Texas High School/Age-Grade rugby preview – Stony Point HS

Stony Point High School is an International Baccalaureate school in the Round Rock ISD (Round Rock, TX). The Stony Point Rugby Club begins their third year of play in 2012 under the keen coaching eye of Life University Alumnus, Paul “Dr. Rock” McCartney, or as his players call him – Coach Rock. Ruck Bottom was fortunate enough to catch Coach Rock with a few free moments to answer some questions about coaching Stony Point Rugby and their direction for 2012.

RB - Last year was an exciting year for Stony Point Rugby. Games with big scores, undefeated in U17 division at the Gareth Jones Tourney, Kyle Olsze (Back) took the MVP at that tourney, two SP players made the Texas select-side, several players were invited to the high performance camp, and Christian Ostberg (Lock/8-man) garnered several honors - including All-American. Can we expect more of the same from the Tigers in 2012? What changes might we see? And has the team set any goals for themselves?

Coach Rock - We had a number of key players graduate. In fact, we have 3 returning forwards and 3 returning backs from the 2010-2011 first side. With that being said, we always seem to recruit a big and athletic front row. This year will be no different. Of course, Christian Ostberg will lead the team in both performance and as the team captain. Look for strong side flanker Aaron Abadiano and hooker Misael Palacios to contribute as well. The back line will be led by Kyle Olsze and he will have the luxury of dishing the ball to Cody Hollingshead. He is a dynamic player on both sides of the ball. And Luke Lucas will be a “go to wing” as soon as he is cleared from an injury that occurred at the last high performance tryout. We expect to continue the tradition of playing hard and doing well. We will be focusing on tackling and moving the ball quickly before we go to tackle. 

Christian Ostberg on the attack.

RB - What is your greatest challenge coaching HS Rugby? Fondest memory?

Coach Rock - The greatest challenge is getting the kids to be responsible for themselves. I coach them to be polite young men that are learning life lessons on the rugby pitch. As much as I enjoy winning, I am most pleased to see the boys doing the best they can and excelling in all areas of their life.

Stony Point attacking the Jesuit line.

RB - What percentage of Stony Point seniors do you think will go on to play rugby in college? Any of those want to become chiropractors?!? (I wonder where they'd attend???)

Coach Rock - I encourage all the boys to continue to play. For some reason the idea of playing beyond high school seems foreign to them. I have always been a believer in playing the highest level you are capable of, but you must try before you can determine that. We have 4 or 5 that are at Texas A&M University, but are not playing. I do encourage them (to continue playing) every time I see them. There is one on the team now that is interested in chiropractic, and yes I am pushing him towards my alma mater!

RB - “The idea of playing beyond high school seems foreign to them?” I experienced something similar when I coached college rugby. But the fact that this notion persists in our sport is puzzling because ruggers PRIDE themselves in being the ultimate network. In both genders, rugby in the US cannot afford to lose the next potential Eagles captain, the next 7-10 players with the potential to win the IRB 7s series or Olympic gold, or the next 15-20 players with the potential to BE the sleeping giant awakening at the RWC. 

Why do you think playing rugby beyond high school is foreign to them? Is this an attitude that is localized or wide-spread? What can coaches, parents, current players, and other rugby enthusiasts do to convince them otherwise?

Coach Rock - Not sure why. Probably because the culture is conditioned to think if you don’t get a scholarship in a sport, your playing days are over. Some of the SP kid’s felt like Austin was a professional team and didn’t think about playing for them.  What they didn’t realize is the opportunity to play on a second or third side team. And they didn’t know that other level teams existed. As a whole the rugby community needs to do more promoting to get more players involved. Most of the time they (rugby clubs) focus on current players and look for those with an accent to bring something to the club. I proposed an idea to the Austin club last season that would function like a big brother program. Meaning, an Austin player would be assigned to a SP player to support him, counsel him, and develop him. It didn’t go last season as I only had 2 volunteers. However, I am pursuing that idea again this season. Programs like that might encourage more high school players to continue to play after they graduate.

Stony Point has the put in against Austin Area HS at Burr Field in Austin.

RB - Anything else about Stony Point rugby you'd like to share with our readers?

Coach Rock - This year we are starting another team at a new Round Rock ISD High School, Cedar Ridge. We train together and will hopefully continue to do so even when we get enough players for both teams.


RB - We appreciate you taking the time to visit, Coach Rock. We wish you and your boys a fun and successful season. And we look forward to some further HS rugby growth at Cedar Ridge!


The Stony Point Tigers kick-off their Spring 2012 season with their annual Blue/Gold game on January 19. Stay tuned to Ruck Bottom for information on Stony Point's results!


Photos courtesy of Mats Ostberg.