AF picks Tyndall Airmen to play Ruffian's game



 6 "Rugby embodies teamwork, the warrior mindset and builds ca-
 maraderie for Airmen."
 ERIC CAPPELL
 325th Maintenance Group


continue on."
 Not only do the Airmen expect
to get a full dose of sportsmanship
and camaraderie out of the game,
they also foresee other benefits as
well.
 "During the next tournament, I
expect to learn and be mentored
by the senior players," Morgan
said. "I expect a lot of team build-
ing and communication of shared
knowledge."
 Another benefit of Rugby, is
the sport's ability to condition the


body to be fit-to-fight.
 "To prepare for Rugby, I lift
weights, do Air Force physical
training, run 20 to 30 miles a week
and practice with the local Rugby
team, the Panama City Beach Hur-
ricanes," said Cappell.
 Sports, such as rugby, can be
an alternative to traditional ways
of working out. To find out more
about Air Force Rugby, go to www.
airforcerugby.com. To find out
about ways to play Rugby locally,
go to www.pcbeachrugby.com.


 ,ourLesy pnotos
Matt Morgan, who plays the position of hooker, charges with the
ball during an Air Force tournament Rugby game.


SENIOR AIRMAN SARAH MCDOWELL
325th Fighter Wing public affairs
 An old saying says, "Football is
a gentleman's game played by ruf-
fians, and rugby is a ruffian's game
played by gentlemen."
 But in this case, it is a game
played by Airmen.
 Two Tyndall Airmen have been
picked up for the Air Force Rugby
Team, and will represent the Air
Force during the Armed Forces
Championship in Camp Lejuene,
North Carolina.
 Eric Cappell, with the 325th
Maintenance Group and Matt Mor-
gan with the 83rd Fighter Weap-
ons Squadron both believe that Air
Force Rugby is important to foster
"the warrior spirit," and enhance
competitive drive.
 "Rugby embodies teamwork, the
warrior mindset and builds cama-
raderie for Airmen," said Cappell.
 Rugby is a very intense, full-con-
tact sport that is played with very
stringent rules due to the nature of
the game (unlimited contact with
little or no body padding.) The
game is hailed to be the first and
oldest form of football still played
today.
 Morgan comments about the
sport, "Keeping up is the most


challenging aspect. There is al-
ways something going on out on
the field, and you have to be aware
of your senses."
 Rugby is one of the 15 sports the
Air Force sponsors.
 The Air Force Sports Program is
designed to give active duty, Na-
tional Guard and reserve Air Force
personnel an opportunity to par-
ticipate at the Air Force, Armed
Forces, national and international
sports events.
 "Air Force Rugby has several
tournaments through out the year,
and through those tournaments,
the coaches pick the players who
will go on to other events," said
Cappell.
 The team that was chosen to go
to Camp Leguene was picked up
from a tournament in Savannah,
Ga.
 "It is honor to be chosen to com-
pete, because I know so many play-
ers who are capable to go on to this
tournament," said Morgan.
 For these Airmen, playing Air
Force Rugby is a great continua-
tion after high school or college
sports.
 "Sports don't have to end after
high school," Cappell said. "Air
Force sports are a great way to


June 9, 2006


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