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.  

Bells keep Ringing

Retouching base with a former Q&A player, Mateo from San Jose, CA, It was great to hear from Mateo and as always very gracious for him taking the time to answer these questions. My hope is that you all, like my self, get a opportunity to learn a bit more about this young player and be sure to add him to your list of young up and comer to keep an eye on. 

LLR- Since our last conversation, how did last season end?

M- Last year was a rough season for our rugby program. The boys fought hard all the way through the season, and we improved tremendously throughout the season, but we ended up letting games slip through our hands. 

 

 

LLR- What preparations have you taken to prepare for this coming season?

M- The way I improved myself most was going to Argentina for 2 months to play rugby for a club team. I learned a lot about rugby culture in Argentina and how it is vastly different than the culture in California. I addition to the culture I learned about a whole new style of play, and I developed new skills myself. As a team we have been preparing by keeping each other accountable for training sessions and by helping the newer guys understand the game and how we prepare for it.

 

LLR- How has recruitment gone thus far in getting more players to come out for the team?

M- This last year we lost a large majority of our team that were seniors who all graduated and so now we are left with fewer numbers than I would like. The recruiting this year has gone well and we have a lot of newer players. I’m excited to see how they develop as rugby players this season and perhaps in the future if they decide to keep playing.

 

LLR- Are there any special matches scheduled for this season that we should all keep an eye on?

M- I think again like every year our favorite teams to play are Bishop O’Dowd and San Joaquin Memorial because they are usually evenly matched and everyone enjoys the competition. We play Bishop O’Dowd February 3^rd and San Joaquin Memorial February 10^th both at home.

 

LLR- Are there any schools you are narrowing down your choices to that you want to get a degree from and also play for?

M- As of right now my top 2 schools which I have heard back from are Colorado State, and Montana State. I plan to play rugby at whichever school I end up choosing while studying Environmental Engineering. I am still waiting to hear back from a few schools to release acceptances like CU Boulder and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

 

LLR- What would you like to major in when moving on to college?

M- I am planning on majoring in Environmental Engineering at whichever college I end up attending.

 

LLR- Are there future plans to apply for the MLR draft or are your sights set for something else?

M- I don’t think the MLR is in my future but I 100% plan on continuing to play rugby after college for a club team.

 

LLR- Current favorite rugby player?

M- I would say right now my two favorite players are Marcos Moneta and Antoine Dupont.

 

LLR- Favorite rugby team?

M- My favorite team is the Pumas because I am Argentinian, so I root for my own country.

 

LLR- Super Bowl, who do you have winning?

M- I have my bet on the Niners beating the Chiefs.

 

LLR- Favorite subject in school?

M- Favorite subject right now is probably my Engineering Design and Development class.

 

LLR- If you had an opportunity to speak with a coaching staff member from a national team, what would you say to them to take the chance on you?

M- If I had one chance to speak with a coach of a national team I would say “Just watch”. Now this might seem a little cocky but there’s no other way to prove myself other than to just demonstrate what I can do. Actions speak louder than words. No amount of “sweet talking” should vouch for someone’s abilities. Now in no way am I qualified to tell a coach of a national team to “Just watch” but that is what I would say if I had such ability.

 

LLR- Words of motivation for your teammates?

M- What I say to my teammates after every practice is that they keep improving every single practice. We have got to keep working hard and nothing is going to be given to us. Not only working hard for ourselves but fighting for our entire team. When you step on that field play with pride because you are representing Bellarmine. Leave everything on the field so when the final whistle blows you have no regrets.

*Bellarmine lost 2/3 40-19 to Bishop O'Dowd 

Fallow Bellarmine Rugby Club on instagram- @bcprugby 

Bright Future- Sydney the enforcer

 The 2033 women's rugby world cup is not that far and the current female athletes that are in high school and college will be the core of the USA lineup come that first kickoff. There is an explosion, albeit small right now, for women's and girls rugby in the USA. the emphasis on providing high quality matches and reporting on youth teams is seeing a rise for female players and their respected clubs. Sydney Copeland is one of those players who are taking advantage and thriving thanks to new programs being established and bridges being made between the various levels of rugby. She is a star on the rise and could very well be in the history books come 2033. A NorCal native Sydney has found her stride while attending and playing for Western Washington University, bringing pride to not just Bellingham but all the north west. With the PR7s and the much talked about potential investment into the WPL, players like Sydney and others could very well be better prepared for the future and  I hope you all enjoy learning about Sydney as much as I have.

LLR- Where abouts from the Bay Area are you from?

SC- I am from Martinez in the east bay area

LLR- When did you first start playing rugby and for what club?

SC- My senior year at Carondelet high school, they created a womens rugby team and I joined about halfway through the season in 2019.

LLR- You currently play for Western Washington university, how has your experience playing at the collegiate level been thus far?

SC- I have had a great experience with WWU, I have developed a lot of my core skills from being on this team and from the coaches that I have had. When I first came to western, my coach had taught me how to play scrumhalf and how to kick, and to see the progress I have made in those skills with where I am at on the team now is really cool. We also won our league last year and made it to regionals in California which was a great experience and a nice opportunity for our team to continue to progress to higher levels.

LLR- At such a young career you are experiencing some amazing opportunities, PNW selects, Pacific coast grizzlies. What are some key points that you feel those programs have helped you improve your overall playing experience?

SC- For both of these teams, being able to come together, having never played together as a team or even with most of the people there, and understand everyone's skills and the team dynamic is a great learning experience. Just being able to adapt to a new dynamic and figure out how to let everyone's skills shine and flow smoothly together is a great feeling and growth opportunity, and we got to see it work in Iowa with the PacCoast grizzlies with us winning tier 1.

     Also, just being able to play rugby at a higher level than our current collegiate level, with some of the best players in our region has been a huge factor in helping me improve as a player and teammate.

 Even with the PNW selects and our recent loss against UBC, it was a great learning experience. I feel like a game like that can help put into perspective what our weaknesses were as a team and individually, and how we can improve on those. If we are out here winning every single game we wouldn't get the opportunity to see those little things they were able to capitalize on and be able to grow from it.

LLR- Another amazing thing to point out is your time down in chula vista, can you explain what the reasoning was for the training and the impact it has had on you as a whole? 

SC- This year in 2023 I just started getting into 7s. My first camp at chula vista in June was a huge learning experience for me as a player and for my game in 7s especially. The first camp I attended was more of a learning-based camp to understand the strategies and skills for 7s and how to read the players and the field when on offense and defense. The next two camps in August and October were more performance based camps where we were able to take what we have learned and put it into practice with the scrimmages we did at the end. Overall, I have learned so so much just from these camps, especially being able to train and play with extremely talented athletes from all over the nation. I feel like I have grown with rugby and within my values, seeing how skilled and dedicated everyone is, is extremely motivating and pushes me to continue to work hard to be able to compete at this high of a level.

LLR- Focusing on WWU and the 2023/2024 season how has the team performed thus far reaching the halfway point.

SC- WWU has performed so well! We are currently 2-0 so far this season with big wins against U of O and UW. (our first game against OSU got rescheduled). We are looking forward to continuing to dominate in our league and hopefully we will be able to to compete at regionals again this Spring.

LLR- In your own opinion is there enough being done to get potentially young female players to pick up the ball?

SC- I have seen a lot of growth with girls and womens rugby but I always believe we can be doing more to spread the love of the game, especially to the next generation. Girls rugby is doing an amazing job of growing the name of rugby and empowering young girls all across the nation. I would love to see more funds and spotlight on them and their program.

LLR- Where would you like to see the women's game go here in North America come 2033 ?

SC- I would love to see womens rugby just as big as mens rugby in North America and the United S⁸tates specifically. I would also hope that by 2033, womens professional rugby players are getting paid enough to where they do not need another job.

LLR- Speaking of the USA Women's Rugby World Cup , is there any specific location you personally would like to see at least one round played at in 2033?

SC- I would love to see them play in San Francisco or at least somewhere in the bay area.

LLR- After WWU what's the next step in your rugby and personal journey ?

SC- After I graduate WWU I will have a bachelors in kinesiology exercise science, and will find a job in that field. With rugby, I am wanting to pursue it as far as I can and hopefully even playing professionally one day, thats the dream.

LLR- If you had an opportunity to go back to your middle school and high school, what would you say to those young girls in encouraging them to take up rugby and , for the older ones, going to WWU?

SC- I would tell them that they are capable of amazing things and to always, no matter what, through the ups and downs of life, always continue to believe in yourself. You are strong, powerful, and dangerous.

LLR- Final words of encouragement to those who are reading this?

SC- Keep putting in the work. Even if its not fruitful today or tomorrow, the hard work will pay off. Set your standards high and prove to yourself what you are capable of.

*If you would like to fallow Sydney on her journey along with the Western Washington Woman's rugby club and the PNW Womens Selects please give each profile below a fallow below!

Sydney- @sydneycopeland

WWU club team instagram- @wwuwomensrugby

PNW u23 regional instagram- @pnwws_rugby

Rebirth of Sparta

Men's Spartan Rugby Club at San Jose State has a very rich history that any program would be excited to have. However playing rugby in the San Francisco Bay Area unfortunately has its down sides. With Saint Mary's and Cal , and Stanford for that matter, many people tend to not realize there are plenty more college rugby being played although not at the consistency winning as the programs mentioned before each has a rich tradition and each has at times added wood to the fire as to why the Bay Area is a hot bed for Rugby in this country. San Jose State over the past several years has unfortunately slowly fallen down the ladder and become inconsistent in league play. Not for lack of trying by each of the coaches and staff but the culture and communication has broken down. 

Thankfully out of the ashes a rebirth is happening. With the rallying of alumni there's change happening to position the Spartan Men's amongst the best in the San Francisco Bay Area and out west. To be part of the conversation when speaking about St.Marys , Cal rugby . First step was hiring a homerun of a hire for a new head coach. Next was rebuilding communication & community among its alumni base and re-engage the players. I would like to thank the Chairman of the alumni association Lance for answering questions about the program and its future. A Rebirth of Sparta is happening,  take note and beware. 

LLR- Can you share a bit about your connection with the Spartan Rugby Club, when did you play and what position?

LC- I played from 1991-1995 for SJSU. I started playing my High school position of open side flanker #7 but when I got to college, I was undersized for that position. I was always a bit faster than I looked and had a good boot so I made the adjustment to flyhalf #10 and played at that position through my career at SJSU and beyond.

LLR- Most college rugby teams have some sort of alumni association, what makes this alumni association different from years past?

LC- SJSU never really had an organized Alumni Association. It was always seen as a social rugby club with a few bright spots of success on the pitch here and there. Mike Annab established the Alumni Association by vetting and selecting board members from various generations of SJSU Rugby that had a passion for the club, its history and the awareness of its impact on student athletes and the broader rugby community. We are just over a year into the establishment of the Alumni Association and we have made some positive moves to improve the club. We have hired a new coach, fundraiser for new kit, held a successful Spartan Rugby tailgate at the Homecoming game, began to develop sponsorships and partnerships with area companies to sponsor the club, rebranded our social media presence and committed to keep alumni updated with schedules, scores, events and highlights.

LLR- What is the relationship currently between the current players and those who have graduated and part of the alumni group now?

LC- This is an area of opportunity for us to connect these two groups. Formally, it occurs at the alumni match in spring each year but we are working on having more events throughout the year to foster tighter connections. We feel this is incredibly important for a number of reasons; to connect college players with men’s club teams like the San Jose Seahawks, connect current players with established professionals in their field of study who may be able to provide job opportunities and to share the love of the sport across generations. Rugby is a welcoming community and it’s important to crest the opportunities for those connections to occur.

LLR- As an association what's being done to help the growth of the team?

LC- We hired a new coach this season, Nick Schlobohm, who came via a close friend and former coach of mine at the Olde Gaels RFC, John Compaglia. When I told John we were looking for a coach to transform our team from a social club to a high performance competitive side, John simply said “I have your guy”. Nick was an Assistant Coach for the Olde Gaels at the time but had aspirations to lead his own club and the timing could not have been better. Nick is a two time Collegiate National Champion with St. Mary’s with a deep love of the sport and a high rugby IQ. We chatted a number of times, conferred with the Board and hired him. Coach Nick’s impact has already been felt with solid wins over Stanford and Cal Maritime this season. The team is looking good and the future looks bright.

We have also committed to providing more content for the alumni to raise the level of engagement and interest in their former team. So far, we have seen a nice uptick in our comments and feedback about the content and information we are providing online. It’s been very positive.

I arranged for a sports photographer to take team photos which is a hallmark of any organized team. This is a seemingly small act but means a great deal to the players, their family, and friends communicates history and tradition as this will be a standard from now on.

Through my company, I donated funds to purchase the Rugby jerseys for the season. The club was in transition, their finances were a mess which left them with no funds to replace their older incomplete set of jerseys. As an Architect and designer myself, I designed the jerseys for the team and presented them to them before their first match earlier this year. It was a humbling moment to be able to give back to the club that means so much to me.

The Board is working hard to connect the active players and coaches with ClubSports to secure funding moving forward. During the coaching transition, this was not addressed and left the club on the brink of collapse. It’s been great to work with Coach Nick on this and we are looking forward to more support from the school in the years to come.

LLR- What are some goals for this year and next season, and where would you like to see things with the alumni and club team in 5 years time?

LC- As an alumni association, We have some big goals but now we have a hill to climb to establish some of the basics including solid organization, reconnecting alumni with the current team, developing our Spartan Rugby Community, fundraising, putting on more events and supporting the coaching staff. If we do those things well, what happens on the pitch will take care of itself. Beyond that, we want to be a part of creating an experience for the players during their time at SJSU that they will never forget and hope they return as alumni and stay connected and to give back to the club in some way. 

LLR- What's been the most rewarding part and difficult?

LC- The most rewarding part is seeing the team on the pitch doing what they love and enjoying themselves. Talking to the players after the match and getting to know them as people, hearing their stories and supporting them in whatever way we can. The most difficult thing has been locating, connecting and engaging with the alumni. SJSU Rugby has been around for over 50 years now but it has been surprisingly challenging to find those players and develop a platform of connectivity. Depending on their generation, we have found that they use a wide variety of communications, so we end up communicating across several platforms to reach as many alum as we can. It’s been a good pace of growth but there are many more out there that we still need to connect with. We are excited about that challenge.

LLR-To the players what message would you like to tell them and also to the alumni who may not be aware of the change at hand, what would you like to pass on to them ?

LC- To the players, we want you to know that the alumni board is committed to supporting the club to help you succeed on the pitch. For the first time in the club’s history, you have an organized group of committed alumni focussed on the team’s success short term and long term.

To the alumni, change is here. For the first time in club history, the team is led by two coaches who each have won Rugby National Champions twice! Coach Nick and Assistant Coach Hadin are transforming the team into a competitive team with their sites on a league title and more. So, engage with us on social media, keep up to date on the team and attend the events to reconnect with your team and meet up with friends new and old. You will love it.

LLR- Are there any special events coming up or key dates we should all keep an eye out for?

LC- Yes. March 18 is the last home match of the season. Kickoff is at 12:30pm vs Nevada. It should be a great one.

April 28 is the alumni Golf Tournament. Please contact me if you are interested in playing. You can email me at llcrannell@yahoo.com

April 29 is the alumni Match. All are welcome to watch. There will be a BBQ and an opportunity to meet the players and buy some team gear. Bring a friend.

We are active on Facebook and Instagram. Look up Spartan Rugby or SJSU Rugby Alumni and you will find us. You can always text 925-550-6800 for any updates, information or questions you may have.

We are also continually fundraising and we have found that Venmo is the quickest and easiest way to show your support. You can venmo any amount you can spare to

@Spartan_Rugby_Alumni

Your donations will go a long way toward helping the club.

www.spartanrugbyalumni.org

#UnitythroughRugby #RuntotheFight 

Dead Birds Fly Together.

    In one of the hot beds of rugby union in America is a rugby league club that looks to be the first step to also making the Bay Area rugby leagues hot bed. Located in the north side of the San Francisco bay area are the Dead Pelicans. Only a few years old they are looking to make some big moves as they prepare for the 2023 season and beyond, they move over from the California Rugby League and join the newly created Pacific Coast Rugby League and the 4th California team. As someone who was born and raised in the bay area I am excited to see a rugby league club growing the game and having such a impact in their community, I hope there will some day be a club in San Jose (my home town). Along with EPA razorbacks and SF Savage the puzzle pieces are beginning to fall into place. Thank you very much to Robert Beasley from the DP's for taking the time to answer some questions I hope you all enjoy. 

LLR- First thing is first, the name is amazing. How did Dead Pelicans get chosen as a team name?

RB- Thank you! We pride ourselves on being a player-run organization and taking polls amongst our players is how we make most of our decisions. Which is how we got our name and our colors. The Dead Pelican name was created by a player and it was the option that got the most votes by a long shot. The name also made sense because the Nor-Cal Select side for HS, Collegiate, and men's club is called the Pelicans. And our first team ever, had nothing but players who were at some point in their career Pelicans. Thus, we were all Dead Pelicans.

LLR- You are located in the North Bay , where exactly on the north side are you located?

RB- We went by North Bay in the past but we are actually changing our location to be more exact. We will be switching to the Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans. We are located in Santa Rosa, CA, the heart of wine country.

LLR- How often are practices held, and where do you plan to hold matches?

RB- We will be practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Santa Rosa, CA. We will start practices in April 2023.

LLR- Will games be streamed on any platform?

RB- Yes. We have some of our past games on Youtube already. But PCRL will be streaming our matches during the season.

LLR- How many players are currently registered to play and how has recruiting been?

RB- Our player pool in Northern California is about 100 deep and about 150 Nationwide. But for the PCRL season we plan to be very selective in our recruitment to ensure that we put forth the best team possible every round. We will welcome every player who wishes to be a Dead Pelican to participate and have a fair chance at earning their way onto our roster every round as well. 

We have a great core group of players who have been playing together for over 2 years, who have already committed to playing in the 2023 season.

LLR- Will the Dead Pelicans field a womens side also?

RB- We will not field a women's team for the 2023 PCRL season but we will attempt to field a women's side to play a match or 2 in 2023.

LLR- How has the reception been with the local Union Clubs?

RB- All of our players play for union clubs and a good amount of them are officers for their home union clubs and they are fully supportive. We are currently in discussion with For Pete's Sake (FPS) NPO about using the FPS field as our practice and game field.

LLR- You once were associated with California Rugby League and I assume the Commision also, why the move to the PCRL ?

RB- As it pertains to CRL, It just did not work out.

As for the move to the PCRL, their mission aligns with ours in growing the game on the west coast of America.

LLR- Do the Dead Pelicans plan to play matches against teams from the commission for rugby league?

RB- We have very long and tremendous relationships with both the East Palo Alto Razorbacks and the Sacramento Immortals, so we foresee many matches being scheduled and played with them in 2023.

LLR- Are there plans to bring on more teams throughout northern California and western states?

RB- From our conversations with PCRL, the hope is that more teams from Northern California and Oregon join the fold as well.

LLR- What can we expect in 2023 from the Dead Pelicans , how can people interested follow along?

RB- You can expect the Dead Pelicans to play a fast, hard hitting, High flying, and exciting brand of rugby league that is only going to come from a team based in Santa Rosa, CA. Follow us on Insta and also follow PCRL for league updates.

LLR- What's the best way for potential players, coaches and sponsors to get a hold of someone from the team?

RB- They can contact us directly by email at Deadpelicans@gmail.com. They can also private message us on Instagram @DeadRugby.

LLR- What do you say to those who are looking to a club to support , why the Dead Pelicans?

RB- Well as mentioned previously, we play a very fast, hard hitting style of the game. I think we are the closest thing to the Penrith Panthers in the US. I know that is a very bold statement... but we are a very bold team!

Veggie delight.

   

 Growing up as a kid in San Jose the crazy old man seen at many sporting events was just a normal sighting. you where excited to see him because he just carried this aura of excitement with him and it was infectious. from San Jose sharks games to San Jose earthquakes, San Jose State University to Oakland Athletics and many more Krazy George was a staple at sporting events. your team could be getting blown out and season could already be lost but George had a way of whipping the crowd into a frenzy regardless if it was a few hundred or tens of thousands he knew how to command everyone's attention. Jim Stewart Allen also known now infamously as Broccoli Man has now slowly become what KG is to the San Francisco Bay Area. that is not a bad thing by any stretch, going back to when I was a kid I looked forward to when Krazy George came to my section of the stands and now as a parent before we moved to Oregon I was excited for my kids to experience Krazy George energy as I did, and they loved it. Jim is a kind loving man full of passion and I my self look forward to meeting him and when I am able to bring my kids to a Seawolves match and experience Broccoli man in the flesh.

LLR -Right off the bat question on everyone's mind, why broccoli?!

BM- Hahaha well what a valid question to ask! I made my first national TV appearance (ESPN Sportscenter) with potatoes at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in early 2020, and I decided I wanted to keep doing stuff like that! Because dancing with and eating vegetables on TV seemed like such a wholesome endeavor! I still dance with Potatoes, but only at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, that’s a special event, I needed another vegetable for the larger Pacific Northwest sporting community! After reflecting on it with some friends I decided on broccoli! Broccoli is my favorite vegetable, I love the texture, especially raw! They are very vibrant, when you see them you know, “oh, that guy brought giant crowns of broccoli with him to the game! That’s interesting!” One time I was doing my thing at a Seawolves game, and a lil 3-4 year old saw me, and started uncontrollably giggling, and he tapped on his Dad and said, “Daddy! That guy is dancing with broccoli!” in a very kind way, and then kept giggling, so cute! People compare them to pom poms, which I love! They are nature’s pom poms, and I use them to cheer on my favorite teams! In this case, the Seawolves!

<3 div="">

LLR- You've become a bit of an icon now in the Washington sports scene, do you see yourself as the Krazy George of the PNW?

BM- Hahahaha I don’t quite know how I see myself yet, this thing I do is so young still, ol George has been at it for years! I am tickled you’d compare me to such a legendary figure though, the inventor of the wave, wow! I think I’m definitely cut from the same cloth as he is, so to speak! That’d be fun to meet him, I think we’d both feel very validated knowing each other!

*(there is some controversy about the creation of The Wave. let it be known Krazy George is the inventor of the wave dont care what anyone says)

LLR- Can you share a little about yourself, day time profession and what led you to want to be an entertainer at events?

BM- My day job is being a teacher! A professional full time substitute teacher, I work in one school with that community of teachers and students and admin! But I try to be a good role model for healthy masculinity and for healthy eating. And that desire to try comes from working with kids!

I also have been doing stand up comedy since 2006! Since I was a junior in High School! So entertaining and working the crowd and figuring out how to get the crowd on my side! That is what stand up comedy is all about, and I definitely use those skills while veggie dancing, hah! Stand up taught me how to come up with a message, and then figure out how to get that message across in a way that many people will tap into and appreciate. My message is broccoli and kindness. And PNW love! And rugby love! And I guess just love in general <3 div="">

LLR- Last season for the Seawolves is when broccoli man was born, had you attended any games prior to that national television game?

BM- So this is actually an interesting question! Broccoli GUY has been a thing before rugby! The XFL Dragons in February and March, right before everything shut down, this is where I cut my teeth in the broccoli dancing biz! They liked me, the league liked me, I liked them, the XFL will be back in 2023 and I’ll be with them as Broccoli Guy

<3 div="">

    Broccoli MAN though, was never bestowed upon me though until the 2021 MLR season, so you are indeed correct, the 2021 Seawolves MLR season is when I became Broccoli Man!

I go by either and maybe I need to figure out my branding, but I think Broccoli Man fits the rugby aesthetic and I think Broccoli Guy fits the Mariners or the Dragons or the Seahawks aesthetic! Who knows hahaha, it’s just an honor to be known as these things, I do it for you broccoli! <3 div="">

As for the Nationally televised Broccoli eating session and dance, I had been to 2 games doing my thing before the Broccoli Man viral hit! The first game everyone was confused, but kind! They warmed up to me! The highlight of that game was someone successfully starting the chant, “Brocc-o-lee!! Brocc-o-lee!!” Very fun!

    The second game was during a PNW heat wave! And I actually was featured on the broadcast! But not much was said about my broccoli! I was wearing a pride romper and full on dancing during a heat wave, and they had never seen me before, so there was a lot to process, hahahahaha. But they did compliment my rhythm and I felt very validated.

The third game I went to though, that was where the magic happened! The Rugby Network was ready for me and I was ready for them, hahaha. The stars aligned!

LLR- What are your thoughts of Rugby in America, where the MLR and the Seawolves are at now and where you'd like to see it go?

BM- Ya know, here is the deal with rugby in America, ***in my humble opinion*** I always knew it existed, I went to Western Washington University, pretty big rugby school. I had friends in rugby, I went to some of the parties, they were wild, hahaha. But I never went to an actual game! After having gone to a few now, I can say I love it! It’s engaging, it’s fun, it’s accessible, I think it’s great! Americans have heard of rugby, but it’s one of those things you hear and go, “rugby. Yeah, that’s that sport all those other countries play right?” And it’s like, yeah, they do, but we play it too! On a club level, on a collegiate level and on a national level. We actually have our own full on major league, that’s broadcast on local networks and streaming services (shout out to The Rugby Network) and every once and again we are on FS2, or even CBS! So people know it exists, and I think if they came out and saw a game, they’d love it! The game speaks for itself! But Rugby in America has to find a way to get people into seats for the first time! Because as of right now it’s kind of still this thing people hear and go, “yeah but that’s not really a main sport here,”

    But there is no reason it shouldn’t be! Again, the game speaks for itself! And the atmosphere that rugby communities around the US are able to create together is I think magical, and something very beautifully American! The games I have been to, the tournaments, that’s just something I think Americans would have an easy time getting into! One of the reasons I bring my broccoli to the Seawolves, and to rugby in general, is to spotlight how much fun American rugby can be!

     As far as the Seawolves and the MLR? I would love to see them continue to build their brand based off of the excitable, kind and inclusive US rugby community. I think Rugby doing well here would add a lot to our American culture! And I think our American culture has a lot to offer Rugby! Rugby players and fans are so kind and respectful, yet competitive and fun. It’s good stuff, more of that in the US please! I’m here to help!

LLR- For those of us who have not attended a seawolves match yet, me and my wife will be attending the Austin match at the end of February. Can you share with us a few positive things about game day experience and one thing you'd like to see the club start to do?

BM- I mention this a lot, but before the second rugby game I ever attended started Seawolves player Ben Cima came over to me with a Seawolves ball, and thanked me for my energy and for what I gave of myself in my first game there!

    I just got so much of a jolt of passion from that. Rugby is still so small here, and every bit helps! Your presence is appreciated by the community! When you are at a game, you see people you know. People who are fans, people who are family members to the players, people deeply embedded in the sport and in the community. It’s humbling, it’s a cool atmosphere. I am privileged to get to be a part of it!

    Where would I like to see everything go for me personally? I’d love to see the Seawolves move to a bigger stadium, with a jumbotron! Either Cheney Stadium or Lumen Field? I have nothing but love for Starefire, and it gives so much to the Rugby community! But I think it’d speak to the growth of rugby as a whole to see the Seawolves in Lumen Field! Oh that’d be sweet!

LLR- What do you look forward to most in the coming season?

BM- Seeing people again! Yeah! There are a lot of folks within the community that I am really excited to see <3 div="">

LLR- -Any final message you'd like to get out to everyone before the first game?

BM- Go Seawolves, practice kindness, and eat some plants! <3 div="">

*if you'd like to fallow Jim the Broccoli man be sure to fallow him on any one of his social media accounts and be sure to say hi and snag a picture at Seawolves matches or many of the events around Seattle.

Twitter: @PNWBroccoliGuy

Instagram: @PNWBroccoliGuy

California Rugby League pt1.

Part one of a two part Q&A with Tom Stephenson , the man who will be helping make history for Rugby League in California and the catalyst for something bigger. The big day is Dec.7th on treasure island in the San Francisco Bay Area.

To jump right in here's part 1. 

• Brief history of yourself and playing career and how you came to found California rugby league?

TS- I came to the USA in 2017 to play for the White Plains Wombats in the USARL, I played for them again in 2018. In early 2019 my partner and I moved to California. My good friend and former team mate Matt Walsh was living in LA and I was living in SF. One afternoon I sent him a text saying, "How good would SF v LA be in a game of league". I didn't think about it too much for a few weeks until my friend from Australia, Robert Bergin put me in touch with some people he knew who had been trying to get some rugby league in California. So I took the reigns on it and now have had expressions of interest from 90+ players in LA and SF and a game on Dec 7th.

• The players that will fill out both teams will they exclusively be League players or are there also Union players involved?

TS- Most of the men in the game have a background of Union. Thankfully there is a community of Australians, Tongans and Fijians who all grew up playing and watching the game and now they finally have an outlet to express themselves on the League field. 

• Why San Francisco and Los Angeles, why not San Diego, Santa Barbara, Oakland, San Jose or Sacramento?

TS-Good question, This was a strategic move to undersupply and understate our ambition to gather a larger demand. I have seen organizations grow too fast and teams are desperate for players every week. With the 2 teams and the 1 game in 2019 it gives us an opportunity to build the foundations of a stable competition over a few year period. Oakland, San Diego and Sacramento are all areas that have attracted positive responses and will be pe

• How did you choose the names and color schemes for these teams, were they done intentionally?

TS-People have tried before to get Rugby League in California going and haven't had much success, I believe it's because they play off the typical, 'surfers' and 'palm tree's' look of California. That's possibly only an outsiders perception. The real California is gritty. The California we all know and love and identify with is less Beach Boys and a lot more NWA. The names came from conversations with friends from around the world. The color scheme mirrors the red v blue rivalry we have seen numerous times through history.

• What is the next step after the match is played?

TS-We are in talks with West-Canada for another game in California in 2019. Hopefully this eventuates, if not we will be looking to out together 5 weeks of competition in 2020.

• is a long-term goal for California rugby league to eventually join the USARL or to forge your own path? 

TS-When this was started I was very extensive in my research of the USARL and how our organizations could work together to assist the game in the US. What I concluded was that the best way to assist the growth of the game was to provide this west coast talent a pathway to the USA national side. This has been established recently with the Head Coach confirming he is interested in hearing and seeing west coast talent.

• Have you spoken with any other interested parties outside California such as those in the Pacific Northwest or the Southwest regions to form some type of collaboration?

TS-I have a close relationship with a number of people doing similar things to what we are doing. The boys in the west of Canada, as previously mentioned we are working on creating a few opportunities there. Andy who is running Carolina is someone we have planned to collaborate on building the wheelchair game in California and we are working with Nate the president of the Women's game to aid his vision. I have reached out to people in Hawaii multiple times but never heard back from them.

Part 2 will be out shortly , I highly recommend adding California Rugby League

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