December 2024 - Edition 1

Welcome to our first Coaching Newsletter the "Chuck a Ruck".  I hope all of the Chuckanut Families had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  This will be a monthly newsletter to put out key announcements for the month related to coaching.   The Newsletter will also have key announcements from the coaches of each team.  There is also going to be a rotating "Coaches Spotlight" in the near future

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Coaching and Training Schedule

• Dec 7th - Training 10am to noon Squalicum HS
• Dec 14th - Coaching Clinic, BBQ, Work Party at the Polo Field starting at 10AM
• Dec 18th - WaRugby HS Schedule Zoom
• Dec (date TBD Training 10am to noon Squalicum HS special guest Jack Wendling)‍
• Dec 28 Xmas Break- no training‍
• ‍Jan 18th **Save the date TRY RUGBY @ WWU Harrington Field

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In House Coaching Clinic

Dec 14th @ Dewilde Rugby Fields from 10am to Noon. Potluck BBW After

The goal of this clinic is to start getting us all the age groups and teams aligned so we have a progression plan as players develop from each division. Clinic will include instruction on warm ups, practice structure, gearing practice to prepare for match day. We will discuss having a more standardized attack and defense structures. We volunteer many hours of our time to coaching.  It is going to be more rewarding for us all to be aligned in our goals, be understanding of each coaches style and put forward the best coaching product we can.

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Jack Wendling, USA Capped Eagle, Chuckanut Alum

Jack Wendling, Chuckanut has gone from Chuckanut Steamer to CWU Wildcat to Capped USA 7s Eagle is going to try and make it to a December training at Squalicum HS.  If he can make it he said he can run a few fun drills and also talk about his rugby progression and answer questions too.  Jack's success is truly an inspiration to us all.

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New Training Balls

We purchased a total of 50 new size 5 Gilbert Training Balls and 25 size 3 training balls.  We also had 10 new size 4 (for U12) donated. Thanks to Jaynie Gabelhouse for jumping on this and taking advantage of Black Friday Savings.  ** Balls are 3ply (better than traditional training balls and require special care).

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Try Rugby Jan 18th, 2025  @ WWU

At Harrington Field from 10AM to Noon at Harrington Field with a match WWU vs OSU at 1PM.  This event is for U12, U14, Stingrays (new HS Girls Team) and the Steamers (HS Boys Team).  More information will be sent out as we will need all hands to help promote and put on a spectacular Try Rugby Event.  Flyers for promotion are in the works.  Volunteers needed to coordinate distribution to school districts (electronic newsletters).

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Spring Training Schedule and Facility Information

We are approved to rent out Orca field at Whatcom Community College starting Feb 4th to April 3rd. from 5:30 PM to 9PM.  Space will be limited as we have multiple Chuckanut teams practicing at the same time.  We will be discussing how we can best maximize the space and how the fields will be divided at our coaches clinic.  Facilities said if the weather and field conditions permit we may be able to move practices to our home pitch after daylight savings.

5:30 pm to 7 PM U12,U14, Stingrays (HS Girls Team, Steamers (HS Boys JV and Varsity)

7:00 to 7:30 Steamers Full Field to run flow

7:30 to 9 PM Adult - Geoducks and Mussels

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Taking Rugby Past High School

The new HS coaches have been been organizing to begin planning on how they can take rugby to the next level after Highschool (men's, college, Eagels).  We want every high schooler to have a plan on where they can take ruppgby after they become a Steamer or Stingray Alum.  We (me, Lee Paparoa, Paia So'o) have had meeting with coaches/recruiters from Grand Canyon University, University of Wyoming, UW (the College list is growing) and also Geoducks coaches to have our upcoming grads to continue rugby.  If you are helping with this "mentoring" of our players past High School, please me know.

Please fill out this form if you can help: https://forms.gle/gdtPUeDJjhLFgKgy6

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Coaching Accreditation

Accreditation (Safesport, Rugby Safety Basic) are the minimum requirements to be compliant to coach. For our contact division a minimum of 1 L100 (or equivalent) needs to be present in the group being coached. It costs little over $80 to register as coach through Rugbly Explorer.  The club will reimburse if this fee is a financial issue.  Here is the link to check accreditation status (several tabs).  Click here

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Mussels Update

The Mussels are currently in our off season. We are staying connected through social gatherings and looking forward to starting pactices back up in the spring!

-Happy Holidays from the team!

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Steamers Update

Wa Rugby Zoom call for HS Schedule on Dec 18th (Paia and Jesse to attend)

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