Player Profile | Frank Lauria

June 20, 2014 - 9 years ago

Captain of Spaghetti and Dodgeballs and a tactical mastermind, Frank has the dubious honour of being the first (and hopefully last) player to have used his shoe as a projectile mid game. This resulted in the creation and implementation of “Frank’s Law”, outlawing this practice amongst many of his other antics.

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Hey, what's your name? 

Frank L (codename Bangerz)

Which Urban Rec Sports do you play? 

Wednesday Night Dodgeball @ Marrickville

What's your team name? 

Spaghetti & Dodgeballs

What's a random fact about you? 

A former professional wrestler that wrestled under the ring name 'Frankie Fettucini' from 2008-2011, AWF Tag team Champion (http://www.awfwrestling.com.au/wrestler/328/Frankie+Fettucini.htm). Worked as a Pizza Chef as a teenager, now a Civil Engineer & Type 1 Diabetic by day!

Why did you choose UR and Social Sports over the more competitive sports played in Sydney? 

Location and we wanted to play dodgeball specifically... and it was more of a female friendly option than Rugby Union and the setting was more social between the teams and officials than other social sport set ups.

If in a Team, who did you decide to sign up with and why? 

Myself and fellow dodgeballer Gabriel Wong (codename WongFu) signed up to be able to do something uniquely exciting with an element of danger and sex appeal.

What is your best advice for someone who hasn't played your sport before, if they would like to come along to try? 

Just take a leap of faith and back yourself to make the run or throw and catch the 50/50 balls. Have no trepidations because in the social atmosphere UR has provided someone is always watching and ready to cheer you on and/or give advice or encouragement should you fail miserably.

Tell us about a funny moment on the court/field? 

I love seeing my typically shy friends unexpectedly rise to an occasion and take a catch or eliminate an opponent and instinctively become more assertive or aggressive in spontaneous moments. The one on one face offs at the end of a game are very much 'cometh the hour cometh the man' scenarios and in particular, I remember being dressed as a gorilla staring into the eyes of an opponent dressed as a shark each with dodgeballs and throwing arms cocked and wondering where else in the world would such a confrontation occur.

How long have you been playing your sport? 

Since May 29 Last Year (2013) This is my 4th dodgeball season.

What sport do you wish you could play? Or what sport are you choosing next season If not Dodgeball?

I would play Caged Soccer

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Be like Batman and stand up for sportsmanship!

June 10, 2014 - 9 years ago

Urban Rec prides itself on being the only truly recreational competition in Sydney. We offer a place for the beginners, people trying new sports, and getting back into it, to come together in a place where people are like minded, fun and friendly, without feeling intimidated. This is the life blood of our business, and what separates us from the "regular" competitions on offer in Sydney.

Things to remember at all times when playing in any Urban Rec League:

You will be playing beginners or people that don't want to go toO hard

As mentioned, we are the only club that offer a space for people to come and learn. If you are a more experienced player, you need to be conscious of that, and be aware of the newbies, go easy on them, coach them, and help them learn and improve. Secondly people sometimes come to Urban Rec to "retire" after playing in more serious leagues it's a place people can join when they don't want to take the game or themselves too seriously. 
 

We don't tolerate aggressive teams

Social Sports is ALL that we do. If you want to play hard, and aggressively, frankly you're in the wrong spot. There is nothing wrong with some healthy competition, but we do FUN best, and that should always be top of your mind when you are playing in our leagues. Moving from Urban Rec to more serious leagues is OK, we get that. If a team scores lower than a 2 in rec points, three times in a season, they will be asked to leave the league. This is our commitment to keeping the fun teams in the league happy. 

We don't tolerate aggressive people

Don't be a di*khead. Its that simple. Every single one of you have signed our code of conduct and we will hold you accountable to that. If any aggressive behavior is displayed by individuals, we will ask you to play elsewhere,  in a league more appropriate to your level, or attitude to sports. Under no circumstances should you put your team, or any other teams down, during a game. It's just not on. Participate for your own enjoyment, and benefit. 

Learn how to win and lose gracefully

If you are a sucessful team, and you know it, when you play the less experienced teams, don't go your hardest, and show them who's boss. Destroying them on the scoreboard will leave them feeling horrible, and you looking like a team of douchebags. Likewise, if you are losing don't get aggressive, or defeated. Just enjoy the game, and have some fun with it. Sometimes playing better teams can help build up your skills. Don't give up and throw your hands in the air, no one likes a tantrum!

If you are a captain of a team you are also the captain of fun

This means you are an ambassador for the recreational side of our leagues, not only are you responsible for making sure your team has fun on the court or field you are in charge of the fun off court. This means getting your team together for drinks at the Clubhouses, or joining in on some of the social stuff we do. You have a great honour bestowed upon you, and your team are relying on you! If you're not a captain, be a champ and get involved anyway. 

We play mixed only sports for a reason

Because it's better. Mixed sports are more fun, more relaxed, and more interesting. Always make sure you have a min of 2 people from either sex on the court. This isn't to measure performance, it's so we can enjoy a mash up of characters, skill level, and attitudes. Everyone out there is going to be a different height, weight, and experience level to you. So enjoy it. 

For a list of other policies we use for our leagues click here. 

Hopefully all of this is a relief to you all, and a reminder that you have indeed signed up to the most fantastic league in Sydney. If any of this makes you feel uncomfortable, please try and turn that frown upside down. Maybe this is not the right league for you, or maybe you just needed a gentle reminder to have a blast and enjoy you weeknights being out and about, social, and having a laugh with your friends. 

As always, keep it active. social. fun. 

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Player Profile | Jenna Mitchell

April 7, 2014 - 10 years ago

This player is one of our favourite and oldest friends. She came to us at the end of 2011 without even a pair of runners to her name, and determined that sports were simply not for her. Two years later, she has played in five season of Urban Rec, and holds a Champion shirt to boot. What an amazing story, and what a fabbo chick.

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1. Hey, whats your name?

Jenna

2. Which Urban Rec Sports do you play?

I am currently playing Fast 5 netball and caged soccer

3. What's a random fact about you?

I hate driving at night, and I get annoyed when people go through skip bins. 

4. Why did you choose UR and Social Sports over the more competitive sports played in Sydney?

Before signing up to Urban Rec, the thought of playing any sport (social or otherwise) did not interest one little bit, after a bit of convincing from friends who needed an extra player in their touch football team I decided to give it a go (begrudgingly), I figured the best way for me to get any exercise would be having a run around with mates.

5. If in a Team, who did you decide to sign up with and why?

Mainly friends and friend’s partners.

6. What is your best advice for someone who hasn't played your sport before, if they would like to come along to try Urban Rec?

Just go along, it doesn’t matter if you don’t know how to play, the refs are all really good and supportive and you eventually get the hang of it. No one gets angry if you can’t catch or kick or run… they will just laugh at you instead!

7. How do you socialize with your current or past teams, off the court?

We quite often go out for dinner and beers after a game. Last season our team organised a fancy dress pub crawl (I personally think the ‘fancy dress’ was just an excuse so some of the boys wear extremely short shorts….)

8. Tell us about a funny moment on the court/field?

The last end of season Netball game was pretty funny to watch. Each quarter had a new rule which everyone had to follow, by the end everyone was just running around like idiots with no idea what was going on.

9. What is your favourite thing about team sports?

Having fun while exercising

10. What sport are you choosing next season?
Not sure at this stage – dodgeball looks like fun.

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Ten Benefits of Playing Social Sports

April 2, 2014 - 10 years ago

We are all well aware thet being fit and healthy is good for you. That's a given. But what specifically can sport do to our health and well being? Here are the top 10 benefits sport is bringing to our members, daily. 

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1. Build friendships

Ever feel like since you hit 25 you suddenly stopped making friends? There is something about Sydney that means as soon as you hit quarter century your bestie making days are behind you. Sport is the ONE thing that brings people together. It doesnt matter who you are, where you are from, what you do, or how much money you have, everyone has their story to tell about sport. Some play, some watch, but everyone has a connection through sport. Urban Rec prides itself on bringing people together on, and off the field. The comradery a team feels after a big win (or even a big loss) is something that can rarely be found in any gym. 

2. Improve Your Mood

Its virtually impossible to step off that field feeling worse than before you started. The endorphins are running, the energy is high. Physical activity stimulates brain chemicals that make you feel happier and more relaxed. Fact. Team sports in particular provides a chance to unwind and engage socially, all while making those lungs work overtime. Hello cardio!

3. Sharpen Your Focus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) reports that regular physical activity can help you keep important mental skills sharp as you age, including thinking, learning, and using good judgment. According to the American Heart Association, doing a mix of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities, which are common to most sports, three to five times a week for at least 30 minutes can provide mental health benefits.

4. Reduce Stress

When you are physically active, your mind is distracted from daily stressors, freeing you to think more creatively. Exercise reduces the levels of stress hormones in your body, such as adrenaline and cortisol. At the same time, it stimulates production of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters that can help lower your stress levels. Endorphins may even leave you feeling more relaxed and optimistic after a hard workout on the sports field.

5. Keep Depression At Bay

“Go out and play” is good advice not only for children, but also for adults who are feeling blue. Researchers at Duke University studied 156 people with depression who were randomly assigned to treatment of solely aerobic exercise, exercise plus an antidepressant, or an antidepressant alone. After four months, all three groups showed improvement in depression symptoms, but after 10 months, the exercise only group had the lowest rate of depression recurrence.

6. Improve Sleep

The Mayo Clinic notes that sports and other forms of physical activity can improve the quality of your sleep, helping you to fall asleep faster and to deepen your sleep. A good sleep means you wake up feeling refreshed, and ready to hit the day head on. If you do play sports late —evening practices within a few hours of bedtime may leave you too energized to sleep.

7. Boost Confidence and Self-Esteem

The regular exercise that comes with playing sports can help boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. As your strength, skills, and stamina increase through playing sports (ant they will), your self-image will improve as well. Sports provide you with a sense of mastery and control, which often leads to a feeling of pride and self-confidence. With the renewed vigor and energy that comes from physical activity, you may be more likely to succeed in tasks off the playing field as well as on it.

8. Don't give me that 'time' crap!

Does the thought of exercising make you want to lie down? According to the Mayo Clinic, even 10 to 15 minutes of exercise can improve your mood. So if you are feeling completely uninterested in playing sport one night, get down there, and just sub in for a half or a quarter. Not only did you not let your team down, you have made a difference to your body. 

9. Leadership Skills

Sports teams give you an opportunity to surround yourself with competitive people and role models, and learn from them both. If you are slightly more experienced than a new player, you can find yourself sharing hints, and tips you have learnt along your way. Providing wisdom and encouragement, is building your leadership skills you may not know you have. These skills transfer off the court instinctively, voulenteer to be captain, and build your own personal skill base. 

10. Sports Nutrition

When engaging in sports for the first time, you may feel hungrier than usual. This is normal, because your body is expending much more energy than it is used to.

Here are some nutrition tips to help keep you healthy while you participate in sports:

• Eat fat. About 20 to 25 percent of energy comes from fats, so to keep energy levels high, your body needs you to consume fat.
• Make sure to eat before, during, and after your sport. The helps maintain blood glucose levels, which in turn will help enhance your sports performance.
• Keep hydrated! When playing a sport, your body loses a lot of fluid, which can cause dehydration. This is dangerous – and potentially fatal – so drink plenty of water.
• Eat a balanced diet. An athlete's diet should include plenty of complex carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fats.
• Limit salt and simple sugar.
• Don't fast!

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New Club Wide Policies for Substitutes and Forfeits

April 1, 2014 - 10 years ago

In recent times, Urban Rec has been working to develop a fair policy for substitute players and forfeits. The below policies and will take effect immediately club wide.

It is fantastic that to date, there has been a real sense of community, comradery, and helpfulness across the teams and leagues, but these rules have been brought in to ensure our ever growing community is addressed as simplistically, and fairly as possible.

Not all of the below elements are new, but borrowing players from other teams, will no longer be an option. If your team (with or without additional subs not on your team roster) cannot field with the minimum number of players (four), you will be forced to forfeit the game and encouraged to play a friendly.

SUBSTITUTE PLAYERS

1. Substitute players are allowed to play and fill in for you or your team members during the season.
2. Any new players will need to sign up as an Urban Rec Member, and acknowledge the waiver, and Code of Conduct online before the game. It is the sole responsibility of the team captain to ensure any substitute players have become members, and acknowledged the waiver. If someone is playing on our fields without doing this, they are doing so illegally, and will be asked to leave.
3. Teams are not allowed to borrow, or substitute players who are rostered on another team within in the league. 
4. If a team has paid a team fee, subs can play free of charge.
5. If the team has paid via individual signup, that player will need to pay a $10 casual fee to Urban Rec staff for that game.
6. If you turn up for your league and you do not have the minimum number of players to make a side (4, for most sports), you must forfeit the game. You are encouraged to borrow players, and have a friendly game. No score will be recorded. No Rec points will be recorded for the team that forfeited

FORFEITING A GAME

1. We encourage you NEVER to forfeit a game. If you have to, please let Urban Rec staff know ASAP so we can let you opponents know with good notice.
2. Your team may* be liable to pay the opposing team a $100 default fee for not allowing them to play their weekly game. (*This is specifically for repeat offenders)
3. If you turn up for your league and you do not have the minimum number of players to make a side (four), you must forfeit the game. You are encouraged to borrow players, and have a friendly game. No score will be recorded. No Rec points will be recorded for the team that forfeited.More details on the rest of our policies can be found online here.

If you have any questions about the new policies please get in touch with your Event Host or League Manager or email us [email protected]

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Player Profile | Daniel

February 20, 2014 - 10 years ago

Hey, what's your name?

Daniel or “DanMan” to the people I tolerate the most in the world.

Which Urban Rec Sports do you play?

Fast5 Netball at the moment, Dodgeball to start in the VERY near future.

How long have you been playing with Urban Rec?

I have been playing with Urban Rec now for around 9 months… We could almost have a baby together.

What sports do you play with Urban Rec?

WELL I play Netball, soon to be Dodgeball as well, and give Will and Madeleine as much grief as possible.

What's a random fact about you?

I may or may not molest my friends every chance I get, especially when alcohol is involved… #sorrynotsorry OR Depending who you ask, but my friends will tell you: “DanMan hates the world, but is actually a nice guy…”

Why did you choose UR and Social Sports over the more competitive sports played in Sydney? 

I prefer UR to the other competitions as it is fun and social, there is not one horrible or overly competitive person in the entire competition, everyone is there for the same reason, to have fun :-)

If in a Team, who did you decide to sign up with and why?

I am in the Coconut Catchers this time around as it is a mashup team of random individuals – it is the best way to meet new people.

If on an Individual team, how have you gone getting to know your new team mates?

We are already Facebook friends, so I assume it is going well and will be Best Friends for FOREVER!

What is your best advice for someone who hasn't played your sport before, if they would like to come along to try?

Don’t take it seriously; the teams are all here for fun. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?

Tell us about a funny moment on the court/field?

One time when I was GK I wasn’t fully aware of my surroundings, I may or may not have collided with the Goal Post and may or may not have knocked myself out… The ball was at the other end of the court… there was no-one around except the opposing team GS… Awkward .

What if your favourite thing about team sports?

Apart from the social aspect, I like it when a team can laugh at themselves and just have fun on the court

What sport do you wish you could play? or what sport are you choosing next season?

Definitely Fast5 or Fast7 again, and Dodgeball

Any final last comments on Urban Rec that we can share with other members considering to join us?

Since starting at UR I have had nothing but good times, Mads and the team are friendly and helpful. The teams are all good sports and here for fun, so if you want a laugh and some exercise, come on down…

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Player Profile - Harvey Shepherdson-Beck - Sydney Sports Club

October 29, 2013 - 10 years ago

World, meet Harvey. He is a solid human, and we are chuffed to have him as one of our crew.  He came into Urban Rec as ain individual, and he has been quietly conquering ever since. 

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Hey, what's your name?

Hey, my names Harvey

Which Urban Rec Sports do you play?

I currently play touch football, but just finished an exciting season of dodgeball

What's your team name?

Our team is called 'The Rocky Sonics'

What's a random fact about you?

I played in a Rock/Metal band throughout my teens

Why did you choose UR and Social Sports over the more competitive sports played in Sydney?

I do some more competitive indoor and outdoor soccer on the side. So I like UR for the social interaction and keeping up my fitness. Plus it's a good excuse to catch up each week and stay in touch.

If on an Individual team, how have you gone getting to know your new team mates?

We've kept a small companion of friends since our first season of Touch football, so now we all just sign up together

What is your best advice for someone who hasn't played your sport before, if they would like to come along to try?

Great!!,you make friends easily on an individual team as you're often always working together anyway, so everyone learns to get along. It's all about taking that first step, If you don't give it a go, your never going to know. 

Tell us about a funny moment on the court/field?

We had an 80's dress-up themed dodgeball game as our final match last season. I decided to wear some bright orange glasses as part of my outfit. At the start of the match I realised the glasses restricted my vision too much on the field, so I put them to the side. Final few minutes feeling confident about our teams chances, I decided to wear them again.After stepping back on the court for a few seconds, I jumped behind a player, turned my head, then bang!!, a ball straight to the face, glasses go flying, pieces everywhere ,guess it wasn't meant to be.

How long have you been playing your sport?

I've played one season of dodgeball and am currently playing my second season of touch, so almost a year between both now.

What sport do you wish you could play? or what sport are you choosing next season?

I wouldn't mind trying out 'ultimate frisbee' at some point. But for now I'd be happy to continue onto another season of touch; it's just that fun I can't get enough.

What is your favourite thing about team sports?

Team sports are the best for group bonding and keeping fit together. Sometimes it's not always about the sport itself, but the people you play with that keeps you coming back for more

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Annual Festival Guide

September 12, 2013 - 10 years ago

We have taken the liberty of creating Sydney, or maybe even Australia's BEST list of cool, different, and maybe less popular Festivals. (With a few regular goodies in there too). 

Think we missed one? Let us know, this is an evolving list for a constant supply to all UR members, and we want it to be contributed by all the cool people that attend the Festivals, YOU! So have your say. 

What's more, please add some comments for tips, and ideas in the comments section. I.e. Did you know if you go to Falls Festival in Melbourne they don't sell ice onsite at the camping ground, so you have to take a bus into town, and get it! We should add that for sure. 

Anyway, here it is. Hope you like it folks!

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8 Ways To Be A Healthy Human Today

August 14, 2013 - 10 years ago

Stop your liquid addictions 

...and were not talking about the big nasty addictions you’re thinking. I am talking about the ones that 95% of us have developed. That daily coffee, that daily sugar in your tea, or worst, that daily coke, or EVEN worse, that daily DIET coke. These things are fine (sort of) every now and then, but don’t be fooled. If you have to have one of these on a daily basis, your body is addicted to a nasty and unnatural food source, and you need to ween yourself off, and make them a ‘sometimes’ drink.  

Walk a little more 

At lunchtime today, promise yourself to leave the office, get some sun, some wind, some rain. Walk to see your colleagues up on level 2. Not only is it ten times more productive, you might actually get a quicker answer if you are hovering over their desk. Plus its social, people will like seeing a new smiling face drifting through the desks. This is dead simple.

Commit to something  

Humans are goal orientated things, so go and commit to something, a challenge for yourself, and NOT a weight loss challenge (that is really hard and daunting to measure). Sign up for a race, or adventure There are tons going on this year in Sydney, every level of fitness, and interest. Pick one that you know will be difficult, but you are sure you can achieve, then write out your weekly training plan to get there. Hopefully if that training schedule is hard enough it will keep you off the booze to often each week. Bonus.

Sign up for a team sport 

This is seriously important to your health and wellbeing. Why? Because you are 100% more likely to turn up and work out if you have your team mates depending on you. This is at least one way a week you can guarantee you will get some fitness in. What’s more it will be social, and you can have some fun with it, maybe meet new people. You can play in a serious league or try a different sport each season in a rec league, like Urban Rec.

EAT VEGGIES 

Find your local farmers market and head there each weekend. Everyone needs more vegies, and fruit in their diet, and frankly, everyone should be eating that alone more often. So get there, talk to the farmers, you know where the food is coming from you know its organic, and you are helping local farmers, and the Australian economy, and saving money. You don’t need another reason.

Write your ‘Just4Me’ Diet 

Stop following fads, and diets, no matter how natural and normal they might seem. Find what is right for you, take a little bit from each one, and create a “Just4Me diet” if you do your research, and listen to your body you will know what works best for you. Write up the rules you have created for yourself, e.g. no fast food, no carbs after midday, 4 glasses of water per day.

Wake up early 

The hardest one by far (for some). But this is every successful, and dedicated persons secret – access to STOLEN TIME. Wake up, and fit in 45 minutes of yoga, swimming, lifting, running, rowing, walk your dog, whatever it is. Lord knows it will be good for your soul too.

Keep your sanity 

save ONE night per week for your nothing night, for you to be able to sit on your indulgent bum, and do nada… OR see your friends, and enjoy yourself. And save ONE night or day for you to do your chores, so you don’t end up feeling overwhelmed, don’t overbook, don’t overcommit, and go with the flow. If you don’t want to work out, then give it a rest, remember that your healthy lifestyle should be an enjoyable, and rewarding choice.

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Netball Hints and Tips

July 10, 2013 - 10 years ago

Sometimes, it pays to be clever. Urban Rec Netball staff have put together some of their best hints, and tips you may not have thought of, or know. Use this in your weekly league nights, along with a big fat smile, and good attitude. 

1. Did you know you can run around the outside of the pole and under the net of you are attacking or defending in the goal circle. It's a great way to escape defence, and find a better position in the goal circle
2. Play your tallest players in more dominant positions like GA and GD
3. Choose your power play carefully, get to know if you're team play better off the bat or if the play better warmed up
4. Three pointers are worth the risk, if you have a good shooter, they don't only have to play shooter, they can play another offending position like GA, and score for the team from outside the circle. If you score 3 points in your power round, you're looking at 6 points. 
5. On the other hand, three pointers in your power round, are a big risk. If you miss all your shots, you may end up not taking advantage of your power round.  
6. When defending, stick on your opposing player. It might seem obvious, but this is the best way to keep them from scoring
7. Be careful of big lobbed throws, they can be good if throwing to a taller person, but remember if there are tall people on the opposition, it gives them an easy way to intercept. 
8. If you are a shooter, and you land, you can actually take another step forward n your pivot foot. Your defender will have to get back, and you can get in a better position for the shot. 
9. Rebounds are your friend, they can be the pivotal moment in between goal, and no goal, make sure your GK or GD is always ready 

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