Tigers Rugby is actively recruiting 13-18 year old boys.  Size, strength and speed are abundant in the rugby recruits seen since practice began in December for the spring season, but there is plenty of room for everyone in this club. Tigers Rugby Football Club begins our 7th campaign, with Arvada, Westminster and Broomfield high school (U-19 and U-16) players, and an adult team. The high school age boys rugby club competes in Colorado Youth Rugby, one of the country’s most successful State Based Model Organizations. Adults (U-23 & Alumni Social Side) also play under the auspices of the Eastern Rockies Rugby Football Union, Western RFU, and USA Rugby.

We anticipate the forthcoming season as a Colorado Youth Rugby Division I team with veterans Patrick O’Connor, Albert Whitemore, Jake Gossman, Alec Walters, Walker Prieb, Jake Boselli, Oliver Smith, Sam Quinn and Rob Nees from Holy Family HS.  From Pomona HS, Warren Wood, Daijon Tyler and Nick Allen also return to the Tigers backline support.  Ralston Valley HS returns Luke & Ryan Rockwood, Mitchell and Braden Thunell; and Daniel Sargeant brings his skills back from Early College HS.   In preseason workouts, the Tigers have seen 34 players report already.  New players from Arvada and Broomfield that have been on hand to learn the fastest growing sport in the USA, include Matt McLean, Charlie Elwood, Michael Figundo, Dany Fiorino, Tyler Hsin, Robert Kaniecki, Eric & Esau Robles, Marcus Pattilugam, Anthony Puglise and King Medlin.  Jimmy Higden, AJ Shannon, Christian Wallis, and Matt Dominguez-Robinson just recently joined us from Pomona, as did Peter Loving from Ralston Valley. Early College HS’s Thomas Guilinger, and Standley Lake students Andrew Hutchinson and Zach Underwood played their first matches this week.

Tigers RFC looks forward to the spring with greatenthusiasm. As Rugby enjoys increased popularity in the North Suburban area, Tigers Rugby is enjoying growth for the 7th consecutive year. This one organized club, featuring players from5 or more schools, promotes a growing local interest and support. The team is well respected and took home league Sportsmanship Awards in 2005 and 2006. Tigers draw their players from Pomona, Ralston Valley, Early College, Standley Lake,and extensively from Holy Family High School. A yearly match against Regis Jesuit High School is a celebration culminated by the Colorado Catholic HS Boys Rugby Cup, presented to the winner. Close associations with Coach Rich Duncan of neighboring Northside Rugby Club have fostered opportunities for growth in the North Denver Metro area. Joint practices and preseason scrimmages provides a basis of order and respect for the laws of the game amongst all contestants. Above all else,having fun is our intention. Our method of teaching sportsmanship, skill and strategyin a well-controlled environment helps in the presentation of an organized Tigers Rugby game plan.

Nick Samaras, Assistant Head Coach, offers critical training for the historically quick and powerful Tigers Rugby running backs. Players receive instruction and support from 9 coaches. Club founder Paul O’Brian, the Colorado Youth Rugby Dvision II Coach of the Year in 2005, leads the coaching staff of Dylan Lewis, Mike & Matt O’Brian, Jim Twiford, Pat Quinlan, Martin Smith, and Jeff Gossman. Coaches are certified by USA Rugby, the national governing body, to coach high school and youth-aged players, including background checks. Fitness is inherent toour training method, and essential torugby players. Tigers Rugby Coaches thoroughly enjoy the conditioning and skills demonstrated by their boys after just a few shorts lessons. Though confusing to spectators at first, players adopt the laws of the game rapidly and are quick to grow attached by the world’s second most popular game.

In hope that CHSAA will one day sanction rugby, Tigers Rugby strives to exceed expectations of parents and administrators concerned with the welfare and education of young players. The positive aspects of rugby: camaraderie, fitness, discipline, sportsmanship, teamwork and mutual respect, builds self-esteem and character among our athletes. The skills developed, including ball handling, running, vision, tackling, pursuit angles, speed and strength development, punting and place kicking are applicable to other sports. Most of our athletes participate at theencouragement of their high school football coaches.

Two Arvada businessmen, Paul O’Brian, of Accelerate Physical Therapy and Pat Quinlan of Coffman & Companies Group played as team mates in the 1980s for Queen City RFC of Denver.  Coffman & Companies Group auctioned off an HVAC service van, and proceeds were donated to the club . Pat prefers his donation to benefit any boys who cannot afford the $130 registration fee. Applications are reviewed by Attorney Dylan Lewis,who contributes his time for the success of Tigers Rugby Football Club,andleads the non profit Colorado corporation with much needed guidance.  Jim O’Connor of sponsors, Gas & Arc Supply, also serves on the Tigers’ Board of Directors, which provides the opportunity for players to experience parliamentary rule in the presentation of By-laws to govern the organization, mentoring in the design of a working constitution, election of officers, and establishment of a sound mission. Tigers Rugby introduced this web site with assistance from parent and web master Steve Sadler. Here you will find helpful information about practice and matches to be played from February 24th through May, 2010.

To play rugby this spring, call Coach O’Brian at (303) 506-8110