Photo By George Davis | Members of the Illesheim Black and Blue Rugby Club enjoy a win after a match at...... read more read more
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Burgbernheim, GERMANY — October 23, 2021. The splendor of autumn colors is on full display to this Bavarian hill top, but the men on the pitch pay no attention. They are focused on each other and the rugby ball passing between them as they try and move it down the pitch, struggling against their opponents.
Down at the half, the Illesheim Black and Blue Rugby Club struggles with more than their opposition. Rookie errors and sloppy technique have resulted in turnovers, giving the opposition an advantage.
“This is a sport that takes two or three years to develop into a fine team, and these guys are doing it in three to four months and then of course re-deploy back home,” said Anthony Cervizzi, a retired Soldier working at Storck Barracks and the Black and Blue Rugby Club manager.
Made up of rugby enthusiasts from within and around the Army garrison in Illesheim, the Black and Blue Rugby Club is a Bavarian rugby institution. The club was founded in 1981 by U.S. service members permanently stationed at Storck Barracks, which is located in Illesheim. Since then, the club has participated in leagues and tournaments throughout Europe and is recognized as one of the original members of the Bavarian Rugby Union.
The last several years have been difficult for the club. Storck Barracks is no longer a permanent duty station, and U.S. changes in force structure over the years have reduced the club’s ability to participate in the region.
“When 12th Combat Aviation Brigade drew down in 2015, that was the last year we fielded a team that played regularly in the rugby union,” Cervizzi said. “Typically, for the last few years, we have only been playing friendly games. Throughout the rotation of forces: 10th Mountain had a team, 1st Cavalry had a team, and this is the second team from 1st Infantry Division.”
The U.S. Army rotates aviation, armor and infantry brigades into Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve. U.S. Soldiers deployed for Atlantic Resolve represent the U.S. commitment to stability and threat deterrence in the region. It is from this pool of Soldiers that the Illesheim Black and Blue Rugby Club recruits its players.
“I got involved with the club the first time the [1st] CAB came out here,” said Cpl. Cameron Shiverick, with Bravo Company, 601st Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade. “I played for high school, college and some state teams before enlisting, and when we came out here I knew it was a chance to get back into rugby. I missed it.”
The U.S. Army conducted rotations at Illesheim for years, but Illesheim has not always been able to field a competitive team in the league. About every second or third rotation the ‘Black and Blues’ try to get in a social game or two, said Dave McNaughton, assistant coach for the Illesheim Black and Blue Rugby team.
The 1st CAB returned to Illesheim for their second Atlantic Resolve rotation with many experienced Soldiers, several of whom played with the Illesheim Black and Blue Rugby team. Having already played the friendly games, this team wanted more.
“This group said that they wanted to play,” McNaughton said. “So we put them into the league.”
This is the first time the Illesheim club has played in the league in five years, McNaughton said.
“The game today was probably one of the best we’ve had,” Shiverick said. “We still made a couple rookie mistakes, but a lot of people are new and just coming out and trying.”
As the second half of the game progressed, the Black and Blue began to make big plays, breaking through tackles and gaining significant yards. With good aggression carrying the ball and excellent physical conditioning, Black and Blue kept stride with the more technical SG Bamberg, a younger team composed of enthusiasts from various clubs around Bavaria.
“The guys are doing great,” Cervizzi said. “Some of the players are returning players that played on the original team, and, quite honestly, that was the glue to the program that made sure we got new players on the field.”
As the match drew to an end, encouragement and guidance was called out in English accented in French, Russian, German and American. While the bulk of the team is made up of U.S. service members, the core of the club is composed of German-residing expatriates from many nations.
“I think out of every team I’ve played with this is my favorite team,” Shiverick said. “I’ve met so many people: German nationals, Englishmen, Scotts, Irishmen and even New Zealanders that are out here. And then of course being able to meet guys in my unit that I never knew existed is amazing. It’s just watching your social circle grow, and it’s probably my favorite thing about the sport.”
Illesheim Black and Blue won their match versus SG Bamberg. It was a close match, high scoring in the second half with significant contributions from key players on both teams. After the match, satisfaction and exhaustion showed on the faces of both clubs’ members as they shared in the camaraderie of a match well played. Team salutes were passed between opponents and to the referee. Conversations about the match and the sport started up across the pitch, turning opponents into friends. The true victory of the day— the success of an old rugby program finding new life in the permanent and rotating community around Illesheim.
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.10.2021 09:34 |
| Story ID: | 409075 |
| Location: | DE |
| Web Views: | 326 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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