The British Embassy and the U.S. Department of State are celebrating the launch of “Try Rugby USA,” a campaign to grow international community outreach and youth development around Rugby in the U.S., with a friendly rugby match.
WHAT: U.S. v UK Friendly Touch Rugby Game
WHEN: 12:30-2:00pm Wednesday 24 February 2016
WHERE: Cooper Field at Georgetown University
3700 O St NW Washington DC 20007
Playing on the UK team is Ken Harvey, a former Washington Redskins player, to help highlight the affinity for sports on both sides of the Atlantic and the NFL international series in London. Other members of the UK team consist of British Embassy staff and British Defence staff. Tosh Askew, who has coached England U19s for 5 years and won Grand Slam in 2004, Nic Rouse, rugby union player for London Irish in the Aviva Premiership, and Caryl Thomas, head coach of the University of Bath Women’s rugby team and has played for Wales Women in the Six Nations Championship and in two World Cups (2010, 2014), will coach the UK team.
Playing on the US team includes Whitney Stowell, President of Washington Irish RFC, and Chris Howard, a Tiger Rugby coach. Other players will include U.S. Department of State staff. James Walker, founder of Tiger Rugby, will coach and play on the US team.
The event is open to the public and media and free to attend. Parking is extremely limited, public transportation is recommended.
Rugby Facts:
- Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the US.
- The UK hosted the Rugby World Cup in 2015.
- Rugby will be part of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, having last been an Olympic sport in 1924. The US won gold that year, so have been the gold medal holders for more than 90 years.
- Famous rugby players include Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, John F Kennedy, JRR Tolkien, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, Russell Crowe, Chris Farley, Meat Loaf and Ernesto “Che” Guevara.
History of Rugby:
Rugby lore has the game originating in 1823, when a pupil at Rugby School, William Webb Ellis, picked up the ball during a football match and ran with it. This new game slowly spread around public schools and universities, with the first formal rules inked in 1845. A Rugby Football Union (RFU) followed in 1871, with an inaugural international – England versus Scotland – played that same year. 1883 then witnessed Britain’s Home Nations Championship, the first international rugby competition. By 1908, with the sport having long spread into many former British colonies, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa had all sent touring teams to compete.
Despite continued growth, rugby union didn’t turn professional until the International Rugby Board (later the IRFB, now World Rugby) removed player-payment restrictions in 1995. Continental club competitions soon followed, including Europe’s much-vaunted Heineken Cup and Super Rugby in the southern hemisphere. Today, World Rugby boasts 117 member countries.
For the first time, Premiership Rugby will host a game in the US. The London Irish v Saracens game will be played at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on 12 March 2016.
Try Rugby USA
Hosted by British Council USA, Friends of the British Council USA, and USA Rugby geographical unions and state based rugby organizations, the coaches from the Aviva Premiership Rugby Clubs will be joined on the road by coaches from US based Tiger Rugby. Together they will deliver a range of coach education sessions, coaching clinics for schools, universities, clubs, youth programs as well as linking with existing rugby based social projects like Play Rugby USA. They hope to build a sustainable network of coaches, clubs and players designed to bring together, develop the skills of and inspire the US rugby community to build pathways to introduce the sports and its values to youth.
Activities will take place in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Texas in the coming months.
For more details: http://www.britishcouncil.us/programmes/society/try-rugby-usa
| Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar partners with friend and Neighbor Chef Ryan Gordon of British Pub Queen Vic for the third year in a row to present the popular, always sold out, Kentucky Derby Pig Roast on Saturday May 7th at 3 pm. Chef Ryan’s 2016 menu boasts an array of bourbon infused selections featuring this year’s partner Bulleit Bourbon, Beer Braised Sausage featuring Brewery Partner Anderson Valley and mouth-watering sides such as Pimento Mac and Cheese.
To sip; Bulleit Rye Mighty Mint Juleps with house-made, mint simple syrup and mint infused Bulleit Rye, as well as select brews from Anderson Valley; Summer Solstice Seasonal Ale (slightly sweet and malty), Briney Melon Gose (tart with subtle watermelon flavors and aromas), Boont Amber Ale (herbal, spicy, bitter) and Wild Turkey Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout (toffee, espresso, chocolate, barley), all on tap.
The $48 ticket prices includes all you can eat and all you can tap from the Anderson Valley kegs. Mint Juleps, Little Miss Whiskey’s 130 plus craft beers, 60 plus whiskeys and full bar will be available for purchase. The Derby will be aired live at 6:34 pm and women are encouraged to wear hats. Tickets can be purchased here: https://lmw.ticketspice.com/kentucky-derby-pig-roast-saturday-may-7th-2016
Chef Gordon continues to out do himself and this year’s roast is no different. The 2016 Kentucky Derby Pig Roast Menu:
Apple & Bulleit Bourbon Injected Whole Roasted Pigs
Bulleit Bourbon & Caramel Dipped Pork Belly Lollipop
House-Made Sausage Braised in Beer & Sauerkraut Peach & Bulleit Bourbon Glazed Slow-Cooked Ribs
served w/ sides of Jalapeno Cheesy Grits Pork Belly Potato Salad Bacon & Bulleit Bourbon Baked Beans |
BONNETS & BOWTIES
Saturday, May 7, 2016
4pm to 7pm
The Willard InterContinental
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20004
Enjoy the “fastest two minutes in American sports,” at the Willard InterContinental’s Annual Bonnets & Bowties Party.
Celebrate the 142nd Kentucky Derby in the Willard Room with an afternoon of Maker’s Mark Mint Juleps (2 per person), an open beer and wine bar, a Sothern Style Buffet, a live jazz ensemble by Chris Grasso Jazz Trio, casino-style games including Black Jack, Roulette and Craps, as well as a contest for the “Best Derby Bonnet.”
$99 per person
Reservations: 202-942-7000
Redskins wide receiver Pierre Garçon will celebrate his fourth annual White Party benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) next Thursday, June 2. The rooftop soiree, for which guests are asked to wear white clothing from head to toe, will be held at the Millennium Building (1909 K St. NW) where local athletes, NFL executives, community leaders and Washington VIPs will rub elbows for a good cause.
Since becoming part of the Washington community, Garçon has committed himself to supporting at-risk youth in the D.C. area through his partnership with BGCGW. Last year, Garçon helped raise $106,000 for BGCGW, money that is earmarked to help foster a generation of innovative, talented future leaders nationwide.
“Organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington helped pave the path for my success,” Garçon says. “This event allows me to give back and say thank you to those dedicated to bettering the young adults who are the future leaders of our communities.”
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington President & CEO Pandit Wright looks forward to the White Party every year. “On behalf of the Clubs, this is one of our favorite events of the year! Pierre Garcon has been a generous and engaging role model for our kids and teens, said Wright. “Not only is it a great social occasion; the White Party allows us to showcase the winner of our Youth of the Year competition. This year’s winner is Miss Faith Moore from our Heiser Branch in Dumfries, VA.”
Guests at the White Party will enjoy a live auction, a performance by a surprise performer and plenty of complimentary Tito’s Handmade Vodka and D’ussé cock
Past high-profile White Party attendees include Washington Wizards star John Wall, Former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, hip-hop legend Biz Markie and dozens of Garcon’s teammates, including Kirk Cousins, Ryan Kerrigan, Colt McCoy and Niles Paul as well as former Redskins Doug Williams, Robert Griffin III, Kai Forbath and Brian Orakpo.
With the help of top sponsors The Tower Companies, Paisano’s Pizza, Burger 7 and Pita Pouch, Garçon intends to raise even more funds for the BGCGW and their causes.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, June 2
- Time: 7 to 10 pm
- Location: The Millennium Building, 1909 K St. NW, Washington, D.C.
On Saturday, June 4, Nationals Park and Budweiser will host a Washington Nationals vs. Cincinnati Reds viewing party at 3 p.m. The first 1,000 fans to enter the park will catch the game on the NatsHD big screen from the outfield grass. Concessions will be available for purchase throughout the entire viewing party — including $5 Budweiser and Bud Light happy hour specials.
Event details below:
Date: June 4
Time: 3 to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Parking: Garage B & C (free)
Entrance: All fans will enter through the Center Field Gate at Half and N Streets SE
Permissible items: Water and blankets are permissible on the field.
Other seating: Seating will be available in Sections 105 – 117 for those who enter the ballpark after the first 1,000 fans or those who wish to sit in the lower bowl rather than on the field.
Restricted items: While chairs, alcohol and soft drinks will not be allowed on the field, alcohol and soft drinks purchased at the event may be consumed along the warning track on the field level.
Annual Events DC Nation’s Triathlon returns to Washington DC onSeptember 11, 2016. The prestigious event will again host sprint and Olympics distances and is renowned for a scenic course that winds through the National Mall and Memorial Parks. The triathlon includes a swim in the Potomac River and bike course through the streets of Washington and along Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway. The race finishes with a run along the water and a spectacular finish south of the FDR Memorial.
3,300 triathletes
· 59% men and 41% women participating
· 41 states and 10 countries represented
Expo and Packet Pickup- Omni Shoreham Hotel,2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Race Day – West Potomac Park, West Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20024
Expo and Packet Pickup
o Friday, September 9 3:00pm-7:00pm
o Saturday, September 10 10:00am- 5:00pm
· Race Day– Sunday, September 11
o 7:00 am – Olympic Race Starts
o 8:30 am – Sprint Race Starts
o 11:30 am – Awards Ceremony
Race Weekend Details:
· Events DC Nation’s Triathlon features Sprint and Olympic distance events. The triathlon features a swim, bike, and run through the monument corridor, before finishing at West Potomac Park. Participants will receive a finisher’s medal, technical t-shirt, post-race breakfast and complimentary massages.
· Races-Within-a-Race: The Events DC Nation’s Triathlon features several Races-Within-a-Race including a First Responders’ Challenge, Tri Club Challenge, Herbalife Congressional Challenge, and Military and Uniformed Services Challenge. There is also a Collegiate Challenge as part of the sprint race.
· The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society returns as the official and exclusive charity of the event; Nation’s Triathlon is the only triathlon in the country to benefit research toward a cure for blood cancers. Through the Team In Training program, participants have raised more than $14 million for blood cancer research and patient service programs.
· Meter Marked Buoy System: The race features a comprehensive swim buoy system, which marks every 100 meter of the swim course for both the Sprint and Olympic distances. The buoy system provides clear swim course sighting for participants and enhances general water safety measures.
· Sport & Fitness Expo: Focal point of all pre-race activities where all participants pick up race packets, attend safety briefings and mingle through the exhibitors and sponsors at the Expo. The Sport & Fitness Expo is openFriday, September 9 3:00pm-7:00pm and Saturday September 10 10:00am – 5:00pm.
· Finish Line Festival: Located in West Potomac Park, the Finish Line Festival will feature entertainment and live music for the whole family. The Awards Ceremony will conclude the festival at 11:30 am.
SHOW JUMPING’S SUPERSTARS IN COSTUMES
- Thursday, October 26 (7:00-10:30pm): Barn Night reigns as groups of horse-crazy enthusiasts come to Capital One Arena to cheer on their favorite riders. Riders can go all out for their costumes: painting their horse, wearing masks, and donning laugh-out-loud attire. Horse lovers will have a chance to enter contests, win great prizes, and enjoy a fun, horse-filled evening of exciting jumping competition.
