2024-25 Kevin Higgins Scholarship Recipient: Charlie Green
Charlie Green discovered rugby at age five, igniting a passion that has shaped his character and future path. Beginning with the Encinitas Coastal Dragons U8 team, Green played both 15's and 7's formats through U16s, embracing various positions with enthusiasm and versatility.
At Carlsbad Thunder, his high school club team, Green quickly emerged as a leader. After serving as B-side captain his first year, he was selected as Varsity Captain and became the starting scrum-half/fly-half and conversion kicker. Under his leadership, his team placed second in the SoCal multi-school championship in 2023 and 2024, and clinched the Pacific Coast championship in 2024.
"Charlie is a player I enjoyed coaching because he continued to improve with a high rugby IQ," said Josh A. Williams, Head Coach of Thunder Rugby U18's and Carlsbad High School. "He was also someone who made the team stronger on and off the field, as he helped improve the culture and camaraderie of the team."
Green's talents earned him selection to the SD Legion Development Squad during his junior and senior years. He was also one of the youngest members chosen for the Encinitas RFC men's 7's team. Despite facing COVID-19 challenges and mental health issues during his freshman year, Green maintained a 3.7 GPA at Carlsbad High School.
His athletic pursuits extend beyond rugby – ten years of club soccer (including All-Star selections), achieving a brown belt in Goju Karate, and enjoying skateboarding, surfing, and golf. He also played percussion in school bands and briefly drummed in a metal band.
"Rugby has given me life-long friendships, leadership opportunities, the opportunity to travel the world, and so much more," said Green. "Rugby has been a gateway for me to build relationships and work with others."
Inspired by his father's Rotary Club involvement, Green has actively participated in community service through his high school's Interact Club – making toys for the less fortunate, building bicycles during Christmas, fundraising for water systems in Sudan, and helping build a house for a family in Tijuana with Project Mercy.
Green will attend the University of Colorado Boulder, pursuing Statistics and Data Science while playing for the Colorado Buffaloes Men's Rugby team. He plans to study abroad during his junior year in a country with a strong rugby program.
"Rugby will always be part of my life," Green said. "My goal is to pass my passion for rugby to others and help grow the sport in the USA."
