Sunday, May 4, 2014

The Gladiators are the Nor-Cal NCRFU Div. III champs!


Over the past week I was contacted by Christian Scholten from Life West Rugby Club out of Hayward CA. (east bay of San Francisco Bay Area) and wanted to share quick information on the Gladiators who are a new club and enjoying this fantastic first year playing Rugby.  
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LLR- When was the club formed?

CS- Dr. Tez Molloy was recruited from the Philippines to form a Men’s Rugby team here at Life West and after spending time engaging the community the team was formed in January of 2013.  

 
LLR- Where are practices held and games played?
CS- Trainings are held at Sunset Park on the corner of Sunset and Western Blvd in Hayward Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00

 

LLR- I’m sure you are well aware of Life University and they’re very successful college and men’s club, is this something life west wishes to try and recreate here in the Bay Area?
CS- Life University and Life West have a strong rivalry and a long history, however we are separate institutions. Our goal is to be the number one team in the country.  Along the way we look forward to many good matches with Life University. We also look forward to sharing the benefits of chiropractic with elite athletes. Our program is very new and to achieve the status that LU has would be fantastic.

 
LLR- What division do the gladiators play in?

CS- As a new team in their first year, the Life West Gladiators have played the season in the Northern California 3rd Division (NCRFU). We’ve had an outstanding season with a 10-0 record, finishing off with top points and an over +500 point differential, we look forward to advancing a division by next season.  

 
LLR- Is recruitment a struggle for players?

CS- We actively recruit players through several avenues: by attending rugby tournaments and letting teams know that if their players are interested in pursuing a rugby scholarship while obtaining a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, through outreach into the local rugby community and overseas through our vast network of alumni and friends who wish to see the rugby program grow and develop into elite status.  We’ve developed relationships with key people in the US, as well as Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. There happens to be a fantastic Tongan community in Hayward where many of our players currently come from.  We also have strong relationships with the local high school rugby community.

 
LLR- For those who want to follow, how can the public keep in touch and general rugby community?

CS- Anyone wanting to learn more about the rugby program can visit www.lifewestrugby.com/ or LIKE our Facebook page www.facebook.com/LifeWestRugby  and keep updated on all developments.

 
LLR- How can any future players who are considering attending school and living in the area get in touch with the program?

CS- Practice is held on Tuesday and Thursday at Sunset Park in Hayward, local players are welcome to join in for training. Aside from the rugby website, people can learn more about the school at www.lifewest.edu

 
LLR- Why have both college and local players on the team and not just a college program?

CS- Since we have just started our program, assembling a team of student athletes would take years and would most likely be inconsistent.  We wanted to begin now and mature into having a collegiate side and club side.  This was where the beginnings of the great partnership between the local community and our own students have played out.

 
LLR- What Goals do the gladiators wish to achieve in the coming years?

CS- Our first goal is to win this weekend in Boise by beating Budd Bay, and then we’d like to advance in the playoffs and win the Division 3 National Championship.  We’d love to move into Division 2 next year and create the same success there, eventually moving into Division1. * Life West won in Boise over the weekend 34-24

 ·        Up next for the Gladiators will either be one of three teams, Dallas Athletic, San Antonio Rugby club, or Denton Rugby. Gladiators are moving on to the semifinal round and seek public help to continue this amazing season. Please go to www.gofundme.com/8jseig to donate and keep the Gladiators marching on!


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