Expect hard work, dedication, and a commitment to taking their game to the next level. This season, the Honey Badgers are all in—focusing on fitness, improving skills, and, most importantly, supporting each other every step of the way. The energy is high, and the Badgers are ready to bring the heat! Let’s make this spring one to remember.

It was a tough start to the season, but we ended the fall on an exciting upward curve. However, as we all know, the real tests are still ahead. I know this spring run will be tougher than last year, but honestly, that kind of excites me. Can we build on our form from St. Louis? Will the fringe players step up when needed? Can the experienced legs keep pushing through? Will the ball bounce our way at the right moments? Will we get that pushover try we’re always chasing? How many first-phase tries will we see? The questions are all there, and it’s up to us to find the answers.

Working with a team that is willing to give everything to achieve their goals is an incredible experience. While I’m slightly disappointed that we didn’t have a clear view of everyone’s individual goals or the progress toward them, right now, there should be one clear goal: Get as fit as possible. If we’re fitter than the opposition, we can get up quicker, get to rucks faster, make more tackles, run harder, and ultimately enjoy the game more.

I want to give a shoutout to all the players who show up for practice, never complain, and are always willing to help others. "I cannot be who I am if I don’t have people around me who motivate me and set an example I want to follow." Everyone plays an important role, no matter their experience, age, or knowledge of rugby. Just showing up for your team makes a huge difference.

So, how are we going to meet our goals? It starts by answering the question: “Why am I here playing this sport?” Rugby is a team sport, and everyone has a role to play. If I don’t play my role, I’m not just letting myself down; I’m letting my team down too. Anyone who’s been part of a losing game knows the feeling of “I could’ve done more” or “I wish I did more.” Let’s make sure we don’t have any of those regrets. Let’s play for each other and be the best we can be—for ourselves and for the team.

I’m really excited to see D3 continue to grow and take everything we learned in the fall to the next level. In just our second year with two squads, balancing the focus on both teams has been a challenge, but it’s been absolutely worth it. It’s allowing us to grow the game and build a strong foundation for the Honey Badgers for seasons to come.

During the offseason, the Badgers came together and made a collective commitment to push for another run at nationals. To make that happen, we’ve added more matches to the spring schedule, stepped up the intensity at practice, and each individual player has committed to improving their fitness. Just like with Arizona, Florida, and St. Louis, this nationals run will require not just full support from the Badgers but from the entire club. When we all come together, that’s when the magic of rugby and team sports truly happens.

I’m also really excited about the energy our new Badgers have brought to the team. We’ve got a great mix of players who are new to rugby and others who are new to Severn, and that energy has been a total game changer compared to last season. We’re gearing up for the spring, and I know the team is pumped, but it’ll be even easier to get behind us when everyone knows just a bit more about what’s coming. Let’s keep pushing, Badgers!

You’re not always going to please everyone, but at the end of the day, it’s not about pleasing people—it’s about winning rugby games. The positives far outweigh the negatives, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the experiences I’ve had from playing rugby.

The friendships, the bonds, and the life lessons I’ve learned—traveling the country and everything in between—have all shaped me. It makes me happy to now pass on that knowledge and teach others the game I love. I want to give a big shoutout to all the rugby players I’ve met and coached. Every single one of them has put their body on the line for their teams, and I’m proud of each and every one. They’re one big family to me.

The Badgers are on a mission—and this year, we’re not stopping until we break the curse. For years, the Honey Badgers have fought hard, always coming up just short of our goals. But this time, we’re determined to change that. With the support of all the Badgers who came before us, we’re ready to fight harder than ever. 

We welcome all alumni to join us at practice, get a run in, and help push the newer players while challenging the more seasoned ones. Your presence means so much to us. We invite all alumni to come to our matches and share stories—your experiences fuel us to honor the legacy you’ve built and the crest we wear with pride.

A huge shoutout to our coaches for returning to lead us and being open to feedback. And a big thank you to our board members, who handle all the behind-the-scenes work so we can focus on one thing: kicking ass and taking names.

Shoutout to all of our rookies, who have shown up consistently and are eager to learn the Honey Badger way. We’re meeting our goals by focusing on fitness this winter season, pushing ourselves and our bodies to the limit. Many of us are taking on the 75 Hard, Medium, and Soft challenges—working out at least 45 minutes a day and watching at least 20 minutes of rugby or one match a week. We’re challenging ourselves to be better, and we need all the support we can get to reach our goals.

This spring, we’re pushing each other to new heights. Severn River Rugby CLUB will persevere, and we will thrive in 2025. Let’s get it, Badgers!