The ninth season of the Tigers Rugby Football Club got off to a fun-filled first week with as many as 27 players a session. Broomfield County Commons Park is the venue for practices is January and February. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:15 pm, and Saturdays at 10:00 am are the start times. Growing numbers were evident each day, and support from as many as 11 coaches provided expanded learning opportunities for the young Tigers.
Tigers Rugby is actively recruiting 13-18 year old boys. There is plenty of room for everyone in this club. Tigers Rugby Football Club begins our 9th campaign, with Arvada, Westminster and Broomfield high school, 8-10th grade players, and adult teams. The high school age boys rugby club competes in Rugby Colorado (formerly Colorado Youth Rugby), one of the country’s most successful State Based Model Organizations. Adults (Tigers Rugby Alumni) also play under the auspices of the Eastern Rockies Rugby Football Union, Western RFU, and USA Rugby.
Tigers RFC looks forward to the spring with great enthusiasm. As Rugby enjoys increased popularity in the North Suburban area, Tigers Rugby is enjoying growth for the 9th consecutive year. This one organized club, featuring players from 5 or more schools, promotes a growing local interest and support. The team is well respected and took home league Sportsmanship Awards in 2005, 2006 and 2011. Tigers draw their players from Legacy, Ralston Valley, Standley Lake, and Holy Family High Schools. A yearly match against Regis Jesuit High School is a celebration culminated by the Colorado Catholic HS Boys Rugby Cup, presented to the winner – which in 2011 was our Tigers. Above all else, having fun is our intention. Our method of teaching sportsmanship, skills and strategy- in 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 11 assistant coaches. Club founder Paul O’Brian, was the Rugby Colorado Division I Coach of the Year in 2011, and the Division II Coach of the Year in 2005. He leads the coaching staff of Nick Samaras, Dylan Lewis, Mike & Matt O’Brian, Jim Twiford, Juan Sarti, Jonathan Castillo, Ben Wright, Jake and Jeff Gossman, and Artur Gonzales. Coaches are certified by USA Rugby, the national governing body, to coach high school and youth-aged players, including background checks. Fitness is inherent to our training method, and essential to rugby 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.
- Artur Gonzlaes joins the Tigers Rugby coaching staff
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.
Tigers’ Board of Directors 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 the establishment of a sound mission.
To play rugby this spring, call Coach Paul O’Brian at (303) 506-8110.
