Atlantis Women to Hong Kong 7's: The Players' Perspective
by the Atlantis women, compiled by Jos
Bergmann - V2
Emil's
note of June 2013: I discovered this in a file of 1996 rugby articles ...
Not only didn't I remember it, I
don't remember it even after reading
it. As noted, it is a compilation - by Jos
Bergmann - of players' reaction to Atlantis'
participation in the 1996 International Club Sevens in
Hong Kong. "You'll be
hard-pressed to find someone who wasn't disappointed
in the women's tournament," said Nancy Fitz, and
that's true. But it led to so much, thanks to
Ian Robertson's visit and report to
IRB President Vernon Pugh, specifically praising the standard of Atlantis' play.
Are you rugby mad? Looking to take part in the wildest rugby event
in the world? Ready to spend a week enjoying nonstop rugby? Ten top
women rugby players said YES, YES, and YES to coach Emil Signes'
invitation to join 7's touring select side Atlantis to Hong Kong the
weekend of March 29. The first-ever Hong Kong women's 7's
tournament, hosted by the Hong Kong RFU and open to club and select
sides, was sandwiched between the Carlsberg Invitational 10's
Tournament and the world-renowned Cathay Pacific/Hong Kong Bank 7's.
The goal of the tournament was to generate interest in women's 7's
which would hopefully translate into the inclusion of a women's
bracket in the 1997 Hong Kong 7's World Cup. The tour package
included tickets to the 3-day 7's event and most of the Atlantis
team tested their rugby stamina by also opting to watch the 10's
tournament and various scrimmages instead of sightseeing. Here's the
recap as well as some of the player's thoughts regarding the week
long touring experience.
On March 22, the team met in Los Angeles and spent the weekend
enjoying Emil's ubiquitous fitness testing and two-a-day practices.
The UCLA women's club graciously agreed to scrimmage against us and
then showed us a good time the eve of our departure. Monday morning
a few stragglers from the night before were collected and we were
off en masse to Hong Kong. The Argentine men's 7's team, also en
route to Hong Kong, helped make the 14-hour journey more palatable
and set the tone for a completely rugby-dominated tour.
Our plane landed Tuesday night around 10 pm, and after a brief stop
at our hotel, we headed straight for the GoDown Bar, the watering
hole of rugby supporters and players from around the world.
Atlantis, showing tremendous stamina and a refusal to give in to
jetlag, danced the traveling kinks away. We managed to outlast
everyone and limped home in the early morning hours having acquired
a few more women's 7's supporters. But that was to be the last of
the late nights for a while as the team began to focus on Friday's
competition.
Wednesday morning was warm, grey, and humid, and most were up early
to watch the USA scrimmage New Zealand in preparation for their
upcoming tournament. The afternoon was spent at the Carlsberg
International 10's Tournament before commencing our first practice
in Hong Kong. Thursday brought an early morning practice followed by
the opportunity to watch another scrimmage, New Zealand v Wales.
Some spent the remainder of the day sightseeing and shopping but the
true rugby diehards returned to the 10's tournament, to watch an
exciting US Hogs plate victory and the Fijian team Manu Magicians
superb win over the Aliens from Japan. Then it was early to bed in
preparation for Friday's event.
Friday morning most Atlanteans enjoyed a hearty breakfast of bonuts
(their misspelling) and rolls from the local bakeries after being
refused entry into our hotel's restaurant. An hour-long torrential
downpour at 8 am left Aberdeen stadium under water and threatened
cancellation of the tournament. After watching the stadium crew
almost electrocute themselves while trying to pump the water off the
pitch, our ever-aware managerial crew spied a completely dry soccer
field close by. Inspired by adversity and committed to representing
US women's rugby with style, Atlantis took the field and dominated
the competition.
Final scores:
Atlantis 69 Asia Pacific 0
Atlantis 61 Timaru (NZ) 0
Atlantis 50 Combined VII 0
After trading t-shirts and taking lots of team photos, we were off
to the opening games of the men's 7's at the incredible Hong Kong
stadium. The next 3 days were spent in rugby heaven, thanks to the
electric atmosphere at the stadium and the endless procession of
exciting games. Sunday was for most Atlanteans the climax of the
week's rugby events. Early in the morning, scarred by our hotel's
refusal to serve us, the team traipsed down to the elegant Peninsula
hotel en route to the Hong Kong stadium. There, despite our colorful
team attire and loud American voices we were met with very friendly
service and were content to pay the ridiculously high price ($25)
for breakfast. Then we joined the thousands in the stadium for a
final wild and wonderful day of watching fast-paced games and
dancing in the stands, with the Fiji- New Zealand cup final
providing an exciting finale. We continued the day's celebrations
until the early hours of the morning, trading "badges", dancing, and
bar-hopping with rugby players from around the world.
The following is a selection of player comments regarding the tour.
Since what goes on tour stays on tour, some comments will have to
remain unexplainable.
Amy Westerman: This was the best tour of my life, regardless
of the fact that American Airlines lost my luggage BEFORE I even
left the country. The tour was successful for several reasons:
organization of tour was well tended; skill level of players was
very high; personalities of those on tour mixed very well. Met top
level men's players and they actually knew that the US Women's
Team/Atlantis existed and that we were serious rugby players. Nice
to know that other international players (men) respect the women's
game/abilities.
Tour Tips:
-Never stay at the Shamrock Hotel, Kowloon - the rooms are smelly
and they won't let you eat at their restaurant.
-Never let Sallie Ahlert converse directly with waiters/waitresses
in another country. -Always, always have Emil Signes be your coach
whenever possible. The man knows his shit and
he can put his money where is
mouth is. He is also the best schmoozer I have ever seen.
Sitting in the South end of the Hong Kong Stadium with the HOGS [US
HOGS, men’s team from New York, who won the Plate Championship at
the Hong Kong 10s on Thursday] on Sunday was a truly memorable
experience. They made that section into the best seats in the house.
Nancy Fitz: A big THANKS to the UCLA team and Tam for picking
us up at the airport, arranging for the practice facilities,
supplementing our lunch on Saturday, providing the best outside
opposition we received the whole trip, taking us to the
microbrewery, taking us to the airport, and generally being good
hostesses.
You'll be hard-pressed to find someone who wasn't disappointed in
the women's tournament. I have been describing it to people as a
logistical nightmare. A few thoughts on trying to put it in a
humorous light:
We should have known it was going to be a disaster when:
- The hotel wouldn't let us into the
restaurant for breakfast;
- It started pouring (like water running full
steam out of a faucet) during our morning team meeting and
presentation of the jerseys;
- Four players couldn't fit onto any of the first
10 subway trains through our station and 45 minutes went by before
they finally arrived;
- We got to Aberdeen stadium and about 70% of the
field was under water;
- The workers at the stadium started to drain the
field with a tiny ELECTRIC pump.
It's probably worth noting that the constantly-changing format
(i.e., number of games) even threw Emil off -- and screwed up his
carefully set-up (computer generated?) schedule of selections for
each game.
A few of the things I really enjoyed:
- Practicing and playing with such great players.
I really did learn a lot about rugby in general and sevens in
particular;
- Sitting in front of Jos and Candi at the sevens
tournament on Saturday and listening to them analyze/critique the
games. Sorry for eavesdropping, but see the previous bullet.
- Watching the Eagles - New Zealand scrimmage and
meeting/talking with the players afterwards;
- Experiencing the men's sevens tournament. For
starters, I have never seen a field dedicated specifically to rugby
(i.e., only rugby lines, with the 22's and 50 marked and no
burned-in soccer or football lines.) It was by far the most intense
rugby-watching experience I have every had -- and probably one of
the most interesting and intense sporting events I have attended.
The only way I have been able to describe it is like a whole bunch
of World Cup soccer matches strung back-to-back-to-back.
- The Thai food we had for dinner on Wednesday.
While the service left some room for improvement, that was by far
the best chicken with basil I have ever had.
I was truly honored to be selected for the team. While it sounds
corny as hell, I thought the best part of the trip was getting to
know (or getting to know better), playing with, and learning from
the other players and Emil.
Pam Irby: Coming from Merced, California, I wasn't accustomed
to the hustle and bustle of the big city, and certainly not the way
the people of Hong Kong do it. They push without apology and cut
lines without conscience. There are times of the day you literally
cannot get on the train as it is so crowded with people.
However, I'm glad I went. Although on tour it is a fineable offense
to admit it, I had never heard of the Hong Kong 7s until I received
an E-mail message from Sallie Ahlert about a group that Emil Signes
was gathering to play in a women's tournament in Hong Kong. A couple
of questions to the right people convinced me that this was
something that should not be missed.
Although we played in virtual anonymity in Aberdeen at a secondary
field, it wouldn't have mattered where we played. The Atlantis team
was easily the class of the tournament and I would have played
anywhere to have the chance to be on the same team as these women.
The men's Hong Kong 7's is more than a tournament, it is an
international experience that brings rugby fans from around the
world year after year. At one point, I was seated between a
Frenchman on one side and a Scotsman in a kilt on the other, in Hong
Kong.
The teams and the fans all come with a dream, of their team winning
the bowl, or plate, or even the cup trophy. I, too, came with a
dream. That this nearly anonymous women's tournament would be the
start of something bigger.
I dare say that the Atlantis women's team had superior seven's
skills than some of the men's teams. I also think the fans would be
receptive of seeing some top quality women's sevens, perhaps a
championship game of an international tournament. It would be a big
boost for women's rugby, a dream come true. It would even get me
back to Hong Kong.
MJ Mohl: The weather paralleled our events and moods for the
day- i.e., it was all dejection and rain and gloom at the prospect
of cancellation of the tourney, but as we found we could use the
soccer pitch the clouds parted, and as we actually played (and
played well) the sun really started shining. By the end of the
tourney, it was the brightest and sunniest day of the trip! Just a
coincidence? I think there's something to those rumors of rugby gods
and weather...
I think the international camaraderie that was displayed was
impressive, not only among the men participating in the tournament,
but among all the rugby players present, Atlantis women included. it
was great to see other nations' men (specifically the All Blacks and
the Scottish) show an interest in our performance and success. This
may not translate directly into support, but it is at least
acknowledgment of our participation in rugby.
Kim Cyganik: The whole tour had a nice progression from the
team "bonding" and shopping for Amy in LA to the U.S. men's
scrimmage with NZ, Atlantis practices, watching the 10s, our own
long-awaited tournament, our victory (of course), and last but not
least the famous Hong Kong 7s.
It was nice to represent the women of the U.S. as Atlantis and tell
people that we were not just there to watch the men but that we had
our own goals and talents. It was nice to get to know the Eagles on
a personal level and have some of their support. It puts in the back
of my mind how nice it would be to travel as a unit sometimes,
although this is highly unlikely.
I didn't feel "rugbied out" (never spelled the word before) since
there was so much different kinds of rugby to watch (10s, 7s,
men/women, etc).
At times I felt kind of like a saleswoman, but it was fun promoting
us and telling people about women's rugby. It is something I believe
in selling.
I feel like we achieved our short term goals. We played together and
showed we know how to play technically sound rugby. I think the
other teams liked us and what we had to show.
Most memorable moments:
- Definitely Sallie pulling the handle off in the
subway and the number of international incidents she was involved
in.
- Dancing on the tables at the banquet and
watching the French rugby players wrap all the glassware and plates
up in the table cloth and setting it off to the side.
- Watching four cabs ignore the French players.
- Meeting a number of top level rugby players and
finding out how personable they really are.
- Actually getting to walk on the stadium pitch.
- A person at the party asking Amy if she was a
"RA RA" girl for the Eagles.
- Arriving at the stadium and seeing the pitch
underwater and feeling like it was never going to happen.
On a serious note it was memorable for me to have the opportunity to
play with higher level rugby players. Between practice, playing, and
watching the number of matches we did I learned more in a week then
in some seasons. Watching this level and playing at this level made
me more excited about rugby.
Jos Bergmann: I would encourage anyone who loves rugby to
make a trip to the Hong Kong 7's at least once in their lifetime- it
is an experience like no other.
Tour highlights for me include practicing and playing with some of
my favorite rugby people and getting to know a few new ones, being
on informal "tu" (instead of vous) basis with French center Olivier
Campan, swapping for a pair of striped Argentine socks, and spending
Sunday with those wild and crazy Hogs.
I think that I speak for my fellow Atlanteans when I say that I was
proud to be a part of the Atlantis tradition and happy to continue
the perfect winning record started by the Atlantis women at the 1992
Benidorm 7's.
Sallie Ahlert: The past eight months has been truly exciting
for me to see a spark in U.S. women's 7s. I believe that Emil's
involvement and his push towards some form of participation during
the Hong Kong 7s has set the stage for international women's 7s. For
his vision and interest, plus the interest of so many top athletes
in our sport, I will always be grateful.
On a lighter note, my Hong Kong experience left me wondering about
the safety of standing and holding the knobs during one's subway
ride. It also confirmed that my meal experiences would be much more
pleasant, if I would not speak at all and instead allow others to
order on my behalf, particularly when English is not the prevailing
language.
I am truly an unworthy skit-master. Perhaps my punishment was being
the only one on our tour held up by U.S. customs.
Finally, am I doomed to come home with some major malady [Sallie
arrived with pneumonia and spent several days at home in bed] on
every tour????
Janet Marshall: The women's event was held on a beautiful
day. Fun was to be had by all. The only thing lacking was tough
competition. I'm sure everyone would have enjoyed an intense match.
10's was good fun. Nice to cheer for a home (USA) team that is
competitive.
7's play was excellent. Something was to be learned by each of us.
Final match was outstanding.