2024-25 Paul Horne Out of State Scholarship Recipient: Oliver Kelleher
Oliver Kelleher's rugby journey began with a false start in fourth grade with the Boston Irish Wolfhounds, which he "did not enjoy whatsoever." Five years later, rugby reentered his life through a high school friend who "brought a rugby ball to recess everyday" and patiently explained the fundamentals.
Having played soccer since age five and eventually captaining the Walpole High School Soccer Team, Kelleher was drawn to rugby's physical nature. He joined the Wrentham Barbarians, where his athletic background helped him thrive despite initially only having enough players for 7s tournaments.
"The suffering and pain that my team endured through practices and 7's tournaments really brought the team together as one," Kelleher reflects. "In 7's especially, the freedom for creativity is a huge part of the game."
At Western Washington University, Kelleher also joined the local men's club, Chuckanut Bay Rugby Club. He has demonstrated remarkable versatility, playing various positions in both 7s and 15s formats, with outside center becoming his preferred role in 15s as it allows him to "use my athletic ability on defense" while identifying gaps and facilitating team communication.
His crowning achievement came when Western won the National 7s Tournament in Bellingham, with friends, parents, and UK cousins in attendance. A defining moment occurred during his campus visit when the team united in support of a player suffering a seizure. "This event had pulled me into the brotherhood of the WWU Men's Rugby Club," he explains.
Beyond athletics, rugby has provided Kelleher with emotional balance and professional opportunities, including summer employment with Kulshan Painting LLC through a teammate connection. He balances academics with rugby through careful time management: "We only practice 3-4 days a week with a game on Saturday so it gives me plenty of time to enjoy my hobbies, go to the gym, and meet with my professors."
Looking ahead, Kelleher aims to win the 15s National Championship in 2025 and continue playing competitive men's rugby while starting a family. Academically, he's pursuing Environmental Science with a marine focus, hoping to eventually conduct research at Woods Hole in Cape Cod.
Family support has been integral to his development, particularly from his UK-raised mother who "just like me, loves the sport." Kelleher maintains his health through nearly daily gym sessions focusing on injury prevention, and advises younger players to develop a "progressive mindset" that combines physical training with mental preparation.
