Danes Top Rival RPI in Scrimmage

Albany, NY- 3/24/12 The Danes took took the field in an early season scrimmage against RPI. The Danes focused on 2 areas that they have been working diligintly on during practice, ball retention in contact and stretching the field by getting the ball wide to the wingers. They proved to be very successful at ball retention winning 90% or their offensive movements. Wide ball was also accomplished against a pretty good RPI rush defense. Both these combinations would lead to two Albany scores to to one RPI tally, Albany 12-RPI 5.

Coach Durant statedd "The coaching staff was pleased that we were able to accomplish what we set out to do today. RPI is a big, physical side that counter rucks well and for the most part we were able to create multiple phases and produce good ball for our backs to work with. The backs handled well but need work on depth and pace"

Albany XVs host Syracuse U 2nd side as Albany 7s is on the road to U. New Hampshire for the first round of the Universal Collegiatte 7s Circuit.

UAlbany Staff and Players volunteer at 2 Clinics in March

UAlbany Rugby Staff and Players volunteered at the Player Development Camp [3/16+17] and USA Rugby Coaching Development Clinic [3/24+25]. The camp had 60+ boys and girls attend the 2 day camp. Lead Instructors for the camp were Luke Gross & Melanie Denham

Luke Gross is the forwards coach for the men U20s, the Men Collegiate All Americans and the USA Women's Eagles. Luke brings the experience of 12 years of professional rugby, playing in the United Kingdom and Italy. He has played for the USA National team 62 times as a second row. He played in the 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups. Luke is currently the High Performance Manager and Specialist Coach for USA Rugby.

Melanie Denham resides in Massachusetts and played in the 2010 World Cup and is a current WNT player at #6, 7 or 8. She is the Forwards Coach for Radcliffe Women's Rugby and plays club rugby for Beantown Rugby.

UAlbany coaches John Durant and Dave Farison assisted.

UAlbany players took the field at USA CDP clinic held for two days on the UAlbany campus. Players ran drills for coaches working on getting their USA Coaching certificate in Introducing Rugby.