News from the West Side Harlequins Rugby Football Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. http://rugbymilwaukee.com Sun, 20 May 2012 17:23:35 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://rugbymilwaukee.com/News/Social-Events/2011-Harlequin-Acheivement-Awards.html On Saturday night, the Milwaukee Harlequins Rugby Football Club held their annual awards banquet to honor the acheivements of the players and club members for the 2011 rugby season. The awards were presented to the winners by club Founder and President Joe Kloiber. The following awardees were selected by their peers (with no ballot malfeasance, hanging chads, or recall petitions) Most Valuable Forward - Div 1 : Aaron Young (This is Aaron's second consecutive award for anchoring the pack) Most Valuable Back - Div 1: Mark Fine (There isn't anyone Finer) Most Valuable Forward - Div 3: Nate (Insert Last Name Here, really no... News - Social Events Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:41:43 +0100 http://rugbymilwaukee.com/News/Practice/The-Barbarians-Have-Landed.html As the end of days inches ever closer (yeah, we're REAL worried in the rugby community, bring it on Mayans), something even more earth shattering has reached out shores. In an attempt to raise the level of rugby in the state, the players of the Harlequins and cross-town rivals Milwaukee RFC along with a combined coaching staff, are undertaking a grand experiment, unparalleled in our time. The forging of two teams into one, limited to on-field activites, but with the goal of uniting rugby in our city, to rival the powerhouses to our south. It all begins this week... News - Practice Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:07:56 +0100 http://rugbymilwaukee.com/News/Press-Releases/Help-Christchurch-Get-Back-on-its-Feet.html Having recently returned from the islands, I had wanted to take a quick moment of your time to post a story about Christchurch. In a nation that worships rugby, Christchurch is definitely an important chamber of the beating heart of New Zealand rugby. It was also a vital and key cog in the county's plan to host the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Besides the pool matches, the Canterbury Stadium, normally the home grounds of the Canterbury Rugby Union (http://www.crfu.co.nz/), was set to host some of the knockout round matches as well. Needless to say, it was an exciting time, with... News - Press Releases Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:44:39 +0100 http://rugbymilwaukee.com/News/Fans-Supporters/Disptaches-from-the-Front-Bowling-and-Traditions.html The joy of preparedness can best be measured by a successful execution of an action. That being said, my lack of charting our actual trip has led to so pretty glaring omissions so please bare with me as I will occasionally sprinkle in some off topic musings and details. Before I launch into the retelling of possibly one of the best touring event and hosting ceremonies (no, festivities just wouldn't be the right word) ever, I was reminded by a subtle knocking on the iron plate in my head that I had forgotten to mention our side sojourn to Palmerston North.... News - Fans & Supporters Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:07:10 +0100 http://rugbymilwaukee.com/News/Fans-Supporters/Dispatches-From-the-Front-Wellington-International-Match-Day.html For those of you have been following the trip vicariously through these stories, I apologize for the gap in reports. Using a tablet to surf the net is great, but when your fingers are fat and reflexes slowed by days of touring, a journalistic tool a tablet is not. In addition, I had neglected to mention one of the special events our tour guide lined up for us in New Plymouth that wasn't part of the tour. Just hours after their soul stirring victory, three members of the USA Eagles visited us in our hotel for a Q A session, as... News - Fans & Supporters Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:09:59 +0100 http://rugbymilwaukee.com/News/Fans-Supporters/Dispatches-From-The-Front-Days-9-and-10-Star-Spangled-Rugby.html And the bombs burst in air... The sweet music of the Star Spangled Banner floated through the chilly air. Despite pouring rain and and howling winds the USA Eagles took the field to a roaring fan base. Many of the fans were dressed appropriately to the weather, but others figured the Statue of Liberty and Wonder Woman were the best way to celebrate on this night. As the stands weren't full, the cameras were quick to capture even the most minute indiscretions. All I can say is, as I'm typing this story, it's nice to be wearing Mens clothing... News - Fans & Supporters Mon, 19 Sep 2011 03:19:43 +0100 http://rugbymilwaukee.com/News/Fans-Supporters/Dispatches-From-the-Front-Days-567-and-Speights.html Oops, I meant eight . Things are starting to blend together a bit for your favorite tourists. The rain has been coming down in waves but it has dawned clear for now. It's a pretty big day for the USA Eagles as they have a must win game vs. our cold war nemesis Russia at 2:30 pm in New Plymouth. There are rumours that everyone from Prime Minister Lenin uh.. Putin, sorry, to Miss Russia will be there from the opposing side. I'm sure if Ms. Clinton shows up she can backrow for a half for us. Our tour guide,... News - Fans & Supporters Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:51:07 +0100 http://rugbymilwaukee.com/News/Fans-Supporters/Dispatches-From-the-Front-World-Cup-Tour-Day-4.html After 3 beautiful days of weather, Sunday September 11th dawned with some windy bluster and sheets of rain. Today was obviously an important day of remembrance for Americans everywhere, and for your favorite tourists it was no different. Massey RFC hosted us on a day that started with the roar of a lion, but tapered off like a lamb by kick-off. The match kicked off at 1pm, and was a closely held affair. The final score was 17-14, with Massey edging the tourists in extra time by scoring 7 tries to our 1. Editor's note:There were no kiwi birds killed... News - Fans & Supporters Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:46:48 +0100 http://rugbymilwaukee.com/News/Fans-Supporters/Dispatches-from-the-Front-World-Cup-2011-Days-1-3.html The 2011 World Cup tour for the Harlequins and associates began a bit early for two of us on September 6th (we actually arrived on Sept. 8th). As Lewis Black once said, if you want to imagine air travel to New Zealand, sit on a chair in your house and squeeze your head with both hands hard for 19 hours. Despite the lengthy flight, once you arrive here and recompose yourself, the duration is well worth it. Sharpo cashed in some royalty points and we stayed two nights at the Hilton on the Auckland harbor (location, Prince's Wharf..... News - Fans & Supporters Sat, 10 Sep 2011 17:51:01 +0100 http://rugbymilwaukee.com/News/Matches/Festival-of-the-Roasted-Pig.html For a few minutes of each day, I like to cast aside the trappings and concerns of the world, and thumb my nose at the virtues of political correctness. On that note, what better way to embrace this rousing rejection of everything the modern world throws upon us, than to devote a few short lines to the recent events in Oshkosh, WI? Oskkosh Pigfest is an annual event, steeped in history, normally held on extremely sweltering hot days, and invariably rough ground. It embraces the elegant violence of rugby, as well as the eating of roasted animal (and for those of... News - Matches Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:09:06 +0100