Society of Iowa Rugby Referees

Thank you gents for your hard work and dedication today!
🫡

Today’s Fish Bone 7s Tournament at Clinton Muddy River Rugby doesn’t happen without these fine gentlemen from the Society of Iowa Rugby Referees! Thank you Andrew Ridgway, Don LeRoux, Jeff McHenry, and Pauldo Musa for refereeing all of today’s 7s matches. It was a great day of rugby!

Some familiar smiley SIRRs faces!

Current Society member Eddy Tapia and gone-but-never-forgotten "member" Gary Porter!

NCR 🤝 Refs and Volunteers from last weekend

Good luck and go well, Eddy!

Another one of our ranks heads to the Wombat Den for another chat with the Bois!

Give a listen!

Join us for a fantastic episode with an in-studio interview of a guest we've had on our wish list since the start of this podcast. The legendary Paul Damge of the Society of Iowa Rugby Referees and Des Moines Rugby Football Club stops by the Wombats Den to share part of his rugby story and thoughts on the current state of rugby in Iowa and more! We cover the National Collegiate Rugby CRC7s brackets, some updates with senior side rugby, and Midwest Thunderbirds and Iowa Rugby Union Select side updates as well! You do not want to miss this episode!

Thank you to our sponsors Andrew Zellmer of People’s Company, Roder Epoxy, Convergence Acquisitions, and BBP sport for making this episode possible!

Listen here:
Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ipB97JnJGrJwGpwiIU3oI?si=GeMCb4UKRImLBr75BMPYDw

Apple Podcasts- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b-side-bois-a-rugby-podcast/id1657505018?i=1000653677087

Expect to hear much more on this variation and its trial in the immediate future.

This trial *will* be in effect for Midwest senior club friendlies starting April 15.

Please stay tuned.

USA Rugby to implement World Rugby Global Law Variation on Tackle Height staring September 1, 2024 USA Rugby to implement World Rugby Global Law Variation on Tackle Height staring September 1, 2024Wed, Apr 10, 2024, 8:47 PM CCby Calder Cahill.Following World Rugby’s recommendations on improving safety and enhancing the rugby experience, USA Rugby will implement the opt-in Global Law Variation t...

We're kicking off another weekend of rugby here in Iowa!

Here are your referees for tonight's Iowa Youth Rugby Association tournament sites:
- West Des Moines - Andrew Ridgeway, Adam Falk, and Julien Hall
- Cedar Falls - Justin Clarke, James Gadient, Addison Spear, Zeus Ramirez, and Aiden Lewis
- Bondurant - Eddy Tapia and Jeff McHenry
- Iowa City - Don LeRoux, Joel Horne, Jared Scherrman, and Tyler Dailey

On Saturday, we have a few matches slated.
Iowa Central Community College Triton Rugby v Kansas City Rugby Football Club B in Des Moines - Erik Frana
Des Moines Rugby Football Club v KCRFC - Gen Fukuhara
Iowa Falls Rugby Football Club Foundation v River City Rugby Football Club - Randy Kiburz

Good luck to all!

Photo: Don LeRoux sets a scrum in the IAYRA league

Congratulations to the three inductees, but especially to member Jeff McHenry! A truly well deserved honor!

This was a very tough decision as we had 21 phenomenal nominees this year. On behalf of the Hall of Fame Committee, it is our honor to announce the Iowa Rugby Hall of Fame Class of 2024:

Rick Hall (Bremer County Bucks Rugby Club/UNI Men's Rugby)

John Spence (Des Moines Rugby Football Club)

Jeff McHenry (Des Moines Rugby Football Club/River City Rugby Football Club/Society of Iowa Rugby Referees)

Thank you to all the members of the committee in your participation, discussion and feedback, thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and thank you to all past, present and future nominees for all you have done in the rugby world- your work does not go unnoticed and without you rugby wouldn’t be what it is (and will be) in this beautiful State of Iowa!

An induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 4th at the All-Iowa Rugby Tournament, hosted by Iowa Falls RFC. More details to follow on the ceremony times and specifics.

While the odd match here or there has happened in Iowa this spring, with the start of Iowa Youth Rugby Association High School Boys 7s this Friday, our spring season officially starts off!

The boys league has expanded to 4 tournament sites a week this year! Our referees working this Friday (many filling other roles like coaching and administrating, as well) -

Ames - Andrew Ridgeway, Paul Damge, Ant Frein, and Aiden Lewis
Central Springs - Eddy Tapia, Jacob Shafer, Rugby Sliger, Ron Eriksmoen, Marc Blong
Cedar Rapids - Erik Frana, Jared Scherrman, Addison Spear, Don LeRoux, Ben Degan, Riley McCormick, Zeus Ramirez
Altoona - Jeff McHenry, James Gadient

On Saturday, Adam Falk centers Des Moines Rugby Football Club v University of Iowa Men's Rugby Fan Site, while Paul Damge, James Gadient, and Lucinda Williamson are working the Tom McDowell 7s Tournament, hosted by Iowa State Women's Rugby, in Ames.

We are so back.

Congratulations to Eddy Tapia are in order!

The Iowa Youth Rugby Association provides our referees with great chances to bank valuable experience in the center and the sides at their tournaments. It's also become a great source for peer coaching, as we don't often find ourselves surrounded by other referees.

Cheers again to Eddy!

Welcome aboard to the newly minted referees! We're excited for you to begin your match officiating careers!

Thank you to Steve for making the trip to instruct and to the West Des Moines Wombats for making this course happen!

Here's a great way to get some new kids involved in rugby!

They're also looking for people to help referee matches. Since it's non-contact, you do not need certification for a league like this. If you're interested, contact us!

Register NOW for Spring 2024 Middle School Rugby!! Non-Contact, inclusive rugby starts April 2, 2024, at your school in !

This is a wonderful development opportunity for referees! There are always wonderful and informative presentations on refereeing, plus a chance to meet other refs from around the Midwest!

Let's have a big Iowa presence!

Have you heard the news? The 2024 and Midwest Rugby Referee Society Annual General Meetings will be held in Chicago, IL on Saturday, February 10, 2024.

Please save the date and plan on attending! Additional details regarding Friday and Saturday night events and hotel blocks will be announced in the coming days. Meeting agendas will be out soon as well!

For now, just plan on seeing us in Chicago!

The USA Rugby AR certification course is finally back up and it's **FREE** until the end of 2023.

You **must** have an identity in Rugby Xplorer to do this course.

Details via USA Rugby T&E:

Go to the RugbyX Learning Center at usa.rugby

=> Log in (upper right hand corner)

=> Learning Center (menu on the left)

=> Course Catalog (center box)

=> USA Rugby Online Courses

(scroll down to the 3rd group, after Level 1 and Level 2 Courses)

=> Level 1 Assistant Referee

=> Click "Enroll", then "Start Learning Now"

These modules are best completed on a laptop/desktop. If you must use your phone, you may be prompted to download the Go Learn app; decline that and complete the course in your browser.

To receive the course for FREE, you must ENROLL by December 31st. Once you start the course, you have 25 days to complete it. You do not need to complete the course in one sitting - your progress will be saved as you go, and your expiration date will be displayed on the course thumbnail under "My Courses and Learning Plans".

Do referees make the best podcast guests? Seems like!

Have a listen to one of our own chatting rugby!

A little delay on this week's episode but it's worth the wait. We hear from a legend of rugby in Iowa, Jeff McHenry. He's currently coaching the Des Moines Women's Rugby Club and has been involved as a player, coach, and ref for over 20 years. We also take a look at UNI Men's Rugby run in the National Collegiate Rugby Nationals Tournament. Iowa State Men's Rugby is hosting a FREE coaching clinic this January. We also take a look at some USA Rugby news, Major League Rugby News, and a new segment with Gimli! Lots of laughs in this one, you don't want to miss!

Link to sign up for the free educational coaching clinic in January- https://forms.gle/gwsCjrZ1dkyd77Vw9

Thank you to our sponsors Tighthead Brewing Company, BBP Rugby, Converse Acquisitions, LLC, and Roder Epoxy

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Di2Kn0hSSEyTQd9TIE8GS?si=cDJi7qDhQe21Su7DtjPaTg

Apple Podcast- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b-side-bois-an-iowa-rugby-podcast/id1657505018

Yesterday, these match officials helped work the NCR play-in matches held in Waverly. Not everything went exactly to plan, but people stepped up and offered to help to ensure the matches were covered professionally! Thank you gentlemen!

Left to Right: Pauldo Musa, Joe Randall, Eddy Tapia, Randy Kiburz, Casey Hansen
Credit: Pauldo Musa

Best of luck to the teams involved and to the Society of Iowa Rugby Referees match officials crew!

Three of our match officials helped out today at the Midwest Rugby Union playoffs super site as Assistant Referees and a TZM!

L to R: Ben Degen (TZM, Iowa), Pauldo Musa (AR, Iowa), Zac Toma (Referee, Wisconsin Rugby Referees), Dan Frankenfeld (Referee, Minnesota Rugby Referee Society), and Paul Damge (AR, Iowa)
Credit: Ben Degen

Another light weekend in the Iowa Rugby Union, but some exciting events our officials are involved in.

Don LeRoux centers a friendly between University of Iowa Men's Rugby Fan Site and the men's side of Palmer College Rugby Football Club.

In Dubuque, Ben Degen, Pauldo Musa, and Paul Damge are working as #4/TMZ and Assistant Referees, respectively, for the Midwest Rugby Union playoffs.

Picture: Matt Ragan helps set a lineout
Credit: Julie Simiele

Have a listen!

Great in person interview with reoccurring guest and friend of the program, Adam Falk of the Society of Iowa Rugby Referees! Get inside the mind of one of the best referees in the Midwest as he's had some huge opportunities to get involved with the Chicago Hounds of Major League Rugby as well as USA Rugby against Stade Toulousain and so much more! We touch base on the Iowa Youth Rugby Association's Girls' State Championship and the World Cup, but next week we will gather more information and do a deep dive on both! Join us for another fun episode with the Bois!

Thank you to our sponsors for making this show possible! Convergence Acquisitions, Roder Epoxy, Tighthead Brewing Company, and BBP Rugby.

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/episode/0KgAVG9Me9NJsqoCXIdKsN?si=67b93c46bae04321

Apple Podcasts- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b-side-bois-an-iowa-rugby-podcast/id1657505018

As the days grow shorter with the changing of the seasons, so does the rugby on offer within the Iowa Rugby Union.

Tomorrow sees the following action:
- UNI Men's Rugby v Northwestern in the Great Midwest Rugby Conference semifinals - Jared Scherrman
- University of Iowa Men's Rugby Fan Site v University of Illinois - Don LeRoux

Good luck and go well!

Photo: James Gadient oversees a tackle
Credit: Annahlee Huspen

The team of three who worked today's Midwest Rugby Union D3 playoff match between Bremer County Bucks Rugby Club and Rochester Rouges.

Great teamwork Jeff, Marc, and Andy!

Photo: Marc Blong

A big weekend for matches in the Iowa Rugby Union as playoffs start and post-season seeding implications abound for others. Here are the referee assignments.

- Bremer County Bucks Rugby Club v Rochester Rouges - Jeff McHenry with Marc Blong and Andy Daleske as ARs
- Des Moines Rugby Football Club v Metropolis - Paul Damge
- Iowa State Men's Rugby v Nebraska - Pauldo Musa
- University of Iowa Men's Rugby Fan Site v Minnesota - Matt Ragan
- UNI Men's Rugby v UW Platteville - James Gadient
- University of Iowa Women's Rugby Club v Ohio State - Chad Proctor

A big thank you to all, but especially to Mac McInroy and Paul Wood for taking coaching assignments this weekend as well to help improve our referees!

Good luck all and go well!

Photo: Randy Kiburz working at a breakdown.
Credit: Sonria Maria