Latest and greatest at A Rugby Life

A lot has been happing at A Rugby Life, although as you may have noticed, I have been a little quiet recently.  In additional to adding a new member to the ARL team earlier this year (my awesome son!), I have been hard behind the scenes working on what the next big thing ARL can bring you.

One of the biggest changes is that I am going to be saying farewell to the audio podcasts, which have long been the stable here.   However, Spotlight, that was a look into the people that live and breath rugby in the US, and the State of Play, my rugby analysis show, will both live on in a new format....but more on that in a bit!

The driver for changes is a my focus on original video content and with that comes the exciting news that I will be partnering with  Gif-Time Rugby Network to bring some fantastic new content to the world.

Good friend and rugby co-conspirator, Gift Egbelu, and I are both advocates of US rugby media coverage, especially via video, and the move to join forces makes perfect sense for the both of us. We are both excited to be finally working together and look forward to hearing your thoughts on our handy work.  With that, expect to see a lot of changes and updates over the coming months, including a new video version of Spotlight.     The good news is, you won't have wait too long to check out the newest collaboration....so watch out for my next post!

The State of Play Podcast - Episode 5: USARL

In this latest episode, I get the lowdown on the recent developments in Rugby League from USARL’s Daryl “Spinner” Howland.

We chat about the expansion of the South Eastern Rugby League, and new partnerships with clubs like the Leeds Rhinos.  Plus the formation of the league's first National developmental team, the USA Pioneers.

You can listen to podcast via the player below as well as via iTunes, Stitcher, and Feedburner. 

And as mentioned in then show, I welcome your feedback! Post your comments and questions on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ etc. using the hashtag  #TheStateOfPlay

The State of Play Podcast - Episode 4: The NRFL

I welcome back USA Rugby correspondents, Grant Cole (Ruck Bottom) and Ted Hardy (Rugby America), as we discuss the National Rugby Football League (NRFL); a US based professional rugby union league.  

We are joined by special guest, George 'Mac' Robertson of Rugby Law LLC, the organization behind the league.

You can listen to podcast via the player below as well as via iTunes,  Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Feedburner. 

And as mentioned in then show, I welcome your feedback! Please share your comments and questions on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ etc. using the hashtag #NRFL or #TheStateOfPlay

The State Of Play - Episode 3 - Pacific Rugby Premiership

For my latest podcast, I hosts a discussion with USA Rugby correspondents, Curtis Reed (This is American Rugby), Grant Cole (Ruck Bottom), Ted Hardy (Rugby America), and Kevin Sullivan (Rucking Insurance) to talk about the Pacific Rugby Premiership (PRP). 

You can listen to podcast via the player below as well as via iTunes,  Soundcloud, Stitcher, and Feedburner. 

And as mentioned in then show, I welcome your feedback! Please share your comments and questions on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ etc. using the hashtag #TheStateOfPlay

The State Of Play Podcast (Episode 2) - Jeff Hull

Jeff at work at Twickenham Stadium, UK

For my latest podcast, I speak with CNN's Bleacher Report columnist Jeff Hull about the current developments in North American rugby.

Jeff has been covering rugby since 2006 and has also served as Press Officer for the Canadian men's and women's fifteens and sevens teams.  You can learn more about Jeff on his website jeffhull.ca and follow him on twitter @rugbyscribe

You can listen to podcast via the player below as well as via iTunes,  Stitcher, and Feedburner. 

As mentioned in then show, I welcome your feedback! Please post your comments and questions on the podcast below or on twitter, Google+, or Facebook.

First podcast in my new series "The State of Play"

As I mentioned recently, I have been actively working on a new podcast series.  Well the wait is over! I am proud to introduce "The State of Play", a topical discussion show with stateside based rugby commentators and personalties on topics related to US rugby.

For my first show, I sit down with Curtis Reed, the founder and editor of This is American Rugby, to discuss the National 15s and 7s sides, and the impact of professionalism in and outside the states.

You can listen to the podcast on the player below as well as on iTunes,  on Stitcher, on our Facebook page, or via Feedburner. 

As mentioned in then show, I welcome your feedback! Please post your comments and questions on the podcast below or hit me on twitter or on Facebook.

Spotlight Podcast (Episode 21) - Mollie McCarthy

For the first Spotlight podcast of 2013,  I had the pleasure to chat with Mollie McCarthy, the new head coach for the Mens and Womens rugby programs at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL.  

Mollie McCarthy

We chat about Mollie's early playing days and her extensive coach career which included 4 years as the coach development manager with USA Rugby. We also get an insight into her move to Alabama and what her future plans are for the development of college rugby there.

You can listen to the podcast on the player below as well as on iTunes,  on Stitcher, on our Facebook page, or via Feedburner. 

As mentioned in the podcast, if you would like to contact Mollie to learn more about the program you can email her at mmccarthy@shc.edu or visit their website at www.shcbadgers.com/sport/0/25.php

You can also follow Spring Hill Rugby on Facebook www.facebook.com/SpringHillCollegeRugbyClub and Twitter twitter.com/SHCbadgersrugby

Spring Hill Mens rugby team in action

Podcast update (new name and new series coming soon!)

I have been working away behind the scenes on several new things which includes developing a second podcast series I hope to debut at the end of this month.

I will continue to keep doing the existing series, but as the new one is slightly different in nature, I want to separate them name wise.  The new one's name is under wraps, but the existing one is now going to be called Spotlight.

The first of the Spotlight interviews for this year is coming right up...so stay tuned!

Podcast Episode 20: David Martin (Author, The Hooligan’s Table: The Rugby Player’s Cookbook)

Author David Martin

In my latest podcast, I sit down in person with author David Martin to talk about his new book, "The Hooligan’s Table: The Rugby Player’s Cookbook".

We talk about how rugby life, on and off the field, has brought together some great recipes and stories for his book.

You can listen to the podcast on the player below as well as on iTunes, our Facebook page, or via Feedburner.

As mentioned in the podcast, you can learn more about the book and order your very own copy from David's website, www.therugbycookbook.com

You can also check out the Promo video for the book below.  Enjoy!

Podcast Episode 19: Lawrence Almagno (Rhode Island Rebellion RLFC, USARL)

For the latest podcast, ARL switches codes as I talk about rugby league in the US with Lawrence Almango, the CEO of Rhode Island Rebellion RLFC and a tour de force behind the youth development of the sport for the USA Rugby League (USARL).

We talk about Lawrence's early rugby career playing both union and league, the formation of Rhode Island Rebellion, and how through rugby, he his helping the inner city youth of Providence have a bright future.

You can listen to the podcast on the player below or head on over to iTunes, our Facebook page, or Feedburner.

As mentioned in the podcast, you can learn more about the Rebellion at their homepage (rebellion-rugby.com) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RebellionRugby).  To learn more more some of the up and coming events Lawrence talks about, check our the events page http://rebellion-rugby.com/index.php/rebellion-event-tickets/event-tickets

Lawrence Almango (right) with Shayla Belanger (left)
of the Institute for the Study of  Practice of
Non-Violence Extreme Sports Division

Also, if you would like to donate to the fund rasier to see Lawrence's head & face shaved at the USARL's International 9's Tournament in Rhode Island, please visit http://ayrla.org/ayrla_rebellion.html.

100% of the money raised will go to the Program that is partnered with American Youth Rugby League Association (AYRLA) for the work re-entry program.

Podcast Episode 18: Paul Holmes (Fitness and 7s Guru, 1823 RFC)

In the first episode of the new year, I talk with Fitness and 7s Guru, Paul Holmes.  We talk about Paul's early rugby career which took him around the globe from South Africa, to the UK, and the Middle East.

Now settled with his family in the US, Paul shares how he's using his rugby and fitness knowledge to help develop young American rugby talent in Ohio via 1823 RFC and Tiger Rugby.

You can listen to the podcast on the player below or head on over to iTunes, our Facebook page, or via Feedburner.  



To learn more about Paul's work with 1823 RFC visit www.1823rfc.com and via Facebook.

Also checkout Paul's 1823 Fitness Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/user/1823SevensTrainer and catch a sneak peek of Paul in action below!

Podcast Episode 17: Stuart Krohn & Dennis Lovelace (Scrum - Rugby in the Inner City)

Following the theme of youth rugby in California with our last podcast, in this episode I talk to Los Angeles based former International player Stuart Krohn and Filmmaker Dennis Lovelace. Stuart is the Director of the Inner City Education Foundation Public Schools (ICEF) Rugby Program that serves schools in the South LA area. The rugby program caught the eye of Dennis, who in collaboration with Stuart and ICEF, is currently filming a documentary about the program called “SCRUM - Rugby in the Inner City". 

We talk about how the program and film respectively got started, and the impact Stuart and Dennis's partnership has had on the lives of the kids involved.

You can listen to the podcast on the player below or head on over to iTunes, our Facebook page, or our RSS Feed.  To learn more about ICEF visit http://icefla.org.  For more on “SCRUM - Rugby in the Inner City" visit http://scrummovie.com/

Podcast Episode 16: Ryan Burke (Oakland Warthogs)

In the latest podcast episode, I talk to Ryan Burke, President and co-founder of the Oakland Warthogs, a Californian based youth rugby program.

Ryan talks about how the program came about, the difficulties that they deal with, and how the local community has been helping rally behind their cause.  Ryan also gives an insight into the daily struggles many of the kids face and shares the success stories, such as Jose Pena (see video below) that is driving them to change their lives for the better. 

You can catch the interview on the player below or head on over to iTunes, our Facebook page, or our RSS Feed.  To learn more about the Oakland Warthogs check out their website at www.oaklandwarthogsrfc.com

Podcast Episode 15: Waisale Serevi (Serevi Rugby)

It's not everyday you get the chance to sit down and talk with a rugby legend, but for my latest podcast I have the honor to chat with Fijian International and King of Sevens, Waisale Serevi. 


We talk about his early playing days, the recent launch of the Elite Academy Series in Seattle, and the Island Kings Campaign (see video below), a program to help players in Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. He also shares his involvement in the Olympics and his thoughts on the Rugby World Cup.


You can catch the interview on the player below or head on over to iTunes, our Facebook page, or our RSS Feed, where you can listen to this and previous episodes.

Podcast Episode 14: Sean Whalen (Utah Warriors)

In this episode, I talk with Sean Whalen, the founder and owner of Rugby Super League team Utah Warriors. Sean tells us about the recent announcement regarding warriors expansion into two additional leagues as well taking over the coaching and management of the renowned youth rugby institution, Highland High School. 


You can catch the interview on the player below or head on over to iTunes, our Facebook page, or our RSS Feed, where you can listen to this and previous episodes.

Podcast Episode 13: Kevin Sullivan (TRY Donation Program)

For the first episode of 2011, I sit down with Kevin Sullivan to talk about the TRY (Tomorrows Rugby Youth) Donation Program.  Kevin shares how he, along with an all-star cast of rugby folks, are helping get old rugby kit and equipment to young rugby players in need.

As well as learning about TRY's short and developing history, Kevin talks about his early rugby days and his business, Rucking Insurance, providing health coverage to rugby platters Nationwide.  Plus, listen out for a special announcement from yours truly!

You can listen to the podcast on our Podcast Page, iTunes, our  Facebook page, or via our RSS Feed. 

And to find about TRY visit our dedicated TRY Page here and don't forget to check out TRY's facebook page (remember to Like it!)

Podcast Episode 12: Adam Kopp & Chris Babiash (Rugby Athletic)

Back with another podcast for your listening pleasure, this time with not one, but two guests.

I catch up with Adam Kopp and Chris Babiash, the lads behind Rugby Athletic, a growing full service wholesale rugby company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

We talk about the duos college playing days, the origins and services of Rugby Athletic, and there other including their mascot, Ruckie The Moose, who heads up their charity and youth foundation.

You can listen to the podcast on our Podcast Page, iTunes, our Facebook page or via our RSS Feed.

And to find about and follow Rugby Athletic and Ruckie, check out the follow links:

www.rugbyathletic.com

www.facebook.com/rugbyathletic

twitter.com/rugbyathletic

ruckiethemoose.com

Podcast Episode 11: Dallen Stanford (Paki's Corner, Tackling Cancer Foundation)

Its been long over due for a new podcast and I couldn't be more chuffed to have caught up with Dallen Stanford, the legend behind Paki's Corner.  

We chat about his early days in the US, how as a South African, he made a name for himself on the International 7s scene with the USA Eagles.  We also talk about his latest work with Tackling Cancer, a foundation which supports cancer research through leveraging the global participation of rugby. 

You can listen to the podcast on the Podcast Page, on iTunes, on Facebook, or via the RSS Feed.

Enjoy!

Podcast Episode 10: Rob Schnabel (Bakline)

In this podcast episode, I talk with Rob Schnabel, President & Co Founder of Bakline, Inc., a designer sportswear company headquartered in NYC.  We chat about Rob's early rugby days at New York Rugby Club, the beginnings of Bakline, and the helping to rebuild Haiti campaign, a grassroots relief effort done in partnership with students from New York University. 

You can listen to the podcast player below, via our Podcast Page,  iTunes, or by RSS Feed 

Podcast Episode 9: Director Mika Ronkainen

Last month,  I posted a blog about a new documentary coming out called Freetime Machos by Finnish director, Mika Ronkainen.  The film follows two friends, Matti and Mikko, who play for a rugby team in the Northern wilds of Finland.  The film has officially been selected to be shown at this years Tribeca Film Festival and will premier on Sunday April 25th.

For the latest podcast, I caught up with Mika and we chatted about the inspiration behind the film and gain a little insight into what rugby is like in Finland.

You can listen to the podcast online on the Podcast Page, via iTunes, or by RSS Feed 

To find out more about the film and buy tickets to see it, check out the Tribeca festival page.