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 National Guard, USA Rugby team up for 16-nation tourney By Capt. Kimberly Holman
                California National Guard
 SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The National Guard was prominently featured for the second year at the USA Sevens Rugby Tournament recently held here at Petco Park. It is the largest rugby event in North America and the fastest-growing rugby event in the world. The National Guard and USA Rugby partnered two years ago to ensure educational and athletic benefits are afforded to young people interested in pursuing the core values shared by USA Rugby and the National Guard. "It seemed like a very natural partnership," said Kyle Judah, National Guard account manager for USA Rugby. "Our core values are parallel - camaraderie, leadership on and off the field, quick decisions, selflessness, working toward a common goal as a team - these are foundational values of both organizations. Rugby players love to get dirty, and they have courage and fortitude." The National Guard commanded a strong visible presence at the two-day tournament, which included teams from 16 countries competing in a total of 44 matches. California National Guard and USA Rugby tents were side-by-side in the Fan Zone within Petco Park and included a rock climbing wall, a padded jousting arena and other physical challenges. Rugby fans learned about National Guard opportunities while visiting the attractions and talking with Guardsmen at the event. The National Guard logo was embossed prominently on the end zone turf and on the goalpost padding. As the tournament officially began, the California governor and adjutant general's own Color Guard presented the colors, and Tech. Sgt. Dan Plaster of the Air National Guard's Band of the Southwest sang the national anthem. F-18s roared overhead just as the National Anthem concluded. Recruiters introduce the opportunities of the National Guard to young rugby players while they are still in high school and form what often matures into an eight-year one-on-one relationship between recruiter and rugby player. Rugby is not a varsity or collegiate sport, and therefore no scholarships exist. The National Guard offers rugby players options to help pay for college and allows them to continue in their rugby careers, while receiving personal and professional training through ROTC programs. "These athletes are highly motivated leaders who possess a selfless and team-oriented mentality that is perfectly suited for the National Guard," said Joanna Hoffman, 2009 Guard Rugby Program campaign manager. "Our players are extremely physically fit as well as mentally prepared to make split-second decisions in the heat of battle."
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