Piedmont International Touring Side

Founded in 1978 in Piedmont, California, PITS has been playing rugby, “a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen” (and now “ladies”) on the West Coast and internationally for more than 30 years. 

From a high school of 800 students over the years, PITS has produced USA Rugby Eagles, Collegiate All-Americans, High School All-Americans, Collegiate National Champions,  and hundreds of collegiate players.

Scroll down for the latest PITS info:  This coming Sunday, Jan 29th.  Both PITS Men and Women @ Kick Off Tournament in Sacramento.  

Click here for the PITS Women’s TeamSnap site

Click here for the PITS Men’s TeamSnap site

AskPITS@gmail.com for information on anything

Important Announcements

This Sunday Jan 29: PITS Women in Kick Off Tournament in Sacramento

January 26th, 2012 by billh

We are headed to the Kick Off Tournament in Sacramento this Sunday, 1/29 (http://www.svrf.org/kot.html). This is a make-up day for the tournament that was missed last weekend due to weather. This will be a great day to get some playing time and learn more about the game, for new players and veterans alike. There will be spare players at the tourney to fill in if we’re short on numbers. I’m excited!

Because of the last-minute change to our schedule, we don’t have much info up about our component of the tourney. We will be playing at the same fields as the PITS Men’s team - at Cordova High School in Sacramento. (Directions). We do not have a schedule for the day, but the first games will be at 9am, so we are planning as if we’ll be playing at 9.

TIMING: We will meet at 7am at Piedmont to carpool to the field. If you will be driving, please shoot me an email so that I can make sure we have enough seats. If we don’t have enough cars our other option is to carpool with the boys, who will be leaving around 6am.

PEOPLE: I need to know who’s coming so we don’t accidentally leave you behind :) Email or text me (510-701-7225) if you haven’t already told me your status for the games.

BRING: Cleats, socks, sturdy/rugby shorts, mouthguard (MANDATORY), lots of water, sunscreen, money for tournament t-shirts or food trucks.

FOOD: Bring your own snacks and lunch. Feel free to bring extras to share.

Please email or call me with questions - I’m looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Lindsay Coble
Coach, PITS Girls Rugby

PITS Men: Kick Off Tournament this Sunday Jan 29 in Sacramento

January 26th, 2012 by scrumcap

This Sunday PITS Men will be playing in the Kick Off tournament in Sacramento.  Here is a link KOT to the website.   They have not posted the schedule for the games yet.  We should be playing three 40 minute games throughout the day.  

 

The Captains will get carpool info together and send it out. 

KOT T-shirts can be ordered.  The info is below in case someone would like to step up and take control of that, if so I will send you the email info to place the order.  

 

The big change this year is the tournament start time, it has always been at 9am, but due to field issues, they have moved it to 8am.  In the past, we have always gotten there an hour early to check in, so that would mean arriving in Sacramento at 7am.  HOWEVER if we find out our first game has a later start, we may be able to leave later, again I do not have this info yet………I will email it and post it here as soon as I get it. 

 
****Pack the night before!  Mouth guards, cleats, water bottles, sunscreen, snacks and money for food trucks.  The weather may be on our side, the report looks good, but last year it was so cold that we had to retreat to a burger place to get out of the cold between games, instead of eating on site like we had planned.
 
GO PITS! Hope to see you there!

Marcy Garrett

PITS Match Secretary
 

Directions: Cordova HS is located at 2239 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA, a suburb of Sacramento roughly 10 miles east of the State Capitol. From the junction of I-5 and I-80/Hwy-50 at the Sacramento River: [a] follow Hwy 50 east about 10 miles to exit #15 for Mather Field Road; [b] take the exit and turn left onto Mather Field Road; [c] take the third right off of Mather Field Road onto Folsom Blvd (.6 mi); [d] from Folsom Blvd take a left onto Coloma Road (.4 mi); [e] then a left off of Coloma onto Chase Dr. (.5 mi); [f] at Cordova HS follow signs and volunteers’ directions.  
 
Matches. Matches are played in 40 minute rounds – 15 minutes per half with a 5 minute halftime and a 5 minute transition time to the following match. If a match is not started at the designated time, the length of that match will, nonetheless, end at the next deadball after the match hooter blows. Time lost for any reason, by a late start or from a time stoppage during a match, will not extend the match.

T-Shirts.  T-shirts, in black or other dark color, with a multi-color print front and one color on the back with team names of all clubs participating will be available.    T-shirts are $15 each for 12 or more shirts.  Must have orders by 5pm, Friday the 27t h – absolute, drop-dead cutoff.  Send your order specifying quantities and sizes (S, M, L, XL &, XXL) along with a check to SVRF for the full amount, or by email, along with a completed and signed credit card payment form as attached.  Your order will be delivered at the KOT.

 

Food Vendors.  About half a dozen food vendors will be at the Vendor Village on both days.  They will provide a variety of early morning fare, as well as options for lunch and snacks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PITS Women: Possible Kick Off Tournament in Sacramento this Sunday Jan 29

January 26th, 2012 by scrumcap

PITS Women & Parents

 

It looks like we’ll have the opportunity to make up our cancelled Kick-Off Tournament this Sunday 1/29. The PITS coaching staff thinks that this would be a great opportunity to get some good playing time in before the season officially starts. I think the PITS Boys team will be there as well, so we can share carpools and cheer each other on!

 

I’m guessing we’ll play a similar schedule, starting at 10:30 and going until 5 (at the latest) but I’m waiting for more information. I know some of the players may have pre-existing conflicts, and this is late notice, but please come out if you can! We’ll talk more specifics at practice, and please let me know if there are any questions or concerns -

 

Lindsay Coble

Head Coach, PITS Girls Rugby

 

From: Karen Chance

Subject: Silver Division at the Sac valley KOT???

 

We very likely have the option to hold the Silver Division Girl’s Festival competition at the Sac Valley KOT this Sunday.

I think it would be a great solution to the rain out for the division last weekend.  I need to know if this is an offer you would like to accept.

 

Please get back to me ASAP. They need to know to lock in the field space.

 

Sincerely,

Karen Chance

NorCal Girls Rugby Commissioner

PITS @ Berkeley Saturday, Jan 21

January 21st, 2012 by scrumcap

pits-logoMen’s Match at Berkeley Saturday morning Jan 21 at 9:45am.

At Gilman Fields in East Shore State Park, Berkeley.  (From Piedmont take 580 West to Bayshore Fwy 80 East.  Exit at Gilman Ave.  Left towards the Bay and Fields.)

Go PITS!

POSTPONED: PITS Women NorCal Kick Off Festival

January 19th, 2012 by scrumcap

The Kick Off Festival has been postponed due to field conditions from the storm.  Possibly will be rescheduled to February.

MEET IN FRONT OF PHS AT 8AM FOR CARPOOL.  First Match at 10:30am vs. Chico.  2nd match tbd at 2:00 or 2:45.  3rd match tbd between 3:15 and 5:15pm.  All matches at Margaret Azevedo Park in Rocklin, NE of Sacramento.

Click Here for location information.

Carpool:
time: 8 am (check email just before leaving, just in case there is any
changes)
where: in front of high school at sign
who:  Coach Lindsey, and Bob Gray (?) will be able to take the team (May
need one more volunteer)
Drop off: TBD

Food Assignments:
Fruit- Baldwin and Lutgen
Pasta Salad- Soghikian and Niemuth
Sandwich meat (salami, ham, etc) and cheese- Gougoumis and Di Bartolo
Water/gatoreade- Milne and Blemker
Bread- Gray and Mopress

What to Bring:
MOUTH GUARD, everyone is expected to bring one.  (you can find one at any
local drug store or at the sport store in Montclair, I suggest getting more
than one because the girls tend to loose them)
Water Bottles
Cleats, shorts, etc.
Change of warm cloths
Money for merchandise if desired (they tournament sweatshirts, t-shirts,
etc)
Go PITS Women!!

Scrimmages TOMORROW, Saturday Jan 14 @ Bishop O’Dowd

January 13th, 2012 by scrumcap

pits-ball-logoFirst contact outside practice this year! 

1:30pm - All players arrive at Bishop O’Dowd.

2:30pm - Women’s Scrimmage

3:30pm - Men’s Scrimmage

Winter Ball notwithstanding, upperclassmen are expected to stay the full duration of the scrimmage.

Go PITS!

Info from Parents Meeting

January 12th, 2012 by scrumcap

Thank you, Parents, for attending the PITS meeting Wedmesdau night!  Apologies to some parents who did not get the notice about the meeting.

We really appreciate all the support you give and look forward to a great 2012 rugby season. 
Communications
Please make sure you always check our website, www.pitsrugby.com for updates and announcements. 
We will also be using TeamSnap as the primary means to communicate so please make sure you do Step 3 of the Registration process, per the instructions.  Any questions or help with Team Snap, please contact Keith Milne, ktmilne@yahoo.com
Below is some scheduling information but in the future, we will not be sending out mass emails as you will be able to get the latest from Team Snap and the Website. (Not to mention we do not have the manpower/volunteer to manage email communications with the parents)
Volunteers
Special thanks to the parents who stepped up for volunteer positions - you Rock!!
Rene Durazzo:  Registrar “in training” to take over from Cathy Farmer after the 2012 season (Cathy’s son graduated from PHS and PITS in 2011)
Audrey Holt:  Treasurer “in training” to take over for Edna Cooper (son, Sean, will graduate in 2012)
Stacey Mattson:  2012 Hospitality chair for the Boys’ Pits team
Rachel Murray:  to help Keith Milne with Team Snap
Bob Gray:  Match Secretary for Girls’ Team  (Marcy Garrett is match secretary for the boys’ team)
Cindy Sterry:  Team Parent/Mom for the Girls’ Team (did I get that one right, Cindy?)
Boys & Girls’ Practice Schedule
Mondays 6pm-8pm - Merritt College
Tuesdays 6am-7:15am - Witter field
Thursdays 6am-7:15am - Witter field

Boys’ Team Game Schedule - Note: Home games will be either at Merritt or Witter
As announced last night, the schedule is a bit up in the air and we expect changes. The schedule will be on on the website sometime next week so please check it.  Confirmed for the near future, however:
This Saturday, January 14:  Friendly scrimmage at Bishop O’Dowd, 3:30 pm. Coaches will advise the boys what time they need to be there.
Kick-off Tournament in Sacramento, Sunday, January 29th - more details to follow.
Girls’ Team Game Schedule - Note: Home games will be either at Merritt or Witter
Below is info from Coach Ned. Again, be on the lookout for the schedule on the website.
Thanks again, to everyone for your support.  If you have any questions, please contact the appropriate person:
Registration:  Cathy Farmer  cathysfarmer@yahoo.com 

TeamSnap, website: Keith Milne ktmilne@yahoo.com

Boys’ Schedule:  Marcy Garrett 6boymom@gmail.com

Girls’ Schedule: Ned Schroeder alexisned@sbcglobal.net

Anything related to money - fees, expenses, scholarships: Edna Cooper embcooper@gmail.com

Coaching:  John Cullom - johncollum@aol.com, Ned Schroeder alexisned@sbcglobal.net, Kenny Meyersieck,
Jeremy Elrod jeremyelrod9@yahoo.com, Lindsay Coble lindsaycoble@gmail.com
Scrimmage next Saturday 1/14 at Bishop O’Dowd
The first games are 1/23 in Sacramento (which is the girl’s Kick Off Tournament).  
Girls,
Saturday, February 4th, 3pm at Merritt v Lancers (home)
Thursday, February 16, at Merritt v. Berkeley (home)
Saturday February 25 BYE
Saturday, March 3rd, 3pm at Merritt v Chico
Saturdayh March 10, at Fresno  (Road Trip)
Boys and girls, Friday, March 16, 6pm at Witter, Boys v McClatchy and girls v Humboldt
Girls only March 23, at Dixon

PITS Logo Ball: The Perfect Kick-Off Gift

December 7th, 2011 by scrumcap

pits-ball-logoA PITS Logo Rugby ball is the perfect gift for your favorite rugger as he or she kicks off the 2012 campaign!   Only $35 each, it will be a gift that is used and valued for years to come.

Contact Co-Captain Sean Cooper at Sean4298@gmail.com or PITS Treasurer Edna Cooper at embcooper@gmail.com to arrange for purchasing the balls. Checks should be made out to PITS Rugby and sent to Edna Cooper/PITS Treasurer at 223 Estates Drive, Piedmont, 94611.

pits-ball-flag-side

PITS Tour 2011

March 3rd, 2011 by PITSRuck

PITS on their recent tour to Washington and Canada. Thanks much to the Liberty Rugby Club of greater Renton, Washington and the Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Rugby Team of Surrey, British Columbia.

PITS on Tour in Canada

PITS February Canada Tour Information

January 8th, 2011 by PITSRuck

Basic itinerary:

1) Friday, February 18: Depart San Francisco Friday 9am - arrive Seattle 12noon - Transfer to vans and drive to Vancouver - meet billets

2) Saturday, February 19: Play game 1at South Delta Secondary in White Rock, B.C. - stay with billets

3) Sunday, February 20: Meet at school and travel via van/ferry to Vancouver island - Strathcona Hotel

4) Monday, February 21: Travel via van/ferry back to mainland and visit Stanley Park and Campalono suspension bridge - afternoon play game 2 at Girabaldi Secondary - Billet

5) Tuesday, February 22: Meet at school - drive back to Seattle - afternoon flight back to San Francisco - arrive early evening.

Costs
Costs are $550/player and eligible players are sophomores who have played at least one year, all juniors and all seniors. Cost includes air/ground transportation ferry/park admissions, hotel accommodation, tour polo shirt/sweater and 2 t-shirts for trading with other team. Cost also includes funds to defer costs for chaperones. Cost does not include meals for players that are not provided by hosts.  Expect those costs to be $100-200, depending on your sons’ eating habits, of course!

Next Steps::

1) Each player will need to bring his passport. If your son does not have one, you will need to get on this right away as it takes time and effort. As a starter, you can go to this site:  http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html

2) We will need your son’s full name (as listed on his passport) and his date of birth. Please write this down and give it to us with payment.

3) The airline requires that we make one payment so PITS will pay the airfare. Payment to them is due on Monday, January 10. So, if your son is eligible and wants to participate, you must write a check to PITS Rugby for $550/player and send or give it to Edna Cooper by Sunday, January 9. She will be at the game Saturday night which would be an ideal time to take care of this. Remember, there’s only room for 21 players so the sooner you pay, the better chance you will be among the 21.

Parents and Players Meeting

December 20th, 2010 by PITSRuck

Mandatory PITS Rugby Meeting

Wednesday, January 5, 2011, 7:30 pm
Piedmont Recreation Dept.

More info to follow but in general we will:

* Give overview of PITS organization and Rugby to new families - answer questions

* Collect Club Fees

* Make sure all Players are registered with the Northern California Youth Rugby Association (more will follow in another email prior to the meeting)

* Go over the schedule for the season (practices and games)

* Discuss the upcoming Tournament in Sacramento in January

* Cover what is expected of players

* Cover what is expected of parents

* Distribute uniforms/kits (only to those who have paid)

Thank you!  We look forward to meeting everyone and kicking off a fabulous PITS season!!

Organizational Meetings

November 1st, 2010 by PITSRuck

Men’s Rugby Meeting

Wednesday, November 3 at 12 :55 in Room 24

Women’s Rugby Meeting

Thursday, November 4 at 12 :55 in Room 24

August 31st, 2010 by PITSRuck

PITS Proud to Support and be Part of Piedmont Football

Super League Championship Match on TI, this Sunday May 30

May 27th, 2010 by scrumcap

San Francisco Golden Gate defends its title against 2008 champion New York Athletic Club on their home pitch on Treaure Island.  Aside from the Eagles, this is the highest level of rugby played in the United States, and is sure to provide great ways to learn the game by watching the skill and team work of these two top sides.

See www.usarugby.org and www.americanrugbynews.com for more information.

PITS Banquet TONIGHT, Thursday May 27 at 7pm

May 27th, 2010 by scrumcap

The Banquet to celebrate PITS 2010 season is tonight, Thursday, May 27th at 7pm.  NEW LOCATION:  Michael and Kevin Garrett’s house, 121 La Salle Avenue.

Come celebrate PITS 2010 campaign with your teammates, coaches and supporters.

Cost of the Banquet will be shared by all attendees.  We’ll determine that cost when provisions are procured.  We will ask that payment be made at the door.

Please e-mail ask@pitsrugby.com or text 415-596-4225 if you have questions.

Also if you could help Cathy and other stalwarts with the banquet preparation.  That will be hugely appreciated!

Thanks and GO PITS!