High School Rugby
 




Welcome to the Experience of Rugby
PENINSULA GREEN RFC

Having started in 1998...we look forward to our 9th season of 15's in 2007...here is our story.

The Peninsula Green Rugby Football Club was established in the Spring of 1998 for high school students who are ages 13-18 in Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside, Redwood City and Palo Alto.

Initially, the Keck's of Atherton, along with their son, contacted Richard Kelly, a rugby player (men's club), who was certified by USA Rugby to coach. An initial sign-up meeting was held and approximately 40 boys signed up to play in 1998-1999.

After the team was formed, Paul Negus, a father of two players, with rugby experience in Great Britain, was certified through USA Rugby and became another coach with Richard Kelly.

For the initial 1998-1999 season, the Keck's acting in an administrative role and Mr. Kelly and Mr. Negus as coaches were able to formulate a true youth rugby team based upon principles of discipline, skill, team unity and sportsmanship. The Peninsula Green made the playoffs as a first year team and 4th in the State its 2nd year.

Current Staff:

-Paul Negus: Vice President of Operations for yes, another high tech. company. He started playing rugby when he was 6 years old and has played representative rugby for top-level clubs in the United Kingdom. Mr. Negus is certified in Level 1 USA Rugby coaching.

-George Richard, John Paga, Bob Benson and Frank Merrill round off the list of volunteer ruggers who help Mr. Negus keep our program alive.
 
-Richard Kelly: Attorney and founder with Mr. Negus has 20+ years of rugby experience and has played at the youth, collegiate and men's club levels. A little dab of international 7's experience and certified in Levels 1,2,3 by USA Rugby. Mr Kelly no longer is formally active in coaching the club, but helps out when he can.
 

RUGBY IN THE UNITED STATES & NOR. CAL.

Rugby in the U.S. is run under the auspices of a parent non-profit organization, USA Rugby, with home offices in Colorado Springs, CO. USA Rugby oversees all adult, collegiate and youth rugby for men and women.

There are 8 "Territorial" Unions under USA Rugby. One of the 8 is the Pacific Coast Rugby Football Union (PCRFU); the parent union of 3 sub-area unions in which falls the Northern California Rugby Football Union (NCRFU). NCRFU is the union under which the Peninsula Green is a member.

HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY - NCRFU

Teams are from 4 conferences: Sacramento Conference; Redwood Conference; Bay Conference and Skyhawk Conference.

The Peninsula Green is in the Skyhawk Conference. The teams are:
*College Park (SJ) *Los Altos High *Aptos High *Peninsula Green (Menlo Pk.-Atherton) *St Lawrence(Ben Lomand) *Silicon Valley (Sunnyvale)
*Valley Christian (SJ) *East Palo Alto *Live Oak(SJ)

INSURANCE AND LIABLITY

Each player and club must be registered with USA Rugby. Player registration is through "certified individual player-participant" forms (CIPP). CIPP forms include player information and release of liability. Upon completion of registration, each club is provided a $1 million per occurance/$2 million aggregate liability policy of insurance.

FUNDING

Peninsula Green was initially funded personally by the Keck's, Mr. Kelly and Mr. Negus. In the initial season, fund raising brought donations in from PrimeCore Funding Co. of Menlo Park and le Boulanger.

The main source of team funding came personally from John Rosekrans; a former rugby player and whose grandson played on the initial Peninsula team.

Parents of players are encouraged to solicit donations from their respective businesses to help in funding. Any such donation is a tax write-off under the 501(c)(3) non-profit registration of USA Rugby and the NCRFU.

Players "team dues" is $100.

TRAVEL

The Peninsula Green travels throughout the NCRFU to play. Primary travel will be within the Skyhawk Conference. Players who drive must be validly licensed, insured and have parental
permission to drive and/or allow other players to go with them.

Peninsula has hosted a high school teams from BC Canada. This year, Peninsula will be looking into a trip up to British Columbia or elsewhere to "tour" in the spring.

NO TOLERANCE RULE

Peninsula Green, through the NCRFU and USA Rugby, has a no tolerance rule regarding the use of alcohol and drugs. There is also a no tolerance rule with regard to violence. There is no second chance. Players who use alcohol, drugs or exhibit violent behavior shall be expelled from
the club and/or reported to the proper authorities.

OPPORTUNITY- COLLEGE

Rugby is an ever-increasing sport of popularity in the United States. For players that have the required grades, SAT or equivalent scores, there is the likelihood for college recruitment.

We at Peninsula Green will assist in helping on your son's behalf.

ONCE AGAIN, PENINSULA GREEN WELCOMES YOU TO THE EXPERIENCE OF RUGBY.