hotlanta, social's first line says it all. It is a little bit of everything.
Here are some factors: The number of players from foreign countries playing on the rosters of some of the other teams has increased. With them comes knowledge of the game they have played all their lives. I also see more coaches from overseas coaching programs here in the U.S., which also improves the U.S. game. More and more schools are following Cal's lead in making rugby a varsity sport. And I believe that scholarships for rugby are being given at some institutions which helps to attract players to their schools.
Another factor is the growth of rugby, particularly at the youth levels. There is a decline in participation in football and an increase in the participation of youth rugby. Having played both sports, I totally understand why, and that can be discussed in a separate thread. But to the point: Consider this....Danville Oaks just earned the national high school club championship. To get to that game alone, they had to defeat South Bay (out of SoCal), and Granite Bay (Sacramento area). Also during the season they defeated Lamorinda (also a nationally recognized team) among others. Both Lamo and Danville have taken international tours to gain rugby knowledge and it has paid off. Just at the high school level alone, you have Granite Bay and Jesuit (Sacramento area), Lamo, Danville, and S.F. Golden Gate all in the Bay Area. And, you have Cal and St. Marys, two of the annually best collegiate teams in the nation right in each other's back yard. So what does that mean? It means that the pool of good high school players is growing, and the pool of collegiate options is growing as well. Very good players see opportunities to make significant contributions to programs that are building and growing, and with other schools "upping their game", it's understandable that the collegiate rugby landscape has gotten broader and better. More good players, more good options, more good competition.
For Cal, as young as they were this year, to make it to BOTH 15s and 7s championship games is testimony to just how good the coaching staffs are, and to how the players have bought in to what they are teaching (both on and off field, I might add). The Cal team played courageously all year, often outweighed and occasionally against older more experienced players. They had some tough, gritty matches they had to win in order just to get to the championships, and they still accomplished getting there despite their youth.
In some ways I think we have been spoiled by the Bears success. Aren't we lucky to be in such a position? We end up number two in both styles of the game, and we're worried. Losing both championship matches stings. But the journey was typical Cal Rugby. This coaching staff is as good as there is anywhere. They and their players will accept the challenge (as they always do). They have a motto: "Entitled to nothing, grateful for everything". Another motto they have is "Known by your deeds". They actually teach and live by these words, and the players buy in. Have you seen their academic performances? Not just impressive.....extremely impressive! And it's like this year after year after year.
I like to share a related story that I heard probably about 4 or 5 years ago, but has stayed with me since. The Bear players and staff were eating at a local restaurant (probably during a national championship competition). At the same restaurant the Notre Dame team was eating. This guy said that the servers were so impressed with how polite and how well behaved the Cal team was that the Notre Dame coach came over to Coach Clark and shared that information with him. "Known by your deeds"!
They may have ended up number two in both styles of the game this year. But to me they're still champions in so many ways.
