In the seven years the Santa Clarita Youth Rugby Club has grown from 14 players in two non-contact divisions to over 100 players covering five tackle divisions in 2010. We have progressed from championships in non-contact rugby to success in the full contact game. Along the way we have empowered kids to play the sport of presidents and successful businessmen from around the globe. Last year’s U-19 squad captured 2nd place at the Fullerton International Rugby Tournament out of 16 teams and 8 of those players have gone on to play collegiate rugby at UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College Rugby Academy, San Diego State, UC San Diego, UCLA and Long Beach State. This year our players range from 8 to 19 years old and we have coaches that have come from or played in Australia, British Guiana, England, Germany, Mexico, South Africa and New Zealand.
A narrative of the first three years of the Tigers 2004-2006
The Santa Clarita Youth Rugby Club has built quite a record in its first 3 seasons. The Tigers won the inaugural USA Rugby 7’s U-12 Championship held at the Home Depot Center in February of 2006. In 2005, the U-15 non-contact team won both the SCYRU and SCYRA Southern California Championships. We won trophies in several other tournaments. However, that isn’t the true measure of a rugby team. The true value of rugby is the inner strength and camaraderie that rugby upholds unlike any other sport.
The Santa Clarita Tigers Youth Rugby Club was formed in 2004 playing its first season with the West Valley Wolverines but practicing at Wiley Canyon School. The team was the creation of four dads that had played rugby and each had two sons. Michael Yauch and his sons Brandon and Trevor. Greg Holmes and his sons Preston and Cody. Greg Zettel and his sons Alex and Max. Jeff Domine and his sons Hunt and Wyatt.
In our first year we played games mostly down in Calabasas where the Wolverines are based. On a team mostly composed of Tigers a combined Wolverines and Tigers took 4th place at the Fullerton Youth Rugby Tournament held at the end of the season in the U-15 non-contact division.
In 2005 the Tigers began their first full year as a stand alone team. The club fielded both U-12 and U-15 non-contact teams during the season. A strong U-12 non contact team concluded its season losing to a strong Fullerton team 10-5 in the semifinal, but winning its 3rd place match against the San Diego Mustangs comfortably 35-5 at the year end tournament at Fullerton. Players from this team included; Clint Gingrich, Johnny De La Mora, Sean Smalstig, Kodey and Kyle Johnson, Cody Holmes, Trevor Yauch, Kyle Chaplin, Matthew Dockstader and Jake Smith.
The 2005 U-15 Non-contact team was similarly successful. At the Fullerton Tournament they lost in the final against Fullerton in Overtime 10-15 with two fine tries on kick returns from Nick Korth. At the final tournament of the year in San Pedro the U-15’s finished the day undefeated taking the SCYRA trophy in a division that no longer exists. Many fine players helped the team to its success that year. Included amongst them were Colin Gingrich, Preston Holmes, Brandon Yauch, Jordan Hoskins, Robert and David Aguero, Daniel Chaplin, Geoff and Mike Petersen, Joshua Bledy, Ivan Cho, Taylor Grant, Tobias Dates, Jonathan Ewart, Drew Kaplan, Nick Korth, and Justin Shaffer.
Last season Southern California altered the age divisions to narrow the differentials so as to facilitate tackle rugby divisions under High School. Thus the U-14 and U-16 divisions were born. The tigers took the field in these two divisions which fielded 10 and 12 players respectively as the prior season had been played as seven a side affairs exclusively. We also continued to field a U-12 Non contact division as well.
Playing in a conference with San Luis Obispo and Santa Monica the Tigers lost an opportunity to go to the playoffs on the final day of the season losing to Santa Monica. The season was a good test requiring several players to play in both the U-14 and U-16 divisions playing up because of a lack of numbers.
Kalei Konrad, the MVP in both in the U-14 and U-16 divisions remained a strong leader on the field throughout the season. Brandon Yauch U-14 most valuable back also played a key role in both divisions. Our youngest regular contributor to both divisions, Alex Brown, was the best new back for U-14’s. David Aguero proved to be a tough tackler and will be looked to for leadership in the coming season. Michael Huseman, the coaches award winner for his strong effort will play in a increased role this season. Tyler Moser, most valuable forward for U-14’s is coming off a strong season on the West Ranch Freshman football team where he has already recorded 32 tackles and 6 sacks for a loss of 23 yards with one game still remaining on their schedule. Andy Carrillo, best new forward for the U-14’s, had a solid season and has already brought many new players to our team. The other important contributors to our U-14 team were Kevin Furden, Cullen West, Johnny Delamora, Sean Smalstig, and Cody Holmes who was named most improved in the U-14 division as an 11 year old.
The U-16 team was often outmanned as well. Strong players from this division included Robert Aguero, most valuable forward and Geoff Petersen, most valuable back. Best new forward, Isaiah Serrano was joined in the pack with Carlos Burman most improved player of the U-16’s. Also making strong contributions amongst the forwards were Patrick Allen, Chris Nessim, Kevin Sutton, Ray Lane and coaches award winner for the U-16’s, Daniel Chaplin. The backs that made strong contributions included veterans Preston Holmes, Mike Petersen, Nick Korth, Bret Avrashow joined by fine rookies Michael Jarvis, Zach Thomas and best new back George Sunnaa.
Arguably our biggest achievement by our team in 2006 was winning the inaugural USA 7’s Youth tournament U-12 non contact division. Held in conjunction with the IRB Sevens tournament, part of a worldwide 7-a-side international competiton held in 8 cities around the globe and won this year by New Zealand it was took place at the Home Depot Center in Carson. In overtime our squad overcame a tough Santa Monica team to take the title and until the end of the season was unbeaten in pool play in January and February. This squad was composed of Johnny De LA Mora, Sean Smalstig, Clint Gingrich, Matthew Dockstader, Kyle Chaplin, Trevor Yauch, Barret and Trenton Stone and Aaron Argueta.
For the upcoming 2007 season the Tigers will be fielding their first High School squad. Competing in the Northern Division of the Southern California Youth Rugby league the club will be facing opponents from San Luis Obispo to Santa Monica. For the upcoming season we intend to compete in the following divisions: High School, U-16, U-14, U-12 tackle and non-contact (TOUCH) and U-10 non contact. Please come join us to play or watch as rugby grows in popularity in the Southland and across the USA.
2004
The team is formed and practices at Wiley Canyon Elementary School and plays with the West Valley Wolverines in several tournaments. Their achievements:
U-10’s take 1st place at the FYR Tournament
U-15’s take 2nd place at the FYR Tournament
U-15’s take 4th place at the Fullerton Tournament
14 players, 3 coaches
2005
The team is completely separate from the West Valley Wolverines. In the last year of the U-15 non-contact division, the Tigers are crowned the Champions of the Southern California Rugby Football Union (SCRFU) for the year.
U-12’s take 2nd place at the FYR Tournament
33 players, 5 coaches
2006
The team fields 3 divisions, U-12, U-14 and U-16. The U-12’s are the champions of the USA 7’s tournament played at the Home Depot Center earning recognition on the field.
44 players, 5 coaches
2007
U-19 division competes for the first time. They host the Matthew McNair School from Vancouver, B.C. and lose narrowly, but enjoy having the players in our homes for a couple of nights.
2 players, David Aguero and Michael Boskovich make the U-17 Griffins (Southern California All-Stars) and lose to Sacramento Valley All-Stars in the championship game 17-10 at a season ending tournament at Stanford University. David is invited to try out for the U-17 USA Eagles at their camp that summer. In summer 7’s the U-19’s win the plate championship at the Eagle Rock Sevens Tournament.
58 players, 5 coaches
2008
The U-16’s take 2nd place in the North and lose in the semi-finals of the playoffs. 2 players, David Aguero and Brandon Yauch make the U-18 Griffins and travel to Denver and go undefeated winning the Rocky Mountain Challenge, America’s Premier U-18 All-Star Rugby Tournament beating regional all-star teams from the Western United States including teams from the states of Wisconsin and Texas.
62 players, 5 coaches
2009
Two new tackle divisions begin under Gary and Anita Thompson with the U-10’s taking 2nd place at the Fullerton Tournament. The U-12’s also have a successful season with three players, Mathew Bailey, Liam Fadness and Jacob Washington making the inaugural U-12 Griffins squad.
The U-19’s take the Tier II North losing to Lawndale for the Southern California Tier II championship. They also take 2nd place at the Fullerton International Youth tournament, which includes 5 teams from Canada, losing to the LA Cougars in the championship game. Spencer Buckley and David Aguero make the U-19 griffins. Ben Skura and Garrett Lander make the U-17 griffins.
86 Players, 6 coaches
2010
2011The inaugural Santa Clarita Youth Rugby Tournament debuts at Hart High School featuring 17 teams in four divisions, thanks to the organization of Anita Thompson.
2012SCV Rugby Tigers U14 boys division are the 2012 Southern California Youth Rugby league Champions! They played all the best teams in the league North and South and played very well. Congratulations to U14 Boys coach, Gary Thompson!!!! You did a tremendous job. A big thank you to the all parents, coach Sam for the endless conditioning, coach Greg, coach Mike, our new forwards coach, coach Perry, and coach Conrad for the awesome back line input. Last but definitely not least, Anita, for all of your support.
2014 CV Rugby Tigers U14 boys division are the 2012 Southern California Youth Rugby league Champions! They played all the best teams in the league North and South and played very well. Congratulations to U14 Boys coach, Gary Thompson!!!! You did a tremendous job. A big thank you to the all parents, coach Sam for the endless conditioning, coach Greg, coach Mike, our new forwards coach, coach Perry, and coach Conrad for the awesome back line input. Last but definitely not least, Anita, for all of your support.