Youth Rugby Staff
Rugby Department Staff
Alexandra (Andie) Hammon, Head of Youth Rugby
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“It wasn’t about the sport for me when I first started,” Hammon said. “It was about a really big community with a family emphasis.”
Hammon has played with the Atomic Sisters Rugby Club, American Rugby Pro Training Center, and the University of New Mexico, which shaped her decision to pursue higher-level rugby as a player and coach.
At the University of New Mexico, she organized a rookie rugby clinic for her senior thesis, clarifying her goal to promote rugby and educate young players about its culture.
Seeking a new environment, Andie moved to Colorado and contacted Jamie Burke, Glendale’s Youth Rugby Coordinator, to start coaching. She joined the Colorado Gray Wolves Women’s rugby team and became the Youth Rugby Coordinator for Glendale on July 1st.
Hammon began coaching in Glendale with the Winter Indoor Rugby program in 2020, later overseeing youth rugby school programs and coaching PE classes. She also contributed to Glendale Youth Rugby’s annual Girls High School Camp.
Andie aims to expand school programs and raise awareness of rugby among youth.
“It’s a personal joy of mine to see kids learn about rugby,” she said. “Most kids have never heard of it, so it’s exciting when they ask questions.”
As Youth Rugby Coordinator, she wants to foster community among players, teammates, and coaches.
“I am most excited to continue learning,” Hammon said. “Every camp teaches me something new.”
Hammon credits her success to her sister’s mentorship and support from her family and the New Mexico rugby community.
“I’m eager to learn how to run a good program and understand what young athletes want from our offerings”.
Sarah Chobot, High Performance + Coach Development
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Sarah Chobot is the defense coach for the U.S. Eagles women’s rugby team and is the head coach of Denver’s Women’s Elite Rugby team. Chobot spent the last four seasons as a defense coach, scrum specialist, and head coach of the American Raptors. She served as the head coach of the club during the Raptors’ inaugural season competing in Super Rugby Americas in 2023 after taking over as the interim head coach for the final match of the Fall 2022 season. The Raptors finished sixth in the table in 2023 with a 2-10 record. Chobot has quickly ascended the coaching ranks since making the decision to pursue the profession at the end of her playing career. She’s served as a coach for Colorado State University, the Glendale Merlins, and the Denver Waterdogs prior to joining the American Raptors’ Staff back in 2020 when the club played as the Colorado XOs. As a player, Chobot was a member of the United States U-23 XV team, the National 7s team, and the National XV Team where she represented the USA at the 2014 Rugby World Cup. She was a four-time National Champion as a member of the Midwest U-23 team and won two WPL Championships.
Rugby Coaches
Jordan (U12s)
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What Is Your Background
I started playing rugby in high school. I played a little in college and some sevens as an adult. Now I play some old boys when I’m not injured.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
I feel coaches are an important influence in kids’ lives. I remember several of the coaches I had when I was a kid. Coaches have the opportunity to teach important life skills like discipline and respect while also providing children with encouragement and compassion.
Fun Fact!
I am the executive director at a local non profit serving homeless youth and young adults, called Sox Place.
KB (U14 Coach)
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What Is Your Background
High school: Riverdale High School Rugby
College: Life University
Post: Colorado Greywolves, Rocky Mountain Experts, CapeTown Wild dogs, Oregon Sharks, Faith Rugby
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
As an elite level athlete I feel as I have wasted my career if I don’t return my knowledge to the game.
Fun Fact!
I once met Lil Richard at a bar in my hometown. While he was living he LOVED hanging out in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Ryan (U14)
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What Is Your Background
Started playing rugby after Colleen when I first moved to Denver in 2009. Played for the Denver Harlequins and continue to play old boys with the CSOBs and GODs. Coached for Glendale since 2022 and also with USA West.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
The culture and community that rugby provides has been so overwhelmingly positive for our family, I wanted to give back. It’s been wonderful coaching at Glendale and seeing the kids accomplish new goals each season.
Fun Fact!
All four of our children play for Glendale!
Gianna (HS Boys and Girls teams)
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What Is Your Background
On the field, I have been playing rugby for about 10 years. I played as a collegiate athlete at Penn State and then continued on to play for various clubs including NYRC, Atlantis, Northeast Academy, USA U23, and am currently a Colorado Gray Wolf.
Off the field, I have coached State College HS Girls, Northeast Academy, Greenwich HS Girls, Rugby Colorado, USA U20/23, and Dartmouth College.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
I want to coach youth rugby because rugby has provided me with so many positive additions to my life and is something I wish I had the chance to find sooner. Because of this, I want to be a driver in giving youth athletes the same incredible opportunities to grow as players and people that I was given.
Fun Fact!
I used to be a babyGap model!
Rachel Ehrecke (HS Camps)
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What Is Your Background
I fell in love with the game in Iowa as a wing and went on to play as a center for Penn State University. As a Nittany Lion, I took home three D1 Elite National Championships. I continued to play after college and shifted to flanker with the Glendale Merlins and as a captain for the Colorado Gray Wolves in the Women’s Premier League, earning another three WPL National Championships. I was called up to USA Rugby’s high-performance squad and went on my first tour in 2021. I now have 17 international caps and love that I get to play here in Glendale and around the world.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
I wanted to be a coach as a way to give back to the game that has given me so much. I keep on coming back because of how fulfilling it is to see more people fall in love with rugby and to see players develop through the years.
Fun Fact!
I love headstands!
Jeff Rupp (U12 Head Coach)
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What Is Your Background
My day job is CEO of a nonprofit. My dream job is coaching youth rugby. Started playing rugby in college in 1984 and have been involved ever since as a player, coach, referee, administrator, and spectator.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
I find it very rewarding to teach kids a game I love. Even moreso when they excel and fall in love with rugby too!
Fun Fact!
Fall 2026 will be my 52nd season of coaching youth rugby. Still love it!
DC Hazen (U10)
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What Is Your Background
Played for Colorado School of Mines, Queen City, Denver Harlequins, East Cleveland Suburbs, and Severn River Rugby Football Club, and the Colorado Society of Old Boys
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
Help my sons learn to love the sport and stay involved
Fun Fact!
I train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as well!
Ben Miller (U10)
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What Is Your Background
Played at Carleton College, Boulder, and the St. Paul Jazz Pigs! Coaching experience from kids through college in football, wrestling, BJJ, and rugby.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
Love the sport and hoping that my daughter continues to love the sport!
Fun Fact!
At 270 pounds, I was too small to play prop for my college side, so I got to play flanker!
Matt Laird (U10 Head Coach)
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What Is Your Background
My sports background includes rugby, American football, and ice hockey.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
I am so grateful for the impact rugby and my great rugby coaches have had on my life, and I want to pass that experience on to the next generation of ruggers.
Fun Fact!
I started playing rugby to become a better tackler in American football and realized that I wanted to play rugby instead!
Hugh Spencer (U8)
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What Is Your Background
Played some good, some bad and some average rugby in Japan and Hong Kong
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
Wanted to coach my son and watch him grow with the game
Fun Fact!
Appeared in a Japanese rugby movie performing Haka back around 2004
Tink (Julia Mulligan) (U8 Head Coach)
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What Is Your Background
I played rugby for seven years with Glendale’s women’s teams (Raptors, Merlins) and the Colorado Gray Wolves. I have coached our U8s team for 10 years.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
Coaching these kiddos is the joy of my life. It is a privilege to work with new rugby athletes, help them acclimate to team sports, teach basics, and have a blast all the while.
Fun Fact!
Coming Soon!
Daryl Jackson (U14 + High School Coach)
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What Is Your Background
Started playing rugby in college after football coach said I wasn’t big enough at Colorado. My backup was wrestling then rugby.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
I started coaching my daughter when she played soccer and loved the experience. I changed careers and became a PE teacher 🙂
Fun Fact!
I’m part Irish ☘️
Sam Oh (U8)
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What Is Your Background
I’ve been playing contact sports since elementary school and was first introduced to rugby through my high school club team.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
Outside of my son guilting me into, I’m a big believer in servant leadership and growth through coaching is part of that. Coaching rugby is a way for me to take this from the professional life to my personal life.
Fun Fact!
I have a plate in my head.
Megan Goodwin (U8)
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What Is Your Background
I play rugby socially and with the gray wolves.
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
I coach rugby to help kids build confidence, back each other up, and learn resilience. There’s a place for every child on the pitch and I love seeing skills and their love for the sport develop.
Fun Fact!
We are beekeepers!
Mikaela Hall (U10)
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What Is Your Background
I play rugby for the Denver Onyx and the USA National Team
Why Did You Want To Coach Youth Rugby
I want to give kids a chance that I never had growing up. To learn about the game at a young age and build a great foundation
Fun Fact!
I’ve lived in 5 different countries!
Medical Staff
Lee Ann Hewitt
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Info Will Go Here
Lori Seiler
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Info Will Go Here
Find your program
Character-centric Culture
Values-driven Programming
Glendale’s coaches have spent years developing a host values-driven programming that progresses from teaching fundamentals to high-level skills. Glendale Youth Rugby’s programming is the premier for youth rugby in Denver, fully embodying the sport’s inclusive ethos and character-centric culture of sportsmanship. Youth programming in Glendale also entails outreach, including after-school events and teaching rugby basics in PE classes, with the intention of bringing rugby to a wider audience.
Children and their families will feel welcome at Glendale Youth Rugby, with respect a cornerstone of rugby tradition, and safety incorporated into every aspect of instruction. With the added benefit of introducing youth to approachable, positive role models, participants can learn from the pros and then return to Glendale to watch those players compete against the best teams in the country. With an emphasis on access and affordability, Glendale Youth Rugby ensures more people can take advantage of all the sport’s lifestyle offers. If you are looking for youth rugby in Denver, look no further.
