Armed Forces Rugby Championship Stirs Up Rugby Interest in the
Army

Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. - A team of 25 Coast Guardsmen converged onto Marine Corps Base Lejeune's Goettge Field to compete in the Armed Forces Rugby Championship. Shouts of supporters rang out sharp and crisp along the field line, competing with the painful sounds of flesh yielding to a well-aimed, full body tackle. WHACK! Another player is down, temporarily forgotten and left moaning on the battlefield as his focused comrades plunge forward in the game. Dirt, sweat, and testosterone collide as each team proves they are a force to be reckoned with.

"I love the fact that after the tackle, the whistle isn't blown," said Sean "Snacks" Lindersmith, a Machinery Technician 2nd Class from Station San Diego and Loose Head Prop for the Coast Guard Rugby Team. "You have to be strong enough to take the attack, then get up and continue playing. It trains you to be strong in the mind and in the body. You can hit a guy as hard as you want and it's ok. Once you leave the pitch, he's your buddy and fellow "rugger"."

Being strong physically is a major requirement for this full-contact sport. Sprains, stitches and broken bones are commonly accepted injuries.

"Athletes in all sports subject themselves to injuries," said Matthew Lasley, a Chief Boatswains Mate aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Blackberry and Flanker for the team. "I consider myself pretty lucky to have only sustained a gash above my right eye. I was in a head-to-head collision with the opposition and had to get 4 internal and 20 external stitches. My injuries are superficial. I was never very pretty anyway!"

Personal injuries are only one of the hurdles that players had to contend with. Another issue was finding the money to get to the tournament.

"I understand that we are a small service, but I would like to see everyone come here with funds across the board," said John Leo, an Electrician's Mate 2nd Class from Joint Task Force Armed Forces and a Full Back for the team.

"I am disappointed that some of the players had to fund their own trip," said Richard Horner, a Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. stationed at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, FL., and Tight Head Prop for the team. "The Coast Guard does what it can. I think its great that they could get permissive orders and I really want to thank the Coast Guard Sports Committee for getting us new jerseys this year."

Despite having to pay out-of-pocket, every year the Coast Guard Rugby Team gets a few more people interested in the game.

"Every year we have more people trying out," said Leo. "The more we are out there playing, the more awareness is being raised about Rugby."

"If you are looking for competition, camaraderie, and a good way to relieve stress, you should check us out" said Lasley. "These are the traits of a true "rugger".

Although the Coast Guard Rugby Team placed 5th in the overall rankings, four of their players got picked up to play on the All-Armed Forces Team; Lt Greg Barbiaux, Lt. Cmdr. Rick Horner, ET3 John Leo and MK2 Sean Lindersmith.

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