The Midnight Sun Sevens in Anchorage, Alaska is one of the most spectacular, and popular locations for 7s anywhere on the planet.
and it was at the June event that TRF CEO Phil Klevorick got to meet in person for the first time the Foundation's Ambassador to Malta, Sam Ramage.
Sam has been a very active Ambassador since joining the team in spring of this year and has shown the whole of the TRF team some of the challenges of small island rugby.
With limited playing numbers and of course limited resources, Unions such as Malta are very grateful to the Foundation for the practical and operational support that they can offer. Sam is a huge fan of our CVS Brain Health programme and has been estoling the project since he met with European Director Mike Mulroy in March of this year but "It was wonderful to finally catch up in person with Sam after seeing him so often on zoom" said Phil during the weekend.
"The camaraderie that exists in rugby is very special to me" he continued, "and that bond seems even tighter within the match official communitee." Phil who was in Alaska not only to represent TRF but also to organise the match officials said what a special time was had by all the referees, bonding together and performing at an incredible level.
Sam who was in Alaska for the very first time said "Alaska has been a dream of mine for many years, but COVID stopped that dream in its tracks until I was asked to come out this year not only as a match official but also as an Ambassador for TRF. I am immensely honoured to have been asked and feel privilaged to be the Foundation's Ambassador to Malta, a job that I take very seriously."
"I could never have imagined the spectacular views from the sunsets (well just about set), the stunning glaciers and the wildlife strolling across the roads."
"For me though the highlights were the wonderful people that I met, the great family of referees who were absolutely first class and of course working with Jonathan Kaplan".
"It's been five years in the making, but worth every minute."
