
The following are assumptions, yet we shall assume them to be facts after two weeks.
This is adequate time for the HR coaching staff to respond. From this time forward, no response shall be considered a confirmation that the assumptions are indeed correct.
For too many years we have all stood on one leg while HR took the 5th. The questions and the medium to respond are open, public and easily accessible. Silence, a religious experience, or "we have know idea how they get here" are now proven to be unacceptable and inaccurate.
Like an iceberg, most of it lies submerged, unseen from the surface. In time integrity will expose that portion to the light of day.
- HR directly or indirectly helps to facilitate the travel arrangements for the import players from NZ.
- HR directly or indirectly pays for some of the travel costs.
- Most of the families in NZ do not have the means to pay the thousands of dollars for travel and tuition.
- More than 50% of the costs to bring these young men to Utah are paid for by people in the USA not NZ.
- No tuition was paid to the Utah private schools who's names appear on the USA Rugby eligibility paperwork in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
- The people in NZ who make all of these arrangements are acting as agents, directly or indirectly for HR.
- The sons of some of the agents in NZ have played for HR.
- The HR coaching staff is aware of all of all of these details.
15 comments:
um, how come no one wants to side with you? It's cause you are sad and pathetic. Highland has never broken a single rule. They have won national titles without foreign boys. They play by the same rules you do and are under a microscope. Jesuit an unbaised opinion? They've been denied national titles by Highland far more times than you have, and by the way have paid for Aussie coaches AND players to come to their program in the past. Ask Penn rugby (who has lost a couple of times in nationals to Highland) what they think about Highland. Quote from their head coach "You guys are the most misunderstood program in the country." Quit telling one side of the story and claiming it as "the truth". Pretty smart from behind a computer, huh? It's a shame. You guys have done a wonderful job with United, and are to be commended, but you will never get the credit you deserve because everybody now sees you as a bunch of whiny 2nd place finishers with sour grapes thaks to you. You are hurting these wonderful United kids, not to mention the integrity of the United program.
Why don't you answer the allegations about posing as a USA Rugby official (this, by the way, is illegal in this country. Maybe you didn't know that because you are from...oh, that's right, NEW ZEALAND! go figure - bash on your own countrymen) Villify USA Rugby's rules all you want, but don't act all high and mighty putting down a team that follows them. By the way, United is a good team, but not nearly as good without SOUTH AFRICAN Dale Bobo, or the S.A. flanker they had the year before. He was also a hell of a player. I'm sure you'll respond that these guys just "fell in the team's lap" and expect people to believe it when you say it, but not when Gelwix does (and please learn how to spell his name right). Get a life, or a hobby. Life's too short to spend it angry, especially at a team who's never done anything but succeed through hard work (if you don't believe me, go to a Highland practice and have your eyes opened).
A couple more things while I'm at it: You claim 6 Kiwi boys for Highland this year, yet two of them were sent up to stay out of trouble in NZ by a former HR player who thought the program could teach these kids the same positive values that he learned himself playing for the team. They never got a sniff of the 1st XV, and did not even start on the 2nd XV. it was still, according to them, the most valuable experience of their life. You foolishly make the mistake of thinking that playing time is the most important thing in athletics. Most athletes will tell you that they would rather be a reserve for a program as well-run as Highland's than for a mediocre program where they get to start. The movie wasn't made because of the National Titles, but because of all of the young men Highland Rugby has made positive impact on.
Back to my earlier thought: how do the United parents feel about Bobo starting over a native kid? I personally think he helped elevate the play of the other boys on that team and was sorely missed when he left injured in the finals, and as a parent I would be grateful that my son had the experience to be exposed to someone from another culture. Utah is too closed off from the rest of the world as it is.
By the way, if the Highland parents are OK with their sons occasionally losing playing time to someone who happens to be better (they are) why can't you be? As I sais above, it's not just about playing time.
FACT: there are a great many young men who actively pursue coming up to the U.S. and being able to play for Highland that are told NO. Highland does monitor themselves, and makes sure the foreign influence does not get out of hand. These boys are not recruited, THEY recruit the program. And they find a way to pay for their expenses. Being Polynesian, I'm surprised you don't recognize the efforts a community will make collectively in order for a young man to take advantage of a great opportunity.
I'm not surprised the public schools disallowed these boys to attend their schools, they always cave when there is too much pressure from people like you. That doesn't make it right. These boys DO go to school. If they did not, their eligiblity would be terminated by USA Rugby. Funny, though, with rugby being a club sport(not recognized by the UHSAA) there are no academic standards any club sport athletes (including lacrosse, hockey, club volleyball, AAU basketball, etc.) must meet in any of them. But let's check the attendance of rugby. No, just Highland Rugby. I'm sure every boy on the United team goes to class every single day and they are 4.0 students. By the way, the young man who someone said stayed with them for 2 years on a student visa? He has a 3.8 GPA.
Why won't you answer the allegations about going to Olympus high under flase pretense? Did you or did you not? Yes or no? It's a simple question. That's OK, the fact that you're not responding to it will lead me to assume you are guilty of a crime. Nice credibility you have.
good try same old...........
Did not go to the Granite School District under false pretenses.
They looked at the facts and said no more free schooling, just like Highland High School did.
Why don't you answer all of the nitty gritty questions that you are avoiding. Do you know why they can not attend Utah public schools? Who pays for the plane tickets?
I think you have part of the story right but need to get the rest from Larry!
Larry wonders why HR has never got the respect he feels they deserve.
Well it's getting very clear why.
And thats from lots and lots of other rugby people and even before United or myself came on the scene.
Never say never!
If I had pretended to be a USA rugby official, or the attorney from the Utah Board of Education, forging a letter, you would have turned me in and the Utah public schools would be educating your import players.
The ruling still stands, because HR was breaking the rules.
Still doesn't explain why Highland High School stopped allowing the import players to attend the namesake school years ain the 1990's.
Highland's principal (the new one that took over in the mid-late 90s) was not a big fan of more foreign students as he already had to deal with being the ESL school in the district and didn't want to make the foreign population bigger. He was not supportive of athletics as a whole, especially those that were designated as a club, like rugby, hockey, lacrosse (note: the HR program has no affiliation with Highland H.S. now). Furthermore, he was kind of a chicken, so when he heard guys like you were raising a big stink, he thought it best to follow suit and cower like most people in education rather than have anything remotely resembling confrontation.
You still didn't answer the question as to why it is OK for South Africans to play for United, but I have another one as well.
What makes you so sure that you are not the one who only has part of the info? Why are you any more credible than me? How can you be so sure that you are in the know and I am not? You can't. You have yet to convince me that you know more about highland rugby than I do. And why would you direct me to Larry to find out "the rest of the truth" if you don't believe what he says? bottom line: you are not involved with highland rugby and do not have any justification for going around and saying you KNOW the truth. Are your sources better than mine? Prove it, cause I think mine are more accurate.
And by the way, players provide their OWN FUNDING for travel. I already said it once, but since acknowleding that would make you wrong, I guess you chose to ignore it instead.
I have already proven that you and your sources have been misinformed and that there was more to the story than even you realized.
The Myth Busters:
1. HR pays for the room and board... thanks to the honesty of a kind parent. Spin it, it is what it is.
2. No one paid tuition to Utah public schools prior to 2005...thanks to the Board of Education.
3. The visas are not J1 exchange student visas... thanks to the Granite School District.
4. This is well planned every year...thanks to you and other comments.
5. Your wasting your breath on the player from South Africa...read my lips....
6. HR CAN HAVE 2 IMPORT PLAYERS ON THE FIELD AT ANY ONE TIME.....TWO PLAYERS NOT SIX....2 players not6
7.Why is this unfair or so tough for you and your sources to respond to?
8.I will tell you why....IT IS FAIR... but your afraid of what might happen to your marvelous record with 4 kiwi boys sitting on the sidelines.
I appreciate your comments but Larry knows a lot more than you do. That's why I suggested you talk to him.
Time for you and your sources to walk the walk and show me some stuff!!
A lot of people are reading this blog.
Prove to me that the kiwi boys pay for their own tickets and the $10,000.00 in tuition to attend the USC sports academy in 2008.
Larry has stated over and over again..."as far as I know they pay the school tuition every year"
Get a copy of the invoices from the school for the six players and post a link to them on the blog. Also 2006 and 2007. Then I will owe you an apology.
You can spin the 2005 public school situation any way that you like. It is what it is and proves that what Larry thought he knew was not happening.
Sorry, your sources are not correct. And where do you come up with the 2 player rule? USA rugby says 5, and Highland has never had six (or even 5) on the field at once. Ever. I'm curious where two comes from? After all, you principally attack highland because of foreign boys, not because of the NUMBER of foreign boys, so the South Africans playing for United IS the same issue.
Second, no on ever said they PAY for room and board for the boys. They said they PROVIDE it. Is allowing someone to stay at your home PAYING for room and board? Get real.
you haven't proven a thing with your sources. it's still your word against mine (and seemingly everyone else on this blog. I still find it curious that no one backs you up on this blog).
YOU are the one who has made accusations, so YOU have the burden of proof. That's how it works in this country. Until USA Rugby finds Highland guilty of any wrongdoing (oh, I forgot, they have nothing better to do than to be part of this grand conspiracy) I refuse to belive the sour grapes coming out of your mouth. And I do know more than you about Highland Rugby, whether you want to accept that or not. Quit whining, it makes you sound like a loser.
Blinded by the light
Show us the tuition.
I don't care if nobody comments. Hundreds and hundreds of people are reading the blog. Thats good enough for me. I have been emailed and called by coaches from around the country saying thanks for getting the word out.
I showed you the closed door to the Utah Public Schools. You have shown nothing. Just a lot of hot air and Larry speak. Sadly your just a puppet. You don't think for yourself. I have heard all of this before from Larry every single word. Same dribble.
Tuition no tuition
Tuition no tuition
Tuition no tuition
Show me
Show me
Show me
You can not!
Its not your job any way
So I'm asking the wrong person
But there is nothing to show
Thats the end of that
Still didn't answer where you get this "two player" rule from.
I love it how you start out with a bunch of accusations and then, instead of recognizing when someone has a legitimate point
that contrdicts yours, you instead turn the focus on to one little detail. I find it offensive that you would consider my thoughts not my own. Perhaps you hear the same things over and over because it is the truth!
Who do you think you are? No one has to answer a thing to you. I cannot belive your arrogance. You are not a compliance official of any sort. Provide proof of payment of tuition to YOU? Get real. USA rugby is the governing body, and proof of compliance needs to be shown to them. If Highland were out of compliance, they would take action. How sad it us that you want so badly to believe Highland to be guilty of wrongdoing that you have fooled yourself into thinking it is true.
This is exactly what is wrong with rugby in the states. Success gets torn down for the benefit of those who can't compete at a high enough level, thus making those in rugby in this country satisfied with and expectant of mediocrity instead of celebrating and emulating those who perform at a high level. Crabpot theory at its finest. Too many personal agendas, that is why rugby in the US is a joke.
Blinded by the light? No, I just know better than you. You, sir, are blinded by hatred and jealousy, and I have wasted enough of my breath on someone whose comments don't deserve the time it takes to respond to them.
I undertake to comment on these matters without enthusiasm. Rather than comment indirectly without revealing my name, I feel it is important to state my name along with the facts of which I am aware. Reading the previous blogs has dredged up unpleasant memories of my experiences dealing with rugby eligibility issues in Utah high school rugby. The comments I make today are regarding the 2001 high school rugby season.
In 2001 I was serving as head coach of a high school rugby club. Another local club was trying to get established that year. The coach of this other club contacted me sometime after the beginning of the season to inform me that several foreign players were coming to Salt Lake to play rugby for Highland Rugby. He felt that these players should not be allowed to play for Highland. The eligibility rules in place at the time included the following requirements:
1) Players must be enrolled in high school full time;
2) Players must have been enrolled full time in high school at the beginning of the competitive season; and
3) A player must be enrolled prior to the start of the competitive season.
These rules were part of the eligibility rules for USA Rugby and were not seen as redundant but each emphasized various nuances in the rules.
An investigation revealed the following facts:
1) Highland Rugby played their first match of the season on March 19 against Skyline Rugby.
2) Four foreign players arrived in the USA after that first match on or about March 21.
3) These players enrolled at Highland High School sometime in late March, after the first match and more than two months after the commencement of the school semester.
4) When informed of the circumstances, SLC School District determined that the players did not meet district requirements for enrollment and the players were "unenrolled".
5) The players enrolled at a private school sometime in late April.
6) I spoke with an official of the private school who confirmed that the players were enrolled. When I asked if they attended classes, he responded, "Of course not. The school year is over in a few weeks."
In spite of my appeals and with full knowledge of the situation, USA Rugby allowed these foreign players to participate in the national championships that year. In my opinion, there were clear violations of the eligibility rules in 2001 and it was done with the complicity of USA Rugby. Why have a requirement that players be enrolled full time and wink at enrollment with no intention of attending classes? Why require that the players be enrolled prior to the competitive season and disregard the common meaning of words? Why pretend that rugby players are students when they are not eligible to attend public schools and their enrollment at a private school is mere pretense?
There is a great deal of intense feelings surrounding rugby in Utah. Towards the close of the 2001 season, one of our club players approached me. He asked what I had done to so anger the Highland Rugby Club. He said that a friend of his was student at Cottonwood High School. His friend did not play rugby but knew a Cottonwood High student who was a member of Highland Rugby. The friend said that it was a good thing that our team had already played Highland Rugby that season because otherwise our players were in danger of suffering the repercussions of my actions which had resulted in their teammates being “kicked out of school.”
Highland Rugby has accomplished some amazing things. They raise the level of competition for our local clubs. But their dominance has also stymied the growth of rugby in Utah. Many times I was advised to get in line and follow the example of Highland to build the competitiveness of our club. Unfortunately, when I attempted to do so, I determined that it was impossible to do what Highland was doing while providing full disclosure to our school district and to USA Rugby.
Justin Barney
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