Photo By Rebekah Hill
Rugby teammates scrum during practice. SOU club rugby is determined not to be overlooked this year.

The SOU Men's Rugby Club got their season underway last week to the delight of many Raider sports fans.

This season brings many new challenges for a club that is still relatively new. The team’s spirit and determination could not be stronger as they look to take on some of the best teams in Oregon.

Last weekend, the Raiders faced off against a strong Western Oregon team. The Raiders put up a good fight, but were unable to topple the undefeated Western team. Despite the loss, the Raiders felt good about the progress the team made.

“This year we actually are more determined than the years before because we actually have good solid management this year compared to before,” said rugby player and club president Ardy Farhangdoust.

Led by captain Chance Garner and supported by a solid club government, the team hopes that the challenges it faced in the past are finally behind them and that the club’s relationship with the college will only continue to get stronger.

“With the amount of management that we’ve got this year, we actually establish a better situation with the college this year than with the years before,” said Farhangdoust.

In previous years the rugby team found themselves stranded with school backing and field availability both on the short side. This year however, the Raiders finally have the backing of the school that they need in order to become a stronger team but they still face some difficulties.

“We had a little trouble with our scheduling for the league,” said Farhangdoust. €�Next year we’re going to definitely work on that to have a complete league season.”

Despite having an open season, the Raiders still find themselves facing some of the toughest teams in Oregon and even on the West Coast. This means that the Raiders will need to use the school field that over the years has been available to them on a limited basis.

Traveling is another issue the team faces but luckily this year they have the school funding they need to meet their needs.

While the club still has a few issues off the field, there is no doubting the quality of the squad on the field. With a good amount of depth and players determined to see the club succeed, the Raiders rugby team is well on their way to success both on and off the field.

The next step for the Raiders is the transition from a school club-sport to eventually becoming a varsity sport. Hopefully, it will be a step the Raiders can take sooner rather than later as they look to strengthen their standing in the SOU athletic program.

If the Raiders can give good performances against the likes of Western Oregon and University of Oregon, then their dreams of becoming a member of the varsity section may come true. Until then it’s business as usual for the Raiders rugby club who will begin preparing for the tough weeks ahead as they look to take on some top teams.

Completely determined to prove their worth and show that rugby is most definitely a sport worth watching.