My Path to Rugby

I started playing rugby 5 years ago, and the sport has changed my life. Born in the Bronx, I went from a kid with little hope of graduating high school into a collegiate athlete at Southern Vermont College.

Rugby kept me off the streets and showed me how to work hard. Now, I consider myself a responsible young man with many opportunities ahead of me. In 2008, I had the privilege of traveling to Durban, South Africa to train, where I gained a new perspective on life and decided that playing professional rugby was my dream. I was able to be one of the five Americans at the Sharks Academy in Durban.

Being involved with NYRC has made a massive impact on my life. Through NYRC, I have made lifelong friends and gained priceless mentors. NYRC helped me get into college and improve my overall life skills. I will be forever grateful for my involvement with this organization.

Recently, I made the Met NY U-19 Team. In order to continue to improve my skills and reach my goal of becoming a professional rugby player, I need to travel back to Durban, South Africa. This trip means a lot to me. It's an opportunity to take my rugby playing to a higher level, and also an opportunity to grow further as a person. Improving my rugby IQ and skills will also allow me to be a better player and contributor to the NYRC organization.

The reality is that I can't quite afford this trip. It's a tough year, and all of my savings have gone toward my college education. If you can, I'd be grateful for any amount you could contribute toward my journey. In return, I will blog about my travels, so that all of my kind supporters can experience Durban vicariously.

No amount is too small, and no gesture of kindness will go unnoticed. Thank you, in advance, for helping me achieve my goals.

With Gratitude,
Rob

Rugby Photos