Legion Academy Season Recap

Legion Academy had another hugely eventful and successful season.

Founded in 2018, Legion Academy has given young players the opportunity to be coached by some of the greats of the game and experience rugby through tours to countries all over the world. Many players who have come through the Academy pathway have gone on to represent the United States at age-grade level and earn recognition from universities both in the U.S. and overseas.

The 2025/26 season was no different. Our U15 group traveled to Portugal, our U16 Academy toured Italy, and our U18 Academy completed two major tours, traveling to the United Kingdom at Thanksgiving before touring Sydney and Fiji in the summer. Legion Academy also saw multiple participants go on to represent the USA U18s in a World Rugby competition in South America, while older graduates, along with Academy coach Marcel Brache, were part of the USA U20 Junior World Cup touring squad.

As the Academy now approaches eight years of development, one of the most exciting signs of progress is seeing players who started in our age-grade programs graduate from college and enter Major League Rugby. This year, Steffan Crimp and Corbin Smith, both of whom previously toured through the age-grade pathway, played for California Legion in MLR. Steffan, 23, was named MLR Player of the Week in Round 10 after a performance that saw him make 142 meters with ball in hand and score three tries. Corbin, 21, made his Legion debut and went on to make eight appearances, scoring four tries.

In international honors, Dom Besag, who made his USA Eagles debut at age 19, has now graduated from university and will begin his professional rugby journey with 21 USA caps to date. More recently, Spencer Huntley, who impressed as captain of the USA U20 side in Georgia, was called into the USA Men’s Eagles squad for a training camp and series of games against Argentina XV in Florida.

The season reflected what LCF is working to build: a connected rugby ecosystem that supports player development, coach development, cultural learning, and long-term opportunity.

U15 PARTICIPATION TOUR - PORTUGAL

A group of U15 players from the San Diego region traveled to Lisbon to compete in the Portugal Youth Rugby Festival, an international event featuring teams from Portugal, Ireland, England, South Africa, and other rugby nations.

Across the multi-day shortened-game format, the group finished with five wins, one draw, and two losses. Their biggest win came in a 65-19 win over Clube Unversitie de Lisboa, while their toughest result came against Irish powerhouse Blackrock, going down 0-21.

More important than the results, the players represented their home clubs, schools, families, and region with pride. The tour gave the group valuable international exposure and a meaningful foundation as they progress toward U16 and junior varsity rugby environments.

U16 ACADEMY - ITALY TOUR

The Legion Academy U16 group completed two blocks of Sunday skills development training across Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. These sessions were designed to complement, not compete with, the players’ club and school seasons, while preparing the group for its international tour to Italy.

The tour was led by coaches Brian Surgener and Aaron Cook, with former Scotland international Sam Hidalgo also assisting across coaching and management.

The U16s went undefeated on tour, facing quality opposition across multiple Italian regions:

• Legion Academy 21 - 5 Parabiago
• Legion Academy 31 - 5 Pesaro
• Legion Academy 38 - 27 Villorba

The team also trained at Zebre’s professional facility, with sessions led by Sam Hidalgo and Zebre Academy staff.

“What an incredible experience for our Legion Academy U16 athletes. This tour gave them the opportunity to learn from professional coaches, test themselves against three outstanding rugby clubs in three distinct regions of Italy, and experience the history, culture, and unforgettable destinations the country has to offer. More than just a rugby tour, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience - one that challenged them as athletes, brought them together as teammates, and created memories they will carry with them for years to come.” - Aaron Cook, Legion Academy Coach

“The Legion Academy delivered another unforgettable tour for our athletes. Representing their local clubs, Southern California, and the USA with real character, our players went 3-0 against three outstanding Italian clubs. Every match tested them, and every time they answered. This tour was a trip of a lifetime for our players and their families, and it is a clear sign of the progress American rugby is making on the world stage.” - Brian Surgener, Legion Academy Coach

U18 ACADEMY - UNITED KINGDOM TOUR

The U18 Academy completed two international tours this season. The first was to the United Kingdom over Thanksgiving, led by Academy Director and California Legion MLR coach Dave Clancy.

The group played against strong opposition in England and Wales, finishing the tour with a 2-1 record:

• Legion Academy 63 - 5 Ealing Trailfinders U18
• Legion Academy 17 - 0 Hartpury College U18
• Llantwit Fardre RFC U18 17 - 7 Legion Academy

The opening match at Ealing Trailfinders’ Championship stadium gave the players a professional-level match-day experience. The second match against Hartpury was one of the strongest performances of the tour, with Legion starting fast and producing major defensive stands in the second half to secure a 17-0 win.

The tour also gave players important educational and pathway exposure. The group toured Hartpury’s university facilities, met with admissions staff, and watched Legion Academy graduate Spencer Huntley play for Hartpury’s top side. Players also visited Bath and Cardiff Met, with the Cardiff Met visit led by California Legion player and Academy graduate Steffan Crimp. Since the tour, Thomas Parrot has committed to Bath University.

The final match in Wales was a true touring experience. Played under lights, in wet and muddy conditions, against a physical Welsh side, Legion fought hard with a tired and depleted squad before falling 17-7. After the match, the group was hosted in the clubhouse for a Thanksgiving-style meal, gift exchange, and a memorable demonstration of rugby hospitality.

“This tour was an incredible experience for the players and parents. They got to see firsthand a tier-one rugby nation, visit schools, see a test match at Twickenham, and play against some quality opposition. Every time I do one of these tours, it is inspiring to see how competitive our players are against top opponents, and it makes me excited for the future of the USA Eagles. Opportunities like this are crucial to test the players’ skills and reinforce the values and life learnings we preach through the long-standing rugby tradition of touring.” - Dave Clancy, LCF Academy Director

U18 ACADEMY - AUSTRALIA AND FIJI TOUR

The U18 Academy’s second tour was to Sydney and Fiji, led by Head Coach Dan DeClark, Team Manager Brian Dunphy, and LCF Executive Director David Haigh.

In Sydney, the group competed at the New South Wales Junior State Championships, where many of the strongest junior clubs in the state came together over three days of competition.

Legion opened the tournament with an outstanding first day, going 3-0 with wins over Eastwood, South Coast Monaro, and Manly:

• Legion Academy 13 - 7 Eastwood
• Legion Academy 14 - 5 South Coast Monaro
• Legion Academy 21 - 17 Manly

Day 2 brought a difficult schedule against some of the strongest teams in the competition:

• Warringah 12 - 5 Legion Academy
• Randwick 17 - 5 Legion Academy
• Southern Districts 12 - 7 Legion Academy

Day 3 closed with a scoreless draw against Central Coast and a dominant 37-0 win over West Harbour.

The Australia leg gave the players a major competitive benchmark, but also meaningful off-field experiences. The group visited the University of New South Wales, trained in Coogee, shared team meals, and attended the Bulldogs vs Eels NRL match at Accor Stadium, giving players a broader look at Australian rugby culture.

From Sydney, the team traveled to Fiji, where the tour became even more culturally immersive. The squad participated in an Upper Navua River adventure, visited a local school, took part in a kava ceremony, and watched a traditional Fijian performance before turning attention to the final match of the tour.

At Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka, Legion faced Nadroga Navosa Provincial College in front of a passionate local crowd. Legion started strongly, built a halftime lead, and competed physically throughout before Nadroga Navosa finished strongly to win 31-23.

The match was a fitting conclusion to the tour: physical, emotional, challenging, and deeply connected to the culture of the game.

After the final whistle, players from both teams gathered together, shared songs and hymns, exchanged gifts, and celebrated the friendship and respect that make rugby unique. Many Legion players also gave boots, scrum caps, jackets, and jerseys to their Fijian counterparts.

“The physicality and composure of our players on this tour was exceptional, truly setting the Legion Academy apart from the competition. What we saw on display in Australia and Fiji was the direct result of a remarkable team culture. Head Coach Dan DeClark, Team Manager Brian Dunphy, and Captain Thomas Reynoso have established a standard of high performance, resilience, and deep mutual respect that will influence these young men long after the tour ends.” - David Haigh, LCF Executive Director

“The tour was an incredible experience for the players, both on and off the field. Competing against high-level rugby in Australia and Fiji challenged them physically and mentally, while the cultural experiences and relationships they built reinforced what makes rugby such a special global community. I was also extremely impressed with the quality of the coaching staff and the overall organization of the tour. The preparation, leadership, and commitment to the players created a first-class experience. I was proud of how the boys represented Legion, San Diego, and American rugby throughout the tour.” - Brian Dunphy, Team Manager

ACADEMY ALUMNI AND PATHWAY PROGRESS

One of the most encouraging signs for the Academy is seeing players who began in age-grade Legion environments now progressing into college rugby, Major League Rugby, and senior international pathways.

This year, Steffan Crimp and Corbin Smith, both of whom came through age-grade touring environments, played for California Legion in Major League Rugby. Steffan was named MLR Player of the Week in Round 10 after a standout performance that included 142 meters with ball in hand and three tries. Corbin made his Legion debut and went on to make eight appearances, scoring four tries.

Dom Besag, who made his USA Eagles debut at age 19, has now graduated university and begins his professional rugby journey with 21 USA caps to date.

Spencer Huntley, who impressed as captain of the USA U20 side in Georgia, has also been called into the USA Men’s Eagles environment for a training camp and series of games against Argentina XV in Florida.

These stories show the long-term value of consistent development, quality coaching, international exposure, and a clear pathway for ambitious young players.

INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION

The 2025/26 season saw a strong representation from our SoCal region in USA age grade teams. Many of whom have been part of the Legion Academy pathway and tours.

USA U18 7s- Global Youth Sevens, New Zealand

• Caden Hartley - San Clemente > UCLA
• Tristram Harwood - Leeds Beckett University
• Kingston Hawkins - Cathedral Catholic & Mustangs
• Reece Reiter - Cathedral Catholic & Mustangs
• Dylan Trower - Cathedral Catholic & Mustangs

USA U18 XVs - Argentina Tour

• Shelby Moyesfield - Villa Park & Belmont Shore
• Luke Hensley - La Costa Canyon & Thunder
• Carson Bischoff - Rancho Bernardo & Mustangs
• David Choy - Torrey Pines & Mustangs
• Ean Glover - Oceanside & Mustangs
• Maximillian Marshall - Rancho Bernardo & Mustangs
• Thomas Parrot - Lamorinda > Bath University
• Reese Reiter - Cathedral Catholic & Mustangs

USA U20 XVs - Junior World Cup, Georgia

• Colm Donnelly - Orange County Lutheran & Raptors > Saint Mary’s College
• Spencer Huntley - Mustangs & Cathedral Catholic > Hartpury College
• Tyler Trower - Mustangs & Cathedral Catholic > Hartpury College
• Caden Hartley - San Clemente > UCLA