[Artemisia] Helgaball (Atenveldt Style) at Estrella???

[mattkatie2]

RING BRIGHTLY THIS JOYOUS NEWS FROM THE SUN WARMED FIELDS OF ATENVELDT!

Helgaball (otherwise called "cabbageball") has reached the Kingdom of
Atenveldt and is made our own! For those who have not heard, Helgaball is a
Ladies Only game combining the better aspects of soccer, rugby, wrestling
and "Miss Manner's advice on how to politely disagree in public", while
leaving those pesky rules behind.

Research of the origins of this pleasant pastime show an extended SCA
history (at LEAST 3 years!) in the Kingdom of Calontir, and a somewhat
shorter history in the Kingdom of An Tir. Rumors indicate there is
historical precedence for the game in the training rituals of the Roman
Legionnaires (see ANCILLARY HISTORICAL PRECEDENCE/RESEARCH at the end of
this missive). 

Helgaball has been played at Lilies War for several years. Now a group of
hardy Atenveldt Ladies are making the game our own and sponsoring Helgaball
at Estrella War XXVI!

IMPORTANT DETAILS:
- Points are scored by getting a cabbage through/past your opponent's
goalposts. Two members of the Chivalry (or squires) shall serve as
stationary goal posts for each goal.
- All players must wear a dress (Viking garb encouraged, but not required).
- Players are encouraged to wear do-rags, heavy shoes/boots, and to carry a
non-breakable/non-pointy drinking vessel/bota bag. 
- Players may kick or dribble the cabbage with their feet, but may not touch
the cabbage with their hands or use hands to pick up the cabbage.
- Players may scoop the cabbage up in a skirt, apron, or do-rag, and move
the cabbage on the field.
- Goalposts shall signal a "score" by raising one arm and yelling either
"Helga Ball!!" or "Olgaball!" to identify the scoring team.

For a complete list of rules, see: 
http://estrellawar.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=wgs9MCEHdz8%3d&tabid=409

WHEN AND WHERE:
At 4 PM, on Thursday, Feb 11, 2010 a Helgaball competition shall commence on
the Hound Coursing Field. Ladies who wish to play are encouraged to assemble
there so they can be divided into teams (the Helgas and the Olgas) and rules
can be explained. Cabbage kickoff shall commence as soon as sufficient
players are available. 

Spectators are welcome, and gentleman volunteers are always needed as Team
Support (chocolate bearers, refreshment staff, towel bearers, etc.). Members
of the Chivalry and Squires are also needed as goal posts. 

If you have questions, wish to volunteer with running the competition, or
are interested in fielding a team to compete, please contact Lady Nicolete
la Rossa (NicoletelaRossa@ aol.com - OMIT SPACES).

All Hail Atenveldt! Victory on the Helgaball fields is within our grasp!

********
ANCILLARY HISTORICAL PRECEDENCE/RESEARCH:
See page 12 of the most recent Complete Anachronist (no. 142):
Calcio: ""a hodgepodge of rugby, wrestling, boxing and soccer". This could
be a predecessor to cabbageball in it's early stages. Note that Calcio
"decended from Arapasto, a conditioning game for legionaries."

********************************************************************
There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." -- Anonymous