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Teen guilty in rugby death
Bob Mitchell
Staff Reporter

A Mississauga high school student was found guilty of manslaughter today in the death of a rival player during a rugby game.
The teen, now 18, was visibly upset – as were family members – after Justice Bruce Duncan rendered his decision in a Brampton courtroom. His mother hugged him as he sat forlorn, his head down, at a table at the front of the packed Brampton courtroom.
Justice Bruce Duncan decided his actions that day caused the death of Manny Castillo. The accused pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. He will be sentenced at a later date.
In rendering his decision, Justice Duncan rejected the defendant's self-defence claim that he only pushed Castillo to the ground to get out of a choking headlock during the game on May 9, 2007.
"The defendant intentionally applied force that was outside the rules of the game or any standard by which the game is played," Duncan said. "Manny did not explicitly consent to that force. "I'm satisfied beyond any doubt no consent can be implied. "There was no justification in self defence. Accordingly, the defendant committed an assault, an unlawful act. That unlawful act caused death. The defendant is therefore guilty of manslaughter."
Defence lawyers Lisa White and Calvin Barry had suggested Castillo knew he was playing in a physical game and that he accepted the dangers of the contact sport when he entered the field to play for his Lorne Park team that tragic day. But Duncan rejected her assertion. He described what the defendant did as being a "sucker tackle" and said at its "highest" it was done out of retaliation, not self defence.
Castillo died from a serious head injury a few days after the incident. Crown prosecutor John Raftery said during the two-week trial that the accused, a major junior player with an Ontario Hockey League team, committed manslaughter when he lifted Castillo into the air, his feet facing upwards, and drove him head first into the ground. For now, the identity of the accused is protected by Canada's Youth Criminal Justice Act. The Crown has said it intends to seek an adult sentence, opening the door to his name being published.
Raftery insisted in his closing remarks that the deadly move was separate and away from the normal play on the field and the ball was nowhere near them. Following the critical play, Castillo lay motionless, and was dying from severe head and spinal cord injuries. During the trial, various witnesses – including players, coaches, the referee, parents and rugby experts – gave conflicting accounts of what they saw. Some said they saw Castillo put the defendant into a headlock and others didn't. Some said the play had already stopped at the time and others didn't. Some witnesses saw Castillo driven to the ground, others said they say him fall gently over the shoulder of the accused.
As for the convicted teen, he testified that he fell on top of Castillo when he wrestled his way out of a headlock. He said he had panicked because he couldn't breathe and denied intentionally hurting the opposing player. He said he was unaware Castillo was injured when they both fell to the ground.

State Champ Results - Friday games

The following is all the game detail from the friday games weekend:

Westerville V Moeller:
Try #13 - Westerville - 5 - 0
Try #8 - Westerville - 10 - 0
Try #10 - Westerville - 15 - 0
Try #11 - Westerville - 20 - 0
Conv. #9 - Westerville - 22 - 0
Final: Westerville 22, Moeller 0

Dayton v St Edward:
Try #13 - Dayton - 5 - 0
Conv. #10 - Dayton - 7 - 0
PK #10 - St Edward - 7 - 3
Try #4 - St Edward - 7 - 8
Conv #10 - St Edward - 7 - 10
PK - #10 - St Edward - 7 - 13
Final: St Edward 13, Dayton 7

Warrior v Eastside:
Try #14 - Warrior - 5 - 0
Try #13 - Warrior - 10 - 0
Conv #12 - Warrior - 12 - 0
PK #12 - Warrior - 15 - 0
Try #8 - Eastside - 15 - 5
Try #3 - Eastside - 15 - 10
Final: Warrior 15, Eastside 10

Parma v Eagles:
Try - Eagles - 0 - 5
Conv - Eagles - 0 - 7
Try - Eagles - 0 - 12
Try - Parma - 5 - 12
Conv - Parma - 7 - 12
Try - Parma - 12 - 12
Conv - Parma - 14 - 12
Final: Parma 14, Eagles 12

Boys 2009 State Champs a Success!

After a warm weekend of great rugby, the State Championships have ended. Congrats to all involved and a special thanks to the National Guard and the Village of Obetz. More to come on the details, but here are the final results:

Round one:
Westerville over Moeller
Parma over Eagles
St Edward over Dayton
Warrior over Eastside

Round Two:
Westerville over St Edward
Parma over Warrior

Finals:
Westerville over Parma

consolation games:
Round two:
Moeller over Dayton
Eagles over Eastside

final round:
St Edward over Warrior
Dayton over Eastside
Moeller over Eagles

FINAL STANDINGS:
1. Westerville
2. Parma
3. St Edward
4. Warrior
5. Moeller
6. Eagles
7. Dayton
8. Eastside

400 kids participate in Rookie Rugby!!!

400 kids participated in rookie rugby physical education classes this week at Pickerington Junior High School. Along with alumni of the Pickerington high School rugby team, Coach Ryan Gramlich and I led the day and had just over 400 kids playing rugby in no time.

The event was so successful that the head phys ed teacher immediately asked us back after the first period session! This will be a great launching pad for the Pickerington Middle school/Junior High team they are starting.

Congrats to them and keep up the great work!

Youth Rugby at the State Champs!

We are just 24 hours away from the opening of the state champs! The 8 teams are gearing up and preparing for a great weekend of rugby.


This weekend is not just for championship rugby though! We are hosting a Rookie Rugby clinic on Saturday during the break in the action. All are welcome, no experience necessary and it is free to the public!

The clinic will take place at Memorial Park in Obetz, OH. Check in at the RugbyOhio Administration tent to participate.

Youth 'Rookie Rugby' progress in Ohio

We have been running a bunch of Rookie Rugby events lately. These events are meant to take kids with no knowledge of the game and give them a base of the game, and maybe even get them playing some touch or flag rugby.

Every one of these events gets kids wildly excited about rugby. The all finish the sessions with big smiles on their faces and constantly ask for 'whats next?' This is the question we must collectively answer together. What is next for these kids? Can we grow a pathway to middle school and high school rugby that captures the interest of these elementary, middle and high school age kids?

I believe the answer is Yes. Already we have Middle School programs running in Columbus and Cleveland and more are on the horizon.

I hear from many people 'i just don't have the time for that' or 'another rugby activity? my wife is going to kill me!' To these people I replay, this should not be you. Get your parents involved. Get your alumni and old boys involved. Get your assistant coaches or even your kids involved. People are willing to help but only when asked. The only person guaranteed to not participate is the one not asked.

The following picture is from a sign that was posted all over the after school program we worked with last week. This picture made me smile from ear to ear and i had to get a picture of it. So far 100% of the people we have pitched on hosting rookie rugby have said yes. There is no coincidence here. Our game and our concept are the most fun thing out there right now. Will you help in spreading the word?

Boys State Championships!!!

Boys State Championships are nearly here. We are currently busy with getting the final details together and make sure the park is ready for the tournament.

The Village of Obetz, OH has rolled out the red carpet for us. They are working closely with us to make sure our event is the most successful it can be! They are doing everything from getting the word out in the local community, lining fields and providing concession services. The Mayor and City Manager are both very committed to making sports available to young people. They (unlike many politicians these days) follow up their words with decisive action. You will meet them on the weekend and make sure to thank them for their work.


Although this picture does not do it justice, the pitch is beautiful with permanent posts and a gentle grade for maximum drainage. The grass is plush and ready for championship rugby.


Above is a map of the area. Unfortunately when the google satellites flew over the park, they had not yet completed the construction, so this is my poor artistic rendering.

The following is the schedule of events. Bring the family, friends, extended family, neighbors, co-workers or people you don't even know to watch exciting rugby action all weekend! kurt@rugbyohio.com for more information or questions.

Schedule of Events

FRIDAY: (25 min halves + 5min half time)

5:15 pm - Opening Ceremonies – Singing of National Anthem as official opening of tournament.

Field 1 Field 2
5:30 Columbus 1 vs. Columbus 4 Cleveland 1 vs. Columbus 3
6:30 Cleveland 3 vs. Cincinnati 1 Columbus 2 vs. Cleveland 2

Social for Parents, Coaches, Guests TBA

SATURDAY:

Field 1 Field 2
9:00 W Col1/Col4 vs. W Cle3/Cin1 W Cle1/Col3 vs.W Col2/Cle2
10:00 L Col1/Col4 vs. L Cle3/Cin1 L Cle1/Col3 vs.L Col2/Cle2

Break: Rookie Rugby Clinic for all kids, Fan Zone, National Guard activities.

Field 1
1:00 7/8 Match 30m
2:00 5/6 Match 30m
3:00 3/4 Match 30m
4:15 Championship Match
NATIONAL GUARD CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY PRESENTATION

Who knows how to tape an ankle? Anyone?

So I have heard this question probably 500 times around the rugby field. We all should know this, but very few of us actually know. Well in my search for an answer, i have come across a great video for you. This will certainly help when a trainer is no where in sight or during a practice.

Click here for the YouTube Video

Now of course . This is for informational purposes and see a doctor if you have a serious injury.

Keep up the good work!

Parent Organizations and Keys to Success

I met with a group of parents who run a High School rugby program in Indiana. These people have this down to an Art! I tried to gain as much info as I could in the short time we had, and they were kind enough to follow up with additional information by email.

I dont think I need to sell anyone on the merits of the parent organization, but I will give my quick thoughts...

Parents make the world go round and are the key to success with a rugby team (or any team). When parents are invested in a program, they give of their time, energy, money and experience. There is no reason a coach needs to be washing jerseys, worrying about hotel reservations, balancing budgets, or really anything but coaching.

I know this is easier said then done, but hopefully the following information makes it a bit easier. When I asked 'well how do you convince these people to volunteer for these positions?' the group answered, 'We get the parents in a room and lock the door. There is a sign up sheet on the wall and we do not unlock the door till the roles are filled'.

This of course made me laugh out loud, but they were serious and it works.

They also vertically integrate positions so there is a sophmore mom as assistant ready to take over for a senior mom. Again, simple stuff but with some preseason planning and work, the actual business of the rugby season becomes simple.

Below are the positions within their organization. This is how their organization best works, but may need tweaking for yours. Additionally, they are part of their local Youth Sports Association. Most communities have them but we have traditionally avoided them in Rugby. This has been due to the additional costs the add, but the benefits for this group far an away trump the drawbacks. I would urge you to consider meeting with your local youth sports organization and talk about a partnership. Their experience, administration and even contact list of kids and volunteers will advance your cause light years ahead.

Now to the nuts and bolts:

Click here for the PDF of the organization

Any question about how this works or want help setting your own 'parent army' up? Just ask!