A Rugby Life

In the latest podcast episode, Hedley talks 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 that is driving them to change their lives for the better.

In this episode, Hedley talks with Fijian legend and the King of Sevens Rugby, Waisale Serevi. They talk about Waisale's early playing days, the recent launch of the Elite Academy Series in Seattle, and the Island Kings Campaign, 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.

In this episode, Hedley talks 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.

For the first episode of 2011, Hedley kicks of the new year 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 Hedley.

In this episode, Hedley talks with Adam Kopp and Chris Babiash, the men behind Rugby Athletic, a growing full service wholesale rugby company based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. They 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 & youth foundation.

In this episode, Hedley catches up with Dallen Stanford, the man behind the superb rugby blog, The Rugby Corner. They talk about his early days in the US, his International 7s career with the Eagles, and his latest work with Tackling Cancer, a foundation which supports cancer research through leveraging the global participation of rugby.

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

In this episode, Hedley talks with Finnish Film Director, Mika Ronkainen, and talk about his new film, Freetime Machos. The documentary follows the lives of Matti and Mikko, two best friends who along with their teammates play for Oulu Rugby club, the most Northern team in the world and unfortunately, also one of the worst.

In this episode, I talk to Wendy Young, the founder of Your Scrum-half Connection, a blog dedicated to women's rugby in the USA. We find out more about the blog, her playing, refereeing, and coaching career, as well as her recent commentator work for USA Rugby and her mysterious partner, The Girl.

In this episode, I talk to my good friend and former Washington Renegades teammate Roberto Santiago, who is a referee with the Northern California Rugby Referee Society. He shares stories from his playing days, the transition from player to referee and how diversity in the sport can offer some surprising perks.