Mr. Clark,
I have intended to write you for some time. I owe you a
couple of thanks…
I am long time rugby player (center, flanker, eight, second
row--but all higher level play at prop. I was a very fast prop). I am 51 now
and began playing when I was 13 in
Fast forward about 20 years. I got tricked into playing an
Alumni game at age 45. It hurt, but I did well to my surprise. Some old mates
began bugging me about playing again. I thought this was a silly idea, but
surfed on the web in idle curiosity -- and found your web site. It inspired me
to begin playing again, in about 2002. I was invited to join a group called the
Sons of Beaches, and we won the Aspen Ruggerfest on
our first outing. That is a big tournament in the scheme of amateur rugby, and
to win (masters division) with a rag tag group of 22 guys was--amazing.
Later this group became the Cardinals, an invitational
nationwide rugby team focused on playing in and winning the largest amateur
rugby tournaments in the
Because I got into it, my youngest son (14) has gotten into
it in a big way, and is on his way to becoming a much better player than I ever
was (flyhalf scrumhalf). This is more satisfying than
playing myself. Not because it’s rugby -- but to watch my son truly become himself when he plays. I know that is awkwardly put but I
can't think of another way to say it. It would have been great if it were any
game - but rugby makes it special. I am sure you know the feeling. I took him
with me to
So -- thanks for this. Without your inspiration, I might
never have put on boots again, or had the chance to
bring my son to the game and build the relationship we now have. And my son
might never have found his sport.
Best Regards,
Bill