Oregon RL- Corvallis

Wanted to give an update from this Saturday's meeting. It's not go as planned as well as last weekend's gathering in Salem but I will take full responsibility for this failure. The gathering of Salem was put forth weeks in advance which gave time for people to make plans and be ready. This Saturday Corvallis gathering was put forth just 5 days earlier, and was only heavily advertised the day prior. 

Going forward there will be two more gatherings planed , once again for the Corvallis/Albany area and the Springfield/Eugene location. Both of those will be set out two weeks in advance with the fallowing week being the Salem RLC "practice" player show up. 

After all three locations have had their meetings we will be able to put a financial plan forward and every team set practice dates and potentially put together a exhibition mini season to get the word out. 

Oregon RL- Salem Rugby Lague Club

Over the last few months I've been helping to establish rugby league here in Oregon. Currently there is only a few social media accounts available,there is a Facebook group and page and a Twitter account. 

we were able to hold our first meeting in Salem the state capital. It was a informal gathering no practice being held due to covid protocols. but today i did learn that we could still hold a "practice" but with only touch. 

Only seven players were able to arrive but that is not discouraging at all seeing as only advertisement was through online. Was notified that more players were tempting to arrive but had work priorities. Here's a bullet point of items that were discussed and things to come. 

- practice event to be held in 2-3 weeks

- name write in from players

- 2/27 top four names chosen

- club presidents and treasure to be selected for SRLC

- once name has been chosen and after practice finance figures will be made more concrete for players and club moving forward. 

-2-3 week's meeting to be held in Eugene/Springfield to engage potential players and set up another club. 

- 2/27 or 2/28 meeting to be held in Corvallis/Albany to try and also set up another club. 

There is huge excitement from everyone to get going and start practicing and playing. There's experience amongst the guys who are used to setting up events and financially securing enough funding. 

Newberg Girls rugby- Tigers.

It may not be Portland, or Eugene or even Salem but in Newberg Oregon there is something special brewing. The Newberg high school girls rugby team is growing and improving year after year. It is unfortunate that due to covid the State of Oregon has had to shut down and close down facilities that has made it hard for any sports team to practice let alone play games. Marcus is in a tough spot in trying to keep his players together and continue to build a program that is of varsity status through the local high school. I want to thank Marcus for agreeing to answering some questions and I hope like me you all also become new fans of the Tigers! 

LLR-  How long have you been coaching and how did you get involved with Girl’s Rugby?

 

MG- I have been coaching on and off since 2013. I started as an assistant coach for the Newberg HS Boy’s Rugby Club in 2013 and then in 2015 – 2016 I was an assistant coach for the Oregon Pioneer (Boys) Rugby Club. It wasn’t until fall of 2019 that I officially accepted the title of Head Coach for the Newberg HS Girls Rugby Varsity Team.

 

How did I get involved? I was lucky! It was the 2018 Rugby Oregon Finals Tournament at Western Oregon University (Go WOR – Western Oregon Rugby. I played 2008 – 2011). It was right after I refereed a match that the former NHS Girls Coach Bailey came up to me and said “Hey Marcus! Wanna take over as Head Coach?” It wasn’t an automatic answer, however, after a few conversations and a meet up with Bailey I decided to myself “Why Not?!”

 

Like they say in the Snickers commercial ‘No Regrets”!

LLR- When was the club founded and is it a multi school club or strictly for one high school?

MG- I had to reach out to Coach Bailey for this answer. Per her recollection the club was founded sometime in 2009 – 2010 and then excitingly became a varsity sport in 2018. To maintain the team’s varsity status, we can have a maximum of 3 players from metro areas and/or 5 players in rural areas. Their ability to play for NHS depends on whether there is a local team closer to them that they can join instead.

LLR- Due to covid how has the program stayed active since not being able to play or practice thus far?

MG- This is a good question. I will say that covid has totally impacted the team emotionally and mentally. Our last practice was on a Wednesday and then only a few hours later I had to send out mass emails saying, “Sorry girls, no Friday practice and we have no definite answer on to when we can come back.”

On of my ideas to try to keep an open and fun line of communication with them was that I created a Discord channel for my players. I created several different channels; one for rugby talk, rugby memes, rugby videos, non-rugby talk, non-rugby videos, and a channel where I attempted to live stream games from YouTube. I was super excited I found a great way to keep my team entertained. Yeah… it flopped hard. At most I had maybe 2 or 3 participants every few days. 

Other than that, I have just been regularly reaching out to the players at random via Instagram to see what they’re up to and how they’re feeling.

LLR- How many players does the team average every season?

 

MG- I would say the team gets anywhere between 12 – 23 players depending on the season. during 7s (Fall) we would see around 12 – 15 players and during 10s/15s (Spring) around 15 – 23ish.

LLR- How big is it for the club to have the varsity status compared to it being a non-varsity program through the school?

 

MG- I think for both the players and their parents the ‘varsity’ status is super important. I might be biased, and this might sound weird; however, I believe that schools show more pride and are more willing to boast the teams when they can say, “oh we have a girls varsity rugby”. Girls’ sports need as much support from the schools as they can get to flourish. I’m just excited for the future when I can have both Varsity and JV players wearing the Tigers Blue and Gold!

LLR- Has there been many crossover athletes that have come out for the team over the years?

MG- I believe that we have quite a few crossover athletes. Some of the sports that my captain tracked down was the following: Track, Soccer, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Basketball, and possibly volleyball. I hold the personal belief that players who do multiple sports excel in general! However, I have no qualms with the ladies who only play rugby. Because… Rugby!

LLR- Who would you say is the Tigers’ biggest rivals?

MG- I would have to say the rival to beat is East Portland Girls Rugby – David Douglas HS (coached by the AMAZING Toni Fuji).

LLR- What are some highs and lows the club has encountered thus far in its history?

MG- Highs: The team bond and comradery! I love seeing the Veteran players take the time to explain to the newer players different ways on how to be successful and the most important High – The love for Rugby!!!!!!

Lows: Numbers, we started of Spring 2020 with 15s in mind. However, due to circumstances outside our control we had to settle for a 10s team.

LLR- What division does the Tigers compete in?

MG- Oregon actually doesn’t have your typical ‘divisions’ for Rugby like other school sports do. For both Girls and Boys Rugby you either play as a school sport or a club sport so during finals it’s the varsity/jv finals or the club finals. 

LLR- In your opinion is Rugby Oregon and USA Rugby doing enough to help grow the game for girls at all levels?

 

MG- Rugby Oregon? Absolutely, I’ve been a Rugby Referee longer than I have been a coach and I have had the pleasure working for our former CEO Jenn Ackerman Heinrich for many years. The number of amazing things she has done to promote Rugby in Oregon (not only for the girls) is too hard to explain. I just wanna say; ‘thank you for everything you’ve done Jenn.’ Additionally, I am excited for her replacement Laci Betts who’s just as amazing. I can’t wait to see what becomes of Rugby Oregon; ‘Good luck Laci!’ 

 

USA Rugby? * cough * chapter 11… * cough * No comment…

LLR- What words of advice can you offer for others who are considering coaching Girls teams and to potential players who are thinking about giving rugby a try?

MG- For Coaches thinking about it? In the words of the majestic Shia LaBeouf “JUST DO IT! What Are You Waiting For?” Honestly, it’s the best feeling in the world being able to share your love and knowledge of Rugby. Whether you’ve only been a player, been a Team Mom all those years and want to step up, or you been refereeing so long you want to share your knowledge in a way that doesn’t require you to have to run around and chase 14 – 18 y/o for 75 – 80 minutes on Saturdays!

For Players? Don’t listen to those people who say, “oh my gosh, rugby is such a dangerous sport!” It is so much safer than American Football. Each year we’re finding new ways to ensure the highest respect for safety for players on the field. On another note, my number one philosophy of Rugby “Rugby = Family.” I don’t know how many times my WOR or Piggy family has had my back; when I lost my job, my housing, or just needed someone to be there for me, they were there! Lastly, the #1 thing about Rugby is that there is a position for EVERYONE! Are you tall? Short? Fast? Slow? Want to score by running around other people? Want to tackle a lot? Then Rugby is for you!

LLR- How can others follow along with Newberg's progress and help in any way?

MG- You can join us on the following social media platforms! 

Facebook: Facebook.com/nhsgirlsrugby

Instagram: newberggirlsrugby

Twitter: @rugby_nhs (give me a little time on this one... I’m new to Twitter!!!)

If you’re in the gift giving spirit, you’re more than welcome to support the team in many ways. Contact me via email at nhsgirlsrugby@newberg.k12.or.us, you can reach out to me directly if you have any questions on how you can contribute!

 

                                                                    Beautiful Kazoo pictured

Cheers! 

- Marcus Gillette, a WOU Wolf, a Portland Piggie, and a Newberg HS Tiger!

*Oregon offers 10s during the traditional 15s season for smaller clubs and is a great idea to keep the game growing even for smaller programs and clubs that may from time to time see numbers dip.