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2009 Rudy Kelly Alumni Matches
11/28/09

The long wait is over, the excitement is building!! Saturday, Nov. 28 will be the date for the 2009 Rudy Kelly Alumni Match. Dust off the boots, find those shorts, dig up your socks and bring yourselves to the Pocono Rd. pitch in Denville on Sat., Nov. 28, 12 noon.

1. Registration will begin at 12 noon. Everyone, player and parent alike, will be asked to register and pay a $15 fee which covers a small donation to the Gibby Fund, plus the after match social which will again be held at the Rattlesnake Ranch Cafe in Denville from 3:30 to 6:00 pm. There will be a family discount of $50 max for a family with 4 or more. Each registered individual will be given a wrist bracelet to use as your entrance into the Rattlesnake for the social. Payment can also be made at the Rattlesnake. Finger foods and sodas will be provided, with a cash bar for adult beverages.

2. Kickoff for the first ever U19 Girls Alumni match 12 noon - 2 15/20 minute halves

3. Kickoff for the Boys U19 Alumni match will be 1pm. - This year there will be a new format to accommodate the growing number of 'older players'. To start off with, we will have 2 20-min periods whereby the existing club members will play against the alumni from the years 2008 and 2009. Following these halves, we will divide the remaining alumni into two teams, including the coaches, to play 2 or 3 20-minute periods, as interest demands.

4. This year, we have had to increase he price for the Alumni Jerseys due to a change in manufacturer. The new cost for an alumni jersey will be $55 and will be on sale those that need one. Remember, you will be playing in your Alumni jersey!!

By limiting the amount of playing time, to about 3 hours total, we allow everyone plenty of time to socialize afterwards, renewing old friendships etc.. At the Rattlesnake, finger foods and sodas will be provided, with a cash bar for adult beverages.

Last year we asked for donations to support the troops overseas. It was an overwhelming success with approx. 40-50 boxes of goods sent over to our troops. This year, in true Morris Rugby fashion, we are supporting another local charity, Birth Haven, through the Chester Fire Dept. The Chester Fire Department has always been a big help with our Youth Festival. Please join me in assisting with their community efforts.

Items needed:
Baby Monitors
Baby Wipes
Infant and Toddler clothes
Crib sheets
Bath Towels
Phone cards for our residents to stay in touch with their families
Gift cards to Babies R Us, Walmart, Shoprite
Baby safety items
Pillows
Bathrobes for moms
Toiletries for new moms
Baby socks
Receiving blankets
Snowsuits
Bouncer seats
Bottle warmers
Packages of onesies all sizes 0-12 months
Birth Haven can only accept new items, and they are aware that the following requests are quite pricey; however, the current residents are truly in need of the additional following items:
Breast pumps
Car seats
Stroller combos

Finally, we will ask for the traditional bonfire.. we will ask for the Lane soup kitchen.. we will ask for the Grego covers.. we will ask as many of you as possible to attend. The Kelly's, Rudy's parents, will be there to provide the ceremonial pre-match toss of the coin. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Bring your friends, spread the word to any current and former player you are in contact with, let them know you are playing.

Beyond that, I would hope you all will plan on attending to remember and honor those that have come before and those that represent the current. For a few of us, emotions run very high on this day and well they should. As you know, Coach Kurt and I are all about tradition and carrying on the legacy of the club. In so doing, every player, past and present understands who and what came before them so they can appreciate that they are playing for the honor of the badge that graced or graces their chest.

See you on the 28th!!