Over one hundred fifty Summit County HS girls' rugby team supporters traveled to Broomfield to celebrate their Summit Tigers victory 20-0, over Chaparral High School for the Colorado Youth Rugby Girls Championship cup. Los Alamos RFC came from New Mexico to capture third place over Douglas County RFC by a score of 21-19 despite a late charge in an exciting consolation match. In the curtain raiser, an All Star match with players selected from teams rated fifth or below was an active see-saw battle with 32-27 final score. Collegiate women's rugby coaches Jim Stebbins from University of Colorado, and Dustin George, of Colorado State University organized these select side candidates in an enjoyable test.
Tigers Rugby Football Club, of Broomfield (Holy Family HS) and Arvada (Pomona HS & Ralston Valley HS), hosted the Girls Rugby Championship Matches presented by Colorado Youth Rugby with sponsorship by
Accelerate Physical Therapy of Arvada, Chris Biety, DDS, Edward Jones Investments, and Prentice Orthodontics. Colorado Youth Rugby (CYR) couldn't have picked a better day to crown their new state Girls Rugby Champions, with sunny skies and temperatures peaking in the upper 70s.
In addition to great weather and a celebration of a wonderful year for all their members, Colorado Youth Rugby paid tribute to Jozy Gessner, of Summit County, the 2008 CYR Girls Player of the Year. Along with the trophy Jozy Gessner was presented a $500 scholarship. Ed McKenna, of Douglas County, was voted the 2008 CYR Girls Coach of the Year; and Los Alamos Rugby Football Club was presented the 2008 CYR Team Sportsmanship Award.
Holy Family High School, represented by the faculty liaison and wrestling team coach Joe Domko, welcomed a crowd of over 500 rugby fans, providing a well stocked concession stand all day, and all the amenities of the picturesque HFHS football facility. USA Rugby officials traveled from Boulder to assist CYR and took footage of the games for promotional material. CYR Executive Director, JR Lapierre, and CYR Board members David Doessels (SWARM), Rich Duncan (Northside Vikings RFC) and Paul O'Brian (Tigers Rugby Football Club) were grateful for the many volunteers from Boulder Babes Rugby Club, Black Ice RFC and Tigers RFC who helped to put this event together.