Mother Lode Rugby

COACH: Brendan Harris

Coach Harris has been involved with rugby since he was six years old and is a second generation rugby player and coach. His playing career has taken him all over the United States and internationally as well. He has played with the Sacramento Capitals, Arkansas State RFC, and Vacaville Old Dogs RFC. Coach Harris was also on a national championship team with Arkansas State. Coach Harris was also selected for USA Rugby representative sides at the high school, college, and men’s levels.

Coach Harris has been coaching rugby since 2005 when he started with the Vacaville RFC High School program. He moved over to Mother Lode RFC in 2008 as an Assistant Coach. He took over as the Boy’s Varsity Coach last year. Coach Harris has also been appointed to the Sacramento Valley High Performance staff and is USA Rugby certified for Coaching at the High School and below level.

COACH: Tony Saint

Played Rugby in England from age 6. Played for Gloucestershire county, the South West of England at many youth levels. Played in English National 3 Divisions for Lydney RFC at senior levels. Coached mini and youth rugby at Cinderford RFC. English RFU level 1 coaching certified. Coached at Mother Lode RFC for 2 years after relocating to the USA.  “come play, learn and have fun playing this  great game with us”. Contact at tony.saint (at) motherloderugby.org or telephone 916 337 5218.

COACH: Pete Lisson

I was born and raised in Australia and played for rugby clubs around the Sydney area. I was fortunate to make several select sides and traveled on the east coast of Australia and Tasmania playing rugby and making new friendships. I am currently playing rugby for Sacramento Old Boys which is an over 35 team. I have been involved with the Mother Lode Rugby Club for 5 years and really enjoy teaching young men how to play and love rugby. Personally I think at times school sports can lose the main objective of sports, which is fun, I try hard to make rugby a lot fun for everyone involved.

COACH: Brad Scott

Brad played Rugby at local and representative levels in Australia at junior, high school and college, always in the position of center or wing. After many years as an enthusiastic spectator of senior and international rugby, he recently became actively re-involved in the game by gaining his Level 1 referee certification. He is a firm believer in fast, safe, free-flowing rugby and recognizes the comraderie and character-building that rugby delivers to all who play the game.  He looks forward to sharing his ‘backs’ knowledge and experience to the proud Mother Lode Rugby Club.

COACH: Ryan Wagner

I was introduced to Rugby like a lot of American kids, when I figured out playing football was no longer going to be an option. I began playing in College at the age of 19 and was hooked. In retrospect I truly believe I would have been a tremendously better Football player having been given an opportunity to play Rugby earlier in life. The game itself is amazing and has a rhythm and flow that addictive. The principles of ‘Team’ and ‘Unselfishness’ would be a welcome addition to the typical American sports mantra of ‘Me, Me, Me’. The Friends I have made during my years of playing are dear friends to this day. Rugby has given me an opportunity to travel to far away places, lifelong friends, and truly unforgettable experiences. It is a pleasure to be part of a club and helping others to start their own Rugby journey.

COACH: Steve Lujan
Hi my name is Steve Lujan and I have been associated with Motherlode Rugby for 5 years.

I started playing rugby when I was 18 years old, after my Senior Year of football, when a teammate from New Zealand asked me to join the team. I didn’t know anything about Rugby at the time. My team, Serra High School Rugby Club from San Mateo, CA played in the National High School Championship Game in 1983.

I attended St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA where I traveled in the US and Canada playing against the best teams in country. Capped off with a tour to Italy with the “A” side my sophomore year.

Rugby has been a great influence in my life with many great experiences that helped me grow as a person and player. I developed a great group of lifelong friends while touring the world and playing a game I love. My experience as a player and coach in various sports has helped me reach a high level of play which I enjoy sharing with the kids I coach.

“I have been where they want to go” and I will teach them everything I can to help them reach their goals.

I look forward to teaching your kids about the game of Rugby, along with teaching them about being a winner, being motivated, being inspired, being leaders and being a role model to those around them.

You can reach me at 530-417-2080 or slujan@sbcglobal.net

“Rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen.”

Winston Churchill

COACH: Rod Chance

Coach Chance has worked with the Mother Lode Girls Team since 2006 with a combine regular season record of 28 W – 5 L.  During this time, Mother Lode Girls Team has 20 Athletes’ selected for the Pelican Representative Teams and 12 selected to the Grizzly Region All-star team.  The last two years the team has played in the Pacific Coast Regional Championships and he has coached the 2010 PCRFU Pelican All Star team to win the Division Championship.

Coach Chance started playing Rugby while at San Jose State University in 1981. He developed a passion for Rugby due in part, to the unique camaraderie of his teammates. He went on to play with the San Jose Seahawks and Silverhawks.  While playing he coached Santa Clara University’s Bergen Hall Men’s Division 2 Team.  In the late 90’s he began referring and is currently, an L2 certified Referee.

“Coaching Rugby is fun!  Rugby provides the unique opportunity for me to provide young people with the tools and encouragement needed to be proficient Rugby Players.  My greatest reward is seeing our ladies out on the pitch filled with confidence, commitment and determination proving that toughness truly is a state of mind.”