In collaboration with the University of Minnesota Women's Rugby Club, the Valkyries held an impressive clinic for local high school girls on Saturday April 17th, 2010.  The all-day  event, which began with an exciting scrimmage vs. the U of M, was attended by over 70 local high school rugby women and culminated with a BBQ and time to relax in the sunshine.

The three hour clinic introduced new rugby players to the basics of passing, team play, and tackling, while giving some of the more advanced players time to work on specifics with the coaching staff of over 15 U of M and Valkyrie players.  Sarah Reuter, the event's organizer says that the event was a success because of "the huge number of people from both the Valkyries and the U of M that were willing to step-up and teach the girls the drills and games we do everyday.  We have such a passion for rugby and so we were excited to pass that on the best we could."  

by Jenny Menke

It’s that time of year when the voices start speaking to you.  (Or, if you’re Gill, the voices speak to you all year round.)  I’m talking about New Year’s resolutions – those pesky vocals asking you to be a better person and make this year, 2010, the best year yet.  You can’t avoid them.  They speak to you at red lights, in the frozen food section of Cub, while flossing (What?  You don’t floss?  Put it at the top of your list.)  What are they saying to you?  “Make more time for fitness?”  “Meet new people?”  “Help others?”  No need to feel overwhelmed or guilty: the Minnesota Valkyries are here to help.

by Jenny Menke

When nine of the Minnesota Valkyries traveled to Colorado in June to compete against Canada, they played in Glendale’s Infinity Stadium.  Getting ready in a locker room and catching replays on the JumboTron while an announcer gives the play-by-play is not typical of women’s club side matches.  Traditionally, field space is hard to come by and necessity often leads the players themselves to line and clean the field.  "Playing in the stadium feels as if you are in a foreign country.  It is so great to get that experience while on American grass," says Valkyrie Kristy Lear. 

The New York Times published an article on July 14, focusing on the city of Glendale and the risk it took in building a rugby stadium at the center of a town of 4,800.  The two-page article recounts the stimulus for the stadium as well as some of the struggles it faces.  One provision that’s sure to please players: the stadium will not host other sports.  Infinity Stadium was built as a rugby stadium and will maintain that monicker.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/15/sports/15rugby.html?pagewanted=1&hpw

On the Sidelines at the USA/England International 7’s Final

Traveling Valkyrie Lena drove from Arizona to San Diego to watch teammate Christy Ringgenberg play in the USA Sevens Rugby Tournament at PETCO Park. Seven women’s teams from around the world competed over the weekend of February 13-14, 2009 for the title. Here, Lena offers her perspective on the final match.

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On behalf of the Minnesota Valkyries, I wish to welcome you to our new website!

Minnesota Valkyries at USAR 2008 Women's Division I Club Championships

There is a saying:

Before you can move forward, you must have some sense of where you have come from and where you are today.

In 2008, the Minnesota Valkyries Women's Rugby Club celebrated 30 years of existence, our 20 year anniversary of winning the USA Women's National Championship, and 17 years since the creation of the official Valkyries team.  We have a long and strong history of dedicated and ambitious women who have made every rugby moment possible for those of us who play today and dream of playing with us in the future.

This website is a tool for us to pay homage to those before us.  It is also a chance to share in our successes and victories of today.  And, we will use it to provide information to those in the larger community to celebrate our teammates' achievements and to keep up with where our vision is taking us.  Our new website is the vehicle we hope you will use to stay connected with us.

I am very excited for what the future holds for the Minnesota Valkyries and thank you for visiting our website today.  We greatly appreciate your support (social memberships are available!) and please come back again soon!

Wishing you a prosperous and safe 2009!

Blaire Zummak
President, Minnesota Valkyries

What does it cost to live the dream?  The rugby dream that is.  A strict diet?  A new fitness routine?  A four-month move to Arkansas?  If you are Christy Ringgenberg, these things are just the beginning.  As a five-year veteran of the USA Women’s National Seven’s Team and third-year captain, Ringgenberg has been to Dubai, Hong Kong, the Bahamas, Amsterdam, England and countless American cities to compete with the national team. This year, the bar has been raised.