Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation

2011 MARF STATE CHAMPIONS CROWNED

Boys Division 1 - Southside Barbarians over Edina Hornets

Girls Division 1 - Armstrong Falcons over Orono Nightmares

Boys Division 2 - Western Alliance over St. Cloud Steelheads

Girls Division 2 - Rogers Wildcats over Edina Hornets

Boys U17/JV - St. Michael - Albertville over Hopkins

Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation Announces Additional $10,000 in Funding
Plans in Near Future to Expand Introductory Rugby Programs in Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation (MARF) announced it will use a $10,000 matching funds grant from USA Rugby to continuously develop and expand introductory rugby programs in the state of Minnesota. The funding will be allocated to hiring “Rookie Rugby” Facilitators, who will augment the efforts of MARF’s Youth Rugby Program Manager in developing rugby programs for youth in Minnesota.

“This is a tremendous leap for youth rugby in Minnesota, and we look forward to developing our Youth Rugby Programs on a much larger scale,” said Youth Rugby Program Manager Andrew Mase. “Our high school teams and organizations will see increasing numbers of student-athletes playing rugby at an earlier age; I want to extend my gratitude to USA Rugby, and to MARF board member Abby Rombalski for her grant writing efforts.”

Since becoming Minnesota’s State Based Rugby Organization (SBRO), and launching its youth programs in September 2010, MARF has introduced over 4000 students, grades K-12, to the sport of rugby. MARF is a 501c3 charitable foundation committed to fostering and supporting the development of national and international amateur rugby in Minnesota.

Press Release:

As one of its first actions as Minnesota’s State Based Rugby Organization, the Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation (M.A.R.F.), announces, the selection of Andrew Mase as their Youth Rugby Program Manager for Minnesota. Andrew began his Rugby career in Minnesota at Edina High School in 2002, playing 5 seasons with the Hornets. During his senior year, he earned a spot on the USA U-19 squad, traveling to Dubai and competing in the World Junior Championships in 2006 with the U.S.A. Jr. Eagles. Continuing his Rugby career at the University of California, Berkeley, he played a leadership role in 3 national championship victories with the Golden Bears, and earned a B.A. degree in Social Welfare from Cal-Berkley. His experience with Youth Rugby includes serving as the Assistant Director of Learn Rugby MN, an organization that has introduced Rugby to over 2000 children during the past 4 years. He also assisted with the coordination of the 2008 & 2009 Minnesota State High School Tournaments.

Minneapolis Minnesota, September 18, 2010– As part of an expanding effort to improve the growth of Youth Rugby in Minnesota, the Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation recently applied for, and was granted State Based Rugby Organization, (S.B.R.O.) status by the U.S.A. Rugby Union.

M.A.R.F. President, Rob Clarno explains; “With the addition of the position of Youth Program Manager, our efforts to increase the Rugby programs available for Youth will greatly expand. The Youth in this region will have additional opportunities to experience the enjoyment and benefits of playing Rugby.”

About The Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation - The Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation (MARF) is a charitable foundation committed to fostering, and supporting the development of national and international amateur rugby in Minnesota. Since its inception, in 1984 the foundation has maintained a 501(C)3 status as a charitable organization. This provides for the raising and distribution of tax-exempt funds in support of local youth rugby programs, referees, and toward players representing Minnesota in National and International competition.

collision The Minnesota Amateur Rugby Foundation (MARF) is a charitable foundation committed to fostering, and supporting the development of national and international amateur rugby. in Minnesota. Since it's inception the foundation has maintained a 501(C)3 status as a charitable organization. This provides for the raising and distribution of tax-exempt funds in support of local youth rugby programs, referees, and toward players representing Minnesota in National and International competition.