Parents- would your son like to learn rugby, the newest* Olympic sport? Well Amity now has a fine program started and we are setting up our program for 2010-11.

Practices this fall and winter will lead to play next spring against other clubs around the state.

Amity along with our united team partner Madison finished 3-2 with some doubt that a bad call cost us one of those loses. We have returning veteran players who will help the club and younger players.

Learn more about the club at www.amityrugby.org or on facebook (Just search "Amity Rugby"). Call me at 203-397-0243.

We are ALWAYS looking for sponsors so please consider helping out!

*rugby was an Olympic sport until 1924 when the USA won the Gold.

What started out as a dream for Head Master Sang Pil Kim a decade ago in a small store front in Amity Shopping plaza has become a booming entity with so many classes that he will be opening his expanded facility this week. Many would argue that 'Tae Kwon Do' [TKD] has transition from an "activity" to a genuine sport given there are very rigid training requirements and active regular local, regional and statewide competitions.

At the Woodbridge school (in Amity Plaza) classes run in age from tots to adults for fitness and real competition. http://www.bigkick.com/?news=379.

Few things are quiet as amazing than to see as a petite, 7 year old, 45 pound young lady give a whack to a kicking dummy with a big “THUNK”, it brings a cheer from the parents watching.

There is more to the story than the sport though, there is the side we parents love and that is the one on one interaction for our kids with Master Kim's wonderful staff. The life lessons the children are taught in self discipline, respect for others and personal achievement. In this world today it is great to see the kids respond to the earning of awards for being good and studying as part of the program.

Like baseball and soccer the kids involvement in 'Tae Kwon Do' here in Amity has sprouted many new relationships between local parents. One definitely feels a strong comradery and a part of the " Tae Kwon Do family". Master Ba Ny [Bonnie] made us all purel our hands last cold and flu season from the big bottle she shared. "Don't want our children sick" she said in her wonderful way with her no stop smile. As charming as she is as a blck belt instructor she is no nonsense when it comes to teaching the sport she loves.

Most of us sit together several times per week to enjoy watching our kids have a blast and strive towards their personal goals. Many of the TKD participants at the Woodbridge school like my son Tom picked this sport over tradional programs in baseball and soccer to focus on. He says it is more fun and closer to his kind of training. He is constantly at it when home to the point where I had to make him a space in the garage with a boxing kick bag. The kids at Beecher Road School all know about TKD and it has brought many new friendships.

The Woodbridge school is also branching more into adult level programs and features Adult Cardio Fitness Classes a few days per week.

Master San Kim is a fifth degree Black Belt and has a Bachelors Degree in Tae Kwon Do [TKD] from Kyung Hee University. Master Kim was a member of the elite Korean National Demonstration Team and has demonstrated Tae Kwon Do for major events such as the Asian Games and Tae Kwon Do World Championships. Master Kim is also certified as a Tae Kwon Do Referee and as a nun-chuck, sword and bo staff instructor. http://www.bigkick.com/index.php?news=16

Master Ban Ny Kim, 5th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, works at World Champion’s Woodbridge location. Master Ban Ny’s specialty is Rhythm Tae Kwon Do, and cardio kick boxing. She has made TV appearances on KTV, MDC, and other Korean television stations, as well as Rhythm Tae Kwon Do demonstrations around Korea.

Master Kim holds a Bachelors degree from Suwon Women's University and has been a Instructor at Baesok University, Kyunjoo University, and the Rhythm Tae Kwon Do Association

The homes have been in a blighted state for nearly three years in violation of the town ordinance # 4675.1 section “C” and probably sections A & B also.

Anyone passing by this property can see the buildings and land have descended to a point where, if they were in an inner city, we’d call it a slum.

Why does Woodbridge allow a slum on Litchfield Turnpike and Bradley Road to exist? The owners cutting the grass is not the answer.

It was two ties to none in a fairly easy win for Amity (supporded by madison players) to end their first ever season.

Next on the agenda is the 7's tournement in Cheshire - July 31st.

Today May 19, 2010 is a big day for those of us who welcome seeing "downtown" Woodbridge a more attractive place.

The autobody shop at 204 Amity Road next to Peoples Bank has been leveled!

What will replace this building is news to me, it can never be worse. Seeing the wrecker take down that hulking eyesore made my week.

Sunday May 2, 2010- Wreckers Field Westport

The Amity-Madison united club took on Fairfield County/Metro NY powerhouse Staples and nearly walked away with 2 wins. The "A" side only included 1 Amity player, but even as underdogs the side almost took the match.

Were it not for the grinding down a veteran team can do to a younger side to take the advantage near the end of play - the final score would have been closer.

On the "B" side the young men of Amity were the majority scrummers and they delivered an outstanding level of play given their inexperience.When the final whistle sounded the ref gave the nearly tied match to Staples -- but only because a tri scored by an Amity player was disallowed, as he step out of bounds in the back of the shortened (football size) end zone.

Everyone on the field of play knows who actually won the match. Southigton is the likely next match for the club on May 16, but not confirmed.

Amity club has reached nearly 20 members as of 5-4-2010 and all high school age boys from the area can join. High schoolers at the local private schools who don't have a club can join the Amity side. More info at : www.amityrugby.org.

Amity rugby on Facebook

The Amity rugby club (www.amityrugby.org) only started a month ago, but the players are already celebrating their first win verses rival Cheshire.

The club united with the Madison high school team to fill out a 15 man side.

This coming Sunday May 2- the united club will take on
Staples of Westport in an “A” and “B” game set. The Amity club has 15 active and 20 registered players so far and all high
school age males are welcome to join.

Amity and other clubs from around CT will compete in the 3rd Annual CT High School Rugby Championships at Yale May 29th.-

http://cthighschoolrugbychampionship.sports.officelive.com/default.aspx

Rugby is once again an Olympic Sport and students playing high school level now will fill the 2016 US Team.