| The
2008 Ruckin' Ducks |
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The NPRFC Girls
High School U19 Team is better known as the
Ruckin' Ducks. Ducks hail from Lansdale Catholic,
Methacton, North Penn, and Souderton
high schools. More than just a sport, Rugby
is a way of life. These girls initially came
to play rugby
for many different reasons, yet they all
now share the common pride of knowing they
are true "Ruggers";
teammates in the truest sense. Ducks
are active in other sports, volunteering
and leadership roles throughout the greater
Lansdale, PA area.
Pictured at left are most,
but not all of the 2008 team. Click here
a bigger picture.
2008 Ducks in action!
Go to our photo pages for the 2008 season:
3/2/08
game,
3/16/08
game, 4/6/08
game, 4/13/08
game,
4/20/08
game,
ColdStone
fundraiser, Pasta
party, 4/27/08
game |
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| Philosophy & Coaching
Staff |
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Our philosophy is simple. Rugby
should be fun and be a learning experience. Everyone should
play. Sportsmanship is more than shaking hands, it means
demonstrating respect for your opponent, teammates, coaches,
referees, parents, spectators and the sport.
The Ducks are coached by Ron Ziegler,
Joe Campbell and Brian Pickersgill. All three coaches
are certified by USA Rugby.
Ron Ziegler
• Has coached NPRFC Girls since 2001.
• Head Coach of Bryn Mawr-Haverford College Women’s Rugby Team.
• A Founding Father of the North Penn Rugby Football Club.
• Has been coaching rugby for almost 20 years including boys, men, women
and girls teams.
• Completed Athletic Training for Coaches certificate program through Montclair
State University.
Joe Campbell
• Current EPRU High School Girls’ Coordinator.
• Has coached NPRFC Girls since 2004.
• Serves as Administrator for the team.
• In addition to rugby certification is also certified to coach soccer.
• Completed first aid training courses.
Brian Pickersgill
• Has been coaching rugby forever.
• He is a distinguished and highly respected certified referee.
• Current President and a Founding Father of the North Penn Rugby Football
Club.
• Has coached North Penn boys, men and girls teams.
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Coached North Penn RFC boys to a fifth and eighth place finish in the National
Tournament. |
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| Club & Team
History |
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 The
Ruckin' Ducks are the High School Girls side of the North
Penn Football Rugby Club (NPRFC). Founded as a Youth
Rugby side in the Spring of 1988, NPRFC is one of the
only rugby organizations in the world to have emerged
from a Youth Rugby side into a full-fledged athletic
fraternity offering rugby to players of all ages. The
club was founded on the premise that rugby can and should
be built "from the ground up".
A Brief History
Our founding fathers included
Alan Marjoram, Brian Pickersgill (pictured at right
after officiating the Ducks' 2006 Prom Gown Game),
Barry Ward, Rick Schmilewske and Ron Zeigler. These
gentlemen had all played rugby in their younger
days and became involved in coaching Youth Rugby
teams sponsored by neighboring rugby clubs.
The first team ever
to take the field for NPRFC earned a berth
in the USA National High School tournament
in 1988, finishing eighth overall in the USA.
Mini and Junior rugby sides also flourished
during that first year. A North Penn Old Boys
Rugby side was formed in the fall of 1988,
competing under the name "Ruckin' Ducks" (a "ruck" is
a rugby term defined as "one or more players
from each team, who are on their feet, in physical
contact, closed around the ball on the ground.")
This side consisted mostly of NPRFC's Youth
Rugby coaches, parents and a few local expatriates
with rugby backgrounds. The North Penn "Old
Boys" team continued to compete and socialize
until approximately the fall of 1992. North
Penn fielded its first Senior club team in
the spring of 1989, and also attained full
member status with the East Penn Rugby Football
Union. 1997 saw a sharp increase in membership
and club activities both on and off the pitch.
Organized recruiting programs at all age levels
brought new members and new ideas to the club.
 2001
brought the establishment of the first ever
NPRFC High School Girl's rugby team. The girls
took on the name "Ruckin' Ducks" in
tribute to the original Old Boys team. The
girls team played very well in its inaugural
season under the direction of coaches Rich
L'Ecuyer, Jane Lisko, and Pete Burns.
The future looks very
bright for the North Penn Rugby Football Club.
Our senior team remains highly competitive,
and enjoys an outstanding reputation for its
camaraderie and team spirit. True to its heritage,
NPRFC remains committed to the cause of Youth
Rugby. We likewise remain committed to our
belief that building "from the ground
up" is the key to success for our rugby
club, and for USA Rugby.
To learn more about the history
of the NPRFC and the Boys and Seniors, please
visit www.northpennrugby.com.
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