As summer turns to fall, we reset the calendar and the code. 7s to XVs, heat to cold, tournaments to matches. With all the seasonal change, our goal remains the same. To be the best rugby club in the country. This can manifest itself in many forms.

Let’s start on the pitch.

Nothing brings up the vibes like playing winning rugby. But, to win in a competitive landscape, players must hard work and stay consistent. Not just Saturday for 80 minutes, but in small ways throughout the week. On time to training, fully focused. Eating healthy on off days, recovering after matches. These are all part of the rudimentary process of becoming a consistent and effective rugby player each and every week.

We must also gel as a collective whole. With a new coaching staff in place, a vision has been laid out to the men as what matchday cohesiveness will look like. How the players bond to each other will be the true marker of the team-wide trust in each other.

While the team chemistry drives the ship, there’s still the matter of pushing the boat forward. Individuals will be leaned on to generate go-forward ball. Who will rise to the occasion in the pack and run the ball 10-15 times ? Who will throw up their hand on defense and send the oppositions best runners backwards? Who in the backs will control the flow of the match, using their brain and boot to put us in the right areas of the pitch? Who will make plays when a play is what we need?

Tune in Saturday, 1pm at Cook Park as the First XV take on the Denver Highlanders. The match will be followed by the second XV taking on the Colorado School of Mines for a friendly pre season run.

Let’s end off the pitch.

We’ve ordered many things as a club over the years. Shirts, shorts, assorted gear, training equipment … like balls, bags, pads and cones. All of those things get used (down to the last strand of fabric), and when the time comes we order more.

I am delighted to announce that the club has bought a new (and different) piece of equipment that will serve everyone on match day. Thanks to the generosity of Peter Shafroth and the execution of Riley Falcon, the Denver Barbarians club branded tent has been ordered and delivered. This great club beacon will be the first thing to catch your eye as you pull up to the matches. Teeming with Green & White, some say on a clear day you can see the tent 10 miles away.

This noticeability and branding were done intentionally to create a bridge between old and new club members. We want a place where Barbo Boosters can flash their coin for a free hot dog and beverage. Under the Barbo Team Tent, all will be welcome to share food, drink and stories of past . present . future.