PENINSULA GREEN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB – A BRIEF HISTORY

 
The Peninsula Green Rugby Football Club has a long history on the San Francisco Peninsula.  The Club has been in operation continually from 1998 to the present.  In addition to training many years of high school and youth rugby players, the team has spun off the core players and coaches to found multiple additional high school rugby and youth rugby teams that have also grown the sport.
 
High School - East Palo Alto Razor Backs, San Mateo Warriors
Youth - Stanford Seahawks (now Peninsula Seahawks - which spun off the Los Gatos and Mountain View teams)
 
The History

In 1998 several players at Sacred Heart Prep High School (SHP) were interested in playing rugby at the high school level.  Chad Keck (former player at Army, Harvard Business School and Manhattan [NY]) and father of SHP player, Matt Keck,  was instrumental in organizing the players and recruiting coaches for the the team.  Coaches Paul Negus (London Wasps, PAXO, PAXO Old Blacks) and Rich Kelly (Santa Clara, Mission RFC) took the initiative and established The PGRFC for High School age players in 1998 in order to provide a competitive high school rugby experience for athletes on the mid peninsula. The coaches emphasized rugby basics and team tactics, fielding successful teams that were known for both competitiveness and fair play. The team toured British Columbia, Canada in 2003.During these early years, the team often practiced on peninsula park fields without lighting and coach Paul Negus brought both a large light and a generator to illuminate the field for practices.  Negus also personally financed much of the team expenses - jerseys, balls, transportation.

It had always been the intention of Negus and Kelly to train younger rugby players.  In 2000 Negus and coach Bob Benson (Harvard Business School, Back Bay, PAXO, PAXO Old Blacks) decided to expand the age level offering and founded the Peninsula Green Youth Rugby program for players from 5 yrs to 14 yrs old.  With a lot of assistance from other coaches this program quickly grew to over 150 youth players and split into 4 geographically separated programs on the Peninsula which now have over 400 youth players.  In 2003 Benson also joined with Negus and Kelly to help coach the high school program.

Coach Rich Kelly retired in 2007 and coaches Moses Similai (Hawaii RFC, Old Blues RFC, PAXO Old Blacks RFC), George Richard (Chico RFC), Phil Bertetta (San Diego State, San Jose Seahawks) joined the PGRFC.  Coach Jim Collins joined the coaching staff in 2008.

In 2009, Negus retired from the Peninsula Green Rugby Football Club and Bob Benson became head coach supported by coaches Moses Similai, Jim Collins, and Phil Bertetta. In 2012, 4 new coaches joined the coaching staff to replace Jim Collins and Phil Bertetta – John Foster, Vic Dippenaar, Greg Lee and Steve Everett.  For 2013 the Club decided to expand with younger players in the Middle School (U14) and U12 age groups.  Coaches Wade Hess and Brad Richey joined the PGRFC coaching staff to coach the Middle School teams. 
 
In 2012 Benson and Similai asked Kala Kalauta (Fitness coach for the Tonga National Team) to help with coaching the Peninsula Green Rugby Club.  Since that time Kala has endeared himself with the Pen Green players and coaching staff with his quiet coaching style and his encyclopeadic knowledge of rugby.
 
For the 2014 season the Peninsula Green Rugby Football Club joined with the Peninsula Seahawk Youth Rugby Club to form the Peninsula Rugby Club The  Peninsula Green Rugby Football Club manages and fields the High School teams for the Peninsula Rugby ClubThe Peninsula Seahawk Youth Rugby Club manages and fields the 5 yr old through Middle School (14 yr old) teams for the Peninsula Rugby Club.  The two clubs work together to share coaching, to promote rugby and to provide a long term experience for youth rugby players on the San Francisco Peninsula.

 

 


 

Peninsula Razorhawk Youth Rugby Club - http://www.razorhawks.com/

 

San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club - http://www.sfggrugby.org/

Lamorinda Rugby Club - www.lamorugby.com

San Mateo Rugby Club - www.sanmateorugby.org

Hayward Rugby Club - http://www.rugbyclubs.com/griffins/hs.html

East Palo Alto Rugby Club - http://www.razorbacks.eparugby.org/

Bellarmine College Prep High School Rugby Club - http://www.facebook.com/BCPrugby

South Valley Rugby Club - http://southvalleyrugby.com


  1. Sweatshirt (Hoodie)                       $ 48      
  2. Practice Jersey (Black)                  $ 45            (Provided as part of kit with dues payment)
  3. T-shirt Beavers (White)                  $ 15
  4. Blanket                                           $ 30
  5. Boot bag                                         $ 15
  6. Cap (Baseball)                               $ 20                                               
  7. Car Decal                                       $   5 
  8. Kit bag                                            $ 80           (With player name - Special order - Once per year)
  9. Rugby ball                                      $ 20

Purchase and Order information:

See Kendra Cortinas Kendra for ordering and purchase of all the Pen Green merchandise.  Kendra is usually at all of the practices and games, and can be reached through email or cell phone.  Many items require special order to receive quantity discount.

Kendra Cortinas                     This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.                          (650) 269-2580


 

1. Hooded Sweatshirt (Pen Green Rugby - Hoodie)

2012 12-02 Rugby PenGrn Hoodie Cortinas Frnt 3504 12-02-12CrpSm

  • Description: Hooded Sweatshirt - Long sleeve.  Front - Pen Green Beaver Logo (embroidered), middle hand warming pocket.  Back - Pen Green Name in large letters (silk screen)
  • Colors: Available in Green or Black.
  • Sizes: S,M,L,XL,XXL to 6XL (Other sizes may be ordered).
  • Special Order:
  • Price: $48.00

2. Practice Jersey

2012 10Oct Rugby PenGrn FosterRyan New Practice Shirt 10-23-12

  • Description: Practice Jersey - Short sleeve.  Front - Pen Green Beaver Logo (silk screen), Back - no writing or logo
  • Colors: Black.
  • Sizes: S,M,L,XL,XXL (Other sizes can be ordered).
  • Special Order: Once per year
  • Price: $55.00

3. T-Shirt (Beaver Rugby, White)

2012 12-02 Rugby PenGrn T-shirt Frnt 2638 12-02-12CrpSm

  • Description: T-shirt - Short sleeve.  Front - Beaver pointing figure for number 1 (silk screen), Back - Pen Green Name in large letters (silk screen)
  • Colors: White.
  • Sizes: S,M,L,XL,XXL (Other sizes can be ordered).
  • Order: Shirts in inventory
  • Price: $15.00

4. Blanket (Pen Green, Green)

2012 12-02 Rugby PenGrn Blanket 2667 11-02-12CrpSm

  • Description: Blanket.  Corner - Pen Green Beaver Logo (embroidered)
  • Colors: Green.
  • Sizes: Std size.
  • Order: Special order
  • Price: $30.00

5. Boot bag (Peninsula Green, Green and Black)

2012 12-02 Rugby PenGrn Boot bag 3508 12-02-12CrpSm

  • Description: Boot bag for storing boots and shoes (or other uses).  Front - Pen Green Rugby chevron logo on front (Silk screen)
  • Colors: Green bag with Black front panel.
  • Sizes: Std size.
  • Order: Bags in inventory
  • Price: $15.00

6. Cap (Pen Green baseball)

2012-12-04 Rugby PenGrn Baseball Cap 12-04-12Sm

  • Description: Baseball Cap.  High quality adjustable cap.  Front - Peninsula Green Rugby name (embroidered)
  • Colors: Green cap with white on the side of the brim and side of hat.
  • Sizes: Asjustable Std size.
  • Order: Caps in inventory.  Special Order.
  • Price: $20.00

7. Car Decal (Pen Green Rugby Chevron Logo)

2012 12-04 Rugby PenGrn Decal 12-04-12Sm

  • Description: Decal.  Peel-off for adhesive to mount on any surface.
  • Colors: Green decal with white and black chevron Peninsula Green Rugby Club rugby ball carrier Logo .
  • Sizes: One size - 4-1/4" x 6-1/4".
  • Order: Decals in inventory. 
  • Price: $5.00

8. Kit Bag (Peninsula Green Rugby w Player Name)

2012 12-02 Rugby PenGrn Kit Bag 12-02-12CrpSm

  • Description: Kit Bag for carrying rugby gear.  Heavy duty canvas. Peninsula Green name on one side and player name on the other side.
  • Colors: Green w/ black bands and white ends.
  • Sizes: One size - 3' x 1.25' diameter.
  • Order: Special order - Need 12. 
  • Price: $80.00

9. Rugby Ball

Rugby ball

  • Description: Rugby ball .
  • Colors: White w/ Green and black bands.
  • Sizes: Size 5 (Standard Professional, HS and MS)
  • Order: In Inventory. 
  • Price: $20.00

Peninsula Green Rugby Coaches – 2016 Rugby Season


Bob Benson             (650) 520-1060        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Moses Similai           (650) 630-1014        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Steve Everett           (650) 862 3872         This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wade Hess                (650) 291-6155        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kala Kalauta             (650) 274-6603        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Peter Yoon                (510) 295-8516        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alex Avendano          (650) 400-8693       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Iseleli Mailau             (510) 328-5033        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tory Golino                (408) 829-8679       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alani Langi                (650) 520-5166        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 


Bob Benson

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  • Player / Coach / President at Harvard Business School, Palo Alto, PAXO, PAXO Old Blacks, Back Bay Rugby Football Clubs.
  • 16 years experience coaching Youth, HS rugby.
  • Rugby NorCal Certified coach, NorCal All Stars coach, USA Rugby certified Coach Trainer, USA Rugby HS All American Manager, Rugby NorCal Officer and Board Member.
  • Certified referee - 7 years experience

 

Moses Similai

02 SimilaiMoses 12-17-11ASmSm

  • 2-time USA Eagles player, Tonga national team, Hawaii Rhinos, Hawaii Nation, BYU RFCs. 
  • 10 years experience coaching youth & HS rugby.
  • Rugby NorCal Certified coach, NorCal All Stars coach,
  • USA Rugby HS All American Coach, NorCal All Stars selector.
  • Certified referee - 5 years experience

 

 

Steve Everett

05 EverettSteve 12-17-11ASmSm

  • Player at Ulster RFC, English Leagues.
  • 20 years experience coaching English, Irish and US youth, HS & University rugby.
  • Rugby NorCal licensed coach

 

 

 

Wade Hess

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  • Player at Hayward Griffins, San Jose Seahawks, Barbarians, Golden Gate, San Bruno Saints Rugby Clubs.
  • 6 years experience coaching US youth rugby.
  • Certified coach

 


Kupa [Kala] Kalauta

10 KalautaKupu Kala Smile 12-22-12SmSm

  • Tonga National Team Fitness Coach  - 5 years.
  • Played on various Senior Club level teams in Tonga.
  • 10 Years coaching youth rugby.

 

 

 

Peter Yoon

Yoon Peter Coach 02-01-15 Sm

  • Player at San Jose Seahawks,
  • 6 years experience coaching US youth rugby.

 

 

 

 

Alex Avendano

Avendano Alex Coach 01-31-15 Sm

  • Player at Peninsula Green Rugby Club.
  • 2 years experience coaching US youth rugby.

 

 

 

 

Isieli Mailau

Mailou Isileli Isi Coach 02-01-15 Sm

  • Played for Tonga Rugby.
  • Coached at Hayward Rugby Club
  • 3 Years coaching US youth rugby.
  • Certified referee - 4 years experience

 

 

 

Tory Golino

Golino Tory 01-01-16 PG Sm

  • Player / Coach - San Jose Seahawks Rugby Football Club.
  • Player - San Mateo Rugby Club (7's)
  • Player - Humboldt State Rugby Club
  • Player - Los Gatos High School Rugby Club
  • 12 years experience coaching men's club rugby (7's and 15's)
  • 3 Years coaching US youth rugby.
  • Rugby NorCal certified coach - 3 years experience

 

 

 


 

Peninsula Green Rugby Coaches – Alumni

 

John Foster               (650) 248-5984       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Brad Richey               (650) 388-6306       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Joe Brophy                (650) 218-3625       This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 


 

John Foster

03 FosterJohn 12-17-11ASmSm

  • Player at Cal RFC, Old Blues RFC, Club leagues.
  • 5 years experience coaching Youth, HS rugby.
  • Rugby NorCal licensed coach

 

 

 

Brad Richey

08 brad richey hd img 2622 11-01-12

 

  • Player at UC Irvine.
  • 2 years experience coaching US youth rugby.
  • Certified referee - 6 years experience

 

 

Joe Brophy

09 BrophyJoe SmileII 12-08-12

 

  • Played at SFGG RFC (HS) St Mary's College RFC - 5 years.
  • Played in New Zealand (Christ Church) - Senior Club level
  • 1 Year coaching US youth rugby.

 

 

 


Home Field: Woodside High School - 199 Churchill Avenue  Woodside, CA 94062


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Alternate Practice Field: Mitchell Park - 600 East Meadow Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94306 

 


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Additional information