The Denville Dawgs strike a pose at the USA Sevens competition in Philadelphia.
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Dawgs and Rugby continue to grow
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DENVILLE - The Denville Dawgs summer youth American Flag Rugby program is well into its 2011 season and the program has returned bigger and better than ever. When the Morris Rugby Club established the Dawgs as part of its youth program in 1999, there were 28 players between the ages of kindergarten and ninth grade in the program. Today, the Dawgs are 128 strong thanks to 25 new families that entered the program.
The program features coed teams playing a non-contact form of rugby using flags instead of tackling. Skills including running, kicking, passing, space strategy, teamwork, and self-confidence will be developed.
Practices and home games are held at the Pocono Road Fields here in the township. Once again, K.J. Feury will be supplying photos (scroll down) of the Dawgs as they play their way through the summer of 2011. ------------------------------------------------------
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A small portion of the players, parents and fans on hand for the 2011 summer finale at Chester.
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PHOTOS by K.J. FEURY and RAY STEINHART
2011 Rugby Youth Festival
the 'hottest game in town'
By K.J. FEURY
DENVILLE - The Denville Dawgs were prepared for the "hottest day of the year" on Sunday, July 24, the day they closed out their 2011 season by participating in the American Flag Rugby Youth Festival at the Black River Fields in Chester.
Fortunately, some gentle breezes coupled with some cloud cover kept the temperatures at less than the expected 90-plus degree mark and, just for good measure, the Chester First Aid and Fire Department had its aerial water pumper on hand to also cool down the approximately 1000 participating players.
All told, 121 teams from New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and New Jersey played mini-games on the 24 fields.
The festival atmosphere included healthy food choices for the ruggers and families that were available throughout the day. Not only was the food fuel to the players, but it also helped boost socialization and friendship among the players, coaches and spectators off the pitch.
The day concluded with a tackle scrimmage to encourage our youth flag players to take their game to the next level.
Another great day - and season - for rugby!
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Lady Dawgs in the Eagle Division high-five for the camera.
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A Falcon Division game had these ruggers on the move.
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TEXT and PHOTOS by K.J. FEURY
There is no need to keep score
because everyone is a winner
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DENVILLE - The Denville Dawgs youth flag rugby program played host to its last mini-festival of the season at its Pocono Road pitch here on Saturday, July 16, 2011.
The Parsippany Panthers, Byram Bruins, Mine Hill Tigers and a club team from Jersey City provided the opposition and kept the action going at a good pace in spite of the heat.
The hot sun couldn't keep “Dozer” - the ultimate Denville Dawg - away from the action, either.
No need the keep score … no need to keep track of goals ... no need to record winning teams or losing teams ... it was a win-win day for all concerned.
... even the drivers of the two dueling ice cream trucks left the grounds with profitable smiles on their faces.
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Coach Donna with one of the Owl Divison players.
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The Chester Fire Department (above) was on hand to cool things down, much to the delight of these players below.
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This little lady rugger gets a kick out of her favorite sport.
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A determined Denville Dawg darts downfield.
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Yes, all these refs were needed and no, they didn't miss any calls.
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'Hey, how did you get my flag?'
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A run through a group of defenders.
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At the end of every game, it's high-fives for all.
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'Dozer' - the ultimate Denville Dawg - takes in the action.
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'Dozer' is the name and rugby is his game.
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Two members of the 'All-Smiles' team.
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Pals and teammates brace for action.
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Another determined run around end.
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Another scrum brings 'em together.
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TEXT and PHOTOS by K.J. FEURY
Dawgs take to the road
for 'perfect' day of rugby
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DENVILLE - The Denville Dawgs youth rugby flag program took its first road trip of the season - to Mountain Lakes, two-and-a-half miles away -- to the Mountain Lakes High School field, where it was one of four teams involved in a morning-long festival of mini-games on Saturday, July 9, 2011.
The Tri-Town (Mountain Lakes, Boonton, Boonton Township) Rugby Club played the perfect host as the Cranford Rugby Club and Jersey City Rugby Club participated in the four-team festival.
The bright sunshine and lush, green fields added to the day and everybody turned out to be "winners" on a perfect day for rugby.
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When these Lady Dawgs aren't playing, they're cheering.
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Moving the ball upfield - with plenty of company!
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This Dawg wraps up ball before falling.
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An end run with plenty of company ...
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This end runs draws some attention, too ...
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Happiness is rugby on a nice day ...
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TEXT and PHOTOS by K.J. FEURY
More than 350 ruggers
take the pitch for Week 3
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DENVILLE - The Denville Dawgs couldn't have picked a better day for their third rugby festival of mini-games at Pocono Fields here on Saturday, July 2, 2011.
Beautiful blue skies greeted the more than 350 youth ruggers, who put on spirited exibitions of youth rugby at all age levels.
More than 1,000 bottles of water were consumed during the day and there were the usual assortment of fruits and other healthy choices on hand to power the youngster through the day.
A special mention must be made about the referees, who did a wonderful job of keeping the games moving along both swift and fair.
Three weeks down and three weeks to go ... where does all the time go?
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All lined up and ready to roll ... with vigor, too!
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Another good Dawg foot sends ball upfield.
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These Dawgs are just taking a well-earned break.
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The eyes have it -- GO DAWGS!
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This Dawg makes a move to avoid a would-be tackler.
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This Dawg escapes a group of would-be tacklers.
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TEXT and PHOTOS by K.J. FEURY
More practices give Dawgs
improved look for Week 2
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DENVILLE - Week 2 of the 2011 season brought the Mine Hill Tigers, Byram Bruins and the Morristown Colonials to Pocono Road Fields to the Denville Dawgs home turf here at Pocono Road Fields on Saturday, June 25.
With another practice under their feet, the Dawgs were looking sharper than they had looked in their opener a week earlier. Their games were highlighted by crisp passing, solid runs and smooth conversion kicks which also led to a new-found confidence in their game.
As with every rugby match, fresh fruit, bagles and cold drinks made for a nice social.
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Clearly, the time has come to pass ...
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Coach Bill Dobbs with his 2nd grade Falcon team.
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Just a little sideline fun to pass away the time.
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Another Denville Dawg demonstrates a determined run.
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TEXT and PHOTOS by K.J. FEURY
Saturday is Rugby Day
as Dawgs open season
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DENVILLE - Mother Nature tossed an early-season challenge at the Denville Dawgs Youth Rugby program by raining out every practice session except one in leading up to it season openers against the Black River Renegades and Tri-Town at the Dawgs' Pocono Road Fields home pitch on Saturday, June 18, 2011.
At first, there were a few dropped balls and missed tags but the Dawgs and the other teams quickly pulled it together.
Ralph Scoveille, a seasoned Hawk coach, was especially proud of his team because they played with such spirit and sportsmanship. Jacob Walsh finished the day with four tries; Nick Cluen added three; Dominic Pereira had two; and Luke Nienstadt, Bryden Gibbs, Sean Sedwick and Josh Pedernera each had one.
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This Dawg is about to be flagged by a Renegade.
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The All-Girls 7th/8th grade Eagle strike a pose.
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Another Dawg on the run avoids a tackler.
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This Dawg's passing fancy is to get rid of the ball.
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A little pre-game bonding never hurts.
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It's smiles all around on this play.
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This Dawg closes in on an opposing runner.
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TEXT and PHOTOS by K.J. FEURY
Dawgs play at USA Sevens
Collegiate Rugby tourney
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DENVILLE - The Morris Rugby Club, with a strong representation from the Denville Dawgs, participated in a friendly match of American Flag Rugby at the USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championships in Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5, 2011.
An enthusiastic rugby crowd roared when the little ruggers took to the try line.
Many of the old Dawgs participated in the USA 7's Canterbury Combine while the younger Dawgs tested their skill at passing and kicking accuracy.
Craig Chapman, the executive director of American Flag Rugby was very excited about the interest this regional tour produced and predicted that "... American Flag Rugby is ready to grow ... we have the tool kits ready and 13-plus years of experience to make it happen in any town ... local champions are needed to take the lead."
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Dawgs in action at Philly.
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Sean and Will Hogan love their rugby.
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Ruggers thank the Philly crowd for its support.
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'You let me know when you need me and I'll be there.'
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Coaches Donna Waliky and Bill Ryan with their K-1 team.
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