Valhalla High School will become the first high school in East County to field rugby teams for both men and women. As a widely popular international spectator sport, particularly in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, rugby has slowly grown at the national level and integrated into high school athletics. The west coast of the US, particularly California has been leading the way. Despite the growth, rugby has yet to form teams in East County, and most of San Diego overall. One organization hopes to change this.
Valhalla High School will become the first high school in East County to field rugby teams for both men and women. As a widely popular international spectator sport, particularly in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, rugby has slowly grown at the national level and integrated into high school athletics. The west coast of the US, particularly California has been leading the way. Despite the growth, rugby has yet to form teams in East County, and most of San Diego overall. One organization hopes to change this.
Through the efforts of the East County Rugby Football Club (RFC), also known as TRIBE Rugby, high school girls and boys ages 14 to 19 can participate in competitive Rugby. TRIBE started as a subsidiary of Aztec Rugby, a program based in western San Diego. The problem was convenience, TRIBE board member May Harris pointed out. Most kids interested in rugby were forced to travel an “hour plus” after school to and from practices. This can be logistically difficult paired with a full academic course load.
In response to the issue, TRIBE formed last year in the East County. Its mission is to provide the highest quality coaching, to foster camaraderie, and to develop each player to the best of his or her potential in a supportive and safe environment. Like many organizations, they spread the word through “grass roots,” such as putting up signs on lawns, banners, advertising on social media, websites, and good old fashion word of mouth.
Those efforts paid off last year as TRIBE sponsored Valkyrie and Norsemen Rugby teams—both Associated Student Body Clubs at Valhalla High School. The Valkyries competed throughout Southern California. Their current coaching staff includes current players from the USA National Team 7s—the USA Eagles, who train at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista.
This year’s season will begin in September and they expect to field a Varsity Women’s team and both JV and Varsity for Men’s. They will play teams from the San Diego area, mainly in North County, and in tournaments across Southern California and beyond.
The ultimate goal is to develop a highly competitive league in East County and eventual inclusion of rugby into CIF. TRIBE has reached out to other high schools in the Grossmont Union to assist with starting programs. These efforts will hopefully contribute to the growing popularity in Southern California and contribute to the overall popularity of the growing sport.
