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

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rugbynorcal.org