Challengers in the Bay.

Junípero Serra high school is no longer known for its powerful football program any more, rugby is on the rise and soon will be competing for championship banners. There is a surge of rugby growth happening in the San Francisco Bay Area and one of the premier high school athletic confrence is seeing its members slowly begin to start rugby clubs. Ken Peralta along with the coaches Bob Benson and Moses Similai are the ones leading the charge with the Padres rugby club. Ken is a very enthusiastic man who is energized and ready to get the young club to the top of the Northern California high school rugby rankings. 

LLR- How did you came into rugby ?

K- I picked up rugby after college football in the mid 1980's. I played with The Castaways in San Francisco. The Castaways then merged with another club, The Barbary Coast to form what is now called Golden Gate Rugby Club. I have moved around with my job, I'm a school teacher and football coach so I also played briefly for clubs in Washington, Kansas and New Mexico.

 

LLR- What where some struggles in the beginning starting the rugby club

K- Our biggest struggle continues to be recognized as a sport at Serra. Our "club" status keeps us out of the athletic team loop and the advantages of field and weight room space. We have to go off campus to train.

LLR- What's been the reception on campus with rugby?

K- Both years of rugby at Serra have begun with solid numbers of kids signing up (35-40). Signups have not yet translated to kids sticking around though. This is one of our challenge's that we will solve this off season.

LLR- Over the first couple of years what things have you've had to adjust with the rugby club in how recruitment or a practice is ran?

K- Our first year we had 6 am practices in the gym. Our second year we rented a 40 yard x 30 yard middle school turfed field. Better but cramped. Next year, the plan is to get space at Serra. We are putting turf on our baseball field so there is room there. The normalization of rugby begins with the ability to train at Serra. More kids see the game, more kids get interested. The encouraging thing for us is that during our school club periods every few weeks, we have 30+ kids playing touch on the football field and having fun doing it. Lots of promise here.

LLR- There's a few WCAL schools with rugby clubs, has there been discussion with other schools in the conference about trying to start more up?

K- Not yet but this will happen this spring.

LLR- How's the relationship been with other high school programs in the area?

K- The rugby guys are great. Very helpful and accommodating. Pretty typical in my experience with rugby guys. It's always about maintaining the sport and the rugby traditions.

LLR- Where would you like to see the Serra rugby club in 5 years?

K- Two solid teams. Practicing and playing at Serra HS.

LLR- In 5 years what's your vision on rugby at the high school level across the Bay Area region?

K-There is talk about the single school model being picked up at the California Interscholastic Federation (The CIF). If that takes off, we will see rugby take off too. The CIF endorsement carries weight around our state and interest in starting rugby at the high school level will increase.

LLR- Has Rugby NorCal been helpful in providing any assistance needed?

K- Yes. Nate Dalena, the gentleman who runs NorCal Rugby, is all in on helping high school rugby expand to the CIF level. Nate hustles and is the right man for this pioneering type of work. It's going to take a concerted effort by the established HS rugby programs to making rugby a recognized CIF sport. The path is direct but one or two schools will struggle doing it alone. Team effort on this one is needed.

LLR- Any key players for us to keep an eye on ?

K- Yes; Seniors Timo Poloka, Collin Tahitua, Jun-Jun Jennings can play. Juniors Christian Calero, Jonah Alapati, Soren Blanchard and sophomore Peyton Thomas will be guys to look at next year.

LLR- What words of encouragement could you provide to anyone who maybe considering starting their own rugby program?

K- Jump in! Rugby today is like lacrosse 15 years ago, obscure and unknown. Rugby has a place in the American high school sports scene. It's coming, get in on the bus.

LLR- How can people get a hold of you and fallow along?

K-  Easy - email me at: kperalta@serrahs.com 

*I wish Ken and the Padres the very best and truly excited to see where this club goes going forward. Now with Bellarmine, Saint Ignatius, Saint Francis and now Serra high school fielding rugby clubs, how soon till Valley Christian breaks with their old ways and joins in along with Archbishop Rirdon and Archbishop Mity and others.