All are welcomed all Oregonians are encouraged to join and help us grow the game. #RugbyforAll
Friday, January 27, 2023
Monday, January 16, 2023
Beware the Renegades
When you talk about rugby in the state of Washington you most likely focus on Seattle and the area around Seattle. You will have to start changing that as to the west across the water is the Kitsap Renegades, and they are preparing to cause some chaos. Tracing its roots back to the 1980s the Renegades are looking to rebound and reach the top of the High School competition with in the state of Washington. As someone with family on Whidbey Island , a place where I wish rugby was introduced and I believe can thrive, I am always excited to see communities like Kitsap have their own youth club and hope they will rally around and help the Renegades build up support and push these young men to greatness.
I'd like to thank Dean Shephard very much for taking time out of his person busy life to answer some questions about the Renegades and opinions on some rugby matters. I hope you all enjoy very much!
*Side note Bremerton and Kitsap county is a place where I hope to travel through on our next family trip up to whidbey island.
LLR- For those outside the area who are not familiar with Washington where abouts is the Kitsap rugby club located?
DS- Kitsap rugby is in Kitsap County, WA with the team center of mass being central Kitsap
LLR- How old is the club?
DS- Bangor Renegades which is now the Kitsap Renegades was originally formed as a navy team 1986. This is formed the basis of the Olympic Peninsula Sports Union (Kitsap RFU) which had included men’s, women’, boy’s, girl’s, and military teams. Kitsap Bullpups started for High School players, initially coed until the International Rugby Board banned contact between male and female players in 1992. Twice we had girl’s teams- Grenades and Lady Renegades, the boy’s team is also now called the Kitsap Renegades.
LLR- How many players are typically registered each year?
DS- For the youth team: 17
LLR- What are the age groups provided?
DS- For the youth team: 14-19 (following age and waiver requirements)
LLR- Where are practices and games typically held at?
DS- Practices and games for the youth team are at Fairview Elementary School, Bremerton WA
LLR- are the Renegades a one school club or multi school club?
DS- multi school,
LLR- The seawolves have been around now for some time, has their existence helped with the growth of rugby in your area or Washington as a whole or has there not been much done to move the needle?
DS- There has been no discernable benefit for marketing and recruiting in Kitsap county. The interest in the Seawolves starts to occur after families become rugby families. Seawolves outreach has not occurred locally. Seattle has come out to make a presentation to one of coaches.
LLR- How confident are you that for ether the men's or women's USA world cup , matches will be held in the PNW?
DS- As I understand there may be venues in Canada, depends on Vancouver, Canada.
If Vancouver gets a venue, and it is the home of Canadian rugby, I do not see any occurring in Seattle
If Vancouver does not get a venue, Seattle may get something
LLR- What more can be done to help continue the growth of rugby in the state of Washington?
DS- Non rugby sports with influence need to tout rugby on what it brings to their sport. Seahawks tackling/Basketball jump ball/ Soccer open field play/ Cross country running endurance in changing environment. Try to make inroads with high school JROTC as rugby is a military sport. Try to have outliers (not what is known as Pugetopolis) get more visibility and assistance (marketing is a biggie).
LLR- What would you say to those who are skeptical about letting their son or daughter play rugby, why should they run with the ball?
DS- Rugby is statistically safer than other contact sports. Alex Goff many years ago wrote an article “Rugby is Safer than Football”. In Kitsap county the most dangerous sport for boys is wrestling, and due to high level of concussions, girls soccer. The safer tackling techniques used by the Seahawks, culture of sportsmanship and common values is stressed
LLR- How can all of us fallow the KITSAP rugby club?
DS- Social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KitsapBoysRugby
Instagram : @kitsaphsrugby
Webpage:
www.kitsaprugby.com
Contact (Team Manager- Wayne Chapin)
Contact Email: renegadeshsrugbycoachwayne@gmail.com
Contact Phone (Voice and Text): 360.550.6576
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