CAMP DENALI, Alaska - Alaska National Guardmembers will have a rare opportunity to be a part of the first-ever Alaska National Guard-sponsored rugby team to compete in a worldwide tournament in Las Vegas, Feb. 10 to 12.
The team, also known as the Alaska Maulers, consists of Alaska National Guardmembers, active duty Soldiers, a Navy reservist and civilian rugby players.
The Alaska National Guard Soldiers are Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald Gum and Army Sgt. Eti Edward Faaaliga, both with Recruiting and Retention Command; Army Sgt. Anthony Lee from the 207th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade and Army Spc. Thomas Foilefutu from 1-207th Aviation.
Army Capt. August Manelick, an active duty Soldier, and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dennis Gum Jr, a Naval Reserve officer, are the team captains.
Since the Alaska Maulers began playing in late October 2010, they have been preparing for this tournament, hoping to bring home a victory. The first team they will be playing against is Kamikaze International, England’s all-star rugby team. The second will be Chile’s national rugby team.
“We have been practicing twice a week at the Alaska Dome,” said Manelick, one of captains. “We work on individual fitness for the first half hour, then work on our agility skills for another half hour, and then we work on game plays.”
The Las Vegas Invitational Tournament is the official tournament for all teams of different ages and skill levels associated with the USA Sevens International Tournament and Festival.
The annual tournament features club teams from across the USA and Canada, as well as select countries from around the world.
“I think we definitely have the talent to compete,” said Gum. “Even if we lose, we’re going to try to compete again next year.”