The Rugby NorCal Podcast

TopicsGavin Hickie's Rugby BackgroundGrew up in a rugby family in Dublin, Ireland with father and cousin playing for Ireland national teamPlayed professionally for 10 years including for Leinster, London Irish, Worcester, and Leicester TigersCame to the U.S. to play for Belmont Shore, which led to coaching opportunities Naval Academy Rugby ProgramBecame head coach in 2017, transitioned program to varsity statusWon national championship in first varsity season going 18-0Emphasizes fitness, set-piece play, kicking game, and developing skillful backsRigorous daily schedule for players balancing academics, military training, and rugbyRecruits driven individuals who want to serve and excel in rugby Player Development PhilosophyFocuses on character development and preparing players for military serviceUses historical military battles as themes to teach lessons applicable to rugbyMeasures success by performance metrics and player growth, not just winsValues time spent together as a team as much as on-field achievements Notable Players CoachedMadison Hughes (USA 7s captain) - Subtle, inspiring leader who led by exampleLewis Gray - Aggressive, vocal leader who pushed teammates hardConnor McNerney - Mentally tough, refused to give upEmphasizes different leadership styles can be effective Advice for Aspiring PlayersNaval Academy offers unique opportunity to develop as leader and rugby playerApplication process is rigorous, requires strong academics and desire to serveRugby community and alumni network provide lifelong connections and supportPlayers should embrace their individual leadership style while committing to team success worldrugbyshop.comrugbynorcal.org

Contact Info & SummaryFor School Admissions Question: Alex Ukkelberga.ukkelberg@leedsbeckett.ac.ukFor Rugby Questions:Kris Staffordk.stafford@leedsbeckett.ac.ukhttps://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/TopicsLeeds Beckett Rugby Program Overview5 teams plus a development team, with about 110 players competing weeklyPart of BUCS Super Rugby, the top 10 university teams in the UKSeason runs from August (preseason) through April, with 18 league gamesExtensive resources: strength & conditioning, physio, nutrition workshops, mental health supportPlayer Development and AssessmentNew positional criteria document implemented for detailed player feedbackTesting includes physical characteristics (speed, strength, body composition)Action plans created for individual player improvementGoal to track player progress from first year through graduationInternational Student SupportRolling admissions with quick response times (7-10 days)Minimum 3.0 unweighted high school GPA required, test-optionalComprehensive support from application through arrival on campusGlobal Village department organizes events to help international students feel at homeFinancial ConsiderationsTuition around $20,000 USD per year, with scholarship opportunitiesInternational student scholarship: £1,000 off tuitionDean's scholarship: £6,000 off tuition (merit-based)FAFSA-eligible for US studentsRugby Culture and OpportunitiesWelcoming environment for players of all skill levelsNo trials; focus on integrating new players into the program graduallyStrong pathway to professional rugby, with over 115 players progressing to top leagues since 2016Next StepsInterested students should reach out to Alex (academic queries) and Chris (rugby-specific information)Consider applying early for Fall 2025 admissionExplore scholarship opportunities and FAFSA optionsLook out for potential Leeds Beckett rugby team visits to Southern California in April worldrugbyshop.comrugbynorcal.org

Summary: In this episode, we interview Lesley McKenzie, the head coach of Japan’s women’s rugby team. Lesley shares insights from her coaching journey, her experiences working with the Japan team, and what she hopes to bring to her upcoming presentation at the USA Coaches Summit. Link to register is below: https://therugbysitelocker.com/us-n Meeting Purpose: We discuss Lesley’s coaching experiences, her philosophy, and the challenges she faces coaching in Japan, as well as a preview of her upcoming appearance at the USA Coaches Summit at St. Mary’s College. Key Takeaways: • Japan’s women’s rugby team has unique challenges, including a small player pool of only 300 senior players. • Communication is key for Lesley, especially with language barriers, and she believes in simplifying instructions to focus on core ideas. • The women’s international rugby landscape is evolving quickly, with more teams professionalizing and improving rapidly. Topics Covered: 1. Lesley’s Rugby Background: • Started playing rugby at the University of British Columbia after exploring other sports. • Played for Canada’s national team, including two Rugby World Cups (2006 and 2010). • Transitioned to coaching through volunteer opportunities and worked in rugby development roles in New Zealand before becoming Japan’s head coach in 2019. 2. Coaching Philosophy: • Advocates for continuous learning and a growth mindset for both coaches and players. • Emphasizes clear and simple communication, especially when overcoming language barriers in Japan. • Breaks down complex rugby concepts into actionable steps that players can easily follow. 3. Japan Women’s Rugby Program: • Japan has a relatively small player base of around 300 senior women players, compared to tens of thousands in top rugby nations. • The team has been evolving since the 2022 World Cup, focusing on set-piece improvements and integrating young talent. • McKenzie and her team are aiming for a strong showing at the 2025 Rugby World Cup with a goal of reaching the quarterfinals. 4. Women’s International Rugby Landscape: • There has been a rapid rise in the professionalism and resources allocated to women’s rugby, especially in leading nations like England. • This growing competitiveness poses challenges for smaller nations like Japan, but also creates opportunities for exciting rugby innovations, including faster-paced play styles. 5. Advice for Coaches: • Don’t feel overwhelmed by the flood of information; focus on the lessons that resonate most with your own coaching style. • Keep messaging simple and direct to avoid overcomplicating instructions. • Stay confident in your coaching abilities while remaining open to new ideas and continuous learning. worldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org

In this episode, we feature insightful interviews with three of the key presenters who will be speaking at the Rugby Development Summit on November 2nd and 3rd. It’s a great chance to get an inside look at the valuable content you can expect from Sean, Rusty, and Greg, and learn more about their expertise. Link to the US National Rugby Summit: https://therugbysitelocker.com/us-national-rugby-summit/worldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org

Key TakeawaysUSD rugby has achieved significant success, winning 2 national championships each in 15s and 7sProgram growth driven by strong culture, alumni support, and professional coaching structureSan Diego offers robust pathway for aspiring rugby players from college to professional levelUSD actively recruits NorCal players, who form the "spine" of their successful team Reach out to USD using the emails below: To contact Kevin Eaton- usdrugbyteam@gmail.com To contact Charlie Purdon- usdrugbycoach@gmail.com To contact Scott Thomas- scottjthomas@sandiego.edu Link to USD Presentationhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/1zu8GnwTn3D3zLTyaypGo1lfJ4AONHb7Y/view worldrugbyshop.comrugbynorcal.org

To contact Adriaan, email him below.aferris@cagrizzlies.com worldrugbyshop.comrugbynorcal.org

St. Mary's College of California assistant coach Andrew Cook joins Rugby Norcal for the final episode of season 1. St. Mary's College of California Rugby Camp: https://www.smcallsportcamp.com/rugby.cfm De La Salle High School Camps: https://www.dlshs.org/athletics/camps-clinics/summer-camps worldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org

This week we have the man behind the Goff Rugby Report's rankings, reports, and news; Alex Goff. Check out his rankings and news at the website below. https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/worldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org

RNC Sits down with both a founding member of Marin Rugby Club as well as an assistant coach of the current Varsity team. We discuss the history of the club, how it was founded, and it's current success in RNC's Premier League. Check out the Marin Highlanders Youth Club at the website below. https://www.marinhighlandersrugby.org/worldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org

World Rugby Shop Promo Code NorCal20Email Coach Nick to learn more about the SJSU Rugby Program sjsurugbycoach@gmail.com worldrugbyshop.comrugbynorcal.org

RNC sits back down with Derek Holmberg after De La Salle high school wins another Single School State championship. We talk about the history of the championship and where we want single high school rugby to go. worldrugbyshop.comrugbynorcal.org

RNC sits down with Derek Holmberg, head coach of De La Salle Rugby Club. We talk about the history of De La Salle Rugby Club and how they have continued to have success over the years.  DLS is one of the most successful clubs in RNC with multiple Single School and Club Championships. worldrugbyshop.comrugbynorcal.org

RNC sits down with two current rugby players at St. Mary's College of California. Jake Negrete and Hunter Chuhlantseff are in their 5th year of playing rugby for one of the top programs in the United States. Listeners will get an inside scoop of their journey from High School to playing for St. Mary's. worldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org

RNC sits down with Wolverines Rugby Club out of San Mateo, California. The Wolverines are one of the largest clubs in Rugby NorCal and produce some of the best players from the region. We talk with Club President, Leka Nemani, about the history of Wolverines Rugby and his plans for the future. https://wolverinesrugbyclub.com/homeworldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org

In this episode of the Rugby NorCal Podcast, we chat with USA Eagle and Professional Rugby Player, Dino Waldren. We discuss his journey in the sport, his experiences playing rugby, and his thoughts on the current state of the game. Key Talking Points: Dino's background in rugby and how he got started playing His most memorable moments on the rugby field The challenges and rewards of playing rugby His thoughts on the development of rugby in Northern California His advice for aspiring young rugby playersworldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org

RNC sits down with Granite Bay Rugby Club based in Placer County, California. GBR won the 2022 Boys High School Varsity National Championship and is continually ranked in the top 10 Rugby Clubs in the United States. The program is run by head coach and Director of Rugby, Chris Miller (Cal, USA Eagles). We talk to Chris and his coaches about the club, its history, and so much more.worldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org

RNC sits down with 4x Collegiate National Champion and MLR Champion Holden Yungert. Holden Yungert started his Rugby journey in Northern California playing for Marin Rugby Club. He went on to play at Saint Mary's College of Ca, winning multiple national championships, and continued his championship legacy by winning the MLR championship in 2022 with the New England Freejacks. worldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org

Welcome to the Rugby Norcal Podcast with your host Nate Dalena!worldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org