When you hear about De la Salle high school most would know the school for their top tier football program, but what others need to keep an eye on and stay focused on is their ever rising rugby club. Now over 20 years old this program has steadily risen to one of the most stable and top tier high school programs in the country. 2022 California state Champs and lead by Derek Holmberg who hails from another great program out of St.Marys college, it's safe to say the Spartans are in good hands and headed for history when it comes to the long list of achievements that Bay Area rugby has accomplished.
Could Rugby be a Varsity sport in California High schools? Including Derek and previous interviewees there's a strong push and need to flip the switch with the CIF to sanction rugby.
LLR- What is your rugby background?
DH- I went to Saint
Mary’s College to play basketball. After
that didn’t work out I looked to another sport and found Rugby. I played Rugby at SMC for three years
finishing as Captain and MVP of our team.
I was also a member of the Pelicans (Nor. Cal Collegiate All Stars) my
Junior and Senior year and selected to the Grizzlies my Senior year. I played one year of Men’s club for the Old
Blues after college. My coaching career
began coaching youth Rugby at the Danville Oaks in 2010 and took over as the
Head Coach of DLS High School in the 2016/2017 Rugby Season.
LLR- When was the club founded?
DH- The DLS High School Rugby Club was Founded in 2003
LLR- Where are
practices held and home matches played?
DH- Practices are held on campus at DLS
Monday-Thursday. Home matches are a
combination of DLS and Saint Mary’s College
LLR- How's the
relationship between the rugby club and other sports on campus, is there
positive dialog between the various coaches?
DH- The relationship
is really strong with our Athletic Department and other sports on campus. Football is a big ally of ours and fully
supports their boys participating in rugby and other sports on campus.
LLR- Are there more
then one team, such as varsity and junior varsity or just one squad?
DH- We field a JV and two Varsity teams each year. Varsity A and B.
LLR- What's been a highlight for you while being with the
Spartans ?
DH- We have won several league titles and three California
Single School State Championships. The
best we’ve finished is #1 in the country according to Goff Rugby Report in
2022. The team went 14-0 that season
winning the California Single School State Championship and the Nor. Cal
Premier Championship. Beyond our titles
the most important thing to us has been getting several kids to the next level
including Erich Storti and Dominic Besag who are now in the USA Eagles mix.
LLR- Any player or players we should keep an eye on going forward?
DH- From this year’s team there are four to keep an eye
on. Chris Biller who is headed to Cal,
Kai Moananu-Apela who is headed to SMC, Parker Beilke who is headed to the
University of Arizona and Lucas Meranda who will be heading to Central
Washington or SMC.
LLR- With the men's and women's world cups coming to the USA
and most likely the Bay Area being one of the destinations for a host location.
What efforts are being done on your behalf and of Rugby NorCal to expand the
game and ensure the awareness of the sport?
DH- Numbers are up in Nor. Cal and we are really trying to
ensure that the best of youth rugby is always on display. One of our main goals is to make High Scholl
Rugby a CIF sport in the next 5 years which will guarantee a bright future for
the US game.
LLR- How can fans, potential players and the general public
fallow your journey and the De La Salle Rugby clubs?
DH- Visit the DLS Athletics Website and or download the
Spartan App.
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