Volume 5, Issue 23

Lobsters Ball Out At Gay Bowl 2023 in Seattle

Congratulations to our PVD Lobsters Gold and Blue squads for their amazing showing at Gay Bowl 2023 in Seattle!



Not only did both teams advance further than any PVD team had ever gone at Gay Bowl, they each also represented the very best of our league’s values and talent, and demonstrated on a national stage just what makes PVDGFFL so special.


The teams that we face at these tournaments are the best of the best from across the U.S. and Canada, but this tournament was tougher than ever. More than 1,400 players competed on 84 teams, from 30 different leagues, which made this the largest Gay Bowl in history. This means the road to winning was the toughest in Gay Bowl history. A whopping 56 teams competed in the open division!


This was the third ever Gay Bowl appearance for our open division teams and their performances represent tremendous growth and development for our league and our tournament program. A little history of our two open division teams to help contextualize this year’s performance:


2019 (NYC):

PVD is testing the waters and learning what tournament play is all about. Our first-ever Gay Bowl squads each won one game in pool play and lost in the first game of bracket play. A great learning experience.

- Combined team records (not counting consolation game): 2-6



2020: No tournament (COVID-19)


2021 (Phoenix):

Our teams now have a better sense of what tournament play is like and come in ready to make some moves. Both teams end up playing “up” a division in bracket play, so they faced much tougher teams. Strong progress, especially in pool play.

- Combined team records (no consolation game): 2-6


2022: (Hawaii):

Did not send open division teams

- PVD sends our first Women’s+ team to Gay Bowl and they go 3-1!


2023 (Seattle):

- Our Gold Lobsters are the first PVD team to play in a higher division, demonstrating our confidence and ability to compete against tougher competition. Gold goes 3-0 in pool play, earns a first-round bye, the #1 seed, and advances to the quarterfinals in the B division (second highest division).

- Our Blue Lobsters go 3-0 in pool play and earn the #2 seed in their division. They advance to the Championship game.

- Combined team records (no consolation game): 9-2


Open Division Records and Milestones:

*Each team won more games than any PVD open division team had ever won at Gay Bowl.

*Combined, our two Lobsters teams more than doubled PVD’s open division win total in Gay Bowl play (four wins from 2019-2022 and nine wins this year).

*Each team advanced further than any PVD team had ever gone at Gay Bowl.

*Gold Lobsters earned PVD’s first-ever B division victory.

*Gold Lobsters earned PVD’s first-ever bye.

*Blue Lobsters earned PVD’s first-ever bracket play victory with 26-6 win over South Florida.

*Blue Lobsters advanced further than any team in PVD history.

*Blue Lobsters played in PVD’s first ever Championship game.


Tournament Recap:


Lobsters Gold (3-1)

POOL PLAY

- 34-21 (W) vs Honolulu Riptide

- 18-7 (W) vs Boston Longfellows

- 27-21 (W) vs San Diego Sharks


BRACKET PLAY

- Earned a first round bye

- 32-18 (L) vs Honolulu Riptide


Lobsters Blue (6-1)

POOL PLAY

- 33-0 (W) vs Seattle Sprinklez

- 33-7 (W) vs Denver Summit Green

- 28-14 (W) vs Seattle Legion


BRACKET PLAY

- 26-6 (W) vs South Florida Sharks

- 28-14 (W) vs New York Empire

- 29-26 (W) vs Seattle Sprinklez

- 34-28 (L) vs San Francisco Seals


Thank You’s and Acknowledgments:

- Thank you to all of our players and captains for putting in the work, giving their best, and leaving their hearts, blood, and sweat on the field. You represented our league with honor and passion, and we’re all so very proud of you!


- Thank you to all the significant others and volunteers who made the trek to Seattle and helped organize meals and on-field snacks, live-streamed games, took photos, helped coordinate logistics between games, got LOUD on the sidelines, and showed our players endless love and support. Any league member who's interested in experiencing a tournament is more than welcome to join us in the future! There’s always room for more PVD love in Crustacean Nation!


- Thank you to our PVD family at home for tuning in to the livestreams and sending your love and support. It meant SO much to our players to have our entire league rally behind them! Everyone in Seattle definitely felt the love.


- Thank you to our Board and those who donated/fundraised to help our teams get to Seattle!


Next year, we’ll be ready to rock with our open and women’s+ squads heading to Austin for Gay Bowl 2024!


Stayed tuned for information about tryouts and roster selection for our 2024 tournament rosters. We hope to share those details in the next few weeks.


On behalf of our entire league, congratulations to our Lobsters! We’re so proud of you!

Check out photos on the PVDGFFL Facebook Group



Saturday's Forecast:

League Practice & Skills Night

As a reminder, tomorrow (Thursday) is another league-wide practice and skills night from 5:30-7:30pm at North County Club Field (160-168 Monroe St, Warwick, RI 02888). This is another great opportunity to get some extra live action play in between weeks.


These weekly practices/skills clinics will take place each Thursday evening throughout the season and are being offered in response to league-wide requests for more practice and development opportunities.

Week 5 Game Schedule

The most up to date schedule is available on our website and the SportsEngine app (iOS or Google). Check out all our teams including full rosters and current standings on our website.

Current Standings

Flu + COVID Vaccine Clinic

Registration Required by 10/14

Health & Safety - Ankle & Foot Taping Clinic

Have you ever wanted to learn how to tape ankles/feet in order to prevent injuries?

The Health and Safety Committee will be holding an Ankle & Foot Taping clinic!


WHEN: Saturday, October 14th @ 7am-8am (before games start)


WHERE: North Country Club Fields

Registration is required. Please register here: https://forms.gle/hvc5Xi3AzqQBVHCAA


DISCLAIMER: This clinic is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice. There is no guarantee that taping will prevent injuries. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.

RSVP on Facebook (Registration via Google Docs still required)

PVDGFFL Volunteers!

Join Aids Care Ocean State on Monday, October 16 from 6-8pm to help with bingo packet creation. Or, volunteer October 19 from 5-6:45pm at Drag Bingo, theme “Nightmare on the Pawtuxet.” All teams and league members welcome. Please reach out to Pat Mac to confirm your attendance.


The Red and Purple teams will be volunteering for Sojourner House on Sunday, October 15th for the Pell Bridge Run.


Looking for all RN’s and LPN’s licensed in RI! Please contact Health & Safety Director Theresa Waterbury at this week’s games if you’d like to volunteer during Family & Friends Weekend, October 21st. The West Warwick fire department will be there hosting a COVID and Flu vaccine clinic.

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

Oct 14 -- Ankle & Foot Taping clinic!

Oct 21 -- PVDGFFL Family and Friends Day

Oct 21 -- Flu + COVID Vaccine Clinic


FALL 2023 SEASON DATES

  • Sat, Oct 14 (Week 5)
  • Sat, Oct 21 (Week 6) - PVDGFFL Family and Friends Day
  • Sat, Oct 28 - No Games (Spooky Bear) - Makeup date, if necessary
  • Sat, Nov 4 (Week 7)
  • Sat, Nov 11 (Playoffs & Rhody Bowl)


Additional events, including league socials and fundraisers, are constantly being planned! Check our events page for the latest details.

2023 Board of Directors

Chris Almonte — Commissioner

Rolfe Hubley — Assistant Commissioner, Open Division

Red McSwiggan — Assistant Commissioner, Women’s+ Division

Greg Polzer — Treasurer

Josh Klemp — Secretary


Chelsea Beaudoin — Director of Travel Teams

Michael Lucerto — Director of Captains

Marc Perkel — Director of Marketing and Communications

Sean Corcoran — Co-Director of Football Operations

John Mancone — Co-Director of Football Operations

Sean Davis — Director of Recruitment and Player Development

Anthony DeRose — Director of Fundraising and Sponsorships

Jay Potter — Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Theresa Waterbury — Director of Health and Safety

Michael Maio Director of Events

Pat McIlveen Director of Volunteerism and Community Outreach

Bri Gil Director of Field Operations

2023 League Sponsors

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