Ellensburg Youth Rugby
How It Started
The Ellensburg Youth Rugby program started in the fall of 2019 thanks to former CWU Alumni and Cascade Rugby Union President Chris Nesmith. The area was prime for a youth rugby program in Ellensburg, WA, home of the Men’s Varsity Central Washington University Rugby Club, and top 6th rugby program in the country. Chris connected with Bob Ford, former Central Washington Rugby Coach, to share his vision. From there, Chris and Bob worked hard to establish Youth Rugby in the city of Ellensburg, to follow the success of the CWU rugby team.
First things first, they had to find a pitch. They approached the City Parks and Recreation Director, Brad Case, and managed to secure an abandoned baseball pitch that the rugby club could use for practice. In the Winter of 2019, Ellensburg Youth Rugby was officially launched and the team held its first practice in March of 2020 right before the start of the pandemic.
Before the start of the 2021 season, Chris formed a connection with the United States Rugby Foundation. The Foundation was immediately interested in how they could support Ellensburg Youth Rugby through a Grant and inquired about their needs. Ellensburg Youth Rugby is just one example of how the Foundation can improve playing grounds for rugby teams across the United States and continue to grow grass roots rugby.
Ellensburg Youth Rugby received:
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Additional Support
Additional support from the City Parks and Recreation and its director helped the team in their journey to transform the abandoned baseball field into a rugby pitch. In March of 2021, they helped remove the base plugs, home plate, and pitchers mounds, while replacing them with goal posts. The City Parks Department also allowed the team to host matches at Rotary Park, where competitions were held on 3 different pitches for 3 separate age groups (U12, U14, and HS). These events sparked the kids’ interest in rugby even more.
The Youth Program had other sponsors that helped with the pitch as well, including Winegar’s Coffee & Creamery and Reecer Creek Excavating. Thanks to the funds provided by these two businesses, the team was able to remove the backstops and dugouts, and Reecer Creek Excavating even laser-leveled the pitch and assisted with post installation. Ellensburg Youth Rugby also received $10,000 from the City of Ellensburg Parks Partnership Program, which will allow them to install a new sprinkler system by next year.
2024
Ellensburg Youth Rugby continues to thrive as the largest rugby program in Washington State, with 166 registered players. While maintaining strong overall numbers, we've seen particularly encouraging growth in our high school boys' and girls' divisions. Our commitment to year-round engagement was demonstrated through our successful Fall Competition season, which attracted 42 student athletes across U12, U14, and High School Girls divisions, despite overlapping with traditional fall sports.
Our program's impact extends beyond youth leagues, with four recent graduates now competing at Central Washington University's men's and women's programs. We've strengthened our organizational structure by bringing on two Community Development Officers, focusing on school outreach and implementing rugby in local Physical Education curricula. Our coaching staff has also achieved notable recognition, with Head Coach Mikey O'Malley joining Central Washington Women's Program as Assistant Coach, and Jeremy Johnson taking on the role of Eastern Washington Director for Rugby Washington. The US Rugby Foundation grant continues to support our growth, as we pursue new initiatives including acquiring a scrum sled, enhancing field facilities, and developing a comprehensive winter training program to further elevate the sport in Ellensburg.
"We wrapped up the 2024 Spring Season with 166 Total Registration which I believe put us at the largest overall rugby program in the State of Washington."
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"Ellensburg Youth Rugby has significantly impacted our program, developing quality student-athletes, fostering personal growth, and contributing to our on-field success. We're grateful for their dedication and the opportunities they provide."
2023
Ellensburg Youth Rugby has seen significant growth in 2023, with player count increasing from 46 in 2020 to 183. This growth underscores the effectiveness of our program and the rising interest in rugby within our community. This year, we've also enhanced our facilities with a state-of-the-art electronic scoreboard, funded by a US Rugby Foundation grant. This grant, focusing on innovation and inclusivity, has been instrumental in fostering a thriving rugby culture in Ellensburg.
Our growth in player numbers and infrastructure improvements reflect our commitment to providing an optimal environment for youth rugby development. The new scoreboard is a testament of our dedication to enhancing the overall experience for players and spectators. US Rugby Foundation's grant has been a catalyst for this positive change, enabling us to achieve our goals, as we continue to grow and develop grassroots rugby in Ellensburg.
"These capital investments in our program have provided our student athletes with a positive Rugby experience from the minute they step foot on the field. Training and playing in a true rugby environment has allowed our players to develop a sense of pride in their program."
