CHICAGO (July 5, 2021) – The Midwest Rugby Football Union (MWRFU) is pleased to announce its 2021 Thunderbird Program Men and Women’s Select Side program dates. The program will present members with a series of on-the-pitch and webinar higher performance development opportunities, including:
- July 31, 2021
Columbus, Ohio
Women’s Assembly
The women’s coaching staff will be hosting a two-three-hour open assembly and training session to develop and scout women’s players interested in the Thunderbird Program. Further details regarding the specific timing and any requirements for this session are forthcoming.
Men’s Eastern Conference LAU Tournament
Local Area Union (LAUs) Select Sides that make up the Midwest’s Eastern Conference (Allegheny, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana) will compete. Midwest representatives will be present to identify and evaluate players for the conference select sides.
West Des Moines, IA
Men’s Western LAU Tournament
Similar to the East, the LAU Select Sides that make up the Union’s Western Conference (CARFU, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) will also compete. Midwest representatives will be present to identify and evaluate players for the conference select sides.
Additional details regarding these respective events will be forthcoming.
- August 14 – 15, 2021 – Chicago
Women’s Assembly
The women’s coaching staff will host additional training and development sessions on Saturday and Sunday. Details regarding the timing and agenda of the sessions will be announced soon. Players can expect at least two (2) sessions over the course of the weekend.
Men’s Conference Select Sides Match & Assembly
The Eastern and Western Conference Men’s sides will assemble and hold independent training sessions on Saturday morning to prepare for an Eastern Conference Thunderbirds v. Western Conference Thunderbirds match on Saturday afternoon or evening. On Sunday morning, the men’s players should expect to assemble once again for a two-three-hour training session prior to departing home.
- October 2, 2021 – Men and Women’s Assembly – Chicago – Additional details TBA
- November 20, 2021 – Men and Women’s Elite Fixtures – Location TBA
- December 11, 2021- Men and Women’s Elite Fixtures – Location TBA
Men’s Select Side Webinars
Men’s Head Coach Paul Vercoe is hosting program-related webinars throughout the remainder of the year including the following:
- July 19, 2021, at 9 p.m. EST
- August 9, 2021, at 9 p.m. EST
Look for more details regarding these free online events coming soon.
Women’s Select Side Update
Additionally, the MWRFU will be announcing the coaching staff of the Women’s Side in the next few weeks. Once announced, look for more information regarding women’s focused webinars from the coaches.
Men’s LAU Tournament Contacts
Male players interested in competing for their Local Union’s Select Side should contact their Union’s coach. This information is provided below:
| Allegheny | Brian Scanlon | bscanlon06@yahoo.com |
| CARFU | Lou Raymond | rugby.lou.1@gmail.com |
| Indiana | Bill Stevans | wdstevens@brooks1st.com |
| Iowa | Niko Felice | nikofelice93@gmail.com |
| Michigan | Waylon Sanford | waylonsanford@gmail.com |
| Minnesota | Ciaran Kelly | isatola@hotmail.com |
| Ohio | Al Lucas | albertlucasv@hotmail.com |
| Wisconsin | Joe Grams | Joegramsrugby@yahoo.com |
Additional updates will be issued as they become available. In the meantime for more information, please contact admin@midwest.rugby.
