Rugby New Jersey just completed its 4^th Annual Fall 7’s Series with its Championship Weekend taking place at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft NJ on Oct. 22^nd. 

Pat Moroney, the 7s Director for Rugby New Jersey, noted a great improvement in play, technique, coaching and refereeing throughout the series. “Rugby New Jersey is truly using this Fall 7’s Series as a conduit to grow the game on all levels in New Jersey”, says Moroney. 

“The pace and flow of the games improved, players and teams expanded in all divisions, U 19 Boys, U 16 Boys and U 19 Girls.”

Rugby New Jersey also worked with the Rugby Referee Society of NY to use these games as an expanded training and coaching setting for the referees. Newer officials were abe to touch judge with a critical eye, move to a shadow position on the field and a more experienced referee, then progress to an independent role of the center referee. 

This partnership fostered by Tom Sullivan and Roz Anderson of the RRSNY will increase the confidence and skills of all referees from a novice to experienced ref.   

"The RRSNY is grateful for the support of Rugby NJ in helping us provide high quality learning experiences for referees at tournaments like these as a means of having better trained referees for our rugby community, " says Ros Anderson. 

To expand the opportunities for players to play, Rugby NJ coordinated teams that were made up of players from different areas in the state. This increase the teams in the series, gave playing opportunities and build camaraderie among the players. 

The Girls U19 Division worked to develop players by supporting the efforts of Morris Rugby by holding a Girls U 19 Clinic mid season. “Basic skills and drills were lead by a team of coaches who worked well to assist new and experienced players”, says Gene Caulfied head coach of Morris Rugby’s Girls U 19 team. 

Hudson Catholic made history as female students joined the Union Rugby’s  Girls U 19 team as players in preparation for the upcoming spring season. 

Rugby New Jersey is growing. It was announced at our AGM on Oct. 19^th, 2017 that the  Bayonne Bombers Men’s Club will be sponsoring a U 19 Boys Club Team and Ridge Rugby and Hudson Catholic will be joining play in the Girls U 19 Division in the spring of 2018. 

Final Standings for Rugby NJ’s 2017 Fall 7’s Series

U19 Boys Rugby NJ State Champs - St Augustine

U19 Girls Rugby NJ State Champs – Morris Rugby

U16 Boys Rugby NJ State Champs - Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, NJ

U19 Boys Rugby NJ Challenge Cup Champs - Play Rugby

U19 Girls Rugby NJ Challenge Cup Champs - Play Rugby

U16 Boys Rugby NJ Challenge Cup Champs - Play Rugby

Submitted by KJ Feury President Rugby NJ