A Rugby Life

The State of Play (Episode 5)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 13:02:23 +0000

Hedley gets the scoop on the latest developments from the US Rugby League scene from USARL’s Daryl “Spinner” Howland. They chat about the expansion of the South Eastern Rugby League, details on the partnerships with World renown clubs like the Leeds Rhinos, and the formation of the league's first National developmental team, the USA Pioneers.

The State of Play (Episode 4)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 03:23:41 +0000

Hedley welcomes back USA Rugby correspondents, Grant Cole (Ruck Bottom) and Ted Hardy (Rugby America), as they discuss the National Rugby Football League (NRFL); a US based professional rugby union league. They are joined by special guest, George 'Mac' Robertson of Rugby Law LLC, the organization behind the league.

The State of Play (Episode 3)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 04:30:07 +0000

Hedley hosts a discussion with USA Rugby correspondents, Curtis Reed (This is American Rugby), Grant Cole (Ruck Bottom), Ted Hardy (Rugby America), and Kevin Sullivan (Rucking Insurance) to talk about the Pacific Rugby Premiership (PRP).

The State of Play (Episode 2)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 05:58:53 +0000

Hedley talks with CNN's Bleacher Report columnist Jeff Hull about the current developments in North American rugby.

The State of Play (Episode 1)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:24:50 +0000

For the first show in The State of Play series, Hedley talks with Curtis Reed, the founder and editor of This is American Rugby, to discuss the National 15s and 7s sides, and the impact of professionalism in and outside the states.

Spotlight (Episode 21) - Mollie McCarthy

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 06:31:44 +0000

For the first podcast of 2013, Hedley has the pleasure to chat with Mollie McCarthy, the new head coach for the Mens and Womens rugby programs at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL. Mollie chats about her early playing days and her extensive coach career which included 4 years as the coach development manager with USA Rugby. Also get an insight into her move to Alabama and what her future plans are for the development of college rugby there.

Spotlight (Episode 20) - David Martin (Author, The Hooligan’s Table: The Rugby Player’s Cookbook)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:53:16 +0000

In my latest podcast, I sit down in person with author David Martin to talk about his new book, "The Hooligan’s Table: The Rugby Player’s Cookbook". We talk about how rugby life, on and off the field, has brought together some great recipes and stories for his book. As mentioned in the podcast, you can learn more about the book and order your very own copy from David's website, www.therugbycookbook.com

Episode 19: Lawrence Almagno (Rhode Island Rebellion RLFC, USARL)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 04:05:22 +0000

For the latest podcast, ARL switches codes as Hedley talks about rugby league in the US with Lawrence Almango, the CEO of Rhode Island Rebellion RLFC and a tour de force behind the youth development of the sport for the USA Rugby League (USARL). They talk about Lawrence's early rugby career playing both union and league, the formation of Rhode Island Rebellion, and how through rugby, he his helping the inner city youth of Providence have a bright future.

Episode 18: Paul Holmes (Fitness and 7s Guru, 1823 RFC)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:42:30 +0000

In the first episode of the new year, Hedley talks with Fitness and 7s Guru, Paul Holmes. They talk about Paul's early rugby career which took him around the globe from South Africa, to the UK, and the Middle East. Now settled with his family in the US, Paul talks about how he's using his rugby and fitness knowledge to help develop young American rugby talent in Ohio via 1823 RFC and Tiger Rugby.

Episode 17: Stuart Krohn & Dennis Lovelace (Scrum - Rugby in the Inner City)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 05:08:56 +0000

Following the theme of youth rugby in California with our last podcast, in this episode Hedley talks to Los Angeles based former International player Stuart Krohn and Filmmaker Dennis Lovelace. Stuart is the Director of the Inner City Education Foundation Public Schools (ICEF) Rugby Program that serves schools in the South LA area. The rugby program caught the eye of Dennis, who in collaboration with Stuart and ICEF, is currently filming a documentary about the program called “Scrum - Rugby in the Inner City". Stuart and Dennis talk about how the program and film respectively got started, and the impact their partnership has had on the lives of the kids involved.

Episode 16: Ryan Burke (Oakland Warthogs)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:55:45 +0000

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.

Episode 15: Waisale Serevi (Serevi Rugby)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:38:38 +0000

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.

Episode 14: Sean Whalen (Utah Warriors)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Wed, 25 May 2011 00:27:19 +0000

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.

Episode 13: Kevin Sullivan (TRY Donation Program)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 08:35:55 +0000

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.

Episode 12: Adam Kopp & Chris Babiash (Rugby Athletic)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 03:27:42 +0000

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.

Episode 11: Dallen Stanford (The Rugby Corner, Tackling Cancer Foundation)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:21:10 +0000

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.

Episode 10: Rob Schnabel (Bakline)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Tue, 25 May 2010 02:41:55 +0000

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.

Episode 9: Director Mika Ronkainen

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 05:10:10 +0000

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.

Episode 8: Wendy Young

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:01:15 +0000

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.

Episode 7: Roberto 'Berto' Santiago

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:15:40 +0000

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.

Episode 6: Lisa Lake / Willie Dominguez

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:48:09 +0000

In this episode, I talk with Coach Lisa Lake and player Willie Dominguez who are respectively part of the U19 Boys New York Rugby Club. Lisa was named as a coach of the year in the "Play it Forward" contest held by Up2Us/Youth Noise after being nominated by Willie.

Episode 5: USA Rugby & the Olympics

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 04:35:28 +0000

With the historic announcement on Friday, October 9th that rugby has been readmitted into the Olympics, I joined the staff and players of USA Rugby to celebrate the news. Speaking with USA National players Mark Bokhoven and Jen Sinkler as well as USA Rugby Mens 7s head coach Al Caravelli, I gained insight into their rugby beginnings and what the announcement means to the USA rugby community.

Episode 4: Phaidra Knight

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:51:04 +0000

In this episode, I talk with Phaidra Knight, one of the USA's top female players. She has 25 caps playing for the US National side and is a regular in the Premier League, playing for New York Rugby Club. We talk about her rugby career, life on the National team, and her future ambitions.

Episode 3: Scott Martell

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:11:32 +0000

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Martell, founder and CEO of Rugby Ink (www.rugbyink.com), a premier rugby design agency & custom team-wear supplier in the US who also plays for NYAC rugby club, a New York based Super League club.

Episode 2: Mark Griffin & Christian Mayo (Play Rugby USA)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:27:58 +0000

The second part of a two part podcast on Play Rugby USA. In this podcast, I interview Play Rugby's Mark Griffin, the founder and president, and Christian Mayo, Director of Programs.

Episode 1: Mayors Cup (Play Rugby USA)

arugbylife@gmail.com (Hedley Lagrand) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:22:44 +0000

The first part of a two part podcast on the Mayors cup, a youth flag rugby tournament held in NYC and the organization behind it, Play Rugby USA. Includes interviews with the coaches, a referee, and the inventor of the flag belts used in playing the game.