News

With fierce competition among the 68 SoCal Youth Rugby teams registered and over 800 players, their families and friends in attendance, the 2022 Cal State Rugby Games did not disappoint. Legion Community Foundation were thrilled to host this year's tournament after a two-year hiatus brought forth by the pandemic with San Diego Legion players and staff supporting the day's events, held at Walnut Grove Park in San Marcos, California, on July 16th.  SD Legion Defensive Coach and Academy Director, Jack Wiggins, took the lead in organizing the brackets for all divisions this year. Wiggins on the tournament: “Overall it was...

We are excited to spotlight 6'1, backrower Thomas Wagner from San Diego, California.  Tommy has been playing for over 13 years and has been part of the Legion Academy for three years.  Tommy started his Rugby career with Randwick at age 4.  He then played for San Diego Aztecs, OMBAC Wallabies, Mustangs, Torrey Pines High School, Nike Rugby, Crusaders, Legion Academy, USA U18- All Americans and now again with Randwick. Tommy lives in Rancho Santa Fe and in addition to Rugby, enjoys playing Guitar.             Tommy is the first Legion Academy player to play Rugby overseas...

The Legion Community foundation would like to spotlight U18 Legion Academy player Jacob Bower. The 6'1", 195lbs winger, plays his high school rugby at Santa Margarita and for the South Orange County Raptors Rugby Team.  Jacob led the Raptors to victory this week by touting his prowess in attack over the defending Tier 1 National Champions Thunder Rugby. Bower has accomplished the same feat as Charlotte, Royal Irish, and Aspetuck over the 3 day tournament at The National Championships last Summer.  He scored 2 tries against the Thunder Rugby club out of Carlsbad,CA. It's true, three of the top 5 teams...

This week's Legion Academy Spotlight goes to U18 Academy player Jake Merklinger. The  6'1"  and 260 lb rugby player is a local player from Carlsbad,CA. Jake has played rugby for 12 years, he played high school rugby at La Costa Canyon and club rugby with the Carlsbad Thunder, where he went on to win a National Championship in 2021.  After a brilliant display of carrying numerous defenders along with the ball, and thrilling defense with multiple poaches and punishing tackles. Jake was Selected by the opposing team Towner's from Texas as Man of the Match when Legion Academy played The Woodlands at the...

The Legion Community Foundation are pleased to Shoutout U18 Legion Academy player Dom Besag. Dom had a huge weekend scoring 3 tries in the 2022 California State High School Rugby final. Leading his high school team De La Salle to a victory and state championship. The 5'11 Center has quite the rugby experience as a young player, having already played rugby for 12 years. He currently plays on our U18 Legion Academy, is an All American and plays for the Danville Oaks, and North America Lions.  We are excited to see what the future has in store for him! Go...

Hey Legion Fans! Come support your Legion Community Foundation with fantastic music at one of San Diego County's best music venues.  High Tide Society is hosting a Happy Hour at the Belly Up in Solana Beach, CA on April 1st, 2022. $2 from every ticket purchased will go to support the Legion Community Foundation.  Where: Belly-Up 143 South Cedros Avenue, Solana Beach, CA  When: April 1st at 5:30 PM  Tickets Price: $8 advanced, $8 day of show How: Click the link here to get tickets!    If you can't be there, don't worry there is still ways to help support...

We are pleased to spotlight Jesse Hamilton this week as our Legion Academy Spotlight.  Jesse currently plays collegiate rugby at Norco College Rugby and plays for the U23 Legion Academy. He grew up in San Bernardino where he has played rugby for the last 4 years. In high school, Jesse played for Roosevelt High and Southern California Griffins.  Jessie is part of our U23 Legion Academy, he has trained with our Legion team during the preseason and played against the Austin GIlgronis. He currently plays outside center and wing. This past weekend Jesse scored two tries against USC with a...

This week the Legion Community Foundation would like to spotlight a member of the U18 Legion Academy.  The Carlsbad native, Solomon Williams. He currently attends Carlsbad High school and plays for his local club the Carlsbad Thunder. In 2021, Solomon was privileged to play and win a Tier 1 National Championship with his club team.  The #9 All American is a USA high performance scrum half for the academy. Solomon currently captains the U18 Legion Academy and leads by example. He is a strong athlete, and we are excited to say he has been recruited and verbally committed to the...

This week the Legion Community Foundation would like to Spotlight a member of our U23 Legion Academy.  The 6’3″ and 215lbs,  20-year-old flanker Jake Stone has played with the San Diego Legion Academy Team, since its inaugural season in 2019, and during the 2022 MLR preseason trained with the MLR team. Jake is from San Diego, California, and attended Clairemont High School, where he played Varsity rugby and water polo. He captained both teams his senior year. In water polo, Jake was the starting set, all CIF honors and 1st team all-league honors, and Offensive Player of the Year for two consecutive years. Leading the team to...