United States Olympic Rugby Team to Defends Its 92 Year Gold Medal Record
The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio Janeiro, Brazil are set to open in August. More than 10,000 athletes from over 200 countries will vie for the Gold. And this year the US Olympic Rugby Team will be defending the gold medal that they have held for 92 years. Actually, the US Rugby Team is undefeated in modern Olympic Games holding back-to-back gold medals from the 1920 and 1924 Games. Bill Reagan, the CEO at Q Applied Systems in California has a special interest in the US Rugby Team.
Rugby Football was first played in the Olympics with the traditional 15 players per side game. But has changed significantly over the years. And Bill Reagan of Q Applied Systems has witnessed many of these changes first hand. Often referred to as a “barbarian sport played by gentlemen” players attempt to advance a football forward though a series of running, lateral passing or kicking until the ball is eventually “touched down” over the opponent’s goal line. The 80-minute-long game is fluid and the clock runs continuous with the field, referred to the pitch, measuring 110 yards x 75 yards. Tackling the ball carrier and stripping the ball away is common way for a team to gain offensive control. The 2016 Olympics will host what is known as Rugby 7’s. With only 7 players per side on the same size pitch this version of rugby is a fast action sport built for a TV audience. The game consists of two 7 minute halves with intense running, ball handling skills and scoring. This Olympics will see both men’s and women’s Rugby 7’s teams vying for the Gold.
Since the days when bill Reagan of Q Applied Systems was playing, rugby has taken hold in the United States ranging from a newly formed PRO Professional Rugby Organization, Div. I college (scholarship) level, club level down to the youth level for boys and girls of all ages. High school athletic directors have welcomed rugby into their schools. It’s a great sport to learn about strength and conditioning, ball handling skills and proper tackling techniques. The Olympics will offer a world class introduction for all those interested in the sport.
Olympic and Rugby Notes of Interest
Rio 2016 Website https://www.olympic.org/rio-2016. Olympic Rugby games occur August 6th thru 11. Medal Games on the 8th (W) and 11th (M)
How to watch http://www.nbcolympics.com. Check out NBC for a complete Olympic airing schedule.
- The July ASHRAE Journal features a commissioning article on the Olympic buildings in Rio.
- Did you know that many professionals in the HVAC industry are either active or former rugby players? If you’re an ASHRAE member then this commissioning article may be of interest to you.
- https://www.ashrae.org/resources–publications/periodicals/ashrae-journal Notable US Team Players
- New England Patriots safety Nate Ebner will play for the U.S. men’s rugby team at the 2016 Olympics. He is expected to become the first active NFL player to compete at a Summer Olympics http://www.nfl.com/player/nateebner/2535132/profile .
- Carlin Isles is considered the “fastest man in rugby.” Learn more about his and his teammates at USA Rugby USA Rugby http://www.usarugby.org.
- Youth rugby is firmly based in many communities. This link will help you learn more about youth rugby in Southern California http://www.socalyouthrugby.org.
About The Author:
Bill Reagan is the owner of Q Applied Systems, a manufacturer representative of HVAC and
moisture control equipment throughout Southern California and Mexico. Bill is also a former rugby player who was first introduced to the sport at college in 1979. Due to his speed, ball handling skills and size, Bill was relegated to the role as a Prop where he executed his tackling skills, initiated scrums and mauls and adeptly studied the way the ball bounces so he didn’t have to run as much. Feel free to contact Bill to share your rugby experiences.
