On Sunday the 27th of September we took a small team to the Lugano tournament. The 9 players who committed coming down were greeted with a great athmosphere, great weather and a fantastic day of Rugby.

Due to the small numbers of Teams at the tournament we played against a Lugano/Würenlos side and against Zurich twice, so that the kids got plenty of Rugby in.

Having only 9 players (1sub) was tough, but as luck had it Lugano had to make a smaller pitch and all coaches decided it was better to field a 7 player team in order to capitalise on space and subs.

During the week we worked a lot on some of the mistakes we identified in the Würenlos tournament, where we shook of our cobwebs from the summer and boy did the kids take that on board.

They charged out of the blocks with an intensity that was missing last week. Everything we worked on during the week in traning was taken in and carried out by the team during the matches. It was fantastic to watch, we had rucks, counter rucks, tackles pushing the opposition meters back, kick and chase, passes, and a fantastic teamspirit. The boys did our clubs philosophy of Rugby proud and more importantly themselves.

We ended up wining 3 out of 4 games with the 4th game being stopped due to injury and us not having enough players anymore. This meant we won the tournament and we left everything out there. We could not be prouder of our kids and we can not wait what else they will achieve this season. We are excited for the things to come.

My favorite side story:

Rugby is a team sport and we keep telling the kids that they are a family. Nothing showed this more than two actions they did during the tournament:
1. Before the first game the boys took themselves away in a huddle to make a plan on how they wanted to present themselves today and how they wanted to play. From what I heard was said they carried that plan out to perfection and it shows that they are growing together and are listening to each other.
2. When one of our players got injured and had to be take off by an ambulance the entire team stood together and waved him off in support. It was a beautiful sight and it showed that they care for one another and the amyaing team spirit we have.

I can not wait for the rest of the season and the joys our kids will bring us.

Until next time HOPP ZUG