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.