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Western Washington University

September 29 2014

by NICK SOLIMANO
posted Sept 29 2014

The Viking 7’s Kick-off tournament was held this past weekend under some majestic conditions! Western Washington Men’s Rugby Team played host to 16 teams from California, Oregon, British Columbia, and Washington. The Viking’s 7’s tournament is the first in a series of University 7’s events across the Pacific Northwest and California, basically a US collegiate version of the “IRB Circuit style 7’s competition”.

Saturday opened with the CAPILANO U20’s travelling down to WWU to “Curtain Raise” the event with an exhibition XV’s match. Thanks to Chris Robinson and Glenn McKinnon for bringing their team down. Lots of fun by both teams the bigger and more physical WWU side came out the victors on the day.

Western Washington University has seen tremendous growth in their program as they were able to play a XV’s game and also have 2 sides entered in their tournament. With 60 players in their program the future continues to look bright.

Pool Play Rounds began Saturday with the Canadian teams dominating play. Their poise and experience was a point of envy for the American Athletes and their coaches.

The light fog rolled in during the playoff rounds on Sunday morning creating a magical seen. Central Washington University one of the premier programs in the USA was hungry on Sunday as they had a bean defeated on Saturday by UVIC-2.

The sunshine broke through the mist and created some great weather as the day progressed. Some very high quality rugby throughout the day was highlighted by a UVIC vs UBC final, without question two of top Collegiate programs in North America. UVIC repeated as Champions and will no doubt return next year to work on their 3-Peat.

THANK YOU TO ALL PARTICIPANTS.

1. UVIC
2. UBC
3. CWU
4. UVIC-2
5. UBC-2
6. WWU
7. Cal St.Long Beach
8. UW
9. UBCO
10. WSU
11. OSU
12. WOU
13. UBC0-2
14. REED
15. WWU-2
16. Pacific


UVic Vikes from left to right:
Luke Bradley, Robbi Anderson, Doug Fraser, Jeff Nishima-Miller, James Pitblado, Crosby Stewart, Issac Kaay, Guiseppe du Toit, Fergus Hall

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from Adam Roberts
posted Sept 30 2013

Western Washington University Vikings hosted their 1st annual Viking 7s tournament on Saturday. The tournament played host to 8 University teams from around the Pacific Northwest; Western Washington Vikings, Central Washington Wildcats, Oregon State Beavers, Oregon Ducks, Washington Huskies, Western Alumni, UBC T-Birds, and the UVIC Vikes.

It was quite a wet and windy day, not ideal conditions for a fast electric style of 7s. However by hosting the tournament on turf it did allow for a fast track.

Pool A featured the host WWU, UVIC, UO, and UW. UVIC was the top seed in the Pool and made it through the pool round undefeated. UO, UW, and WWU all finished 1-2. UW qualified for the Cup round based on their +/- rating. Pool B featured CWU, UBC, OSU, and the WWU Alumni. CWU went through the pool round undefeated with UBC qualifying 2nd for the Cup round.

The Plate round had Western Washington win out their remaining games and claiming 5th place defeating Oregon State handily in the Plate Final.

In one Cup Semi-Final UBC played UVIC, many of the players on the field had come through Shane Thompson’s BC Youth 7s program and knew each other well. The boys from Victoria came out on top after a back and forth affair that saw UVIC pull it out on the last play of the game. The other Semi-Final placed CWU vs UW, UW put up a good fight but eventually the sheer size and power of CWU pulled away.

The stage was set for the final; two teams that faced each other in last year’s Final of the Las Vegas Collegiate 7s. CWU came out of the gates flying, they are a big, strong group of athletes who took a 12-0 lead into the half. The 2nd half was all UVIC, controlled and confident the Vikes moved the ball down the field and put multiple phases together to eventually wear down the CWU opponents and take a 17-12 victory.

It was a nice addition to have the Canadian contingent of UBC and UVIC make the trip south of the border. With both programs having to fulfill BCRU league commitments it was a fantastic opportunity for both programs to enter mostly freshman teams. Many of the players who had starred in the BC High School Championships were on hand.

The American Collegiate Rugby scene has rapidly expanded its 7s tournament market. Western Washington University for example will play in five 7s tournaments over the next 5 weekend.

Thank you to all those that helped out and to Jeff Lombard of International Athletic whose off field contributions and set up made the day run very smoothly!

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from Adam Roberts
posted July 21 2012

Jeff Lombard has become the newest addition to the Western Washington Rugby family. Following the hiring of long time friend and former WWU teammate, Paul Horne who assumes the role of Director of Rugby and head coach, Jeff has jumped on board to manage the program. The announcement is a significant step in Western’s efforts to align the school with top collegiate programs in the country.

“We have added a very well respected man in the rugby community,” said Head 7’s Coach Adam Roberts. “Jeff, has a wealth of experience and will no doubt have a huge impact on the direction of the program.”

Jeff grew up in Eastern Washington and moved to Western to pursue his education. He earned his degree at Western in Recreation Management. His passion for sports was evident and he made the conversion from football to rugby early on at Western.

Characterized as a strong runner and athletic presence on the field, Jeff earned himself a spot on the USA Eagles. His passion and dedication to the game of rugby was unwavering. Upon retiring from his playing days with the Eagles, Jeff assumed the role of Team Manager for the National Team where he remained for many years.

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from Adam Roberts
posted June 27 2012

Bellingham, WA. – Western Washington University signs two key rugby players from British Columbia, Canada. Recent Earl Marriott Secondary (BC) graduates Quinton Willms and Nathan Muir have opted to challenge themselves south of the border.

Nathan Muir, a two sport athlete at an impressive 6’2, 210lbs, was a highly sought out prospect in the nation. After an impressive stint with the EMS football team, Muir led the team in rushing, and eventually turned down a lucrative offer to play for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds this fall. His hard running style transferred naturally to the game of rugby. From his inside center position he helped lead the Mariners to their fourth straight Fraser Valley Championship, earning best back along the way.

Joining Muir at Western is Earl Marriott flyhalf, Quinton Willms. Willm’s rugby prowess has been pedigreed through the Provincial and National rugby academies. He has been a mainstay with Shane Thompson’s BC Youth 7’s Program. He has a strong passion for the game and looks to put his stamp on the US Collegiate scene.

"We are very excited to have Nathan and Quinton joining the Western Rugby Program," said director Paul Horne. "With the rapid growth of the collegiate game in America, the option’s for Canadian rugby players to pursue an education and play rugby in the NCAA is becoming a reality".

Both players will be looking to make an immediate impact at Western Washington in the fall of 2013. The Collegiate 7’s season kicks off at Oregon State on September 29th and the team will once again be looking to earn a berth at the National Championships

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[ed. Western Washington University are entered into the Langford 7s, Adam Roberts is the coach]
May 1 2012

Bellingham, WA – Paul Horne has officially accepted a job at Western Washington University, as the Director of Rugby. With over 30 years of elite level coaching experience, he is a welcome addition to a program committed to success.

A graduate of Western Washington with a degree in Education, Paul’s coaching career began at Semiahmoo (BC) High School in 1979. Paul’s impact was profound and immediate - he catalyzed the growth and development of rugby on the White Rock Peninsula. Under his guidance at Semiahmoo, and later at Bayside RFC, he developed many elite rugby players who represented Canada in international matches.

Paul’s coaching and leadership skills earned him the position of head coach for the British Columbia U-19 team for 8 years. His team won the National Championship every year.

His strong coaching abilities and talent to motivate young players made him a natural selection for the Canadian Under 19 coach in 1990. Paul remained the head coach within the Canadian National Under 19, 21, and 23 programs until he was named assistant coach with the Canadian Senior Men’s National team.

In 2002, after 23 years Paul retired from teaching at Semiahmoo, and returned to teach in Bellingham, WA. Chuckanut Bay RFC, based in Bellingham, welcomed him home with the job of Coaching Director for the club. A number of players from this program have gone on to play for the USA at the U18, U19, Collegiate All American and US Eagles 2011 World Cup teams.

The fall of 2010 opened an opportunity for Horne to coach alongside Spence McTavish and David Johnston at the University of British Columbia. After two successful seasons working with the UBC Thunderbirds as the Forwards coach, Horne’s Alma Matter presented him an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

The growth of the game at the US Collegiate level is very exciting. Western Washington University is extremely pleased to work with Horne and build a program that will reflect high standards on the playing field, in the classroom and on the sidelines. WWU rugby is looking forward to Horne’s coaching, management and guidance as the team looks to build on its recent successes.

Horne was a player at WWU in 1972/73. Welcome Home – Paul Horne

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