As we close out another fantastic youth rugby season, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve achieved as a club. Mother Lode Rugby saw an incredible 52% growth in youth player registrations from last year, a testament to the dedication of our coaches, referees, and parent volunteers. Additionally, we certified 7 new coaches and 5 new referees, further strengthening the foundation of our club.
This season has reinforced that we are on a tremendous growth path, but to sustain and expand our success, we need more volunteers. Whether as a coach, assistant coach, referee, or team parent, your involvement will help us continue building something truly special in the Northern California rugby community.
Season Highlights by Age Group
U8
Last year was the first time in a long while that Mother Lode had a dedicated U8 program, and this year it grew impressively thanks to Coaches Rachel and Ryan. 22 budding ruggers got their first taste of rugby and even got the opportunity to travel to San Francisco to play on Treasure Island along with a number of other tournaments. Their fast play and quick thinking was too much for all the teams they played this year. This young group provides a fantastic foundation for the club’s future!
U10
Led by Mother Lode alum Coach Jason, our U10s had enough players for dedicated Lights and Opens teams. With support from Coaches Adrian, Steven, Rylan, and Addy, the teams developed into something truly special. A special shoutout to Coach Rylan, our first high school player to become a USA Rugby-certified coach! Some season highlights include multiple wins over Granite Bay, dominant tournament performances, and the Lights team winning every tournament they played in!
U12
Guided by our resident Englishman Coach Andy, along with Coaches Ryan, Brian, and Gary, the U12s were strong enough to field two teams. They achieved landmark victories, including beating the Wolverines for the first time and multiple wins over Granite Bay. The season culminated at the San Jose tournament, where the team competed in the competitive division for the first time in club history and showcased outstanding defensive and attacking skills. The future is bright!
Girls Youth
We were the envy of many clubs this year with the growth of our girls’ youth program—18 players across U12 and middle school, with over 60% new to the sport. The team played regularly against Lamorinda, improving with every game and finishing the season strong, ultimately gaining the upper hand as the year progressed. A season highlight was their trip to Stanford, where they were hosted by the Stanford Women’s Rugby team. The girls got to experience college-level rugby facilities, share a meal, and discuss the pathway to playing in college. Some of our girls even joined the boys at the San Jose tournament, proving they could more than hold their own!
Middle School Boys
The middle school boys had another excellent season under Coach Keli, supported by Coaches Shamal and Greg A. With 50% of the team new to the sport, the coaching staff did a phenomenal job developing them from rookies to competitors in the end-of-season competitive division. They finished the year on a high, beating Land Park and sending six players to represent the Rugby NorCal All-Stars. A huge achievement!
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on this season, it’s clear that Mother Lode Rugby is building something special. If you’ve been inspired by the way we coach and play the game, we encourage you to get involved—whether as a coach, assistant coach, referee, or team parent – reach out here.
If you enjoyed your season, please spread the word and invite other families to join our club. This club is on an exciting trajectory, and with your help, we can continue making waves in the Northern California rugby community and beyond.
Let’s go Mother Lode!
Neal Best
President, Mother Lode Rugby Club
Respect. Commitment. Integrity. Fun.
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