by Mark Smiley | Oct 3, 2016 | Glendale City News
by Kurt Woock
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Advertising in sports has a long tradition. For more than 100 years, Goodyear’s iconic blimp has been floating over sporting events. Wheaties has been stamping the image of top athletes on its famous orange boxes since the 1930s (Lou Gehrig was the first). Ohio University unveiled a first-of-its kind degree in sports marketing in 1966, and plenty of other schools have followed.
Bits of trivia like those are fun, but the reality of advertising and sports is serious business. Connecting businesses to customers and potential customers through sports is a juggernaut industry, worth tens of billions of dollars annually. People partner with sports teams and stadiums to become part of the fabric of the sporting experience. Sports fans are loyal, and they respect loyalty. The in-game experience is a community event filled with excitement and memories in the making. These are exactly the types of situations businesses want to be part of. Glendale Raptors and Infinity Park have been working with companies large and small since 2007. The perspectives of some of these sponsors illustrate the various ways sports can serve a key role in a marketing strategy.
Establishing and maintaining visibility is a crucial, ongoing task. Terri Fisher is president of 5 Star Talent and Entertainment, Inc., which produces and organizes entertainment, from musical acts to ice sculptors to magicians to comedians and more. Fisher works to ensure that 5 Star’s advertising does more than plug the company name. She said it’s important to make people curious about what your business offers and then demonstrate to customers that they have shared interests with your business. Advertising with the Raptors “Is a form of advertising 5 Star without making a hard sell,” Fisher said. In a way, sports teams serve the role of a party host introducing guests to other guests; the team is something everyone knows and trusts. Instead of starting with skepticism or awkward conversation, guests begin with a mutual connection.
But not just any mutual connection will do. It’s key that the particular traits of that “mutual friend” jibe with the traits you’re looking to identify with. Jill Farschman, publisher of Denver Metro Media, said “rugby is a fast-growing sport, and Infinity Park is a world-class facility. Being associated with rugby and what’s happening with the sport means you’re innovative, leading edge.” She added that the Raptors consist of both a men’s and women’s team, a plus when trying to reach a broad demographic. Broad reach is important to Farschman, who publishes Washington Park Profile, Life on Capitol Hill, and Neighborhood Life.
Farschman is not alone in her assessment. Kirsten Kreiling manages marketing and communications for the Raptors. The diversity of rugby fans is a major selling point for many businesses. “Some people are surprised to find out that our fans are almost an even split between men and women.” The age range really varies widely: The family-friendly atmosphere and affordable tickets means that the rows of Infinity Park fill up with everyone from kids to grandparents.
Sports teams are adept at drawing a broad audience because they serve as a community touchstone — something everyone can rally around, talk about, and root for. Laura Nord, district manager for Potbelly Sandwich Shops, said that it was this role that stuck out to her when choosing to sponsor the Raptors. “Partnering with a neighborhood organization is most ideal for us, and the Glendale Raptors team is located closely to two of our sandwich shops and is a prominent attraction in the area. I hope our sponsorship reflects our passion behind connecting with the neighborhoods in which we are located.” Tiphane Gumpper, assistant community manager at Solana Cherry Creek, has similar aims as she builds the name recognition of Solana’s apartment complex. “We are trying to build awareness and increase exposure to our new community in the area, and this was a great opportunity with the amount of people who attend events at Infinity Park.”
The various aims and goals sponsors have range from debuting a business for the first time to thanking longtime patrons of a cherished community institution. Partnering with a young, quickly growing team provides a level of personability and flexibility. Kreiling said she has several “pre-packaged” sponsorship levels as beginning points, however she added that “they are really just a starting point and a rough guideline for us to follow.” She said she strives to customize sponsorship packages in a way that will best position sponsors to achieve their goals. For example, “some sponsors, may not have much of a social media following, so offering them social media tagging really isn’t helpful to them. In cases like that, we look at some other types of fulfillment we can offer that will benefit the sponsor most.” For those companies for whom web presence is important, the Raptors can deliver that crucial element. Kreiling said the team’s various social channels have reached more than 3 million people. All the matches played in the stadium are live webcast; in addition to local fans not at Infinity Park, fans throughout the country and around the world are watching.
Reaching customers is not always easy. Despite a historic number of mediums through which to reach people it’s easy to get crowded out. It takes creativity to break through. Finding forums of memorable experiences, like sports stadiums, is a start. Match that with an organization who will work with you to get your message across, and you have a winning formula.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 29, 2016 | Glendale City News
Politics Anyone? Please Say No!!
by Danny Foster, Esq.
Ah how delightful that another presidential election year is in full swing. Another chance for our deeply held political and personal beliefs to be on wide display via our bumper stickers, yard signs, baseball caps and especially on our social media pages. It warms my heart to see the respectful and mature interactions amongst the opposing candidates and their supporters. I’m sure that when you notice a political posting that you disagree with on Facebook you simply scroll past that post or register a polite comment. Surely no one would risk social alienation just to let their Facebook friend know that their presidential pick was a complete lunatic, criminal, or lunatic-criminal. After all we live in the United States of America where we are known for our civility, especially when it comes to presidential politics. Being nasty toward our friends and relatives who hold different political beliefs would be asinine and something none of us would engage in, right? Right? Hello? Hello?
Wouldn’t that be refreshing if we could maturely and professionally debate our political positions and rationally discuss things without it being the cause of stress, frustration and at times violence? Who knows, maybe that will happen at some time in the future; it certainly isn’t happening in this election cycle. So as much as I had wanted to explain my political opinion I was reminded, politely by my law partners, that it would be “frowned on” and maybe expressing my political thoughts might just likely alienate half the potential readers of this fine publication. My partners urged restraint. “No one wants to hear your political position Danny” one of them said. “Who do you think you are, Bill Maher?” Another griped. “Leave the good citizens of the Cherry Creek region alone, they have suffered enough with your thought-provoking pieces over the years. Can’t you just tell them about our law firm?” That comment came from my brother and partner David Foster who has had to listen to me for my entire life. Thanks David!
So I have heeded their advice and decided to scratch the political endorsements and move straight to the top five things people ask me as a lawyer and what advice I generally provide. It’s not as fun as politics, but probably a lot more helpful.
1) If I am pulled over by the police and they think I have been drinking, what do I do?
Assuming you decided to drink and drive instead of hailing an Uber then you have opted to be penny-wise and pound foolish. It’s so cheap to hail a Lyft, Uber or cab that it makes no financial sense to risk a DUI. But if you are pulled over remember: do NOT admit to drinking (you have a right to remain silent), do NOT take the voluntary roadside tests (you have a right to decline these tests), and if you choose to take a chemical test, insist on the BLOOD test. There are obviously many arguments about whether or not to refuse the chemical test, but for a first offense the best decision is to take the blood test. It should be noted that a refusal to take a test can lead to a one-year revocation of your license. If you refuse and lose your license you may be eligible for a license with an interlock after two-months of not driving. The sanctions for a blood alcohol test above .08 comes with a license suspension, but you may be eligible for license with interlock after one-month. This analysis becomes more complicated with multiple offenses and any criminal conviction. So the choice is yours!
Also, it’s always a smart idea to be polite to the police. They are only doing their job, and trust me, you will never, ever win an argument with a police officer on the side of the road. You are NOT entitled to an attorney during their DUI investigation. So be smart, be polite, keep your mouth shut, and if you choose to take a chemical test, remember: Blood Test. The second you are released from custody call your lawyer!
2) Should I discuss my personal injury case with a lawyer, even if it’s a small injury?
Yes you should. Call your attorney first before you give any statements to the insurance company. And be sure to get yourself checked out by medical personnel as soon as possible. It is also critical to remember that when you are selecting what type of auto insurance to buy, always select medical payment coverage, and always maximize your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Trust me in case of a catastrophic accident you will be glad you did.
3) While we are discussing a personal injury case, why isn’t my face on billboards and on TV advertising for personal injury?
Well that is a loaded question. First of all the point of advertising is to obtain clients. Using my face could have the opposite effect; I couldn’t possibly compete with the chiseled jaws and manly-men already advertising on the TV, bus benches and urinals. The second point is that I have deliberately chosen to not go down that road. While all attorneys are allowed to advertise, I think that type of advertising demeans the profession and makes personal injury attorneys look clownish. We are in the business of helping people who are going through some of the worst situations they may ever face, and I don’t want to disrespect our very important job by looking like a stereotypical ambulance chaser. I hope one day all personal injury attorneys trust their work product and referrals for business instead of bombarding us with ads 24 hours a day. But the data shows the advertising will only increase. Sorry folks!
4) I don’t have a will or medical power of attorney, is this a big deal?
Um yes! Especially if you have children. Get that Will completed and signed as soon as possible. Don’t wait for a catastrophic event to start considering your estate planning. Even if you have few assets you need to get this done. It’s easy, relatively inexpensive based on your needs, and can literally save your life or the life of your children. No more excuses! Get that Will done. And while you’re at it, get scheduled for that colonoscopy already!
5) What’s the best way to get out of jury service?
I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been asked this question. My answer is always the same “why would you want to get out of jury service?” Jury service is a remarkable accomplishment of our American justice system that is truly unique to our country. While other countries also have a jury system, even the most democratic among these countries don’t have the power of our jury system. If you are trying to wiggle out of jury service by intentionally misrepresenting your belief system then you’re not only subjecting yourself to contempt, but you are missing out on an amazing opportunity to participate in the greatest justice system on earth.
So speaking of the greatest political system on earth I’d like to formally endorse the next president of the United States . . . (I apparently surpassed my word count, I’ll let you know in December).
Danny is a managing partner of Foster, Graham, Milstein & Calisher (FGMC). His practice focuses on personal injury. The law firm of FGMC, located in Cherry Creek, is a full service law firm focusing on: criminal defense, personal injury, real estate, litigation, liquor licensing, construction law, tax/estate planning, bankruptcy and zoning. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship and is for informational use only (what do you expect from an attorney!)
by Mark Smiley | Jul 22, 2016 | Glendale City News
by Brent New
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
Infinity Park at Glendale, Colorado
Glendale is throwing a beer festival alongside a prestigious rugby tournament at Infinity Park.
How the two will ultimately mix? Where better to find that answer than inside one of Colorado’s flavorful craft breweries.
“I think rugby and beer are perfect together because beer actually has all eight amino acids,” Post Brewing Co. Director of Sales AJ Boglioli weighed in. “Perfect for a postgame sip.”
Hmm. Well, all right then.
The event on August 27, dubbed “Glendale’s Bruises and Brews Beerfest,” will give attendees the chance to sample from breweries and distilleries while taking in the second day of the three-day Serevi RugbyTown 7s Tournament (August 26-28).
More than 20 breweries will showcase their top beers, liquors and hard ciders. Admittance — and unabashed acceptance — is $35.
“It seems like two passionate groups of people coming together — people who are passionate about rugby and people who are passionate about beer,” said Boglioli, whose brewery will make its first appearance at the event.
“It just makes sense,” he added. People are working up a sweat and watching a sport that they love, and then they get to sit back and chug some delicious beer that they like to drink.”
And hey, the whole rugby part should be pretty good, too.
The Rugby 7s tournament — called 7s because of two seven-minute halves and seven players on each side — will feature teams from five nations, including teams from each branch of the United States Armed Services.
It comes on the heels of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where 7s will make its fast-paced, hard-hitting debut.
The tournament purse is $10,000.
“In my opinion it’s an all-around really good event for everybody,” said Annette Gilman, the owner of Scrum Enterprises, the liquor concessionaire for Infinity Park. “People like it. They come, they sample beer, they go down and watch some rugby, they come back. … It’s great.”
Gilman said she expects between 22 and 24 breweries and four distilleries.
Expected beverage providers include 3 Freaks Brewery, Boggy Draw Brewery, Blank & Booth Distillery, Bull and Bush, C Squared Ciders, Colorado Cider Co., Comrade Brewing, Copper Kettle, Dad and Dudes Breweria, Denver Beer Co., Epic Brewing Company, Goldspot Brewing Company, Golden Moon Distillery, Hogshead Brewing, Joyride Brewing, Lariat Lodge Brewing, Mile High Spirits, Odell Brewing, Platt Park Brewing, Post Brewing, Sanitas Brewing, State 38 Distillery, Station 26 Brewing, Strange Brewing, WestFax Brewing and Westminster Brewing Co.
The high (large amount) turnout? It’s no secret as to why, said Kelissa Hieber, a brewer at Goldspot Brewing Company.
In a time where beerfests can sometimes blur together, Glendale is making sure it stands apart.
“A lot of breweries have been really pulling back with how many festivals they are doing,” said Hieber, a lover of beer and rugby. “We always before considered it as free marketing but now there are so many festivals and so many of them are the same. There’s no other entertainment festivals like this, just a bunch of beer.
And the wider demographic makes this beerfest all the more exciting.
“This festival is unique in that is does have that entertainment factor and you’re bringing people to your booth that wouldn’t go to your standard festival,” she adds. “We were really eager to come back this year.”
The beer will be served under a giant tent at the park’s Festival Plaza from 12-4 p.m.
Admission for the two-in-one event includes a ticket and a commemorative tasting mug. Only 1,500 tickets will be sold.
“I think people have really enjoyed it,” said Kieran Nelson, the Director of Stadium Operations at Infinity Park. “I think that a lot of people think it’s a cool mix — it’s a cool marriage if you will.”
The beerfest in its current form has been going on since 2014 and the Serevi RugbyTown 7s is in its fifth year.
A donation from the event will go to the Glendale Raptors Rugby Youth Foundation.
Tickets for Glendale’s Bruises and Brews Beerfest can be found online. It includes unlimited beer pours and three distillery tastings. Must be 21 or older.
Tickets for day two of the Serevi RugbyTown 7s Tournament ONLY are $10. Children under the age of 12 are free.
Free parking is available at the corner of Kentucky and Cherry Street or at the corner of Ohio and S. Birch Street. First come, first served.
by Mark Smiley | Jun 24, 2016 | Glendale City News
by Kurt Woock
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
When the jumbo screen at Infinity Park lights up, people gather around it like moths gathering around a light on a hot summer night. And for good reason. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s a timeless experience that people of every age enjoy. It’s more than just something to do. Monday Movie Madness, now in its ninth year, is a sign
Infinity Park Movie Night, Willy Wonka. August 4, 2014 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado. Photo by Seth McConnell
of summer for thousands of Coloradans.
Linda Cassaday, deputy city manager for the City of Glendale, says she continues to be wowed by the reception Monday Movie Madness continues to get. One way organizers engage moviegoers is by opening up each year’s movie selection to online suggestions and voting. This year, Cassaday says more people voted than in any other year.
The crowd is not only growing — it’s diverse. “I’m amazed when I walk in and see who’s coming in,” she said. “It can range from families with babies in strollers to teens to couples who come in for a really cool date night.” While the City of Glendale sponsors the event, Cassaday said people drive in from all over the Front Range to attend. “It’s the new drive-in movie.”
The lineup of mostly classics reflects the fact that Monday Movie Madness is a unique experience. It’s not a movie theater, and it’s not a film festival. These are all movies that are readily available on Netflix or cable, and most households probably have at least one on DVD. The word “movie” is in the event’s name, but the movie itself is just a supporting act to the event itself. People come to feel the grass between their toes, to bring a picnic, to share a blanket with family, to feel the air become cool as the sun slips behind the mountains, to see the moon and stars shine as the stadium lights go down. Everyone, regardless of age, is free to be youthful, to smile and laugh at a scene as if they’re seeing it for the first time, despite the fact they know every word. The event could very well have been named Monday Movie Magic.
This year kicked off in June with the latest Star Wars movie, Star Wars – The Force Awakens. July 11 will bring Mamma Mia! followed by the classic The Goonies on July 18. And the Robin Williams classic Mrs. Doubtfire plays on July 25. The season finale takes place on August 8 with another timeless Robin Williams’ role, Disney’s Aladdin.
The laid-back atmosphere can be traced to how easy it is to attend. Admission is free. Parking is free. Vendors are on site for those who prefer it, but people are welcome to bring their own food and beverages to the stadium (just no glass), making it an affordable way to have a memorable evening.
Like late night ice cream cones, baseball games, and barbeques, Monday Movie Madness is becoming synonymous with summer. It’s more than an event: It’s a summer ritual that people enjoy going to time and again. Cassaday recalls how she at first didn’t know whether such an event would take hold in a world filled with jam-packed schedules and short attention span. Perhaps Monday Movie Madness is succeeding not in spite of those things, but in response to them. In Monday Movie Madness, people have found a place where time slows down for a few hours.
“I just think that we’ve hit something in the culture with this idea,” Cassaday said. “To sit on real grass in a real place and watch a movie on the jumbotron, to be able to let your kids run around and not worry about them: We’re capturing the imagination.”
by Mark Smiley | May 27, 2016 | Glendale City News
by Marco Cummings
GLENDALE, CO – AUGUST 14: Raptors vs Stars Rugby during the Serevi RugbyTown 7s tournament at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado on August 14, 2015. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
With back-to-back Pacific Rugby Premiership (PRP) Championships now in hand for the Glendale Raptors, the focus shifts to the summer rugby season and a different version of a game which Glendale Mayor Mike Dunafon has called “the world’s community sport.”
Summer’s arrival also marks a new season on the rugby calendar, with the focus shifting from the Rugby 15s game of the PRP to Rugby 7s. Like 3v3 basketball or soccer, or the seven-on-seven scrimmage version of American football, Rugby 7s is a fast paced, high scoring version of the game tailored to delight spectators. This year, Rugby 7s will be placed in the world spotlight, making its debut as the newest competitive sport at this year’s Rio De Janeiro Summer Olympics.
The sport’s presence on the global stage is an exciting prospect for rugby’s growth on the local level in places like Glendale, a city which dubs itself as RugbyTown, USA.
“Sevens will be in the Olympics and it is also a major springtime competition on university campuses and places rugby out in front of the public,” explained Glendale Director of Rugby Mark Bullock. “This can lead to curiosity in 7s and, ultimately, an interest in 15s. At the lower level, it can be used as an introduction to the game due to the fact there are less players involved on the pitch at one time. At the upper level, it is a highly skilled endeavor and if we play quality sevens it can be added to recruiting players who may also play 15s.”
Growth and development will continue to be the key focus for Glendale heading into this year’s 7s season. Toward the end of the Raptors’ PRP campaign, the team was affected by the loss of some of its top players to the recently established Professional Rugby Organization (PRO) league. Play of the PRO league will continue throughout the summer, meaning Glendale’s 7s side will also be affected.
“Obviously this season, we will not have guys like Chad London, Hanco Germishuys and all of the other guys in the PRO League,” Glendale Raptors head coach Andre Snyman said of the upcoming 7s campaign. “Those guys will be committed until the end of July, so it’s going to be a different situation.”
Snyman acknowledged the new challenges his team faces in re-establishing itself, but was likewise excited at the prospect of the player development aspect they present.
“It’s going to be a different situation. We will be competitive, but it will be more of a development side than PRP level side,” he continued. “We have to really focus this summer on developing players; taking them to these tournaments so they can experience the next level.”
GLENDALE, CO – AUGUST 14: Raptors vs Stars Rugby during the Serevi RugbyTown 7s tournament at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado on August 14, 2015. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
With the experience gained this summer, the Raptors head coach is not only looking for diamonds in the rough, he’s looking to polish them into players that could contribute to Glendale defending its PRP title come Spring 2017.
“It will definitely be a good tool to prepare for the PRP season in 2017,” Snyman explained. “Last summer, Johnny Ryberg came out of the 7s mold. During the last couple of games in the PRP season this year, he stepped up and did really well. Hopefully this summer we can pick up one or two players for next season in the PRP. It will be an opportunity for players to showcase their skill and for me to groom them.”
He’ll have plenty of opportunities to do just that. The Raptors will be competing in five different 7s tournaments this summer, beginning with a trip to San Diego on June 18 at a qualifying tournament hosted by Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC).
The following weekend, Glendale will participate at the Denver Tournament hosted at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City.
Glendale will then open July with a trip to Kansas City, Missouri, on July 9 for another qualifying tournament.
Later that month, Glendale will take its travels north of the border, participating in the Magnificent 7s tournament in Canada on July 24.
The Raptors 7s season will conclude with arguably what has become the pinnacle of Rugby 7s tournaments in North America. For the fifth year, Serevi RugbyTown Sevens will make its return to Infinity Park (Aug. 26-28) with 20 teams competing (including one representing each branch of the U.S. military) over the course of 70 matches for a $10,000 winner take all purse. In addition to the expanded format, this year’s edition of SRS will also feature a college level tournament.
It’s a spectacle which will be sure to delight both participants and fans once more.
“We’re excited,” Snyman said. “This year is going to be bigger than the previous years. It’s going to be big and there are some quality teams that have committed already. We’re all looking forward to it.”
Rugby 7s is a game which requires players to close faster, hit harder and dig deeper; and it will all be on display in Glendale this summer.
by Mark Smiley | Apr 25, 2016 | Glendale City News
GLENDALE, CO – APRIL 9: Glendale Raptors vs Santa Monica at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado on April 9, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
by Kurt Woock
Writer for and on behalf of the City of Glendale
While winter means skiing for many Coloradans, for the the Glendale Raptors Rugby Academy (GRRA) it means more rugby, just like spring, summer, and autumn. The first months of 2016 have been filled with teaching and learning across the Denver metro area.
Jenna Anderson is the youth rugby coordinator for the Raptors. When talking with her, her enthusiasm about the benefits rugby holds for positive youth development is unmistakable. One quick glance at her calendar, and one quickly sees the extent of her dedication to sharing all the programming the Glendale Raptors Rugby Academy offers.
One recurring entry is the Raptors In The School program. Jenna, along with coaches and players from the Glendale Raptors teams, travels to schools during the day to teach rugby basics during P.E. classes. “We see as many kids as we can fit in,” she said. “So far, we’ve seen about 1,500 kids since the end of January.” She said some students have had some exposure to rugby, including attending games at Infinity Park, but have not had formal instruction in the rules and proper playing techniques. To that end, students aren’t the only ones learning at these events: P.E. teachers also learn about teaching rugby in their classes in order to bring one of the country’s fastest growing team sports to future classes.
For the first time ever, the GRRA also offered a more immersive school experience for students interested in learning more. Students at University Park Elementary were able to sign up for a six-session, after-school rugby program. Look for this opportunity to appear elsewhere in the future.
Middle school students are of particular importance to the GRRA mission. Learning effective and safe techniques from the ground up is easiest at that age. Anderson said that middle school is also a key time to introduce students to the value of developing skills in multiple sports. She said there is a trend of students choosing to “specialize” in a sport, often before they even reach junior high. This specialization comes at the expense of becoming a well-rounded athlete.
The issue is larger than rugby. Although it might seem logical to assume that a student who devotes 20 hours a week to a particular sport will have a leg up over another student who devotes 10 hours to two different sports, the opposite is actually
Glendale Raptors girls Try On Rugby event on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at Infinity Park. Photo by Seth McConnell
more likely. Avoiding specializing too early actually increases the likelihood for success in the sport a student might eventually end up specializing in.
Students who develop skills in more than one sport don’t separate the things they learn in each into silos. Instead, the mental and physical skills they pick up in one sport can be applied to all the others. Think of it as cross pollinating. A football player might become a stronger tackler after learning about tackling in the rugby tradition. A basketball player’s sense of court awareness could develop more deeply after learning how rugby players see the field. The possibilities are endless.
In addition to bringing rugby to schools, the Glendale Raptors Rugby Academy has been busy holding events at Infinity Park. A first-of-its-kind tackling clinic took place in early April. Anderson said the clinic will become a part of GRRA’s regular programming.
Raptors coaches, including head coach Andre Snyman, were on hand to teach safe, effective tackling techniques. Two sessions in total were held, one for 8-11-year-old boys and girls and one for 12-18-year-old boys and girls. Anderson said that the clinic attracted coaches and football players in addition to rugby players.
“It doesn’t matter what sports you play,” she said. “Players learn the original styles of tackling with the shoulder and not your head.” She said rugby tackling skills have been embraced by the Seattle Seahawks, among other organizations. She’s also seen kickboxing, soccer, and cross country athletes benefit in various ways.
While some GRRA programs are meant as introductory or beginner programs, Anderson is quick to point out that GRRA offers an incredible opportunity for those looking to make their mark at the game’s highest levels. Raptors head coach Andre Snyman said the ability to work with the Raptors coaches and have access to the country’s premier rugby facility is a one-of-a-kind opportunity top prep students should seriously consider, and one that many have already taken advantage of. He said that beyond physical development, players will leave with a higher rugby I.Q. At GRRA, they’ll learn what it takes to take their game to the next level.
As winter turns to spring, Glendale Raptors Rugby Academy will continue to offer rugby opportunities of all kinds. April meant the beginning of Try League, for K-9 boys and K-8 girls. Anderson is also excited for the girls-only “try-on rugby event.” It’s a girls rugby clinic for those aged 8 to 18, from beginner to advanced. Participants are encouraged to bring a friend with them to play the sport together.
The programs provided by GRRA continue to give Denver’s youth a positive, encouraging environment in which to grow. Thousands have already taken advantage in 2016. And, as the year continues, more and more families will become part of the Raptors family.
