Jeff began his rugby playing days as a flyhalf (yes, a back!) for the Regis Jesuit HS Raiders in 1985, the first year of high school rugby in Colorado.  Jeff went on to play for Metro State, Queen City men's club and the Denver Highlanders men's club for a total of 5 years before beginning a career in law enforcement.

 

Jeff is now considered a prop and is hoping to continue his playing days by joining the Denver Highlanders Ole Boys for a game in Alaska in the summer of 2020.

 

Jeff has been coaching youth and high school rugby since 2015.  "This game is addicting!  Everyone involved in it, including the coaches, the players and the parents, learns about respect, camaraderie, and team.  This club has become a family for me and I love each and every one of these coaches and players as if they were my brothers.  RESPECT THE GAME, PLAY FOR EACH OTHER!"

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Jeff has two daughters; one in the ROTC program in college and one in law enforcement.  Jeff is a sergeant for a local sheriff's office and has worked there for 28 years.

Robbie started playing rugby at 7 years old, some 45 years ago, in his home town of Gloucester, England. Gloucester is a hotbed of rugby, where not many other sports are even talked about, and home to over a dozen "local" teams, all within a 5 mile radius of the city center. Robbie's local club was Widden Old Boys RFC (established 1875), where his Father also played as an Open-Side Flanker. Rugby was also played at High School and Robbie went on to Captain his High School team before graduating in 1983 and leaving to join the Royal Air Force. By this time Robbie had represented Gloucester at all levels as well as playing for the county select side as an U21. His military career literally took off as he went on to be selected for the RAF Select Side, playing domestic games against some of UK's best sides as well as touring several foreign countries, including a trip to Colorado to play against Air Force Academy and CU Boulder. It was during that tour where Robbie's love of the USA, and Colorado in particular began, he made some connections that later on in life became very significant. Perhaps the highlight of Robbie's rugby playing career was playing for a Combined Services Select Side against English Students, this was played at Twickenham Stadium, the home of English Rugby.

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Before leaving the RAF in '96, Robbie had taken the RFU's Intermediate Coaching Class and was Player/Coach for his Unit Side as well as another local club, Deepings RFC. Gaining this valuable experience led to Robbie being invited to Coach The Norfolk Blues in Virginia, while there, he also took the opportunity to Coach Old Dominion University. When Robbie returned to the UK in 1998, Rugby took a back seat as he focused on his civilian career, but that all changed when he decided to return to Colorado almost 12 years ago. Initially playing for the Grizzlies down in Colorado Springs, Robbie eventually ended up in Castle Rock and began Coaching the DC Girls HS team, they enjoyed great success making the All State Final two years running, from there, Robbie reformed a Douglas County Boys Side, which later became Castle Rock Pirates Rugby. He also began recruiting younger players and a Castle Rock Pirates Youth Team was formed, playing their first season with only 8 players but winning the 2014 Denver 7's U12 tournament.

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In the past couple of years Robbie has expanded his Coaching knowledge having recently gained his L300 Coaching Qualification, in addition to his passion of growing the sport of Rugby in Castle Rock, he is also on the Coaching Staff for the Colorado All State Select Side and is a big proponent for open, expansive rugby and game based Coaching. His mantra; "Keep the ball alive, because without it, you can't score!"

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Outside of Rugby, Robbie has been known to pick up a guitar occasionally and play a few songs in the local bars, he is married to Californian girl Lisa and they have a 6 year old rotty named Ruby. To earn money for his insatiable appetite to watch British Rugby overseas, he works as the Technical Associate Director, for DirecTV's Satellite Broadcast Facility, here in Castle Rock.

Dan began playing Rugby in 1985 for SUNY Albany.  Officially hanging up his boots 20 years later from competitive men’s 15s and 7s Rugby.  He played second row, #4, on both coasts with the majority of his time spent playing with the oldest club in the US, The New York Rugby Club and the Orange County Bucks in Southern California.  Other club affiliations include Albany Knickerbockers, White Plains and Cypress Unicorns.

 

“The game of Rugby has provided a lifetime of wonderful camaraderie and support that has always grown, never dissipated.  It is the both the greatest social network and competition that I have experienced”.

 

Dan is the CEO of DWM Family Wealth a Family financial and investment planning organization in Castle Rock, Colorado.  He is happily married to his wife Janinne of 25 years and father to Jake and Ava.

Paul started playing rugby in 1984 at the University of Michigan (UMRFC) during the college years and then continued to play on the UMRFC club side thereafter.  Served as the Social Chairman and Treasurer for the club at different times while primarily playing at the Hooker position…..though could be found at either Prop position if needed.  Helped lead the Wolverines to multiple Michigan Cup titles and eventually played on the winning National Championship team in 1995.  Paul also had the opportunity to play for the Midwest Touring Select Side.  The last club Paul played for was the Traverse City Blues from 2002-2007.  He’s now old and fat……but slow.

 

At critical points in the game, the forwards would simply mutter amongst themselves…."supreme effort”, and it was understood you left nothing behind.  “Play to your strengths, cover your weaknesses”.  His fondest memories from the University of Michigan days were the gatherings where they would critique “The Greatest Match” (1973) time and time again.  Michigan patterned their play after the strengths of both teams; the Barbarians and All Blacks. 

 

Coach Paul has a family of five and lives in Castle Rock.  Like all of the Pirates coaches, Paul volunteers his time to coach and plan events because of his love of the sport. He spends as much of his time with his family as possible……but unfortunately traveling for work frequently gets in the way!!!  Paul works for Frontier Airlines as the Corporate AOSC, overseeing the aviation security and regulatory compliance. 

Nate is a native to Colorado. He was a three sport athlete at Elizabeth High School. After High School, he earned a degree in geological engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

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During his time at Colorado School of Mines, he was a varsity NCAA Division II wrestler. After his wrestling career, Nate discovered rugby. He was a prop for the School of Mines team and where they were ranked #1 in the small colleges division.

 

His experience in wrestling and rugby, along with top-notch teaching skills, uniquely positions Nate on the coaching staff to concentrate on core fundamentals for our newest players up through the most experienced team members.  

 

Outside of rugby and work, you might see Nate around town entertaining folks by playing one of several musical instruments he plays.  Nate also offers tutoring to any Pirate team member and their families.  Ask Nate at practice if you are looking for some academic help.

Joe started playing rugby in 1985 at the University of Connecticut.  He held multiple officer positions and was named captain in 1989 where he helped lead the team to the New England regional championships.  Joe continued to play for after college in tournaments and men’s clubs including the Stamford Wombats and Fairfield CT Yankees.  Joe last played for the Misfits at the Aspen Ruggerfest 50th Anniversay tournament in 2017.  He says he is still a little sore from it. 

 

“Rugby is certainly a passion for me.  Not only for the game itself, but for the positive lasting culture that surrounds it.  I embrace the opportunity to help our players reach their potential both on and off the rugby pitch” 

 

Coach Joe has a family of five and lives in Larkspur.  When not doing rugby things or spending time with family and friends, Joe serves as Chief Operating Officer for Eventsquid, LLC.