To Ryan the Warrior

Like you another warrior at heart...
I am serious enough to stand out on the field and take all of the abuse and name calling, pathological liar, despicable human being, and on and on। Not cowering behind the wall of anonymity. This is not the way of a warrior who professes to follow Kia Kaha. You understand this and I appreciate your candor and have great respect for your opinion.

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Anonymous said...

In response to my offer of a truce ..........

Ok, Ra, I'll be the person. But let's meet at Olympus High School for an open forum. What say you?

I accepted but have not heard back। I guess he, she or they were just pulling my leg. You guys got me. Jenny where are you?

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No Worries Anons

To ease the minds of those concerned that I am neglecting my family। I spend 4-6 hours on the computer each day providing technical support for a software company. This blog helps add variety to my day. And we have no tv in our home. No worries.

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Rugby Strong Stories

Share a story about how your rugby club is helping to build character and change lives for the better.

Crossfit tip of the day

http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_FrontSquats.w
Front squats. The power comes from good technique.

The Good Samaritan ... The Good Kiwi Boys

Left out of the movie because it is a little more difficult to promote the teachings of Jesus Christ while telling the complete HR story. Left out of the missionary strong pictures as well. No Maori young men and actually no Polynesians faces in the pictures. Despite their amazing collective contributions over the years. Very sad. www.missionarystrong.com.

• Peter, James and ? (you know that other guy from the southern hemisphere.)
  
• The Good Samaritan without the Samaritan. "First guy walked by without stopping and the second guy did the same. The next day I read in the paper that someone picked him up and took him to an Inn. What a great guy. What is his name? Where did he come from? Why was he there? Where did he go? Is this the purpose of life?
• Mormon missionaries on the poster promoting the DVD .......... the Kiwi boys on the cutting room floor and in the waste paper basket.
• No no no ....... not the Haka or Kia Kaha, we definitely have to use those things in the movie
  
• It's ok because it's all about integrity and building character
  
• Jesus Saves

... Beyond their abilities ...

A quote from the Missionary Strong Facebook page:
"We’re not always the biggest, the fastest or the strongest. But we’ve seemed to develop a formula to help players play beyond their abilities. They’ve learned what it means to get knocked down and to get back up ...

The missing part of the developed formula post 2009 ... HR+kiwi1+kiwi2+kiwi3=50%@(379 wins+18 National Championships)=beyond their abilities

Calm down HR faithful. I am only giving the Kiwi boys credit for 1/2 of the victories you all get the other 1/2. After all building the HR legacy has been a team effort on a global scale.

Missionary Strong

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Missionary-Strong/67008762782?ref=nf

Take a look at the videos. I am speechless.
http://www.missionarystrong.com

A truce proposal for HR

Would someone in the HR inner circle be willing to engage in an honest conversation as Jenny and I attempted a few weeks ago.

Would HR be willing to donate $3.00 from every DVD sold and 10% of the ticket receipts from Forever Strong to a scholarship fund in New Zealand, that went to help young Maori students? Consider this a form of payback or an expression of gratitude without having to reveal all of the unpleasant details. A win win for all. What say ye HR?? We can discuss the details privately.

To all HR Anon's

Why don't you talk to the HR inner circle and select one anonymous person as a spokesperson. We will then engage in a respectful exchange of questions and responses as I proposed to Jenny a few weeks ago. It's not really fair for me to give all of you a hard time when you don't know all of the answers.
What do you think?

Not all is fair game

Re posting this from April 23rd.

There are issues related to the HR rugby program that I have chosen not to comment on in this blog, out of respect for families, children, specific individuals and their privacy. The HR inner circle are aware of one of the issues that I am referring to, which was reported in the local newspapers a few months ago. This kind of public forum is totally inappropriate to discuss personal and private challenges of this nature. You can email or call me to discuss in private.

Deleted Comment from Anonymous ...

I deleted the comment calling out 3 United players by number and calling them despicable human beings. We don't want to know who you are. Better if you remain anonymous. This is the problem with anonymity. When you don't have to take responsibility for what you say, you don't care what you say or who you attack. Hit, run and hide.

I may not agree with your comments, but this is going to far. Throw your barbs at me. This is the first time that I have deleted any comment. Thanks to our anonymous friend I have now activated the comment moderation function. Is it ok to personally attack or make fun of an anonymous person? You are a bad bad person and may the buzzard of bad luck poop on your head...he he......

How does an anonymous person hide? He closes his eyes.

Highland 45 United 13

Congratulations. The best team today was Highland. Great game! The local HR boys stepped up and made the difference. No need for the 4th import player.

D-Day 24 hours and counting

United verses Highland at The Rio Tinto Stadium. The playing field is level with import players on both sides. Now the local players and coaching will truly determine the outcome of the game. Good luck to all and may the best team be victorious. I will post the score tomorrow.

HR cancels game against Kearns

Several weeks ago the Union scheduled a regular season mid week game between HR and Kearns. HR canceled the game saying they needed at least seven days between games to prepare for a tough team like Kearns. This is not Wimbledon or the World Series. If it's good enough for the other teams to follow the schedule then here is an item for the HR, how do we earn the respect of the other teams list.

This should be a forfeit and a loss for HR. Kearns is a great program with committed players, coaches and parents. They deserve more respect than to be dismissed by a made up 7 day preparation rule. I am sure they would prefer to play HR than take a win by default. The union should not have to bend the schedule around HR's extracurricular and traveling games during the regular season. Fall in line, follow the schedule and sow the seeds to respect.

Eleventh hour recruit

HR player / member ID # 447838 arrives in Utah on the 29th of April but CIPP registered on the 14th of April.

Update: Did not arrive in Utah because his mother is not well. I hope his mother recovers quickly.

HR record without the Kiwi Connection

239 wins to 149 losses / 8 National Championships. Maybe not Hollywood material but still a great team. No less of an environment for character building and the noble pursuits of all great teams. A more fertile environment because losing helps to set the plow deep and turn the soil of change and innovation.

United vs Highland at Rio Tinto Stadium on May 2nd

On May 2nd United plays Highland at the beautiful Rio Tinto Stadium for the State Championship. Kearns plays Davis. A great day for Utah rugby. Come out and watch four of the best teams in the country. Click here for tickets.

Unfortunately .................

Unfortunately our friends at HR are not responding to recent questions about the end of the season recruit from Australia and Uniteds offer to limit the import players to three on the field at any one time. I was hopeful that we were establishing a connection and mutually respectful line of communication with Jenny and Tim.

This is a good example of how, over the years, the inner circle at HR has done a very good job of keeping the details about their recruiting efforts and use of the Utah Public School system under the radar. Even keeping their own loyal supporters, like Jenny and Tim in the dark. Tim adamantly denies such activity so late in the season. It's not his fault, he is only passing on what he is told. Perhaps this news of these eleventh hour recruiting efforts, such as calls to Mr Harris in New Zealand, have caught Jenny and Tim off guard.

What is going on? My opinion. HR had six imports last year. Other Utah teams had zero. With the recent U-19 rule changes the field has been leveled. HR now needs to have more confidence in their local players. They are hard workers and good young men. Put your faith and confidence in them and they will surprise you. The days of the blow out scores are gone and you may lose a few games now and then, and that's ok.

Deep character transformation, Kia Kaha warrior type character, comes only by trail and tribulation or losing on occasion, not by winning every single game. It is only at these moments when a team discovers or exposes its weaknesses to itself. Then a plan can be crafted to mold those weaknesses into strengths. Growth and change without losing is a myth. Losing every time with honor and giving your best efforts is a victory and an indication of great courage and persistence. Is winning to much and to easily HR's refiners fire?

All of the other Utah teams have been in the heat of the refiners fire for years. Skyline, Kearns, United, Davis, Murray, Park City etc. They are now slowly emerging much the better, stronger, confident, united, focused and fearless.

United agrees to the limit of 3 import players on the field at any one time.

Will HR agree as well? This is a win win for every team, those with import players and those without. If a team wants to bring over five, six, seven or more players from other countries, they can do that. But only three on the field at any one time. A fair and equitable compromise for all.

Hello Tim & Jenny

Awaiting your reply to questions about the newest import player from Australia and the limit of 3 import players for the upcoming game at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City. Let's keep the dialog going.

Not all is fair game

There are issues related to the HR rugby program that I have chosen not to comment on in this blog, out of respect for families, children, specific individuals and their privacy. The HR inner circle are aware of one of the issues that I am referring to, which was reported in the local newspapers a few months ago. This kind of public forum is totally inappropriate to discuss personal and private challenges of this nature.

Congrats to Skyline Rugby

Highland 57...Skyline 5. A remarkable feat in light of past scores soaring into the 40's, 50's, 60's etc. It requires heaps of courage to step onto the field to play a team that beat you by 60 points the last time you played. Kudos to committed and passionate coaches, parents and players. Kia Kaha!! This was with no import players.

End of the season recruiting continues

Sorry Jenny, your sources at HR are not giving you the complete scoop. Your getting a small taste of we have put up with for many years.

The season is winding down, as in only TWO WEEKS remaining, and HR has just recruited another import player from Australia. Total is now 4 import players, maybe 5 or 6 by next week. HR asked their contacts in Hamilton to send two more players, but they were unable to oblige. So across the Tasman Sea they went to Australia. Highly unusual strategy so late in the season.

Unfortunately good intentioned people like Jenny continue to be used to spread misinformation. Jenny, I checked with United as I told you I would, and they will agree to the limit of no more than three import players on the field at any one time. Will HR do the same?????? We look forward to your response.

Unusual scoring celebration

In an effort to offer HR some ideas to help improve their cool, as in not very social, relationship with other teams, I offer the following for their consideration. The HR practice of a team huddle after every score and clapping while reciting "HR Rugby" is singularly unique in all of sports. Why? It is perceived as show boating, celebrating, not in good taste and unsportsmanlike. Imagine the reaction if a basketball or football team huddled after each score, clapped and said "go South High go" as they ran back to the other side of the field or court. It is a practice found no where in the rugby world or in any sport, for a reason.

Performing the Haka on the sidelines during a game or even after a game is inappropriate and disrespectful. Have you ever seen the All Blacks use the Haka in such a manner. No! If you are going to do the Haka then please use it appropriately.

Part of understanding the true meaning of "Kia Kaha" is that to be strong one has to be humble. Without humility there is no Kia Kaha.

HR still recruiting in NZ for this season?

My contact in New Zealand informs me that HR is still actively trying to recruit 2 more players from CCNZ or Hamilton , even though it is well into the season. Is this correct and why? Is three import players not enough?

A positive conversation

Jenny .......I will start by answering your question.

Remember I do not have any say in the policies of the United Rugby club. This blog contains my opinions and yes at times my brothers and I disagree. Also keep in mind that all the rules have now been changed for U-19 clubs, now allowing a max of 5 import players.

United has three import players this year. For almost one year I have been asking Highland to agree to the self imposed limit of two import players on the field at any one time. As you know this is not agreeable to HR. If HR agreed I believe United would follow suit.

HR may have 3,4,5 or 6 again this year. No one really knows because it has always been very secretive.

Lets assume that the import players are of equal or similar skill level. United has 3 HR has (?). Now the local players on both teams can compete on an almost level playing field.

Why don't we see if HR would agree to a limit of 3 import players on the field at anyone time. This would absolutely level the playing field for everyone. Is this fair? Can you expect any team to not have import players now that the rules have been changed and particularly after years of being soundly beaten by HR with their regular stable of amazing players from New Zealand.

Cast your bread upon the water

Cosmic forces, along with committed coaches parents and players have a way of leveling the playing field. Competitiveness has returned to Utah high school aged rugby and it is a positive note for everyone.

• HR beat Lowland a first year team by 40 points, yet Lowland scored three try's.
  
• United beat the HR B team 45-0.
• HR B was ranked the #2 team in the nation by a pre season poll.

HR faithful raise your voices

HR parents and players, this is your team!

When the score passes 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or 100 points, have the courage to raise your voice, "hey coaches enough is enough".

When the invitation comes next year to the St George Rugby tournament, and the import players are not in place because it is so early in the season, raise your voice, ............... "we want to participate and build a comradeship with the other teams and players."

When somebody suggests that the team should do the Haka a second time as an exclamation point, because your winning by 40 points, raise your voice, "this is not an appropriate use of the Haka."

My reply to an email from a former HR player

Thank you for your email. You are obviously a man of integrity. Thank you for taking the time to read my research and reach out to me.

Let know one, including myself ever take away or diminish the value and joy of your experiences. You have discovered the true meaning of sport as it transcends the score board to that feeling of brotherhood that the world in general sorely lacks. And you have felt the true spirit and mana of the Haka. Good for you!

When the opportunity arises continue to share your experiences and opinions with others. It is this type of honest communication and charity that brings people together.

I have tried to improve the tone of my blog over time. Less confrontational and more focused on win win solutions such as the self imposed limit of two import players on the field at any one time and other rugby related content such as Crossfit.

In the end all of these issues boil down to issues of the heart. I sense that you have discovered this as well.

I look forward to meeting you one day. If you are ever in St George please give me a call.

Kia Kaha

Your brother in spirit

Ra Puriri

435-817-6555

Why did I start this blog?

Four issues motivated me to start this blog:

1. The annual pounding and running up the scores on our local teams. Yes 100 to 0 was the score of a real game. Nothing justifies such outrageous scores.
2. Little to no recognition given to the import players from New Zealand. Quietly brought in, kept apart and away from the press and other players and quietly sent home at the end of the season. We know nothing, they just show up on our doorstep every year. A now busted myth.
   
3. Paul Lasike, unstoppable in the national championship game last year against United, but does not receive the most valuable player award.
4. The movie Forever Strong and it's use of my cultures Haka and Kia Kaha. The story, the record, the aura and shine is dulled quite a bit by the truth. Go and see the movie. After the movie this blog will be here to offer those who choose to read, "the rest of the story."

I will continue to add valuable rugby related contact as well.

Good News

I heard the first round of games were very competitive compared to years past. HR's A squad soundly beat the first year Lowland Club by 40 points, but Lowland did score. United A soundly beat Highland B. If someone can post all of the scores, that would be great. If this first round of play and the quality of rugby we saw at the tournament in St George is any indication of what is coming up for the rest of the season, we are in for a great and competitive season. Watch out for our two local St George teams. Although both are very new, I believe they will give every team a run for the money.

HR challenge 2009

Have more confidence in your local players. A self imposed limit of two import players on the field at anyone time gives them a strong vote of confidence. They will step up and fill the gap sooner than you think. Give them a chance!

This will never happen with 4-6 imports on the field. Like a crutch, each year your dependence on the import players grows because the local boys never get the chance to be really tested.

If not then I encourage the local union to put such a rule in place as soon as possible, under an anonymous coaches vote. I am confident that it will pass. This will immediately level the field for your own teams and protect your boys from these ridiculous, discouraging and unsportsmanlike scores of 50, 60, 70 and 100 to zero.

You do not need the blessing or permission of USA Rugby or the Pacific Coast to make such a change. Take the destiny of Utah rugby into your own hands and away from the stifling control of HR.

Do what others have been unwilling and unable to do. All it takes is KIA KAHA.

HR now a U-19 Club

5.1 Club Eligibility

a) Club must be based on a state- or nationally-accredited school that issues High School Graduation Diplomas.

b) Club must be represented by a Roster that is limited to: players that are registered students at the High School upon which the Club is based, plus players that have graduated from that High School, plus up to a maximum of five (5) special exemption players in 2009, three (3) special exemption players in 2010 and two (2) special exemption players thereafter.

c) Special exemption players are students that do not have an otherwise available high school contact rugby program, and are either home-schooled students in the Club high school district, or are students from high schools in districts that are contiguous to, or overlapping, the club district.

It appears that recent changes in the USA rugby rules now exclude HR from The National High School Club Championships. They are not based on a nationally accredited school that issues High School graduation diplomas and cannot meet the single school student guidelines.

HR will only be able to measure itself against the best U-19 clubs. Missing the opportunity to play many of the very teams in the country.

Rather than tighten up the import player guidelines, USA Rugby now allows U-19 teams such as HR to have 5 non resident and non student players. This gives a rubber stamp to a class separation of those teams with the money and contacts to import players from other countries, 2% of the teams, while the remaining teams look to their local players exclusively.

USA rugby has also ignored their own 2005 report complied by Ed Hughes, by omission, and is now condoning and encouraging the illegal and planned practice of non resident players overstaying their visas to play in the National Championships. Education, staying in school and the visa laws are not a part of the U-19 formula.

This is PROGRESS??

Perhaps someones conscience will be rattled when one of these young men is arrested, deported and not permitted to return to this country for 10 years. A moral dilemma indeed. Who makes such decisions and why?

The logic, fairness and moral rationale is beyond me?

St George Rugby Tournamnent

An excellent tournament was held this weekend in St George Utah. Six teams from Utah and one from Arizona enjoyed almost perfect weather and playing conditions. Most impressive was the numbers of young men on each squad, 50 to 90 in some cases, the fact that everyone had an opportunity to play and the parental support. Support from the Utah Rugby Union and the National Guard was very visible and appreciated.

Unfortunately our friends at HR declined the invitation to attend, because their import players have not yet arrived from down under. Sadly, another missed opportunity for their local players.

The two local teams, the St George Knights and the Snow Canyon High School Rugby Club have planted a good seed here. These two 2nd and 1st year teams were very competitive.

A few weeks ago a HR coach commented at a union meeting, "that without Highland rugby would die in Utah". This tournament proved that uninformed statement to be completely false. Rugby is alive and well and will continue to thrive in Utah with or without HR participation.

Hyde Rugby - Kia Kaha

Hyde Rugby - A New World

A great example of the positive influence that rugby can have on the lives of young men, their families and communities. In the most difficult of environments, rugby is playing a role in empowering these young men to be masters and not victims of their circumstances. They are slaying the dragons of mediocrity in pursuit of their potential, being the best that they can be.

The game, spirit and comradeship of rugby along with kind and caring coaches, teachers and parents at Hyde Charter School, remind us all of why we love this game.

It is far beyond the score board and winning. It is all about the "mighty change", family, brotherly love, teamwork, unity, courage, hope, service and integrity.

Kia Kaha

Crossfit

See this site for some excellent advice about what it means to be fit and healthy. Not for the mirror muscle crowd. Something here for everyone.

The Crossfit Prescription:

The CrossFit prescription is “constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movement.” Functional movements are universal motor recruitment patterns; they are performed in a wave of contraction from core to extremity; and they are compound movements—i.e., they are multi-joint. They are natural, effective, and efficient locomotors of body and external objects. But no aspect of functional movements is more important than their capacity to move large loads over long distances, and to do so quickly.

Level the playing field for your team

Coaches ... if your interested in leveling the playing field for your team, to avoid a 50,60,70 or 100 points to (?) drubbing by the HR machine, please consider this collective and unified pre game line of questions.

1. Do you have any import players from New Zealand on your team this year?
2. May we see their exchange student visas and insurance cards?
3. May we have the name and phone number of the school that they are attending full time?
4. Have they paid tuition?
   
5. Will they be returning to New Zealand at the end of the season?
6. In the interest of fairness and good sportsmanship, will you limit the number of these players on the field to one or two at any one time?

Hyde-DC Rugby Players Focus of Special Fox Sports Documentary

Hyde-DC Rugby Players Focus of Special Fox Sports Documentary

Half-Hour Show Airs Nationwide During Black History Month

[Washington, DC, February 8, 2009] – The rugby team at Hyde Leadership Public Charter School of DC is the subject of a special Fox Sports News (FSN) Documentary airing nationwide throughout February, Black History Month.

Entitled Hyde Rugby: A New World, the half-hour documentary is narrated by Oscar-nominated actor, Terrence Howard, and chronicles “the extraordinary efforts and determination of students at a D.C. charter school.”

Fox Sports producers interviewed Hyde-DC student-athletes and alumni, parents, school administrators, teachers and coaches over a two-month period. Camera crews filmed school rugby scrimmages and games, attended classroom sessions, and visited athletes’ homes, churches and other community venues.

FSN is the nation’s leading provider of local sports. Its regional networks and affiliated networks reach more than 80 million homes across the U.S.

“This is fantastic exposure for the entire Hyde community,” said Dr. JoAnn “Doc” Cason, head of school at Hyde-DC. “We’re so proud of our rugby players! Athletics reinforces important Hyde concepts, like Courage, Concern, Curiosity, Integrity and Leadership.”

The Hyde-DC documentary is airing in the Washington, DC area on ComCast SportsNet channels. To find local show times and stations, visit http://comcastsportsnet.tv/pages/main and enter your zip code. If you have Fox Sports packages please check with your service provider.

“Hyde emphasizes character development. Rugby provides our students with the perfect opportunity to develop and test their strength of character,” said Tal Bayer, Hyde-DC’s head rugby coach and director of development.

Fox Sports is the latest national media to give positive attention to the “Pride of Hyde” for its noteworthy accomplishments, on and off the playing field.

· The New York Times featured a story last November about Hyde’s team, entitled The Unlikely Scrum. Reporter Will Bardenwerper described how rugby is “breaking down barriers and opening up new possibilities for this all-African-American high school team.”

· Hyde-DC Alumni P.J. Komongnan, a top-notch rugby player hoping to turn professional, was profiled by the Associated Press during a recent trip to the UK to promote Ultimate Rugby Sevens.

· CBS Evening News filmed interviews with Hyde-DC rugby players and coaches for a segment that is scheduled to air this winter.

# # #

Located in NE Washington, Hyde Leadership Public Charter School of DC (www.hydedc.org) is a college-preparatory school (PreK-12) that combines character education and family renewal with an intense academic program. It opened in 1999 as one of the District’s first charter schools, and today serves more than 700 students from throughout the city. Each year, 100% of Hyde-DC’s graduating seniors are accepted to four-year colleges.

Utah Board of Education Letter - 2005

There have been several downloads of the memo from the Utah Board of Education attorney Carol Lear in 2005. Be sure to also download Ed Hughes USA Rugby report on Highland done in May of 2005.

Put these letters side by side and connect the dots. Remember that Ed's report was done a few days before nationals by telephone. He was given the phone numbers of the Granite School District and others to call in Utah.

Ed was told, on the phone, that the import players had paid their tuition at Olympus High School.
They did not pay any tuition because they were kicked out of Olympus High School for masquerading as pretend students, one month before nationals. See the letter, under downloads from the attorney at the State Board of Education.

The USA Rugby report also clearly establishes the fact that the import players were not in the country as exchange students.

...from Ed's report

"The first issue is that each of these young men is presently in the country
illegally. All of these men have overstayed their tourist visas and, upon
leaving the United States to return home, if they aren't deported first, these
boys/men will not be permitted to return. "

Here is the USA Rugby rule from 2005

f) No more than four non-resident (as defined in the National Club Championships section above) exchange students may play for a club.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENED???

Hyde Rugby - More than winning

The Unlikely Scrum

Hyde Charter School Rugby Video

For the love of the game, brotherhood and building character.

A great story about an inner city high school rugby program in Washington DC.

Lessons for all of us to learn.

Kia Kaha! Hyde Rugby!

Willie Stewart also played rugby with one arm

Saw this awesome 20 minute documentary at the Red Rock film festival in St George. "Armed for the Challenge" is inspirational and thought provoking. Read more about the man! Willie Stewart.
You have to see this when it comes to your town.

Happy New Year

Thanks for taking the time

Equal Time

Highland rugby sets the standard

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 22, 2006 by Dirk Facer Deseret Morning News

Highland's rugby teams earn results

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 18, 2004 by Jay Hinton Deseret Morning News

Highland Rugby
Utah High School Rugby Powerhouse
by Wes Clark & Larry Gelwix


Their team Goal: "To do our best" in rugby, life
From (LDS) Church News, week ending 5 September 1998

The "Good Samaritan" he smoked and drank beer

Some have asked, given the absolute dominance of HR for 20 years, why very few of their players end up playing at a club to national team level? I would propose two ideas for your consideration.

1. One rumor has it that HR players are warned to avoid club play because most of these guys, on club teams, smoke and drink beer. I guess the warped thinking is that, they should not be associating with these "types" of people. This kind of moral hypocrisy is a cancer in our society. It implies that one's outward appearance is a reflection of the inner spirit, heart and soul. Nothing could be further from the truth. Remember the story of the "Good Samaritan". Who walked by with their noses in the air, and who stopped to help. Many non smokers and drinkers only put on the Sunday face on Sunday.
   
2. The Kiwi import players have and continue to handicap the skills and development of local players who might otherwise develop into exceptional rugby players. A program that annually increases it's reliance on import players from 2 to 4 to 6 in 2008, sends a clear message that local talent, collectively is in obvious steady decline. Do the math.
   

For the love of the game

This is a very good article in the New York Times called:

"Open Membership - Rapid rise of college club teams creates a whole new level of success."

Not about rugby specifically, but the principles apply.

... “Nobody competes for the money or the fame because there are no scholarships and not a lot of attention. The kids have to do all the work to make their club function. They do it because they love their sport, and I’ll tell you what, we don’t have the prima donnas you see at the higher levels of college athletics.”

No ideal is as good as a fact. - Cabot

It is hard to personate and act a part long; for where truth is not at the bottom nature will always be endeavoring to return, and will peep out and betray herself one time or another. - Tillotson

Words without actions are the assassins of idealism. - Herbert Hoover

Reply to comments ...

Thanks for the comments.

Mary, sorry it's not refreshingly different. If you take the time to read all of my posts, I have made several creative suggestions to change the dynamics of this conversation.

Why am I the only advocate for your local players, getting more time on the field.

If you really care about building character, integrity and not just winning, then champion my suggested voluntary limit of one import player from NZ on the field at a time for 2009.

Why not put one of the Kiwi boys on six different teams next season. That would be amazing! Think of what that would do for rugby in Utah.

You change the dynamics by making an intelligent choice for fairness and the response will be so refreshing it will make you smile.

You may lose a few more games but your team will be much the better for it in the long run. HR will still have an amazing program that positively impacts the lives of many.

In response to your comment about BYU and other teams doing the Haka. None of these teams have a 20 year history of under the radar and cloaked recruiting of foreign import players.

The Haka is about respect, honor and integrity.

HR's claim of, "we know nothing" turns out to be a gross misrepresentation! Notice how the HR rhetoric has now changed from we know nothing to justification and pointing fingers at others. A HR parent's honest admission about providing room and board for a young man from NZ, as part of a cultural exchange speaks for itself.

Thanks for the mention of the United Rugby program.

They are an example of:

• what can be accomplished in 5 years with no import players from New Zealand.
  
• how local talent and parents when given the chance can collaborate, blossom and rise to any challenge.
• losing on the field and yet winning off the field.
  

HR - who gave you the approval to use the Haka?

A question from "kiwi" in New Zealand

Ra, that coach made a statement that kaumatua went over from NZ to Utah.
So can you tell me who were those so called kaumatua ?
Were they Mormon ?
Were they Ngati Toa ?

This is a fair question.

What is the name of the person who gave you the approval to use the Haka & Kia Kaha in your movie?

Please stop using the Haka and Kia Kaha in your schemes.

HR has little respect for the Maori culture or the young men from New Zealand, other than as means to a very selfish end.

Collateral Damage - Gut Check

We all share a portion of responsibility for what has happened at the Woodland Hills Schools.

Do you have to see bleeding bodies lying on the side of the road before something clicks in your heart and in your head that something is terribly wrong, and that you should stop to help? When is enough, enough? Open your eyes people and connect the dots?

Like the story of the Good Samaritan, we all to some degree have been like the Levite and the Priest, just walking by, turning our heads, closing our eyes and our mouths and not lifting a finger to help.

Unlike the story of the Good Samaritan some stood and watched as the traveler was beaten and robbed and did nothing. Some have known for a long time that this stretch of road was not safe yet they have pointed travelers in this direction without a second thought.

Now the lone traveler laying on the side of the road is not alone. The road is now littered with young people with Asperger Syndrome and their families. They have been kicked in the head and beaten down by people in pursuit of the almighty WIN!!! It appears that some of their tuition money was used to fuel this train wreck, and now their school has been closed.

Another unseen casualty is Don, a senior, who's father played for the Samoan national team. An exceptionally gifted rugby player who played for West Valley last year an then was recruited to play for Highland in 2008. He was as talented as some of the boys from New Zealand, yet he never stepped on to the field at the National Championship game. Why?

HR didn't want him playing against them, yes he is that good, so they recruited him to play for them. With the six kiwi boys making up most of the back line and the coaches relative playing half back, Don's position, he gets the shaft and sits on the bench the entire game.

To add insult to injury, the coaches relative playing halfback was selected by HR to receive the MVP.

Don and the kiwi boys disappear into the mist of anonymity. Thrown under the bus in the name of integrity, honesty, honor, sportsmanship, saving face and their perverted and twisted interpretation of Kia Kaha.

Such are the tragic results of HR's blind and ego driven attempts at sports engineering.


Past being nice and polite:

• Does it make your stomach turn HR?
• Look in the mirror, it's Gut Check time
  
• Does your conscience ping, pang, clang just a little?
• Blood on your hands is a good metaphor for what has happened
• Open your eyes, look at your hands and take some responsibility
  
• There is only one way to wash it off, and that is to do the right thing
  
• Wall Streets unchecked attempt at financial engineering and vodoo economics has pushed our country into a long and deep recession, and hurt millions.
  
• HR's unchecked attempt at sports engineering using cloaked recruiting has failed miserably and continues to hurt many, such as our friends who were attending the Woodland Hills School and Don.

Next seasons 6 recruits from New Zealand have already been selected. They are waiting for HR or one of their benefactors, alumni or parents to send them the airline tickets. We will let you know as soon as we know.