The King of Brooklyn is ready for battle

Ever wonder what a Rugby League player in america is really thinking about , how they go about practice, player recruitment and competition thoughts. Juggling work, higher education and personal life can be difficult already, but to toss being a player in a very niche sport and helping to grow, it can be a very tall mountain to climb. It's absolutely refreshing to see and hear some positive attitude from someone within a competition and the belief that with everything happening in a ever moving landscape that this is all for a positive step forward for League in America. The Kings begin the season soon and a chance to lay claim for Kings rugby to be the best, thanks so much to Shaniyat from the Kings who took the time to answer some questions. Hope you all enjoy and besure to fallow his journey this season.

LLR- What is your playing experience with Rugby, how did you come to the Kings?

SC- I’ve played league for 9 years now, rotating around as back. I’ve played union for 6 years. The Kings are the only domestic club I’ve played for since it was founded in 2014. A childhood friend played for the Rhode Island Rebellion a couple of years or so before that. So when he moved back to New York, he told me about this new club in Brooklyn. I had 0 rugby experience at the time. I was familiar with the game from movies like “Invictus” and “Forever Strong”. After watching match highlights of Billy Slater, I knew I had to give it a try. I played sports like football, soccer, basketball, and hockey growing up. So I was confident I could learn to play with my athletic abilities.

LLR- Internationally there's an idea of what training is needed to prepare for a match, what's training look like for your self and the team weekly?

SC- I’ve always believed in the results of your training will show when you play a match. Considering we are a domestic semi professional club, and a growing one at that, players and coaches trust each member to prepare themselves months in preparation in between the end of the previous season and heading into offseason training for the upcoming, I’d say about 6-7 months. So that gives everyone plenty of time to rest, recover, train both physically and mentally. League is a summer season in the eastern part of the states, so most players will play union in the Fall and into the Spring. Personally, I love the game so damn much, so my training and preparation has evolved in so many ways over the years. I train everyday and I’ll rotate between fitness in the gym and the field and doing a lot more mobility training to to get of nagging injuries from the year’s past. I work with a physio once a week to ensure I’m making progress. I work full time and go to graduate school in the Fall and Spring. So I’ll play union for the Brooklyn club of time allots me the chance to make sure I’m keeping up my fitness standards of play.

LLR- Are there any specific goals for yourself this season you wish to accomplish?

SC- I’m feeling really good overall so I’m just really exited to play a full season of league. It’s been 3 years since the pandemic and the game is continuing to develop so I’m excited at the prospect of playing with the boys this season and most importantly win. I’m confident with the team we have and there nothing more exciting than playing and winning finals footy. Of course, there’s always the thought of wanting to represent the national team to represent the US but I’m taking it one day at a time.

LLR- What's the overall sentiment from the team going into the RLU competition?

SC- Everyone is eager to play. We have experienced coaches which is always a plus and it’s put us in a fortunate position to have depth. We’re the only league club in NY. The Kings are energized with a mix of new players and a lot of veterans from the game. We’re looking forward to playing with one another and even against the other clubs. We’re a band of brothers with the clubs in the comp so being able to share the experience of the inaugural RLU season will be special.

LLR- What steps are being made from yourself and the team to help ensure the health of Rugby League continues to grow in your area ?

SC- Heading into the season though, RLU really is empowering players to have more of a voice to share ideas on developing the game which has been much needed. We’re feeling optimistic about the future of the game and all the opportunities that can come along to having a strong rugby league competition. League has been stuck in a rut the last few years in the US. We’re all observing the changes and moving appropriately in the landscape because we all want to grow the game at the end of the day. RLU provides that capacity for growing the game moving forward. I’ve been listening to more rugby podcasts such as Chasing Kangaroos and Rugby League in America, reading about the game, and staying up to date on rugby related news because I do hope to transition into a more development role one day. I am a firm believer in the potential in the game and I hope to be blessed to be in a position where I can make meaningful impact. Right now, I focus on the social media for the club and seeking funding opportunities to take the burden of costs for players.

LLR- Where will practices and games be located?

SC- We are welcoming anyone and everyone to come practice with us at Pier 3 field at the Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, NY every Thursday nights at 6pm. Our matches will be played at Bush Terminal Piers Park.

LLR- NRL or Super League and what team do you fallow closely?

SC- I really enjoying watching the NRL. I’m a Warriors fan but I did go to to Brisbane to watch the Broncos play Parramatta for my first and only NRL match I’m 2019 and the energy was exhilarating. But also, up the Blues! I do watch match highlights of Castleford Tigers and Hull KR for Super League here and there but I do want to watch more of the games there.

LLR- What's the best way to fallow your journey and the clubs during this season and beyond?

SC- You can find me on

Instagram: @_shaniyat

Twitter: @shaniyatny

The Kings

Instagram:@Kingsrugbyleague

Twitter :@BrooklynkingsRL

Twitter is probably the best though for all the rugby league updates.

SNEAKY FOXES

Much is talked about rugby league in America being centered around the south east corner.  With efforts being made out in the west coast with PCRL and its clubs its , the North Eastern is also to be given its spot light and attention. Delaware Black Foxes where founded in 2015 and have stayed steadfast in competing yearly regardless of competition. This year we will also see the beginning of the Rugby League United  competition, which the Black Foxes are a founding member of. I personally have been a fan of theirs from afar and am excited for the Foxes to take the pitch again. 

I deeply appreciate Ian from the Black Foxes taking time to answer some questions and I hope you all can enjoy. 

LLR- It's been some time since the Black Foxes were fairly active with a competition. What has the club done to stay active with players and keep the group intact?

I- We've always kept communication lines open with the players and tried to organize at least one team event each season. During times when we haven't been able to play consistently we still have had training sessions. We also got together to play touch just to keep our basic skills sharp and played at least one proper rugby league match every summer.

LLR- With as much chaos as it seems to be with the code of League in America, hopefully for the betterment of the health of the game here, what are the Black Foxes doing to help keep the team alive for next year and the years to come, are there youth groups being formed or active potential player communication happening ?

I- Every year we reach out and recruit from various rugby union clubs with the goal of getting more players to give rugby league a try. The past few years we've also built a good rapport with several university coaches in the surrounding areas. This helps replenish and rejuvenate the club with new players each season. We don't currently have a youth team specific to the Black Foxes, however, there are several players on this team that help coach youth and rookie rugby at various schools in our communities.

LLR- The women's side of the game is beginning to grow and some clubs throughout the USA are actively trying to also have a women's side compete with the men's. Is this something you all are looking into as well at this time?

I- Yes. We have been working on putting together a women's side called the Delaware Vixens. We're still in the early planning and recruiting stages of this process but the goal is to get the Vixens on the field competing possibly in 2024.

LLR- Where will home games be played?

I- Eden Park in Wilmington, DE.

LLR- Rugby League United is a brand new competition for yourselves and the fellow North Eastern clubs are set to begin play this year. Why now and not next year and has there been communication to others about joining down the road?

I- Honestly now just seemed to be as good of a start time as any. Delaware has done alright the past couple seasons but other teams in Northeast really struggled to bounce back after Covid and a few other factors. Now that some time has passed and these teams have had some time to recover, we all agreed that this was the right time to get back on the pitch and compete officially. We're trying to keep things relatively simple this first year by having only 4 teams in RLU but we won't rule out adding new teams and expanding the competition next year and beyond.

LLR- What is the current status with the relationship between the RLU and it's clubs with USARL competition and as a governing body?

I- Right now we're mainly concentrating on what's going on between Delaware, Brooklyn, Boston, and DC however we're always up for a chat and keeping communication lines open between our clubs and the USARL.

LLR- Has there been any communication between yourself and the other groups in America like The Championship (CRL) and Pacific Coast (PCRL) ?

I- Not officially but we'd be open to discussions with them and other groups/organizations in the future.

LLR- Final question, how can fans follow the Delaware Black Foxes and their journey and also the Rugby League United competition?

I- We have a website (Black Foxes Rugby) and we're on social media as well:

Facebook: The Delaware Black Foxes

Instagram: @blackfoxesrugbyleague

Twitter: @DEBlackFoxesRL

Help grow Girls Rugby

The Birth of Women's Rugby Champions

Ever wonder what it takes to be a commissioner of a collegiate sport confrence, let alone a rugby commissioner. Tiffany Lopez from West Coast Rugby Conference was very gracious to take time out of her very busy and exciting schedule to answer a few questions that I think will put you all at aw and excited when learning about Tiffany and how she's breaking down doors and positioning the WCRC as thee collegiate rugby Conference to play in and dominate the western side of the United States. It is not just one team or two but many who Tiffany has taken the time to work with to elevate not just competition side of the various clubs but also the professionalism of each member. 2033 World Cup will be a every lasting effect for women's rugby here in America for all levels, but the WCRC has already begun to lay the ground work and build the infrastructure for young girls and current college players will be ready to dawn their country's colors and show the world that The Game has arrived and we've been waiting.

LLR- When did you assume the roll as league commissioner?

TL- I was voted into the role at the beginning of the 2019 season, just a few months after I graduated from San Jose State University.

LLR- What level of collegiate rugby does the conference play at?

TL- The conference is a D2 women’s collegiate league.

LLR- What was the hardest transition when leaving a club team and into an administrative roll that now over sees multiple clubs?

TL- I didn’t really have any difficulty transitioning into the position. My professional background was actually in professional sports already and this transition was actually really smooth. The previous board was doing everything right by the book. My promises coming in was to continue facilitating a competitive conference and following protocol with the addition of some progressive rugby ideologies: to promote rugby in the United States, we need to start marketing it. Rugby is more than just showing up on a Saturday with some lines and uprights. It’s about getting fans out, support, funding, and highlighting players for higher level rugby. That’s how we grow women’s rugby.

LLR- What's been a highlight ?

TL- Last season my playoffs was an event that was talked about around the United States. We had a rugby clubs from high school to club D2 to WPL teams out there supporting the event, awarding players of the final match, and recruiting. We had HS students coming up to coaches saying “I want to join your team. I’ll see you next season”. That’s what it was all about. In addition we had event partners like Topo Chico giving out free waters and new flavors, vendors, food, and 500+ fans come out for what was a small championship. We invited vendors like the Modish Rugger & Callipygian who are small businesses owned by conference alumni and allowed our visiting teams to use the event as a fundraiser. It really was something special. This year’s event will likely be the same!

LLR- What's been the hardest moment thus far in your administrative time?

TL- We've had a lot of changes in our competition management systems and registration with USA Rugby. With every season typically having a new President every year, there is no continuity in training. It’s like starting over every year and then having to learn the new system and be expert enough to walk them through registration.

LLR- Where would you like to take the conference, what's the next step?

TL- I would like to expand the conference. Could I take on adding D1 to the conference? I think so. I would love to oversee a bigger picture program that leads into more higher pathway opportunities. So far last season we’ve had many players get selected for teams like the U23 National Team, the U23 Grizzlies and now selections on high performance squads like: Rhinos Rugby & The Grizzlies 7’s. I want to see more of that. I have been connecting with teams from All Around the US, coaches, conferences, organizations and more. It’s that network that’s important for our growth as a conference.

LLR- With a Premier Rugby 7s team essentially calling San Jose home and the conference having a footprint in the same area , is there benefits for both the PR7s and WCRC to have from each other?

TL- I believe it’s too new to see any direct benefits. But I think it has potential to build a strong network. Some of our players have already tried out for the player pool and we have had a player that made it. But with the way the draft works, it doesn’t guarantee that if she was selected it would be for the San Jose team. As one of the franchise managers for PR7’s, I see the growth and the development behind closed doors. I really do think the direction it’s going will have a major positive impact on our conference goals in the future.

LLR- If there is a women's program that is looking to join a conference or wanting to move up a level, what criteria is needed to do so to join the WCRC?

TL - Per our bylaws, they would need to contact me directly and join us at our AGM to be voted into but would have a probationary year. We would get them friendly matches with our teams and then would need to vote them in after their first trial year.

LLR- Last two questions, there's been rumors and hints that between now and the USA Women's Rugby World cup in 2033 that we could see a MLR women's version or something similar being established. Have you had any discussions with interested parties in helping provide players for and pathways to fill rosters and what's your opinion on such plans?

TL- I haven’t heard much about it. My focus has been supporting PR 7’s, World Rugby and will have some exciting rugby career updates soon. Right now the sport is growing exponentially in so many directions.

LLR- What would you say to that middle school or high school female student who doesn't know if she should play rugby, what words of encouragement do you offer to college players who maybe coming out for the first time?

TL- Give it a chance! You may just find lifelong friends, a passion for something new, a community that is growing and a professional career. I came into college rugby my 3rd year of college not knowing anything about the sport. And now I am running the largest women’s college conference, work with international teams, got to work at the World Cup, traveling the United States, am a paid professional team manager and soon will be traveling internationally. 6 years ago, I had no idea that my first rugby practice would have lead to this now being my career and passion… all because I gave it a chance.

Instagram - @wcrc_wc

Tiffany Lopez

Commissioner West Coast Rugby Conference

(510)-468-8949

www.ironparadiseontour.com

tiffany@ironparadiserecovery.com