by Mark Smiley | Jan 29, 2018 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Legend has it that the game of rugby began in the United Kingdom nearly two centuries ago. Rugby has grown immensely in scope and popularity ever since. Consistently one of the most played and watched sports internationally, rugby has a substantial foothold in the United States as well, one that promises only to increase with the launch of the nation’s forthcoming professional league, Major League Rugby (MLR). Glendale, Colorado, has long been the focal point of rugby in America — home to highly skilled, championship-winning teams, site of the first rugby-specific stadium in the country, and now home to a founding member team in the new professional league: The Glendale Raptors.
Surrounding the Bath Rugby grounds, the City of Bath in the United Kingdom offers another layer of inspiration for the Glendale Raptors coaches.
Part of what makes Glendale’s Infinity Park such a special place for rugby is the organization’s commitment to retaining exceptional coaching staff. Sourced both nationally and from abroad, Glendale’s coaches are some of the best in the business. In December 2017, Glendale’s Director of Rugby Mark Bullock, and David Williams, head coach for the professional Raptors team, traveled to England to observe some of that country’s top teams and coaches. Knowing the level of support and professionalism rugby enjoys in England, Bullock and Williams endeavored to continue Glendale’s commitment to excellence in the sport by exploring the rugby environment in the U.K. — an effort they believe will improve the Raptors’ chances at success on the American professional rugby stage.
The purpose of the trip to England was multifaceted, with both Bullock and Williams fully immersing themselves in the European rugby scene, observing and interacting with established professional organizations. The Glendale duo took in Champions Cup matches, and visited with coaching and support staff from the London Irish, London Harlequins, and Bath Rugby teams. Coach Williams also met staff from the London-based Saracens Football Club, Bristol Rugby, and national strength and conditioning coaches. In addition to their work on increasing rugby knowledge in preparation for the upcoming MLR seaso
The Bath Rugby ticket office shows how well integrated the club is within the cultural fabric of this United Kingdom city.
n, Williams and Bullock were scouting hospitality at stadium venues, ticket sales, and sponsorship opportunities that could be implemented in Glendale. The Raptors are committed to continuing to create a fun, engaging, meaningful fan experience throughout the forthcoming professional season and beyond.
With the enormous success of Glendale’s Academy program last year, the trip also served as an exploration of how teams in the U.K. handle developmental organization and outreach to their local rugby communities. The Glendale Raptors Rugby Academy is an elite men’s development team for players under the age of 23 (U23). Designed as a feeder team for the professional MLR Raptors, the U23 squad enjoyed great success in 2017, with several players signed to play professionally. Although England’s academy programming presents boundaries of pay and other regulations controlled by the Rugby Football Union, Bullock reported that a number of usable techniques came from discussions with the English teams, knowledge he expects will benefit the Raptors programming. Additionally, Bullock noted an exciting potential exchange program between Glendale and Bath academy players, one that would allow Glendale’s players to improve their skills in the professional English Premiership environment, and provide the Bath squad with increased match opportunities in the U.S.
As part of their trip, and to experience as much of England’s professional rugby expertise as possible, Bullock and Williams attended practice sessions, coaches’ meetings, and sat in on Bath Rugby’s team building exercises. Bullock reported that the teams were quite welcoming: “Bath went out of their way to accommodate us and share their best practices. We were able to discuss their organization and their future plans with Director of Rugby Todd Blackadder and CEO Tarquin McDonald, and spent time talking about team culture and what it takes to be successful.” David Williams also noted that the English clubs, coaches, and players were both informed and curious about the professional league launching in the United States: “All the Premiership clubs were aware of MLR and of Glendale, and were welcoming and inquisitive about our Raptors team and the new professional league. That’s great to hear from these diehard rugby professionals, as eyes and ears are watching and listening worldwide.”
Given the sport’s long history in the United Kingdom, it should come as no surprise that both Bullock and Williams agreed that the fan engagement and response there, as compared to the United States, is considerably more robust — for now. Bullock described enjoying a pint with a few local Bath fans, longtime season ticket holders who were all in the team colors and talking up their squad’s chances to compete at a high level in 2018. Games were sold out, VIP boxes full, and an excited, electric atmosphere surrounded the grounds.
Williams summed up the trip, and the Raptors’ bright future in professional rugby, nicely: “Rugby is a major sport in the U.K. and has been for many years. We have a long way to go to gain the same footprint, but with the national CBS television coverage allowing rugby viewership across the country, and our loyal and growing Raptors fan base encouraging new fans to come to the stadium, we will show the United States the spectacle of the sport of rugby.”
As the first games of the Raptors inaugural professional season draw near, it is clear that the team’s leadership is fully prepared to continue its storied evolution, and to meaningfully engage an American audience.
by Mark Smiley | Dec 17, 2017 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Recently renovated, Glendale Hampton Inn & Suites is a trusted travel haven and guarantees service and comfort.
Sponsor partnerships are a pillar of the Infinity Park experience, an essential element of what makes Glendale the focal point of rugby in the United States. Though the venue has many sponsor partners, few have as lasting and mutually beneficial history as Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Cherry Creek. Just as Infinity Park celebrated the first decade of its existence in September 2017, next year will mark 10 years of fruitful partnership with Hampton. Erica Olenick, General Manager of the hotel, reports that being the official partner hotel to the Glendale Raptors “makes the Hampton Inn & Suites a place to go to, not just through.”
With more than 2,000 locations across the globe, Hampton by Hilton, the company that owns and operates Hampton travel destinations, is a truly international operation. Opening its doors in the heart of Glendale in 1999, the Hampton Inn & Suites Denver-Cherry Creek features 133 spacious guest rooms and suites, all well-suited to provide great value and comfort to both leisure and business travelers. General Manager Olenick reports that in addition to the hotel’s excellent location, it offers the chain’s signature Clean and Fresh Hampton Bed, alongside generous complimentary extras like a hot breakfast, WiFi, and all-day coffee. The Glendale location is also eagerly anticipating the completion of renovations to its indoor pool, hot tub, and scenic deck.
Alongside the rest of Glendale, and rugby fans nationally, the hotel is also looking forward to next year’s arrival of Major League Rugby and the emergence of the Raptors as a founding member of the new professional organization. Olenick reports that the hotel’s original partnership with Glendale’s flagship sporting venue was based on proximity to the facility (some guest rooms even feature a view of the pitch and Jumbo screen), but that the relationship blossomed over the years as the hotel recognized that sponsorship possibilities at Infinity Park were endless.
New for 2018, Hampton Inn & Suites will become the official hotel partner for the Glendale Raptors professional team, housing not just fans and visitors, but also rival teams and coaches. Olenick anticipates that the hotel’s historic successes in this long-term partnership will compound in the coming year: “Based on a successful tenure sponsoring Infinity Park, the Raptors, the Merlins, and great events like the RugbyTown Sevens tournament, our additional sponsorship will continue to foster the relationship we have with the players and visitors who stay with us each year.”
Olenick noted that the energy from local and visiting teams is contagious, and the Hampton staff has found how easy it is to become major fans of the sport. “We are thrilled to be an official partner of the Glendale Raptors. We support our local community — we are driving pride and team spirit
New for 2018, Hampton Inn & Suites will become the official hotel partner for the Glendale Raptors professional team, housing not just fans and visitors, but also rival teams and coaches.
within the hotel. When teams stay with us, their energy brings the excitement of rugby not just to the city of Glendale, but also to our staff and guests.” Glendale’s Hampton is poised to make waves in 2018 as Major League Rugby bursts onto the American professional sports scene, further capitalizing on the 10-year partnership.
A trusted travel haven, Glendale’s Hampton Inn & Suites offers guaranteed service and comfort, just as Glendale rugby assures its fans of competition at the highest level. Asked about the hotel’s relationship with Infinity Park, Olenick offered this final reflection: “We are proud to have been a sponsor of Infinity Park from the very beginning. It has been rewarding to see the organization’s hard work and dedication p
Some of Hampton Inn & Suites rooms feature a view of Infinity Park, highlighting the proximity of the two locations.
ay off. The possibilities of what Major League Rugby could bring to Glendale are endless, and we could not be more excited for what’s to come.” Alongside Olenick and her team, anticipation in Glendale and the rest of the world is high for the arrival of professional rugby in the United States. With all eyes on the future, Glendale and Hampton will continue their lasting and meaningful partnership, ushering one another into a new era of success.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 20, 2017 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
GLENDALE, CO – OCTOBER 7: Glendale Merlins Women vs Berkley All Blues at Infinity Park on October 7, 2017 in Glendale, Colorado. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
As Glendale prepares for the 2018 launch of Major League Rugby, the town also honors its storied history of attracting talented players. Two veteran Glendale ruggers, Hannah Stolba and Carmen Farmer, announced at the final home match at Infinity Park in October that they would hang up their cleats at season’s end. Even in retirement, however, both of these exceptional players intend to remain involved with the sport and with Glendale.
Stolba was born in Montana, and grew up playing basketball, eventually being awarded a basketball scholarship to Minnesota State University, Mankato. She picked up rugby during the offseason on the advice of a friend, and took to the sport quickly, “I loved it. I fell in love with the game and the challenge and mostly the people. Rugby was much more free form and I enjoyed that.” Before finishing college, Stolba began playing for the Minnesota Valkyries, even touring with the club’s Under-23 team in New Zealand.
After finishing college Stolba moved to Minneapolis and continued playing with the Valkyries for another six years, moving to Colorado in 2011. Among her many accolades, Stolba played with the USA Women’s Rugby Team from 2012 through the 2014 World Cup. Following the 2014 season, she casually mentions that she “thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail” (the longest footpath in the world, the nearly 2,200 mile trail stretches from Maine to Georgia), before spending six months playing and coaching in New Zealand in 2016.
Stolba says she chose Colorado not just for the outdoor lifestyle the state is famous for, but also because of the programming and facilities at Infinity Park. She notes that she still intends to be involved with the game — playing touch rugby and coaching — but that retirement from club play is meant to allow more time for hobbies and hiking. Asked what message she had for Glendale, Stolba was quick to thank the city and its people for their support: “It’s very uncommon in the U.S. to get picked out of a crowd for playing rugby, but we live in this unique pocket . . . thank you, for supporting us the way that you do. It is greatly appreciated from our whole program.”
GLENDALE, CO – OCTOBER 21: Glendale Merlins Women vs San Diego Surfers at Infinity Park on October 21, 2017 in Glendale, Colorado. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Carmen Farmer was born in Richmond, Virginia. She grew up in the state, attending college at Virginia Tech, where she played collegiate softball. After college she earned a law degree from the University of Maryland and practiced on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, not discovering rugby until some five years later. In an interesting twist of fate, the future Olympic rugby player discovered the sport after a conversation with an Australian while hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Upon her return from Tanzania, Farmer found the Severn River Women’s Rugby Club in Annapolis, Maryland, and walked onto a practice a week later. 2012, her first year playing rugby, the team took second in the National Championships. Two years later Farmer played in the World Cup in France. She notes that during this time she played her first match at Infinity Park, facing a South African team in 2013.
Farmer played at Severn River for three years at the Division 2 level before moving to San Diego, where she trained with the Seven’s National Team. Following the Rio Olympics, she took a job with a Land Trust in Colorado and began playing for Glendale. Asked about what drew her to Glendale, she notes the program’s “rich history and high level of play,” and, with a smile, “the facilities aren’t too bad either.”
Farmer doesn’t have firm plans for retirement, but intends to focus more time on work. Even if she’s not on the pitch, however, she will remain a fan of the sport. Asked for final reflection on her time in Glendale, she extends a sincere thank you to the community for welcoming her during her short tenure with the team: “It has been an absolute pleasure getting to play here, and the support from the staff and the people of Glendale has been second to none.”
Though Farmer and Stolba both spoke fondly of their time in Glendale, the city, and rugby fans everywhere owe acknowledgment to these accomplished players as well. Through their tireless efforts on the pitch, their character, and their passion for sport, they have helped maintain Glendale’s position at the epicenter of rugby in the United States. Past is prologue in RugbyTown USA, and it’s just as bright as the city’s future.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 23, 2017 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
GLENDALE, CO – OCTOBER 7: Glendale Merlins Men vs New York Old Blue at Infinity Park on October 7, 2017 in Glendale, Colorado. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Sponsor partnerships are an important and mutually beneficial aspect of regional sports teams, organizations, and venues. Glendale’s Infinity Park, the first rugby-specific venue in the nation, offers a unique and vibrant platform from which sponsors can create their own brand awareness, engage in community outreach, and target an enthusiastic and growing rugby fan base. Infinity Park and the Glendale Rugby Club have recently welcomed a sponsor partnership with SCL Health — a relationship that begins as Infinity Park celebrates its 10th anniversary in Glendale, and as the Raptors prepare to enter the next chapter of the organization’s rich history.
SCL Health is a faith-based, non-profit health organization headquartered in Broomfield, Colo. SCL Health traces its history – and its name – to the Sisters of Charity Leavenworth, a Catholic religious institution that follows in the tradition of 17th century French leaders, Saints Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac. Dedicated to improving the health of the people and communities they serve, SCL’s $2.5 billion dollar healthcare network aspires to provide comprehensive, coordinated care in Colorado and Montana. In Colorado, SCL Health operates Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Good Samaritan Medical Center in Lafayette, Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton, and St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction. With 11 total hospitals, more than 115 physician clinics, and over 18,000 employees, the organization focuses on excellent patient care quality, and is especially dedicated to improving the health of the poor and vulnerable.
Tim Shonsey, the Regional Director of Marketing and Communications for SCL Health’s Front Range hospitals, says he’s had his eye on sponsorship at Infinity Park for some time: “We decided to sponsor Infinity Park because it’s a great venue to connect with the Glendale community. Having a growing sports audience that has a direct connection to one of our providers made it an easy decision.” Shonsey re-marked that sponsorship is an important part of SCL Health’s general community outreach as well, noting that the organization also supports Colorado Public Radio and partners with other media outlets to provide health information to the communities it serves. “The most important part of any partnership opportunity is our ability to promote health and wellness to people who may one day become our patients,” said Shonsey.
Uniquely, SCL Health’s partnership with Infinity Park extends beyond the recent sponsorship. Dr. Michael DaRosa, a Sports Medicine Physician at SCL Health Medical Group – Denver Sports Medicine, is also the team physician for the Glendale Raptors and Merlins. Specializing in musculoskeletal injuries, pain treatment, and a sports-related concussion specialist, DaRosa has been treating Glendale’s rugby players since 2016: “I love caring for these extremely tough, strong, and skilled athletes on the sidelines and in my office. My goal for all my patients is get them back in action as safely and quickly as possible. It is an absolute pleasure caring for these hardworking athletes at beautiful Infinity Park.” Asked about why SCL Health would endeavor to become a sponsor partner of Infinity Park, DaRosa remarked that the organization appreciates seeing active, motivated individuals — exact
ly the kind of patrons that Infinity Park and the Glendale Rugby Clubs attract. Just as Coloradans are passionate about rugby, SCL Health is passionate about caring for the communities it serves.
Since its founding in 2007, Infinity Park has become a hub not just for entertainment, community, and, of course, rugby, but has also served as a nexus of Colorado’s healthy, active character. Celebrating 10 years of impassioned growth, and standing on the brink of a new chapter of explosive rugby expansion, Glendale is also proud to be embarking on a new sponsor partnership with SCL Health. No doubt the new sponsor is also looking forward to a fruitful relationship — alongside Glendale’s loyal fan base, the Raptors’ role as a founding team in the forthcoming Major League Rugby organization means that SCL is poised to see a significant return on investment.
by Mark Smiley | Sep 25, 2017 | Glendale City News
by John Arthur
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Glendale’s Infinity Park, home to the city’s Raptors and Merlins rugby teams, has a longstanding history of positively engaging local communities. In the late-August days leading to Infinity Park’s annual RugbyTown Sevens tournament, that tradition of outreach was further strengthened. With organizational help from Infinity Park hosts, Armed Forces teams participating in the tournament paid visits to Children’s Hospital Colorado, putting smiles on faces young and old, and demonstrating the alignment of outreach and inclusion indicative of rugby’s values and those of military service.
Founded in 1908, Children’s Hospital Colorado has been providing outstanding pediatric care for over a century. The private, not-for-profit provider is affiliated with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and is ranked as a best national children’s hospital by U.S. News & World Report. With both national and international Armed Forces teams visiting in the week leading up to the RugbyTown Sevens tournament, patients and their families experienced firsthand the compassion and character definitive of rugby athletes.
Dacoda Worth, a rookie playing for the Army Rugby 7s team, reflected on his first appearance at the tournament, and in participating in community outreach: “Through rugby, and the military in general, the best feeling is giving back. That’s what we’re doing every day through our service, and giving back here, visiting these kids, as a rugby player and a serviceman is really rewarding.”
RugbyTown Sevens, an annual Glendale tournament attracting teams from across the globe and producing competition at the highest level, served as backdrop for the visits to Children’s Hospital. Representatives from the U.S. Marines, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard teams, as well as from the British Royal Air Force participated in the visits.
Rob Bell, making his second appearance at
the RugbyTown tournament with the Royal Air Force team, quipped that the hospital visit was an important aspect of the experience, and that there was more to the tournament, and rugby, than just the competition: “If you look at rugby in America, it’s grown and grown. With the military teams all coming to the hospital and interacting with the kids, it sends a really positive message. We’re here to engage with the local community — not just to play. It’s very important.” Bell went on to note the similarities between the values inherent in rugby as a sport and those of military service: “Rugby aligns with military values: respect, integrity, service, friendship, ethics, and camaraderie. There’s a massive crossover with the values of rugby. Outreach like this helps us demonstrate that to the public in a way that’s meaningful.”
Rugby’s character-driven ethos, explained by Bell, assures there is more to the sport than competition. But in addition to the military team visits, the weekend did see a great deal of high-level Sevens play. Newcomers to the tournament, Fiji SAVU Water, also known as the Viti Barbarians, walked away overall tournament champions, winners of the RT7s Cup, and with the $10,000 tournament purse that title guaranteed. Members of the visiting Fijian team had previously participated on the gold-medal-winning Fiji national team at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Another fan favorite, the U.S. Army team won the military championship in decisive form, earning that distinction for the fifth year running. Competing for the first time under the new Merlins moniker, the hometown team struggled. Moving forward from the tournament, team focus shifted to the then upcoming 15s season, which kicked off the first weekend of September. Notably, the home opener underscored celebrations of Infinity Park’s 10th anniversary as a Glendale focal point.
The excitement of world-class competition didn’t take away from the importance of the team visits to Children’s Hospital, however. Eric Geckas, playing for the U.S. Coast Guard team in his fourth appearance at the tournament, likened the feelings of military service and community outreach to rugby play: “Coast Guard boat crews and flight crews operate in a lot of the same ways the rugby team does on the field. We joined out of pride. To serve. Combining those feelings with sport, and then with our ability to improve the lives of people in a difficult situation — that’s what it’s all about.” Sentiments like Geckas’ were shared by all of the participating team members and coaches.
Head coach of the All-Navy 7s team, Koma Gandy Fischbein described the hospital visit as an emissary of the sport: “We recognize and embrace that we are both ambassadors of the U.S. Navy and the sport of rugby. We welcomed the opportuni
ty to inspire, and be inspired by, these brave children and their families. Outreach is an essential part of being a whole athlete; within the rugby community and especially the Armed Forces, giving back and making an impact is part of who we are. It’s a part of why we serve and why we play this sport.” As the compassion and character embodied by both rugby players and military service members was shown in August, it seems likely the sport has at least a few new young fans.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 30, 2017 | Glendale City News
by Kurt Woock
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
On July 17, dozens of young rugby players arrived at Infinity Park. They came from as far as California, Iowa, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Idaho. They came to play, learn, and grow in the seventh annual Girls High School Rugby Camp. “This camp gives these girls the opportunity to play more rugby with different levels of players and to get coaching from really strong women and coaches,” said Jenna Anderson, youth rugby programs manager at Infinity Park.
Great coaching is the cornerstone for all youth programming at Infinity Park. Luckily, there’s a deep pool of talent from which to draw. Glendale Rugby coaches, Raptors players, and players from the USA national team were on hand to share what they know with players whom they just might call teammates in a few years. “I think that my favorite part of this camp is the variety of coaches we bring in,” Anderson said. Young players, who might have only ever learned from one or two coaches are suddenly learning from more than a dozen coaches, each of whom has different coaching methods, skills, and experiences. This was a big deal, Anderson said, for young rugby fans
, some of whom had seen or read about these top rugby players before coming to camp. “A lot of times, the girls are starstruck,” she said.
The effect of camp reverberates beyond the four days the girls were there, and the camp in some ways reaches an audience larger than those who participated. Young players bring back home with them the various skills and approach to playing they were exposed to. While growing quickly, the rugby resources available in any given area in the country probably can’t match the coaching and experience levels found in more established sports. Even a very good coach can only offer a single perspective. Learning from many coaches, as the campers were able to do, is beneficial in itself. Camps like these can have a pollinating effect; a visitor can take her experiences back home, and those with whom she plays then have the opportunity to learn something new, raising the rugby IQ of the entire group. Anderson said that the involvement of women who are currently playing the game at the highest level makes this phenomenon that much stronger.
In addition to spending time working on specific rugby skills on Infinity Park’s main field, campers learn a holistic approach to developing a healthy lifestyle, including time spent learning about nutrition and exercise. Anderson said that coaches introduce girls to a new kind of workout every year. One year this meant working with kettlebells. Another year campers headed out to Red Rocks to battle the stairs. This year, the girls took part in a yoga class. That was in line with this year’s focus on the mental aspect of rugby.
“It’s important to understand that rugby isn’t just a physical sport; you nee
d to take care of your body and your mind,” Anderson said. “We talked all week about how to be your best athlete, and that does not necessarily mean you want to make Team USA.” She said the coaches and players frequently talked about the importance of simply having and sticking to a plan, whether that was a plan for a practice or game, or a plan to get into college. Mealtimes at camp became a time during which coaches coached players on topics that were larger than a single on-field skill. “Each day at lunch, we talked about how to go into the field with confidence. We talked about coachability, and what coaches are looking for: Are you positive? Do you better your teammates? Do you push yourself? We talked about figuring out what your highest level is.”
During the week, campers experienced Infinity Park as if it were their home turf. For many, it was their first time playing in a stadium that big. That, plus the chance to work with some of the nation’s best coaches and players, isn’t something you’ll find at most summer sports camps. “We have all thes
e cool things in Glendale,” Anderson said. “We want to share them.”
The eighth annual camp will take place in July 2018. Anderson always hopes to welcome new girls to camp, but she also expects to see plenty of returning campers. She said she recently heard the highest compliment about the camp from a young camper: “We had one girl who is really talented who comes back every year. And she wants to come back next year. She asked, ‘How do you guys do it? How do you have camp every year and not teach the same thing?’” That was good news for Anderson, who sets out to do just that each year. “We’re always expanding, bringing in different drills. When you do come back year after year, you’re getting a new experience. The only thing that’s the same are the facilities.”
