Who are the Sharks
Welcome to the home of the Oregon Sharks Rugby Academy. The Oregon Sharks is a collection of athletes (18+) with roots across the globe including Africa, North America, Central America, Micronesia, and Polynesia but proud to call the greater Willamette Area home.
While the notion of people from diverse backgrounds working towards a greater good is a concept that helped shape our great nation, we believe the time has come to show the world that diversity is a concept with bite… and essential to our common welfare. Our goal is simple: to dominate the competition, show the world that diversity is power, and #ruckracism.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide competitive athletes with a high-performance training environment where all athletes can excel regardless of race or orientation. We embrace the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities and celebrate our differences. We offer all athletes the tools needed to reach new heights as players, teammates, coaches, and reformative members of society. Above all, we echo Mandela’s sentiment. “Sports has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand”
In loving Memory of Giovanni Bonilla
The 2023 Sharks Season is dedicated to our teammate, friend, and brother Giovanni Bonilla. Gio was an inspiration to us all and he will be a part of us as we continue to push for our first national Title.
Gio won a 15s National Title in 2017 with the Austin Huns before moving to Oregon were he landed in his two new homes, ORSU and the Sharks. Gio always pushed our individuals to be the best they can and to always remember to smile. "To say I found a special team in Oregon is an understatement... They found me." -Giovanni Bonilla
Interested in joining?
Please email Alan Hopper (alanhopper9@gmail.com) and ask about our upcoming combine and skills challenge on April 23rd from 9-12PM. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you there!
Premier Side Sharks
The Premier side sharks will be traveling all over the U.S. this season. We are attending Alaska for the annual Midnight sun 7s in mid June and in mid august we will travel to Rugby town 7s in Glendale, CO. The club will also take a team to Dubai for the Dubai 7s in December of 2023 and South Africa for training and coaching throughout the season.
Women's Sharks!
One of our original goals back in 2017 was to be inclusive and to grow to new heights! This year we are happy to announce that we have brought in our first ever women's 7s side. Our goal with this team is to not only make an appearance at Club Nationals, but to also give a pathway for all women in the State of Oregon to the USA National team.
Midnight Sun 7s
The Oregon Sharks took 1st in the Midnight Sun 7s tournament for 2022. They had an undefeated record and allowed 0 points against them. A new Tournament Record!
Club 7s Nationals
This year the Men Finished 13th and the Women+ Finished 11th! Great Effort by both of the Elite Side Sharks!
Rugby Town 7s
J. P. Aguirrer at Rugby Town 7s 2021. We will be back in Glendale soon!
U23 Sharks
In 2023 the Oregon Sharks will begin the journey of having a U23 side. This will be the development side that takes players from high school and in-state Universities and gives them access to high recognition all over the country. Our goal is to build up each player both physically and mentally for an opportunity at different identification and development camps which can lead to domestic or international games. Our Academy has already sent 1 player to the U23 USA camp and over 6 players to sign MLR contracts. The U23 side will enter various tournaments in order to develop skills throughout the summer 7s series.
