(Pictured left to right, top to bottom): William Delsing, Mike Flanagan, Jon Holtzman, Mike Posko, Pete Freeman and Mark Slifer
By: Milton Greenstreet
Hope springs eternal every year in the fall for Severn River RFC. The men's team hopes to turn over a new leaf this coming season with a few new faces (friend and foe alike) looking to mix things up in the Capital Rugby Union Division 3 Central for the ‘24-‘25 season.
Severn River Hall of Famer Mike Posko stepped down from his head coaching duties, a role he has carried for the club since the return to play after COVID-19. Mike stepped up for the club (as he always has) to help as caretaker manager after the chaos of the pandemic and has done so a little longer than intended. He won’t be disappearing and will still be helping around the club in advisory roles and as an assistant coach. The club is thankful for his dedication and work with the men’s team over the past few years.
Stepping up to fill his shoes is former and now current Head Coach William Delsing. William has been helping Severn River dutifully for years now, most recently coaching the Honey Badgers to multiple playoff appearances, including an appearance in the D2 National Championship final in 2023. William had a long stint as the men’s head coach about a decade ago, also leading the men to several playoff appearances in Division 2. The South African is looking to bring back some heavy hitting and more fitness into the men’s side to take them to the next level. By his side will be an impressive coaching team featuring USA Rugby Hall of Famer Mike Flanagan, former USA Eagle and Severn River Hall of Famer Jon Holtzman, Severn River Hall of Famers Mike Posko and Pete Freeman, and veteran coach/player Mark Slifer.
Last year’s campaign for the men was lackluster—not necessarily poor, but not up to snuff with the lofty goals that Severn River sets for themselves. The past several seasons have been an arm wrestle between North Bay and Severn River for control of the D3 Central. The boys lost their first matrix match to North Bay the first week of the season, and it completely took the wind out of their sails. They managed to finish with a winning record but missed out on playoffs after losing to relative newcomer Loudoun Rugby. In 2024, North Bay has moved up to D2 and actually left the Capital, joining the EPRU. Severn will not get their revenge this year, but perhaps will come across North Bay in a friendly in the future. They have their hands full with Loudoun running high on their most successful D3 campaign to date, as well as newcomers Riverlands RFC joining the ranks of the D3 Central. Severn River looks to rebound from a tough ‘23-‘24 season with some new blood, including long-time stalwart Dan Wooddell taking over as Captain. Dan has been a stoic, no-nonsense leader on the team, running the show from scrum half for several years now. But in 2024 he is officially taking the wheel and looking to right the ship to get Severn River back where they belong, at the very top of Division 3 Central.