After the below release came out re David Ulch , correspondent Brian C. Cole had the chance to get a cool Q&A with David.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: BILLY NEILSON
PHONE: (352) 219-0234
EMAIL: bneilson@mayhemrl.com
TAMPA, FL – The USA Hawks have tapped Tampa Bay teacher David Ulch to represent America in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC). Ulch, who has also served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps, currently teaches History at Lake Gibson High School in Lakeland, Fla. The RLWC will take place from October 27 to December 2, in cities across Australia’s East Coast, New Zealand, and Papau, New Guinea (PNG).
The 2017 RLWC consists of 14 teams from around the world playing in a total of 28 games. The USA Hawks will compete in contests against Fiji in Townsville, Queensland (QLD), Australia on October 28, Italy (also in Townsville, QLD) on November 5, and Port Moresby, PNG on November 12.
Ulch served as co-captain of the 2017 Tampa Mayhem, which completed its season with a 4-3-1 record. Ulch helped the Mayhem secure the club’s first winning season and first playoff win, with Tampa finishing as the runner-up in the Southern Conference (SC) of the USA Rugby League (USARL). The Tampa Mayhem lost the SC Championship Game to the Atlanta Rhinos (8-0-1), who went on to win the 2017 USARL Championship with their 32-18 defeat of the New York Knights.
To set up interviews with David Ulch, tapped by the USA Hawks to represent America in the 2017 RLWC, please contact Billy Neilson, Owner and CEO of the Tampa Mayhem, the Tampa Bay Area’s USARL club, by phone at (352) 219-0234, or by email at bneilson@mayhemrl.com.
That was the Press Release, here’s the Brian Cole Q&A:
BC: How did you react upon finding out that you were picked to play for the USA Hawks in the 2017 RLWC?
David Ulch: When I found out that I was selected for the RLWC2017, I was extremely elated to have been selected. I think every athlete grows up dreaming about being a part of huge events such as this. I’m so incredibly grateful and honored to have been selected and able to represent my country in the game I love.
BC: Why do you think that they picked you to play for the Hawks?
DU: That’s a question you’d have to ask the selectors. The USARL has some great athletes and it’s been an honor and privilege to be a part of some incredible young talent that is coming about in our league. The future is looking bright for the USARL.
BC: What did you do to train coming into the Mayhem’s 2017 season, both with fitness and skill preparedness, as well as outside of practice sessions?
DU: Prior to the season, I worked out daily and focused more on rugby league fitness type of workouts. Though I was hitting the gym I mainly did HIIT workouts on a daily or every other day routine. Along with those workouts, I was really concentrating on my nutrition habits. Combining all of that helped me enter the season in the best shape of my life.
BC: How have you grown/improved as a player from your first RL season, 2014, and the 2017 season?
DU: Wow, I’ve learned so much about the sport since my first RL game. Having imports like Daniel Payne, Matt Cook, Brogan Jackson, Kevin Curtis, and Josh Foley in the club over the years has helped increase my RL IQ and understanding the intricacies of the game.
BC: What are your greatest skills as a RL rugger? Where could you improve to grow further as a player?
DU: As a teacher, I’m always looking as ways to become a better educator. The same can be said about becoming a better RL player. I’m always trying to find different workouts to use that’ll help me gain a step on the field. And to be honest, I believe that I need to improve in all areas of the game. I’m not a perfect player by any means, and I probably never will be, but if I can provide guidance and support for my club and future league players, then I’d be a happy man.
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For further coverage of the Southern Conference of the USA Rugby League, please visit Rugby Wrap Up’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed. Also, please visit USARL’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed for more Rugby League schedules, scores, and commentary.
To learn more about the Atlanta Rhinos, please visit the club’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed. For more information relating to the Jacksonville Axemen, please check out the team’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed.
To learn more about the Central Florida Warriors, please visit the club’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed. For additional information regarding the Tampa Mayhem, please check out the team’s website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed.
And here are the USARL links: Website, Facebook, Twitter…
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