by Jenny Menke

  The sun is out in Minnesota and the Valkyries are enjoying that fantastic little season those outside of the tundra like to call summer.  Oh, yes, fall rugby and the dreaded winter will be here soon enough, but in the meantime, we’ve been keeping active.

Many of us could not stay away from the competition and have taken on alternative sports: Megan Zweber has been sailing competitively and spending time on local lakes.  Marta Zweber (second cousin, really.) reports, “I've decided to channel all of my summer energy into becoming a professional golfer. And by that I mean mini golf.”  If you’re up for a challenge, she can be found on the miniature golf greens of Como Park, day or night, working toward that elusive hole in one.  Jenny Menke has also found a new summer sport, taking on jiu-jitsu grappling and hoping to enter her first tournament later this summer.

Beer Here!

Is there such a thing as too much beer?  The clear (or at least pure golden) answer is no.  As a proud sponsor of the Minnesota Valkyries for a year and a half, Schells has reached their brew-making capacity.  Their 150-year old factory in New Ulm, Minnesota, found recent success with two of their newest beers, the Hopfenmalz and Nordeast, and is now in the process of adding three additional tanks to meet demand.  What an accomplishment!

The girls in maroon could not be happier.  Schells, the team’s exclusive beer sponsor, has supported the Valkyries by donating beer for all of our events, including the bi-annual Beer Olymics held at Mayslacks Bar.  Chopper, our point-man at the brewery, has fitted us in t-shirts for fundraisers and community events, supplied banners with our team name along side the famous Schell stag, and even invited a few lucky players and guests to a brewery tour last year.  With such a great company supporting its community, we’re not surprised that Schells has done so well in recent years.

Let’s raise our pint of Premium to Chopper and Schells and wish them another 150 years of continued success.

Hooker School and Touch Rugby start This Thursday!

What better way to kick off your training for fall than to come learn new skills and get a great workout in.  Taught by our very own tight 5 specialist, Coach Jane Tierney will be leading hooker school from 7-8pm, with all skill levels and positions encouraged to attend.  Once you've gotten your big-girl work in, come play no-contact touch rugby from 8-9.  Then, to Mayslacks we go.

Questions?  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Directions? Harrison Park

Excuses? none.  just be there, you wont regret it!

Leading up to the Women's Rugby World Cup, here is a tid bit of rugby from around the world.

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Check out video from the Midwest Thunderbirds game vs. Collegiate All-Americans!

Click the thumbnail above to launch the video!

Video by:

Gary Bingner
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The winning bid has been announced and it’s none other than our very own Twin Cities!  Beginning May 27th, eight All-Star women's teams from around the country will arrive to compete in the annual inter-territorial tournament.  The games will be played at the National Sports Center in Blaine and hosted by USA Rugby, Midwest Thunderbirds, The Valkyries, and the Twin Cities Amazons.

Games will be played on Friday and Sunday with the weekend culminating in a social on Sunday evening.  You can find a schedule of events, participating teams, and a list of sponsors at the official NASC 2010 website!

by Jenny Menke

If you’re reading this, you’re online, and you’ve already typed in searches for 187 different things today.  What was the name of that bar with the mechanical bull?

by Christy Ringgenberg

(taken from the weWaNTrugby.com blog, a website dedicated to the US Women's National Team)

I am a jock. I have been my entire life. Played every sport growing up, received a jock degree (Kinesiology Major), and continue to rearrange my life to play the sport I currently love.  As a jock I mostly think about where my 3rd, 4th and 5th meal are coming from and  how I am going to get errands done around my workouts that day. Sometimes interesting issues do pop up. When working toward being a National Team Rugby player, you can't let those pesky thoughts slow you down. This column is my release of heavy thoughts. Who knows, maybe you are thinking these things too. Welcome to “Weights on a Jock  Brain”.

The Valkyries started off their spring season this year in Menomonie, holding a skills clinic with the University of Wisconsin’s Eau Claire and Stout rugby teams.  Thirty-five ruggers from the two schools joined the Minnesota Valkyries to improve their passing, defense, and positional skills.  Over the course of the Saturday clinic, the Wisconsin women made great gains, building on their existing abilities and becoming more confident players.  The Valks look forward to returning for another clinic next spring and working with these two colleges in the near future.  If you are interested in having the Valkyries come to your school to work with you, contact Sarah Reuter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it