Guys and Gals

We had our Annual General Meeting this last Monday and we made a lot of progress when it comes to this team and our goals.  One thing that I would like to mention before I introduce the entire new directors.  Every year during this meeting we talk about how we want to be perceived as a rugby team, whether we are a social side or looking to take our division.  That wasn’t even a question this year, this year we start a new and we go after that division title.  We have the tools and the direction that will take us to the levels that we want.  We are going to be looked at as a huge part of Northern Colorado sports, the Flamingo name will be known and respected as a hard working, community service team that brings home hardware.  The business side of this team is built for everyone as team players to take advantege of.  Our growth is based on all of us working to build a presence within our community.  I promise you all that when you go out and present the CPC program that small businesses are very receptive to the idea, in many of them will offer more then just the annual dues.

Est. 1978 / Re-designed 2010

Some of the issues that were brought up at the AGM:

• Website (Everybody should be familur with the site and all of its uses.  Everybody needs to build a profile.)
• Coaching
• Fields 
• Community Service
• CPC Program
• CSU & UNC
• Irish Festival
• Tournaments 
• Island Party
• Gym (Rain Tree)

If you have any question about any of these subjects email me directly – President@NoCoRugby.com

Our new Team Leaders:

Match Secretary – Works as our liaison with other teams both in our division and on a national level.  Sets up our schedule for both Spring and Fall season.
Congratulations to Sol Mascarenes

Recruitment Chair – Is in charge of brainstorming new ideas on how to attract and keep new players.  Also, work with brand new athletes to keep their enthusiasm up and keep them motivated.
Congratulations to Sam (White) Starlin

Fund Raising & Marketing – This position is in charge of working with all events that pertain to raising money for the team and our charities.  He will also be working to help with any marketing ideas for the team.
Congratulations to David Luedtke

Treasurer – Working to make sure that all of the money that we bring is organized and distributed to the needed events or vendors.  Also, this is who you go to when it comes to paying your dues.  (Get your dues in now!)
Congratulations to Bruce Serby

Secretary – Organization of events and socials.  Also, will be heading up the needs of our social networks and our website to make sure that everything is updated.  The secretary will also know whom to contact within the team when it comes to business, social or organizational issues.
Congratulations to Richard Carter 

Vice President – He will be working directly with the Coaching staff and field crews to make sure that all home events are set up and running smoothly.  He will also be involved with recruitment and new player development.
Congratulations to Chris (Eye Candy) Jessen

President – He will be working on the business side of the team.  His job is to work with all of the directors to make sure that the entire team is focused on the same goals.  Also, he will be working on the exposure, money making and community service for the team.
Congratulations to Terje (Silverback) Whitmore

Coaching Staff:

Head Coach – Brendan Freer
Assistant Coaches – Brad Polzin & J.A. Cragg (Jay)

From here on out these are the guys that you will be talking to when it comes to anything that has to do with playing rugby.  These guys are the guys that we as a team will trust in to design a successful training schedule and goals on the pitch.  When we are at practice these are the three guys that will be in charge and we will be giving them the respect that they deserve as coaches.

I want you all to be excited for what is about to happen with this team!  We have the tools to reach and exceed all of our team goals.  The tools that we have include your team leaders and their desire to take this team to the next level.  

This is where it starts – 

Where you see violence, I see a sport…
Where you see blood, I see determination…
Where you feel pain, I feel achievement…
Where you see a team, I see a community.
– “That’s why I play Rugby” – 

(written by your marketing director) 

Here is to the start of 2010.  See you all on the pitch.  Remember…this is “your” team and it’s success starts with you!

Terje S Whitmore
President 
Northern Colorado Rugby

2009 Awards Banquet

1. MVP – Forward – Nick O’Connell

2. MVP – Back – Mike Staab

3. Most Improved Player – Steve Robinson

4. Most Inspirational Player (Team Player) – White Sam

5. Rookie of the year – David Luedtke

6. "Did you see me" (person that always talked about how they played and about their big plays) – Mike Staab

7. Grab Ass Award (why) – Chris J (aka Eye Candy)

8. Tall Tale Award (embellishes their stories give example) – Mike Staab

9. Lucky Player or Play (on or off the field give story) – Drew Grisby

10. TOOL AWARD (give story) – Nick O’Connell & Eric Phillips (Blinker)

I would like to thank you all for the effort that was put into this last season.  We didn’t end the season with the record that we wanted but what it did give us was the opportunity to come up with some great ideas for what it will take as a rugby team in Northern Colorado to grow.  This last year gave our teams leaders the opportunity to take notes and ideas for what worked and what didn’t work so that this next year we have an attack plan.  A lot of effort has been given to expand our marketing efforts, player retention and training as we look at the upcoming season.  Now as Northern Colorado Rugby we get to make a new name for this team, a new chance to be more then "look out for Fort Collins Rugby, they’re getting better" to "What…..just hit me"!  See all of you on the pitch!

Northern Colorado Rugby Club Sponsors Christmas Toy Drive
Gifts to be Delivered to Local Families in Need on Christmas Day

Fort Collins, CO, December 23, 2009. A Tony’s for Tots Pub Crawl at Tony’s Bar & Grille in Fort Collins sponsored by the Flamingos, Northern Colorado’s Rugby Club – will be bringing smiles of joy to the faces of local families on Christmas Day.

This community based campaign is called “Men of Steel, Hearts of Gold” – which reflects the service oriented rugby club, active since 1978 organizes many benefits throughout the year. This is the first year for the “Tony’s for Tots” pub crawl. Over 40 members attending the event donated over 100 new toys for children ages 3 to 14.

According to Marketing Director for the Flamingos, David Luedtke, the toys were originally going to be given to another charity organization, but missed their deadline for donations. Instead of giving out the toys this year, the toys would have been stored for the organization’s 2010 toy drive.

Instead, a supporter of the rugby club, Tiffany Viney suggested the toys be given out to local families in need this year. Officers of the club, Terje Whitmore, President and Marketing Director, Luedtke decided to do exactly that. Viney was instrumental in obtaining the name of local families – many of them with heart-breaking stories:

One family has a story of their 5 year old son who would not be getting any gifts for Christmas – or for his birthday on December 26. Along with no presents, the young mans uncle who raised the boy died unexpectedly last week.

Local foster family who just took in a two year old girl from parent’s will now have two gifts for her to make them even with the rest of the kids under their care. In addition, the family’s one year old son, will now have a new toy since the family was not able to afford another gift.

In a gesture of true Christmas spirit, and a collective effort, Over 20 families, many with more than one child will be receiving gifts on Christmas Day. The toys have been inventoried, will be wrapped over the next two-days and assigned to each child.

Club president Whitmore will be donning a Santa Suit and go door to door handing out the gifts to children on Christmas Day.

For more information contact Whitmore at 970-988-2191 or terjerugby@aol.com, or Luedkte (contact information above.)

—–Text From Original Header —–

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: David Luedtke Marketing Director of Northern Colorado Rugby Club
Email: dluedtk1@gmail.com
Phone: 720-933-0231

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Flamingo’s get a jersey sponsor.

Northern Colorado Rugby has picked up a new Jersey sponsor in Platinum Homes & Remodeling. Thanks to their kind donation Northern Colorado Rugby will be purchasing a new set of Canturbury Jerseys in our new colours of Black and Pink. We would like to thank Greg for this donation and we look forward to working with him over the next year.

Platinum Home & Remodeling  are offering 10% off any job if you mention Northern Colorado Rugby.  Simply give them a call at (970) 690-8113 or click here to view there web site.

Tuesday the 25th October marks a new beginning in Flamingo Rugby history. On this day we began training on our new fields at Timnath under the new club name of Northen Colorado Rugby. In the up coming weeks we will errect posts, obtain new jerseys in new colours and play our 1st home match on the 5th of September against the Denver Harliquins. This is an exciting time for the club and we are excited about this oppertunity that has been given to us and we will take it by both hands and move forward both on and off the field.

We as a club would like to thank all those involved (especially Danny from WildWing Development) in helping us with the new fields and allowing us to grow as a club. This great new partnership will continue to develop both our facilities and our club over the next five years into the envy of all clubs in the Easter Rockies Rugby Football Union. We look forward to seeing all our friends and fans at our 1st home game on Saturday the 5th September and every home game after.

As we kick off the 2009 Spring Season we open with taking second place at the Valentine’s Massacre.  Even before starting the full spring season, Fort Collins Rugby was lucky enough to pick up a new sponsor that has a lot of presence within the Fort Collins community.  All the players would like to welcome and thank New Belgium for offering to sponsor and help our rugby team with all of our goals and accomplishments.

This new year boasts a lot of new challenges and goals for the team and we look forward to taking all of them on.  New Belgium has stepped up to help Fort Collins Rugby gain more exposure within our local community.  They would like to see the team do better and understand that what it will take is more athletes on the pitch.  

One of our goals as a team is to grow in numbers and with New Belgium sponsoring us we will be able to move forward in accomplishing these goals.

Cheers to New Belgium.

On the evening of Monday the 22nd of January 2007, the Fort Collins Flamingos Rugby Club celebrated their prior season. The Flamingos gathered with their honored & esteemed huggers at Dempsey’s.

“Sober” Mike Pribesh & his wife Amy are the proprietors of this fantastic new place…think intimate setting, awesome food…be sure to try the Waterboy (read: stuffed hamburgers!), & rugby on flat screens! Can you say “one more Guinness before I go please…Brilliant!”.

All were in accordance that the dinners were exceptional. The fish & chips received the most raves for its deliciousness & mammoth portions. Tom Behr was quoted as saying ” I really like the balls” in regards to the swedish meatball & noodle dish. Others were heard saying the noodles were reminiscient of their grandmothers’. Parker, one of the two that had the chicken at our table, raved that the dish was “…good, I especially like the sauce & the garlic potatos”.

After dinner Terje hosted the awards portion of the banquet.

The first person recognized was Sean Hadaway. As a fitting tribute to his many years working with the Fort Collins Youth Rugby Club’s Ladies-side he was presented with a plaque & cool rugby jacket by two of his former players. We should all take Sean as an example of how to truly give back to the game of rugby. Way to go Sean!

 

MVP Forward:

Sol

Honorable Mention went to: Keith, Flowbee,Waterboy

Somebody needs to look into the record book…I think Sol has won this award every year since Dr. Fields has been gone.

 

MVP Back:

Brundage

Honorable Mention went to: Dave Howell, Kawika, Nate

Another award that has been dominated by Jeff ever since “You can’t coach this!” Schulze went home to RSA.

 

Most Improved Player:

Jason Schneider

Honorable Mention went to: Marty & Mike Floren.

We all like to see him grow… as a rugby player that is. Keep up the hard work Jason! Nice to see active competition for this award! Everyone should aim for it each season.

 

Rookie of the Year:

Mike Floren

Honorable Mention went to: Belly & Blinker

Well done Mike! Keep hitting it hard like you have been & the rest will fall in place. Look forward to seeing you learn some more pack positions!

 

Most Inspirational Player:

Flowbee

Honorable Mention went to: Sean, Dave Howell, Drew Kiser

Chris definitely earned this award. Through his hard work at practice & his cool-headed leadership on the field (except when accidentally elbowed in the nose by his hooker) Flowbee has demonstrated that devotion & desire, in the game of rugby, can somewhat compensate for the total lack of any natural talent. So let us all take a lesson from him.

 

Grab Ass Award:

Waterboy

The “girls” in Missoula, the boys (especially Fluffy & Duece)in Aspen just to cite a few.

Honorable Mention goes to: Coach Brendan

 

Embellishment Award:

Waterboy

Why not, it was worth another shot wasn’t it?

 

Lady Bing Award:

Marty

Is this award for softest or biggest hit? Or is it for taking dressing in drag a little too seriously? Either way congratulations Marty, you earned it!

 

Lucky Player Award:

Phillips

You had to be lucky to score that 15 meter try with out your shorts or something tripping you up!

Although it was unlucky that we did not have an oxygen tank for you, you rambling wreck!

 

Tool Award:

Chad “Devil Boy” Parker

It was little surprise that even with the fewest opportunities to win, Chad made the most of his Ruggerfest appearence & reclaimed the title. Was it “skin to win always prevails”” or “there’s blubber in them there hills?” I think only Parker really knows.

Honorable Mention goes to Tom “stink toe” Behr

 

That concluded the award portion of the banquet.

 

I think all who attended would agree the evening was a success. It was a fun opportunity to socialize & celebrate the past season. Once again props go out to The Dempsey’s Crew for doing a wonderful job! We thank you. Another special mention goes to all the HOT LADIES that got all dolled up to make us ruggers look somewhat respectable in our coats & ties. Thank you ladies for all you do & put up with for us & the game!

 

This concludes the secretary’s report for this years banquet. Respectfully submitted by Drew Kiser.

 

Let’s get ready for the Spring Season!

The Massacre is only 18 days away!!!!!!

[A] piece of the soul of Ft. Collins rugby moved on this week. Paul Ireland, a founding member of both CSU and Ft. Collins rugby clubs died this past Monday after a six month struggle. Legend has it that during a Monday Night Football drink up at his house the name Flamingos was born.

Paul is fourth generation military and a highly decorated Vietnam era green beret. At his memorial service yesterday he was posthumously awarded the Legion of Merit, something like the eighth highest medal the military awards and one of only two United States medals authorized to be worn around the neck; the other being the Congressional Medal of Honor. If there ever was a soldier you would want to thank for his or her service, Paul would be the one.

Unfortunately, I never played even one phase of rugby with Paul. When I moved here he was recovering from career ending knee surgery, which back in the day before scopes was not an uncommon result. However, Paul’s joy of life, the warmth of his friendship and his love of rugby makes him my favorite Flamingo. So, if just past 2:00PM this afternoon you feel a slight shudder, it is part of the soul of this club being laid to rest at Ft. Logan National Cemetery and hopefully moving on to a greener pitch.

Thanks for indulging me as I process. Just thought you’d want to know a bit of how deep the roots of this club are.

Larry

Please visit www.allnutt.com to view Paul’s online obituary, sign the family guestbook and send condolences.

Direct link to obituary.

Tonight we held the Annual General Meeting for the Fort Collins Rugby Club.

The majority of this meeting went to the task of electing officers, other issues being tabled for a later date.

 

The new officers are as follows:

President: Terje Whitmore

Vice President: Chad Parker

Coach: To be determined at a later date by the board.

Backs Captain: Jeff Brundage

Forwards Captain: Sol Mascarenas

Treasurer: Carey Dickens

Community Service: Jason Fegel

Recruiting: Edward Sauer

Equipment Manager: Pat Thompson

Secretary: Andrew Kiser

Fund Raising: Kavika Malama

Web Design: Keith Slate

Match Secretary: Sol Masceranes

 

We thank all who participated in todays elections, and for the amazing job that last years officers have done in the club.

Today, we had the chance to come together as a team to sign a jersey and a FCRC rugby ball. Conor O’niells will be displaying these, and a selection of photographs, in a commemorative wall for our team, once again showing how much devotion they have to Fort Collins Rugby, and our proud supporters.