Cristian Rodriguez, LA Giltinis scrum half, got into rugby through a program called Alternatives to Gang Membership, which is what it says on the tin, a program that helps keep kids focused on sports and out of the gangs. We chat about that, Cristian explains how gangs recruit young kids, often pre teens, and how, unfortunately, some of his friends growing up went down the wrong path. Cristian now runs that program voluntarily, while playing pro rugby with the LA Giltinis.

We chat about how in his final year of High School he was ready to give up sports but a chance meeting with Lindenwood University coaches lead to a scholarship to play collegiate rugby, and when there he kicked on to become a Collegiate All American 7s and 15s player, play with the USA u20s and also be named the best college 7s player in the country in his final year at Lindenwood.

Cristian talks about how he negotiated his contract with the Giltinis. It involves signing for another MLR club to then being brought to Maui in Hawaii with the Giltinis and signing for them while there.

We also chat about the LA Giltinis 5 day celebrations after the final, the incredible HeadQuarters they have and what a match day playing in the LA Coliseum is like.

You can find Cristian on instagram @crisrodriguez20 

Any feedback, please send me a DM on instagram @offfieldrugby, would love to hear your thoughts.

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Cheers, Brian

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