On Saturday February 11th and Sunday February 12th, Cathedral Catholic will host the Derek Thomas 2012 Rugby Invitational, a tournament that offers those interested the opportunity to support the Thomas family members as they continue on the road toward rehabilitation.
Mr. Ramon Samaniego coached Derek at St. John’s Catholic School in fifth grade flag football and during Derek’s senior year, when he played for the Mustangs rugby team of the San Diego Youth Rugby Club. As a Mustang, Mr. Samaniego said, Derek was a “standout,” team leader, and season MVP.
After putting on a high school rugby tournament over the summer, Mr. Samaniego worked with the San Diego Youth Rugby Club Board of Directors from Carmel Valley to reach out to the top high school rugby programs in the country (Jesuit High in Sacramento, Xavier High in New York City) to gauge their interest in a tournament.
“The interest was high,” he said. “But logistics and cost played a major factor. I then began to focus my efforts on recruiting teams closer to home.”
He received commitments from teams that are now confirmed to attend – Lamorinda Rugby Club, Dixon Rugby Club, and the Marin Highlanders from northern California, along with the Los Angeles Cougars, Belmont Shore Rugby Club, and Fallbrook High School. Another two teams consist of the San Diego Mustangs U16 AND U19 teams.
“As the tournament started to take shape, Derek was released from Scripps Encinitas and the idea came to me to put a name on our tourney in which to honor one of our MVP’S, since Derek had played for the Mustangs his senior year,” Mr. Samaniego said. “He was humbled by the idea when I presented it, and at that point, the tournament took shape.”
The Thomas family members, who have played roles on various tournament committees created to coordinate the planning of the event, will be present at the tournament.
“The Thomas’s have been great in embracing this event and in seeing how it has brought a number of people together from St. John’s, Cathedral, and the rugby community for a single cause,” said Mr. Samaniego.
The funds raised are coordinated through the tournament’s partnership with the Burn Institute (www.BurnInstitute.org). That organization created the Derek Thomas Fund, to which all monies collected will go directly and which the Thomas family can use to offset costs they may incur with Derek’s continued care.
The Burn Institute works to aid burn survivors and their families to help those that have been affected by fire in all aspects of their well-being, Mr. Samaniego said. “Derek is now a member of their family, and he will be able to draw on them for many aspects of his continued care.”
“Our initial goal of raising $10,000-$20,000 has been eclipsed nicely, with pledges surpassing $70,000,” Mr. Samaniego said. “The support of the community has been amazing. Companies like Datron have lead the way for making this inaugural event an amazing experience already for all those involved.”
Mr. Samaniego said, “The Burn Institute has been amazing in assisting us with marketing, the financial creation of the Derek Thomas Fund, and in getting the word out to the community as to the good things they do for Burn Survivors and their families.”
A banquet set for the Mission Tower room of the Del Mar Fairgrounds is sold out. “We were able to sell 55 sponsored tables to individuals and companies who have embraced Derek’s story with their support,” he said.
He encourages Cathedral students and their families to attend the tournament at Cathedral on both Saturday and Sunday, however, to see Derek and watch Youth Rugby games. Though the tournament is free, attendees may support the event by purchasing food and drinks at the concession stand and by purchasing raffle tickets. Donations to the Thomas fund may also be made through the Burn Institute website, at http://burninstitute.org/events/event_item.php?id=175. Those interested may follow the link, click “Donate Now,” and enter their desired donation amount. In the Designation field, they may select the “Derek Thomas Fund.”
The Opening Ceremony will take place at the main football stadium at 10:30 AM. Derek himself will be on-site throughout the event to meet and greet all.
Mr. Samaniego said, “Rugby was Derek’s passion so please come out and support him by supporting this awesome event.”
To view the event flier, visit http://www.cathedralcatholic.org/news/item/show/700. For more information, and for those interested in volunteering to sell raffle tickets, Mr. Samaniego can be reached at [email protected] or (760) 500-1060.