Dragoon Rugby Football Club trains for redeployment

Photo By Master Sgt. Opal Vaughn | Dragoon Rugby Football Club coach, Chief Warrant Officer Anthony Triola, a senior intelligence technician with Regimental Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, weaves through a hoard of players during a practice game of rugby at the soccer field at Forward Operating Base Warhorse located in the Diyala province, Iraq, Sept. 13, 2008.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

09.13.2008

Story by Spc. Opal Vaughn  

14th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Opal Vaughn
14th Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE, Iraq - William Webb Ellis was a boy who didn't like the rules of football. Ellis is credited as the founder of rugby and now, a statue of Ellis stands at the intersection of Lawrence Sheriff Street and Dunchurch Road, at Rugby School in Rugby, Warwickshire England.

In 1823, during a football game, Ellis picked up the ball and took off running towards his opponent's goal. And so, the game of ruby was born. At least that is how the popular story is told.

Over time, though the rules have changed since the early 1800's, rugby has become a very popular sport and is played all around the world. It has become a pastime for many enthusiasts, including some Soldiers with 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. These Soldiers form the Dragoon Rugby Football Club, which began out of Vilseck, Germany, and was brought to Iraq.

With redeployment nearing, the DRFC players got together and held a practice game at the soccer field at Forward Operating Base Warhorse located in the Diyala province, Iraq, Sept. 13, 2008.

"We have about 30 guys and two females that compose our team," said DRFC member, Spc. Chris Erikson, a Seattle native with Regimental Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.

"Obviously we can't all get together and play as a team because we're all spread across Iraq," Erikson explained, referring to the DRFC, the official team for 2nd Str. Cav. Regt. "Chief Triola, he's the coach. He has helped to get some of us together for practices. We're starting to build the team back up so that as soon as we hit Germany we can start competing again," Erikson smiled.

"I helped to start the Dragoon Rugby Football Club back in 2007 in appreciation for the game," said DRFC coach, Chief Warrant Officer Anthony Triola, a senior intelligence technician with RHHT, Str. Cav. Regt.

"I've been playing for 20 years and I've been coaching for about five years now," Triola stated. "We played our first season last year. But it was halted because of deployment. So when we initially started talking about getting the team back together, all the guys got real excited. The excitement is understandable. It means we're about to redeploy."

According to Erikson, the DRFC is part of a Bavarian league made up of all the club and league teams in the area. So the DRFC not only plays other U.S. teams, but plays many German rugby teams as well.

"It's really fun to play some of the German teams because they always have these playing fields set up in the middle of nowhere," Erikson grinned. "Besides, we all go out for drinks and stuff afterwards."

Getting in shape and building the team back up before redeployment takes a lot of hard work, but it is something the team members are willing to work toward.

"Conditioning is the hardest part of rugby," Triola stated. "Here in Iraq, a lot of us are tied to a desk. So getting outside and running gets us out of that mind set. But the dust that hangs in the air isn't any help either."

Triola continued: "They say that rugby is a hooligan sport played by gentlemen. I try to emphasize to these guys about the importance of letting out aggression on the field but do not get into any altercations. There's no physical contact while here in Iraq because we need everyone to be able to do their jobs. But back in the rear, it's full on contact."

Getting back on the field in game mode takes a lot of effort too.

"The idea right now is to just do a little bit while still in country so that when we get to Germany we can hit the ground running," Erikson stated. "We're not as skilled or as crisp like some of the other teams we've played. But we work hard and play aggressively."

The return home still remains to be the next milestone for the DRFC. But they are ready and willing to return to Germany and get in the game.

"Hopefully, when we get back we can start playing right away," Erikson stated. "I look forward to the competition."

• Date Taken: 09.13.2008
• Date Posted: 09.18.2008 02:16
• Story ID: 23791
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ