Raleigh Rugby Club

🏆🏉 STATE FINALS DAY 🏉🏆

What an exciting season it has been for our high school programs! Today BOTH our U19 Cobras 🐍 and U19 Rattlesnakes 🐍 are competing for a State Championship title 💪🔥

📍 Northeast Park, Gibsonville, NC

🐍 HS U19 Cobras State Finals
🏉 12:00 PM

🐍 HS U19 Rattlesnakes Tier 1 State Finals
🏉 12:30 PM

To our players, coaches, and families—what a journey this season has been. The hard work, growth, commitment, and heart shown by these teams has been incredible to watch.
We are so proud of you all and can’t wait to cheer you on today! 💛🏉

Good luck Cobras and Rattlesnakes—go leave it all on the pitch! 🔥

🏉🏆

🔥 Senior Spotlight 2026: Nakato Myers 🔥
Nakato Myers has been part of rugby for as long as she can remember. 10+ years in the game and still going strong. With both of her parents having played for Raleigh Rugby and been involved in growing the youth program, the sport has always been part of her story. Now playing outside center, Nakato continues to carry that legacy forward.

For Nakato, rugby has been about so much more than just the game. It’s taught her how to work with others, adapt to challenges, and handle adversity with strength and composure. Being part of a team has shaped who she is. Through the highs, the challenges, and everything in between. And along the way, she’s built friendships that she knows will last a lifetime.

If there’s one thing rugby has taught her, it’s grit. Showing up, even on the days you don’t feel like it, and giving everything you have. That’s where real growth happens.

Next up, Nakato is heading to Dartmouth College, where she’ll continue her rugby career at the next level. She’s excited to keep pushing herself, competing, and seeing just how far the game can take her.

She gives a huge thank you to her parents for their constant support and for always pushing her to be her best, along with all the coaches, teammates, friends, and mentors who have believed in her along the way.

Fun fact: off the field, Nakato plays the violin and loves family jam sessions 🎻

If she could give advice to younger players? Play with passion, give it everything you’ve got, and most importantly enjoy it. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out of it.

💬 “Show up, stay tough, and give it your all.”

❤️ Senior Spotlight 2026: Nakato Myers (From Isaac & Sunny) ❤️
Watching Nakato grow through rugby has been one of the greatest rewards of our lives. The game has given her space to truly become herself on and off the pitch. We’ve seen her build confidence, find her voice, and step into who she is with strength and purpose.

Nakato is the kind of teammate everyone wants. She leads without needing the spotlight. Through her consistency, her presence, and the way she shows up for others. She stays focused, avoids the noise, and quietly puts in the work to chase her goals. Her commitment to this club over the years speaks volumes about who she is.

Her journey hasn’t been easy. Coming to the U.S. at four years old, facing early challenges, and learning a new language; yet still growing into a top student and strong, compassionate leader says everything about her resilience. She has always leaned into challenges, playing up, competing at higher levels, and never backing down.

Some of our favorite memories include watching her step onto the national stage at USA Rugby camps, and that unforgettable U12 State Championship run an underdog team that came together and proved everyone wrong. Moments like those are what this journey is all about.

What makes us most proud is who Nakato is at her core. She is disciplined, self-aware, kind, and grounded. She leads with integrity, lifts those around her, and carries herself with quiet strength. She embodies what it means to be a true teammate and a “High Woman”—doing the work, staying accountable, and leading with heart.

Nakato, as you step into this next chapter at Dartmouth, never forget who you are. Trust yourself, take up space, and keep chasing your dreams. We’ll always be right here, cheering you on.
We are so proud of you. We love you. And don’t forget…text us back. ❤️

💬 “Some women fear the fire, some women simply become it.”

🏉✨ Special Shoutout ✨🏉

A huge THANK YOU to our incredible supporters:

WakeMed | Wake Orthopedics
Leigh Brantley Realtor
CNC Carolina
Neomonde Mediterranean

Because of your generosity, we were able to purchase 4 brand new pop-up tents for our youth programs! 🙌

These tents will be put to great use at games and events—rain or shine—helping support our players, families, and community all season long.

We truly appreciate your continued support of Raleigh Rugby Youth and everything you do to help our athletes thrive. 💛🏉

🎉 HUGE Shoutout to Coach Kiwi! 🎉

Celebrating his birthday the best way he knows how… out on the pitch reffing our HS Cobras game today! 🏉

Coach Kiwi, you are truly the BEST. From reffing, to coaching, to supporting NCYRU—and everything in between—you give so much to this game and our community.

We are so grateful for your time, energy, and passion for growing rugby and supporting our players every step of the way.

Happy Birthday, Coach Kiwi! 🥳🧁
We appreciate you more than you know! ❤️🖤

🔥 Senior Spotlight 2026: Everett Tate 🔥

Everett Tate’s rugby journey hasn’t been a straight line—and that’s exactly what makes it his. After playing from 6th through 8th grade, stepping away, and then coming back his senior year, he picked the game back up with a new perspective. Now playing wing and center, Everett brings speed, effort, and a fresh appreciation for every minute on the field.

It all started in a pretty random way—watching rugby in hotel rooms and then seeing a sign on Glenwood Ave. Sometimes that’s all it takes.

One moment that stands out? Running down a kick and finishing it with a try—one of those plays that just clicks.

For Everett, rugby has become an outlet. It’s something to look forward to—a place to clear his head, let out energy, and just go all in. Run, tackle, compete. But beyond that, it’s taught him something bigger: you can’t do everything yourself. Every big play comes from the little things teammates do that don’t always get noticed.

After graduation, Everett is heading to UNC, where he plans to continue playing rugby on the club team. He’s looking forward to the next chapter—more independence, new experiences, and figuring things out along the way.

Shoutout to Coach Mark, Coach PCox, Coach Isaac, and Sunny for being part of his journey over the years.

Fun fact: rugby isn’t even his main sport—Everett is primarily a tennis player and also plays guitar 🎸

If he could give advice to younger players? Learn how to tackle—and do it well.

💬 “You can’t do it alone.”

❤️ Senior Spotlight 2026: Everett Tate (From Brooke & Andrew) ❤️
One of the most rewarding parts of watching Everett grow through rugby has been seeing his dedication to sports remain a constant throughout his life. Whether it’s tennis or rugby, he’s always competed at a high level—while balancing a demanding school schedule and even a part-time job.

This year especially, it’s been incredible to see him find that balance. Rugby has given him a space to be aggressive, fast, and competitive on the field, while also helping him stay focused, reflective, and driven off of it.

What makes us most proud is his work ethic. Everett has always stayed committed to his goals—putting in the work, staying disciplined, and continuing to push himself to be better.

Everett, as you step into this next chapter, trust yourself. Listen to your heart, follow your conscience, and don’t be afraid to be bold. And don’t forget to call home.

We hope you always remember the joy of being part of a team and the excitement of what’s ahead. This is such a special time in your life—take it all in. Just remember, the same hard work that got you here will keep taking you wherever you want to go.
We are so proud of you. ❤️

💬 “Be bold—and don’t forget to call home.”