The Rugby NorCal Podcast

https://healthysportsparents.com/ https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-carone-52145778/ What we cover: Where parental pressure really comes from How identity and ego show up in youth sports Why kids value development over winning The “24-hour rule” and why it matters What kids actually want out of sports The current youth sports landscape and where i...

Key Topics NorCal Pipeline ~80% of the roster comes from California Strong ties to Jesuit, Danville, SFGG, Marin, and more Kyle’s background as a Granite Bay national champion Program Identity Blue-collar mentality Physical, high-effort rugby Culture built on camaraderie and accountability Player Development Recruiting “rugby players,” not positions Position changes to get the best 15 on the field...

Key Topics Brendo’s rugby journey • Starting at San Francisco Golden Gate as a sophomore • Lessons from coaches Mike Caravelli and Tony Wells • The influence of the “15 vs 15” philosophy Saint Mary’s College rugby • Why he chose Saint Mary’s • The impact of Tim O’Brien and the program’s culture • The power of the alumni network Building a coaching career • Volunteering for seven years at Saint Mar...

Episode Overview Nate sits down with Alex Goff of Goff Rugby Report to break down the current state of high school and college rugby, with a focus on NorCal’s competitive depth and what it takes to reach Nationals. NorCal Parity Both the Premier club division and Single School Open division are wide open. Multiple programs are capable of winning championships, which makes rankings volatile but rai...

In this episode of the Rugby NorCal Podcast, we spotlight the University of California, Santa Cruz Rugby program and what makes it one of the most compelling D1A club rugby programs in the country. UCSC Rugby competes weekly against varsity powerhouses while maintaining a gritty, athlete-led culture rooted in accountability, adaptability, and academic excellence. The discussion covers the program’...

  What You’ll Hear in This Episode   1. Inside Syracuse’s High-Performance Rugby Environment   How Syracuse evolved from a participation-focused club to a performance-level program in about two years. Overview of facilities: dedicated rugby field with lights, on-site weight room, and a full-time strength & conditioning coach. The role of nutrition, mental skills, and off-field development in their...

Western Washington Rugby operates a high performance D1AA program that mirrors a varsity-style experience. With daily training, film study, and strength work, the program prepares players for top-level domestic and Canadian competition. Head coach Adam Roberts leads a strong staff and an alumni-supported infrastructure that elevates both on-field development and off-field growth. Program Structure...

In this episode of the Rugby NorCal Podcast, host Nate Dalena sits down with Will Hooley , former USA Eagle, Saracens and Northampton Saints professional, and current Major League Rugby Technical Director . Will shares stories from his playing career in England and the United States, including his experience at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan , and opens up about his transition from player to me...

Key Takeaways Work Ethic Over Raw Talent : Players who consistently perform at 75–80% often surpass the “flashes of brilliance” players who are inconsistent. Integrated Skill Development : Every training element (gym, conditioning, skills) should build decision-making and rugby IQ. Games-Based Conditioning : Using continuous, high-intensity play improves fitness, skills, and decision-making under...

Andrew Cook will be running two lineout sessions at the Summit, helping coaches sharpen their vision, define their non-negotiables, and build efficient lineout systems that spark scoring opportunities. We cover: Andrew’s coaching background and growth at St. Mary’s His approach to developing rugby IQ and player ownership The evolution of his coaching communication style Why the lineout remains the...

Darryl shares his coaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of creating environments where team culture develops naturally rather than being dictated. He highlights the value of profiling players and teams to tailor coaching approaches, stressing that knowing players personally helps in building stronger, more cohesive teams.   Listeners will also get a preview of Darryl’s summit content:  ...

Topics Recap of 2024 Rugby Development Summit Rusty introduced games like 50-22, Rondo, and the banking game Headband technique helped make players feel seen and improved team dynamics Emphasis on problem-solving and giving players autonomy in decision-making Coaches maintained contact with Rusty throughout the year, extending learning Rusty's Recent Coaching Experiences Traveled extensively: Icel...

🔑 Key Takeaways: Nearly 40% of D1A college rugby games were decided by 9 points or fewer, showing rising parity. St. Ignatius (Cleveland) and Charlotte Cardinals are strong favorites heading into nationals, but several contenders could shake up the field. Playing tougher schedules , attending camps/tours , and focusing on long-term player development are critical for teams seeking national recogn...

Key Takeaways: • UW Rugby offers partial scholarships and tagged applications that provide recruits an admissions advantage. • Daily training, academic support, and rehab services reflect a high-performance environment. • Character, academics, and work ethic are the cornerstones of Wheaton’s recruiting philosophy. • Strong informal ties to the Seattle Seawolves (MLR), including coaching support an...

Recruitment Form CLICK HERE Topics Matt Sherman's Rugby Background Started playing rugby in high school at Piedmont, California Played at Cal, winning 4 national championships Continued rugby career at Oxford while getting master's degree Began coaching early, including high school team while at Cal   Army West Point Rugby Program Typical cadet schedule: classes, formations, team meals, afternoon...

Reach out to Troy: troy@clemsonrugby.com Topics Troy Hall's Rugby Journey Started playing rugby at age 5 in New Zealand Moved to the USA, played for various clubs including White Plains and Old Blue Selected for USA Eagles in both 7s (2008) and 15s, playing until 2015 Transitioned to coaching, including roles with Rugby Oregon and Oregon State   Clemson Rugby Program Development Troy took over as...

Key Takeaways USA Youth and High School Rugby, formed in 2021, has significantly improved youth rugby's positioning and representation Key initiatives include high-performance partnerships, coaching education (Six Degrees), and developing a comprehensive player pathway Current focus is on building foundations for scalable growth, aiming for 1 million youth players in the future Challenges include...

Goffrugbyreport.com agoff@goffrugbyreport.com Key Takeaways Girls youth rugby is experiencing significant growth Increased number of single-school rugby teams emerging across the US USA Rugby's "Moonshot" goal aims for World Cup quarterfinals in 2031, with improved talent identification and development pathways College rugby programs are adapting to demographic changes and exploring new recruitmen...

Chris O'Brien's Rugby Background Grew up in a rugby family, father played at Stanford in the 1950s Started playing at 14-15 years old with the Old Blues club Played multiple sports (football, water skiing) which contributed to his rugby development Represented the USA Eagles national team Transitioned into coaching after playing, including youth, high school, college, and international levels   Ca...

Reach out to Brendan by email: bkeane@usa.rugby Key Takeaways USA Rugby has launched a Virtual Academy to connect with and develop players nationwide Players should focus on building good habits and creating a positive learning environment for themselves The talent ID process looks at athletic testing, rugby skills, and intangibles like communication and body language There's a clear pathway from...

  Topics Justin Hickey's Rugby Background Started playing rugby in high school after football season ended   Continued playing at Central Michigan University   Transitioned to coaching, starting with his high school team while playing club rugby   Pursued a master's in education and school counseling, leading to college coaching opportunities   Coached at Davenport University and Clemson before be...

Topics Gavin Hickie's Rugby Background Grew up in a rugby family in Dublin, Ireland with father and cousin playing for Ireland national team Played professionally for 10 years including for Leinster, London Irish, Worcester, and Leicester Tigers Came to the U.S. to play for Belmont Shore, which led to coaching opportunities   Naval Academy Rugby Program Became head coach in 2017, transitioned prog...

Contact Info & Summary For School Admissions Question:  Alex Ukkelberg a.ukkelberg@leedsbeckett.ac.uk For Rugby Questions: Kris Stafford k.stafford@leedsbeckett.ac.uk https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/ Topics Leeds Beckett Rugby Program Overview 5 teams plus a development team, with about 110 players competing weekly Part of BUCS Super Rugby, the top 10 university teams in the UK Season runs from Aug...

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 experience...

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-summi...