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In 1965, George Mason University students formed a rugby club and competed
against both men and university clubs. The sport of rugby was still in
its infancy and membership of the club waxed and waned with graduates
staying on to play for the George Mason Rugby Club. However, after a
decade of rugby, the number of players listed on the club roster was
approximately one hundred, and with the school reluctant to fund a club
that was, for the most part, not students, the Northern Virginia Rugby
Football Club was founded. Circa 1976.
President Fred Byrne together with Pat Cunningham, Jim Franca, John
Kirchner, Mike Kentes, and Mel Meadows, to mention but a few, led the
club through their early years. Games were played at Gravelly Point,
as indeed they are today. Despite being a relative newcomer to the Potomac
Rugby Union ranks, NOVA quickly established itself as a quality club,
winning the Atlantic Cup Tournament at Rehobeth Beach in 1976, as well
as defeating well-established clubs such as Maryland Old Boys and Richmond.
For one reason, NOVA was coached by north of England ex-rugby league
player Dave White. Dave was succeeded by another Englishman in 1977,
Chris Brook. Chris brought a heavy emphasis on organization to the team's
play. Over the next 3 years, NOVA emerged as a major force in the Potomac
Rugby Union.
NOVA Rugby - Since 1976
NOVA's 1979 Tour to England proved a great success and the lessons learned
quickly showed on the field. NOVA won the PRU championship every year from
1980-1983. In 1982 and 1983, NOVA made the Final Four of the ERU Championships.
Tournament victories were frequent as NOVA defeated opposition at the Commonwealth
Cup, Porter Cup, Cherry Blossom Tournament, and the GW Tournament. The club
was able to field four sides and on occasion an Old Boys XV.
Numerous players from Australia, the UK, and France have played for NOVA
over the years. Currently we have 4 international players, two from Fiji,
England and Scotland. In the early 90's we were fortunate enough to acquire
Tom Parsons of Auckland, New Zealand to help teach us the latest in New Zealand
techniques, tactics, and training methods. Tom is a 6'3", 265 lbs prop, and
has played for Marist and the Auckland provincial side when their All-Black
prop is busy with national obligations. Also in the mid 90's we aquired the
services of another Kiwi, Geoff Cooke. Whose talents, combined with Mel's
lead NOVA to an undeafted 1997 season, MARFU Champs and a spot in the National
tournament in Dallas.
As fond as we are of our "funny talkers", Nova has prided itself on the
fact that the fondation of our success has been from the hard play of American
players. Even with the relative inexperience of US players, NOVA feels that
the only way to improve the standard of rugby, across the board in the US,
is to develop our American players. And that is what Nova has done in the
past and will continue to do in the future.
As much as we are looking to the future with recruitment of new players,
we are also looking to the past. You will notice as you preuse through
this web page that we have a well established alumni network. This
network has two purposes in mind; First and foremost, we want to establish
and maintain contact with our alumni players. We are where we are because
of them. Secondly, the alumni help us carry out several ambitious programs
designed to enhance the NOVA rugby program. These programs include
recruitment, field acquisition, clubhouse acquisition, and several
other programs. We have a chance to move forward as never before. The
brass ring is coming, and we intend to grab it.
"The Northern Virginia Rugby Football Club exists to promote the sport
of Rugby Union Football. The club will help each playing member to
become a complete player in so far as his physical, mental, and emotional
limitations allow. Each player is encouraged to enjoy the game and
extend his abilities. The club does not want the player to feel that
his chief cause for self esteem is his rugby, or that a bad game diminishes
him as a person." (No matter what Cookie or Mel says!)
What does all that mean? First, physical limitations. We welcome players
of all physical abilities. Naturally, we need players who are first
rate athletes. But there is a place on our club for less physically
gifted athletes. We will help you excel to the limit of your ability.
Second, mental limitations. This is another athletic quality, the
ability to think on your feet, especially when tired during a game.
Some athletes have that natural mental agility that allows them to
make quick judgements under pressure. Our thinking is that a fit player
is an alert player.
Third, emotional limitations. There is no place on NOVA for a selfish
player or one prone to losing his temper during practice or games.
No one on our club is indispensable, and normally, there is not that
much difference between one player and whoever might replace him in
a game. As such, very few players will play first side rugby week in
and week out. We need unselfish players who are willing to let the
next guy show what he can do, and at the same time, help that player
in that endeavor. Unselfishness also extends to the playing field,
where personal glory is put aside so that the team may excel.
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