Welcome to the Jungle

 Located in the county of Yamhill, the Valley Panthers have built themselves into a consistent player in the girls side of Rugby Oregon. Lead by second year head coach Christine Bader the panthers finished only 3rd in the high school state championship. With a emphasis on building comradery amongst her players who hail from various schools in the area, Christine is excited for what the future holds and not only where her program falls into growing the game but also where female rugby will be in the coming years. 

 

LLR- How long have you been coaching the Panthers? 

C- I joined as assistant coach for the spring seasons in 2022 and 2023, and became head coach following the spring 2023 season.

LLR- Why coach rugby? What sets the sport apart from others?

C- I’ve played and coached other sports, but rugby’s “third half” in which teams share a post-game meal at all levels creates an insanely collaborative culture. Stepping in as the Panthers head coach this year, I’ve benefited so much from the generosity of other coaches, in and outside of Rugby Oregon. We’re competitive in that we want our teams to perform their best, but first and foremost we all want to grow the game together.

LLR- When were the Panthers founded?

C- In 2003-04—we’re celebrating our 20th anniversary this year! The club was founded by a McMinnville High School chemistry teacher, DeVon Cutrell.

LLR- How many players does the club have?

C- We had 30 players on our roster this spring.

LLR- How did the 2024 season go for the team?

C- We went 2-3 in league play, finishing 3rd overall in the state.

LLR- In your opinion have you seen a growth of girls rugby in Oregon or can there be more done to help grow it more?

C- Apparently there were 18 girls teams in Oregon before the pandemic! So yes, there’s a lot that we need to do to rebuild. Rugby Oregon does registration and scheduling; but there’s so much more to do in terms of proactively recruiting and supporting coaches and players, fundraising, liaising with schools, developing curricula for girls’ health and leadership development, and strengthening pathways before and after high school rugby.

LLR- Between the Premier Rugby 7s and now the recently announced Women's Elite Rugby, are these competitions that your players are excited for and an opportunity for you to help bolster the numbers for players coming out? 

C- Of course: the more rugby, the better! I’d point to a few other competitions that are more immediate to my players: the rapid growth of women’s collegiate rugby, so my players have a sense of what their next step could be; the Olympics, since it brings the sport to a mainstream viewing audience; and Girls Rugby Inc., which runs flag rugby for girls in grades 2-8, and is on a mission to grow the game in the U.S. leading up to the Women’s World Cup in 2033!

LLR- 2033 will be here soon: Do you think Oregon should host a few matches for the World Cup, or should games be played at other locations? 

C- It would be amazing to have World Cup matches here! Portland in particular is a hotbed of women’s and girls rugby, with the Portland Pigs and ORSU womxn’s clubs, and the biggest girls’ team in our league, the East County Grackles; and women’s sports more generally, with The Sports Bra bar that only shows only women’s sports earning national media coverage, and the very popular Portland Thorns soccer team. Outside of Portland, the Oregon Sharks is a top-notch elite squad; and on the women’s collegiate front, the University of Oregon’s Dirty Ducks and Western Oregon University’s Wolves just went to 7s Nationals! So yes, World Cup planners, Oregon is ready to welcome you with open arms!!!

LLR- Valley Panthers is a multi-school program, how is the relationship between players coming from different schools?

C- We’ve spent a lot of time fostering 1:1 relationships to break down any barriers between schools—we had six different high schools represented this season!—and it’s been surprisingly seamless. We’re all Panthers!

LLR- Do you have words of encouragement for young girls currently playing in middle school, elementary, on continuing playing rugby as they move up in grades? 

C- Unfortunately there are few elementary and middle school opportunities for girls to play rugby in Oregon right now. But Girls Rugby Inc. is working to fill that gap!

LLR- What's the best way for everyone to follow the team and get updates? 

C- Instagram @Valley.panthersrugby, or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/valleypanthersgirlsrugby. 

 We also have a basic website at https://valleypanthers.carrd.co/, though it’s not updated as often as our social media accounts. But our contact information is there—feel free to reach out any time!

 I would like to thank Christine very much for her responses and I would also like to acknowledge the previous female leaders and players of their respective clubs that I have interviewed. The way each of them talks so passionately and cares deeply for their teams, players and teammates and the development of not just the athletes themselves but also taking the time to care for each one of them as a individual person. It gives me hope as a father with some of my young girls already involved with Girls Rugby inc. that the path women's rugby is heading down right now here in America , the game is due for a explosion from the bottom up. If people like these women I've spoken with in the last 4-6 months continue to be involved and continue to keep doing what they are doing, I for one feel confident and comfortable leaving my kids in the hands of individuals to help mold them into great athletes and also great humans, and that the USA Eagles women's will be a force on the pitch come 2033.

Grace the Busy Beaver part Dos.

I thank you all for reading the first part of this Q&A, there was so much to share I had to split it in two. Grace is very honest and open about her experience thus far playing collegiate rugby and her opinions on development of the women's game. On February 10th western Washington will visit corvallis to take on the Beavers. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Grace and Sydney,  previous Q&A, battle each other on the pitch and an opportunity to show my young ones a battle of titans and future USA Eagles. 

  LLR- How was your experience playing with the pacific coast grizzlies, what lessons did you take away from that experience?  

G- Playing with the Grizzlies was an absolute honor. I felt super out of my depth and was shocked to be selected. I’ve always been pretty small for a forward, but getting to play with and against some of the best players in the country really increased my confidence and hugely increased my on field rugby IQ. I learned how to trust myself, effective communication with new teammates, and by the end honestly just how to play my game and that I have some unique strengths that can make me an asset. Particularly in incurring a lot of penalties by often being high tackled.  

LLR- What are you currently majoring in while attending OSU?  

G- I’m currently about halfway through my PhD in Environmental Science with a focus on Climate Change, studying medicinal plants and healthcare systems. 

LLR- What are your plans for after college, is rugby still going to be a part of that future?  

G- I don’t know if anyone doing their PhD has any clue what they are going to do when they are done. I have tons of great options, from working with the National Parks Service to working privately in GIS or even teaching college students. The goal is for rugby to be in my future as long as possible, I’d love to move somewhere with a WPL team and start playing more professionally. Honestly, I'd like to get to the highest level of play that I can. 

LLR- How was playing with the Oregon Sharks?  

G- Playing with the Sharks is fun, in Iowa 7s was kind of our bread and butter so it’s a game I’m pretty familiar with. It’s certainly intimidating to play with some of the most promising players in the nation in 7s, but aspects of it really taught me what kind of player and captain I want to be with my own team as well.

 

LLR- With the 2033 world cup, what's one location you think should host a set of matches?  

G- Obviously, I’m partial to the US, because I’d love to have it on home turf, but I also think we should try to spread it out from the west. Japan recently hosted for the men, and I think it would be great to have the women play there, too.  

 LLR- Let me ask a hypothetical question, and I like answering these myself personally. Magic wand scenario, there is a creation of a woman's MLR competition. Where would you like to see some teams placed and by when would you like to see something like this start?  

G- I mean, having the Women’s Premier League, I feel, is pretty similar. So honestly, magic wand scenario, we start funding the talented women’s teams that already exist and also increase the teams throughout the US. It shocks me that there are no WPL teams in the south, I’d love to see something in LA, NOLA, something in the Carolinas, Texas, etc. We have a lot of opportunities to expand women’s rugby in the US.

LLR- Do you think a competition like the PR7s has been helpful in raising the level of play for the women's side of rugby?  

G- Oh definitely! PR7s has also given so many talented players the ability to be seen as the high level players they are. I feel blessed to have played with so many people who play PR7s and I hope they continue to get more opportunities at high level play because of it. The marketing of PR7s has done a lot for rugby players.

LLR- You're a recruiter going into a high school classroom and your job is to pitch why those kids should join a university and play rugby, what are you telling them?  

G- That rugby has been my biggest source of stress relief and confidence. That there are very few other opportunities to be allowed to use your body in contact, to be aggressive, and to take up space. Sports in general, but I think rugby uniquely teaches women+ players to take up space with your body and voice. It grows athleticism, community, and confidence like few other sports I’ve played. Plus, how often do you get to tackle people and be cheered at for doing it?

LLR- Favorite eating place in Corvallis, Oregon, also favorite eating place in Iowa City ?  

G- Favorite in Corvallis has to be Evergreen Indian Restaurant, that’s my go to when I have something to celebrate or when I’ve finished grading a lot of exams. Iowa City has to be either Trumpet Blossom or Crêpes de Luxe, both huge players for the veggie people in IC. 

Besure to fallow grace through her Instagram-> @gracegalles

Butterflies fly together!

     When we still lived in San Jose me and my wife would try and set aside a weekend every year where we took a mini vacation from the kiddos and just get away the two of us. even though there is plenty of options living in the south bay on where anyone can go for a weekend get away in ether direction you point your vehicle to we enjoyed going to Monterey as our go to place year after year. I also have some type of connection to the area as when my grandfather was in the navy and stationed in Monterey area my mother was born at Fort Ord, which is now slowly being turned in CSU Monterey Bay. Just like how about every university in this country has a rugby club so to does just about every town or city or "area" has one. So it was a shocker to me when I recently found out that there is no women's rugby team in Monterey with the closest being in San Jose. I am happy to say that Spencer from the monarchs is happy enough to answer some questions about this newly formed team and how they are growing.

   LLR-  Can you please introduce yourself, and your history to Rugby Union?

SHP- I’m Spencer Henry-Phillips! I’ve been playing rugby for the better part of 10 years. I started off playing for UC Santa Barbara in college where I played hooker and prop. Since then, I’ve played for The Portland Pigs, LifeWest Gladiatrix, and San Francisco Golden Gate. I am now the head coach for CSU Monterey Bay Women’s Rugby team. As you can see, I love this game! 

    LLR- What brought about the creation of the Monterey monarchs?

SHP- As the head coach for CSUMB, I noticed a lot of players didn’t really have anymore to go or play for during the summer or after they graduated if they stayed in the area. The closest team is San Jose and that’s still over an hour away. I saw the need and decided who better than me to get it going.

 

  LLR-  Why the monarchs as a name?

SHP- The monarchs of Pacific Grove are legendary and I love a good alliteration. I also feel like the Monarch Butterfly represents everything I want for this team: strength, beauty, and a chance to transform the next generation of ruggers.  

   

 LLR- Where are practices currently held and times, and where will home field be?

SHP- Practices are currently on Thursdays, 6-8pm, at Lincoln Park in East Garrison. We’re still working on the home field but have no fear, we will get that solidified!

 

  LLR-  In what division will the monarchs play in?

SHP- Ideally, we will play in the NCRFU Women’s Division 2! I know we have a lot of support from the conference and they’ve been incredible in navigating this new adventure. 

 

 LLR- What are some goals you wish to see the team meet this first year and by year 5?

SHP- I really want to see us make a name for ourselves in the community our first year. I want the people of Monterey County to know who we are. Five year goal is to have a sustainable and successful club that is regarded a real challenger in our division. 

  

  LLR- Do you think the world cups in both 2031 and 2033 have an effect on rugby as a whole in the Monterey County area?

SHP- I sure hope so! I know that the west coast is a big contender to host, whether that be in San Diego, LA, the Bay Area, or even Colorado, and I know that it can only boost the game. 

  

 LLR-  How and where can people interested in fallowing along get in touch with you and the team?

SHP- You can like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/MontereyMonarchsRugby

Follow us on Instagram: @MontereyMonarchsRugby 

Check out our website: montereymonarchsrugby.com 

  LLR-  Last word you’d like to get out?

SHP- We just launched our first fundraising campaign! Get you Monarch Tank here: 

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/monterey-monarchs-tank-fundraiser

And support your local rugby team!