The Northern Virginia Rugby Football Club (NOVA) was founded in 1976 and has a long rugby history. They have excelled particularly in sevens, with the growth of both their Men’s and Women’s sides.

UR7s columnist Dallen Stanford spoke to charismatic coach Bill Gardener – nicknamed the Grass Cutter – with his side set to make an impression at this weekend’s USA National 7s competition.

Dallen Stanford: Could you give us a brief rugby background about your playing and coaching career thus far?

Bill Gardener: I am a charter member of the Northern Virginia RFC. Also, I played with the Duck Brothers RFC 7s team, which was a NOVA squad. I retired from 15s in 1983 and 7s in 1985. The Duck Brothers were national club 7s champions in 1987 and I have managed and help coach NOVA since then, winning the national championship in 1996. We have been 2nd or 3rd about 10 times.

Dallen Stanford: You also have been involved with the USA 7s program over the years. Tell us more about owning Asia, and how you enjoyed being with the Eagles?

Bill Gardener: I took an invitational NOVA side to many international tournaments over the years. NOVA went to the Singapore Cricket Club 7s in 2004, 2005 with Atlantis and again in 2007 with the Eagles.
But in 2006, I sponsored and helped manage the Eagles to Bangkok and Singapore. We won Bangkok 7s (beating Samurai) and won the plate in Singapore the following week.
I hope to be travelling with the Eagles to Singapore in November as a tune up to the iRB 7s season opener.

Dallen Stanford: NOVA has always enjoyed importing a few out of state players, this year what is the number of players in that regard?

Bill Gardener: Unfortunately, I can't mention the names of players that became available this year as "free agents." If I had to chose to go that route, USA rugby could have cancelled the tournament and mailed me the trophy. I think that violates the spirit of "club" rugby, which is shrinking rapidly as the years go by. We have added two new players to our roster this year: Seta Palamo, who has moved here to play 15s with his brother Toshi, and his other brother, Thretton, who is attending college in Utah. Dan Weku, former Kenyan iRB wing, rejoins our club after playing 15s in France.

Dallen Stanford: With rugby getting into the Olympics, has this seen an increase in numbers at 7s trainings? Which other coaches help you with the 7s program?

Bill Gardener: We have seen an increase in the numbers at training, but this is due not so much because of Olympics but the explosion of 7s at the college level.

We were fortunate to have Al Caravelli coach us for the Cape Fear tournament in which we lost a heart breaker in the final, 26-24, to an awesome Pacific Islander side.

Dallen Stanford: How many 7s tournaments has your squad competed in this season, and how has your side progressed?

Bill Gardener: We played at NOVA 7s, Cape Fear and the two tournaments in Wilmington DE.
Even though we won all but Cape Fear, we just seem to scrape by and I attribute that to the heretofore top to bottom strength of our territory.

Dallen Stanford: In recent years NOVA has finished inside the Top 8 on several occasions. Does the 2010 side have what it takes to win the tournament?

Bill Gardener: Last year we went 5-1, beat the third place team and came in 9th. If you want to win this tournament, you'd better not stumble. Even though we have a strong side, we will have to play mistake-free rugby to win this tournament and we have to stop our lethargic starts.

Dallen Stanford: Which players with Eagle experience are involved in this years 7s season?

Bill Gardener: Former Eagles Ed Stockunas, PJ Komongnan and Toshi Palamo. Former Kenyan international Dan Weku. Current Eagle Thretton Palamo.

Dallen Stanford: The addition of the Palamo brothers will make a massive impact in your squad. Was it a ‘buy one, get two free’ deal?

Bill Gardener: HAHAHA! Toshi already plays 15s for us. Seta has moved here to play 15s and Thretton, who attends college, wanted to play with his brothers.

Dallen Stanford: Excellent BG. If players want to join your club, whom should they contact?

Bill Gardener: E-mail me: totalpkg@erols.com so I can welcome you at training (or meet you at the airport)

Fantastic, we appreciate your time, and look forward to seeing you and your side at Nationals this weekend!

NOVA is in Pool A with Humless of Provo, the Dallas Harlequins and Belmont Shore 1.

Click here to read the official tournament preview.

UR7s.com columnist Dallen Stanford played 7s for the USA from 2006-2009. He will be representing Belmont Shore at Nationals this year, looking to defend their 2009 title. Dallen is an ambassador for the Tackling Cancer Foundation , and also writes for RugbyZone, Rugby IQ, Eagles XV and Pakis Corner.