Sandpoint All-Reds made rugby debut in Tri-Cities Jamboree
(Courtesy photo) The Sandpoint All-Reds, pictured from left to right: Coach Dan Chamberlain, Zachary Whittom, Adam Buckoltz, Connor Gallaher, Keith Jensen, Devyn Rogers, Matthew Cometto, Isaiah Caralis, Aaron White and Dylan Baillie.
SANDPOINT — Rugby is now officially a sport in Sandpoint, as the All-Reds traveled to Tri-Cities last weekend to compete in a five-team Jamboree, and to get their first legitimate introduction to the emerging sport.
Head coach Dan Chamberlain, a former competitive player who is starting the club sport in Sandpoint, was thrilled to get his new charges a taste of the niche sport, known for both its physicality and skill and a high mutual respect for the opponent.
“I tried to brace them for the fact that they’re playing a sport they’ve never played. They learned fast and learned a lot,” admitted Chamberlain. “They lost every game, but had a great time.”
The informal tournament was a chance for each regional team to get all of their new players game experience in a friendly, non-confrontational setting. Not surprisingly, the Sandpoint side learned a ton about rugby both on and off the field.
“They said ‘we didn’t know the camaraderie.’ Every time after the game the other team said ‘you guys did great, keep it up,’” said Chamberlain. “They made a lot of friends down there, which was really cool.”
Sandpoint rugby currently has 12 players on its roster and welcome new players to join any time. The first league match is not until the first week of April, and experience is not necessary since most everyone is starting from scratch on the new team.
The All-Reds are at a Jamboree this weekend in Spokane. If anyone has any questions, feel free to visit the team’s website at www.Sandpointrugby.org, or email Chamberlain at Sandpointrugby@gmail.com.