It's been a busy summer for the Colorado State University men's rugby team.

While playing rugby is the reason the club exists, there are other things to do, and the players are beginning to understand that it helps to be well thought-of in your actions off the field.

The club has worked hard to counteract the negative image of rugby in American colleges (an image that is improving, but always needs help). They have been volunteering in a variety of community activities, from working at the local food bank to volunteering for the CSU Safe Rude Home program.

"Our club has made it an off-the field goal to win the CSU Club of the Year award," said club assistant coach Ryan Walker.

This renewed effort in the community is also spilling over onto the field. Coach Justin Mort has taken the team from winning just one game in 2011-2012 to making the national playoffs in both 7s and 15s the next year.
 
Coach Mort is originally from Wales, where we played professionally with the Ospreys and Welsh age-grade national team before he had a career ending knee injury. That experience has helped him work with the team and build on the talent they have - such as USA U20 player Ben Pinkelman, who was just called up to the USA 7s High Performance camp.

This all dovetails into what the Rams are doing as a program. In September 19-21 they will be hostig, in conjunction with the Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) of New Zealand, a player camp with CRFU coach Tabai Matson.

Matson is the current backs and assistant coach with the Canterbury Crusaders Super 15 team. The camp will expose players and coaches to a professional level of rugby preparation, from the perspective of a professional player and coach.

During the camp Matson will work directly with participant coaches to examine the philosophy and mindset coaches and players need in order to compete at a professional level. Players and coaches attending the camp will get to interact with the Crusaders coach in an intimate setting.

This will be the first camp of a series, and will be held September 19-21 at the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins, Colo. As a part of the camp, attendees will get access to all necessary facilities at CSU including meeting rooms, dining halls, and accommodations.

The camp will have 50 spots available - 40 will be for men's players of all ages, and 10 will be for coaches. More information about the camp is on the CSU Rugby www.ramrugby.com, as well as application forms.

The cost to attend the camp will be $350 for players and coaches which will include room and board at CSU, food and a kit (provided by camp sponsors Canterbury North America). Some transportation for out-of-state attendees will be provided.