Hugh Miller has never backed down from a challenge since he relocated to the Bailey/Conifer area in 1999. A social studies teacher at Platte Canyon High School, Miller brought with him a strong background in rugby, which he used to found Bailey Youth Rugby.
Now called PAC Rugby Colorado, the program fields, among others, a boys team of players from Platte Canyon, Conifer and Evergreen high schools. After winning two of three Colorado Division II titles — the sport is not sanctioned by the Colorado High School Activities Association — the team was promoted to the top league, Division I, in 2015, where it reached the quarterfinals in 2016 after placing third in its inaugural season.
That move was ambitious, especially for a program that encompasses three of the smaller schools in the state that field club rugby squads.
The next challenge seems even more daunting: sending a group of players, coaches and parents to Ireland for seven days next March during spring break in the middle of the 2017 season.
Miller, the president of Rugby Colorado and a member of several teams in the state, learned about Irish Rugby Tours, where teams visit three cities/towns, do a lot of sightseeing, and practice with and play three matches against the local teams.
Why not just go for it, he thought.
“It sounded like an amazing tour for these kids,” Miller said. “Many of them have never even been out of the state. I wanted them to have a bonding experience and a lifetime memory.”
The March 23-31 excursion, which will take PAC Rugby Colorado to Dublin, Connacht and Limerick, doesn’t come without cost: about $2,700 per person.
“I wasn’t sure how many of our kids could afford it,” Miller said. “But for spending seven full days in Ireland, most of them thought it was worthwhile.”
PAC Rugby Club embarked on a fundraising mission, including a variety of events and the establishment of a GoFundMe online link where donations can be made. Miller said most players worked summer jobs and many parents agreed to match their sons’ earnings. Many are selling Butter Braids, a Danish frozen pastry.
The GoFundMe account was recently established and is accessible at www.gofundme.com/pac-rugby-ireland-trip. Donations through the website will be shared among the team.
Among the upcoming fundraising events will be a PAC Rugby Colorado booth at the Holiday Walk in Evergreen on Dec. 2 from 5:30-9:30 p.m.
“We’re trying to do whatever fundraising we can,” said Barb Geary, whose son Troy is one of the players and who volunteered to head the fundraising effort. “We’re trying to spread the word through social media.”
“We’ve had some people step up” with donations, Miller added.
As of last week, 44 people, including 33 players, were set to make the trip, though final payments still must be made. Aside from donations, “Each boy is in charge of earning his own money,” Geary said. “I know there are kids who need the money and are working hard.”
Miller, who two years ago founded Mountain Youth Rugby for kids ages 5-15, said the PAC Rugby Colorado is the “third or fourth biggest high school rugby program in Colorado.
“It’s taken work to build, but we’re definitely the smallest community with the biggest team,’’ he said. “Most of the schools we compete against are 5A-4A types. For the size of our schools, we have a very good-sized team and skilled players.”
