I want to take the time to thank each and every person that made this past weekend a success for Rock Rugby Academy at the NAI7’s in Salt Lake City. Although we didn’t get the wins we would have hoped for we achieved much more.

As a program, we are growing and we are dealing with the pains of expansion. If you don’t know, we had 4 teams competing and had to manage over 50 players. That means, transportation, food, and beverage, laundry, snacks, set up, break down, coolers/tents, etc.

Each team had a team manager, Minisha, Kelley, Kristin, Jennifer, and of course the main person…Rachel. None of this could have been done without any of them.

Photography and filming, Allan Lester for being there to help the entire weekend. Actually too many people to mention!!!

Coach Goonan, Matt and Del, and Kevin.

We had players from Washington, Montana, Arizona, Texas, South Africa, and Malaysia.

We had tons of parents make the trip to support all of our teams.

It was just a tremendous showing for RRA.

Most importantly the players never gave up and never gave in…our motto.

Our record wasn’t the best but our attitude and team bonding were the best I have ever seen. The kids got compliments from how well they behaved at the hotel, the restaurant, and the field. Our reputation of being a program that others would want to mimic was intact.

This weekend was another stepping stone towards bigger and better.

Following our leader Rachel, we continue to impress and grow. I was asked how we did and I responded “great” not even thinking about records but about how we provided the opportunity for these young men and women to compete at such a high level.

Again a huge thank you to all of you!

-Coach Rock