The Rugby NorCal Podcast
Nate Dalena
Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo
Episode Notes
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
Cal Poly Rugby Program Development
O'Brien is in his 4th year as head coach
Focused on building team culture and skill development
Scheduling tougher opponents (BYU, Central Washington, Army) to challenge players
Balancing academics and rugby, with high GPA requirements for admission (3.6-4.2 depending on major)
Training and Player Development
Emphasis on basic skill development and repetition
Incorporates video analysis sessions to improve player understanding
Pushes players in training to simulate game fatigue and decision-making
Utilizes men's club matches to expose players to higher-level competition
Recruitment and Admissions
Program is attracting more interest from potential players
Admissions are highly competitive (1 in 10 applicants accepted)
Cannot tag or influence admissions as a club sport
Many players come from the Bay Area
Future Plans and Opportunities
Considering organizing summer camps to develop youth rugby in the area
Building relationships with the Cal Poly football program for potential crossover athletes
Exploring ways to improve fundraising to support team travel and experiences
Next Steps
Prepare for upcoming tough stretch of games (Central Washington, St. Mary's, Santa Barbara, Army, UCLA)
Continue to develop relationships with Cal Poly football program for potential player crossover
Investigate possibilities for organizing summer rugby camps in San Luis Obispo
Maintain focus on academics and encourage prospective players to prioritize grades for admission