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More than a game for Wandering Warriors military rugby teams in Savannah

Savannah Morning News - 3/8/2020

Mar. 8--It's fair to say the men and women of the Wandering Warriors rugby club wear their hearts on their sleeves.

It's even accurate to say they literally carry a burden on their shoulders.

The ruggers, nearly all military veterans and some active duty who traveled from around the country and deployments to compete in the St. Patrick's Day Rugby Tournament at Daffin Park this weekend, March 7-8, wear jerseys identifying their charitable cause on their backs.

"Not all who wander are lost," is written on the back over a black silhouette of an armed soldier, with the number 22 purposely placed between wan-der.

"We believe everybody needs to find their way back home," said Wandering Warriors men's squad head coach Lt. Steven Mendez, 30, a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and flight instructor from the Florida Panhandle.

"We know there's a lot of brothers who struggle when they get back -- whether it be with PTSD, homelessness, not being able to find a job -- and they end up on hard times. It precipitates down. Sadly, the powers in place don't do enough, so we're trying to do what we can to try to get those brothers back on their feet. We all wear the number 22 for the 22 veterans that commit suicide every single day. So we keep that on our shoulders at all times."

Retired Sgt. 1st Class Eric Thompson, 48, of Richmond Hill served 24 years in the U.S. Army, and is an administrator for the rugby club's charities. He said everyone on the Wandering Warriors is a veteran from any of the military branches, or they didn't serve but have a family member who did and they're honoring them.

Each of the players on the men's and women's squads was required to contribute $50 -- more if they want with additional donations from others welcome -- as part of playing in Savannah.

The charity for each of the past three years is local: the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless, which has a tiny house project geared for homeless veterans called The Cove at Dundee.

Executive Director Cindy Kelley, who attended the tournament Saturday, said each home is 16 by 8 feet for 128 square feet, and includes a full bathroom, a walk-in shower, a kitchen and a bed/sofa.

"My favorite part (of the tournament) is when I get to work with Miss Kelley and see that tiny house village going up, and knowing just playing rugby and getting here with other veterans, we help make an impact," Thompson said.

"The rugby community is a very small community, and the military rugby community is even more tight-knit," said Thompson, noting the club has earned status as a non-profit organization and is looking to expand with sponsorships. "These guys want to give back to things that affected them or affected somebody they know in one way or another. To help veterans in need is something everybody on the men's and women's teams is passionate about and that's why we come do this."

Fun and games

They also come to play rugby and partake in the social aspect that helps make the Savannah tournament memorable for the 80 men's and women's teams here for two days and nights.

"It's a blast," said Warriors women's team member Melanie Doll, 30, of Pensacola, Florida. "You come, play rugby all day and go dress crazy and have a fun night."

Doll is in her first year playing after her spectator role in 2019 when she traveled with her fiance Mendez (they've set an October date). She was referring to the theme nights the teams have for their Saturday outing in town. Last year, it was onesies, the head-to-feet costumes that led to unicorns and narwhals roaming the Savannah streets. Doll was a bunny rabbit, Mendez a grizzly bear.

The rugby side takes similar coordination. The men's squad practiced together for about two hours on Friday at Daffin Park, and the women's squad for about 90 minutes. And that's been about it since the 2019 tournament.

"We talk all year, but we only get to see each other once or twice a year," Mendez said. "When we get together, it's always fantastic, it's a family away from family. Guys from all different services, all different locations. Some Old Boys (35 and older) that have been out of the military for 20 years, some guys that are still real young in their careers. It's great being able to share this experiences and get to build off of each other."

Mendez, an All-Navy rugby player who coaches and plays for the Pensacola club, said that with the Wandering Warriors, he starts putting together a game plan about three months in advance of the Savannah tournament. Every player is expected to know the playbook, and starting Friday they do the best they can.

The men's squad has 30 players, and he announced the starting lineup just before Saturday's opener against Jacksonville. He said the team plays better as the tournament goes along, and after being down 14-0 at halftime, the Warriors scored 10 unanswered points before falling short 14-10.

Quick learners

The women's squad numbered about 16 for Friday' practice and 26 by game time Saturday morning. Head coach Simone Bontly gauges the players' skills and puts in a game plan.

"It's extremely challenging, especially having people come from all over the United States, or even deployments," Bontly said of quickly building team cohesiveness. "Having that type of camaraderie and having the girls learning basic, basic skills and just capitalizing on it.

"I have five brand new players who had never touched a rugby ball before. They all played together and they did great."

Indeed, Bontley -- dressed in a camouflage tutu for the occasion -- and the women's squad won 26-0 over Fear the Maniacs of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The women, like the men, are in their third year raising money to help homeless veterans.

"The men do not do anything without us, which is fantastic," Bontly said. "The organization is wonderful. We're all equal partners. We do everything together. We run everything the same way."

The St. Patrick's Day Rugby Tournament continues Sunday morning and culminates with the Men's Premier Division championship at 2 p.m. at Daffin Park. The tournament, which is open to the public, supports the following charities: Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Humane Society for Greater Savannah, and America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia.

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(c)2020 the Savannah Morning News (Savannah, Ga.)

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