1999 tournament summary

April 15, 1999

Welcome to all:

It is a pleasure for The Columbus/Fort Benning Rugby Football Club to welcome you to the 1999 USA Rugby National Military Championships. With over twenty teams from around the globe playing on some of the best fields anywhere, this year’s event promises to be the best ever.

We are grateful to the many sponsors and volunteers that make this event possible and would like to thank all of you for your efforts. Special recognition goes to Mr. Chris Horder, Chairman, Reading Rugby Club, for his effort in securing the Royal Air Force’s appearance for the opening match against the US Combined Services Team. The Royal Air Force has honored its commitment to this event despite the current situation in the Balkans. Their dedication to Rugby is greatly appreciated and to be commended.

The world renowned Hughston Clinic is once again providing medical support to the Championships. The Hughston Clinic has long been a sponsor of Cruise-a-matic rugby and Dr. Fred Flandry’s support is invaluable. This year we are pleased to add the support of local dentist, Dr. Mike Myers. We thank both of you and your staffs.

Mr. Tom Coburn has assembled one of the best groups of referees in recent memory. Included in this year’s group are the top rated referee in the United States, Mr. Josh Tameifuna and the RAF’s senior referee, Flight Lt. Mike Mason. Give Tom your compliments. I am sure it will be well received.

The fields are available courtesy of the City of Columbus, GA and the Columbus Youth Soccer Association. You can’t ask for better playing conditions anywhere. The CYSA has agreed not to hold a tournament this weekend to accommodate our tournament. This spirit of community cooperation is a local hallmark.

Have a great weekend,

Ray Davis, Tournament Chairman Stan Berry, President

1999 USA Rugby National Military Championships Tournament Report

The 1999 Tournament has proved very challenging. Last May, Columbus/Fort Benning was awarded the bid for the 1999 event. Immediately there was dissension in the ranks, with a threatened boycott of the 1999 Tournament by Fort Bragg, the 1998 Champion. Thankfully, calmer heads prevailed and Fort Bragg is here now to defend their title.

Over the summer, Gary Kent came up with an idea to increase the size and scope of the 1999 event. With eleven pitches available to the host club, it seemed a waste not to use five or six pitches. The thought was to run more than one event on the May 1-2 weekend to utilize all eleven pitches. The advisability of this idea was bounced off Mark Niece, Chairman of the Combined Service Committee at this time. Mark did not think this idea would cause any problems.

In October, Dan Flaherty contacted Gary Kent to say that he was flatly opposed to any other event being held in conjunction with the Military National Championships. Gary informed Dan that Columbus/Fort Benning had run the idea by Mark Niece and that he had no objection. Gary then told Dan that he and the CSC should decide and give Columbus direction. This direction was not forthcoming.

In January, at the Combined Services meeting in Tampa, Mike Legg brought to the attention of all attendees, that Columbus/Fort Benning was planning to hold another event in addition to the Military Championships. Gary Kent indicated that nothing had proceeded with any other event. Gary further indicated that the scope of such an event would be limited to the Georgia Rugby Union and that such a proposal would be given the next Saturday at the GRU AGM.

There was little discussion about this proposal and no dissension was heard. Columbus/Fort Benning left the meeting feeling that it had the sanction of the CSC to proceed.

Sometime in March, Dan Flaherty heard that the GRU was planning to hold a tournament in Columbus in conjunction with the Military Championships. Dan was livid. He and others proceeded to unleash a diatribe of inaccuracies directed against Columbus/Fort Benning. Columbus/Fort Benning and the GRU decided not to hold this event as it had created such a furor among some of the Military community.

I believe we should learn from all of the above and suggest that any restrictions on the host club be included in a bid information packet. This information packet will enable clubs to better prepare and submit their bids. Furthermore, once the bid is awarded, everyone should pull together to insure the best possible results for the Championships and the host club. The Championships and the host deserve no less.

As regards any additional events coinciding with the Championships, I suggest this is winning combination for all. There is no reason to hide Military Rugby from the general rugby community. Indeed, the Military Championships should be showcased to all.