The Lincoln County Beavers rugby club kicked off their second season on March 25, but there is still time to sign up and participate. The club has five tournaments scheduled so far this spring. (Courtesy photo)
While high school sports are gearing up for the spring season, another option for young athletes is emerging in Lincoln County. The Midcoast Rugby Football Club has kicked off its second season.
Founded by Lincoln Academy and University of Maine Farmington graduate Liam Brinkler, the club, also known as the Lincoln County Beavers, is open to both boys and girls age 15-18. No prior experience is required.
The program completed its inaugural season last spring, and held the opening practice of this season on Wednesday, March 25 on the indoor basketball court at Great Salt Bay Community School in Damariscotta, where the team typically holds their practices on Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. outdoors on the grass football field.
“We just got going and sign ups are live on Rugby Xplorer, and you can find a link at nhmyru. org/beavers-club or on our Lincoln County Beavers Instagram page,” said Brinkler. “We have 11 players so far, and we have generated a lot of other inquiries and interest. Next year, we aim to start pre-season as soon as the winter sports season ends.”
Players are required to sign up on Rugby Xplorer to be eligible to practice. The registration fee of $105 provides insurance for players and supports the team’s travel and equipment fees.
Jakobi Hagar, now a junior at Lincoln Academy, competes for the Lincoln County Beavers rugby club at a tournament in the spring of 2025. (Courtesy photo)
The team is planning to participate in five tournaments this spring, all on Sundays: Beast of the East (April 19 in Portsmouth, N.H.); Northern Lights 7s (May 3 in Dover, N.H.); Lighthouse 7s (May 10 in Portland); College Showcase 7s (May 17 at Bowdoin College in Brunswick); and Downeast Showdown 7s (May 31 at Thomas College in Waterville). Four additional teams have joined the league this year, which increases the number of games per tournament and gives the Beavers more opportunities to get on the pitch.
“The number of players that we bring to tournaments varies,” said Brinkler. “Our largest team was made up of 12 players, and the smallest was eight, barely enough for a team. We ended the season with a 6-6 record, taking third place twice and fifth place twice.”
The Lincoln County Beavers rugby club is scheduled to compete in five tournaments this spring in Maine and New Hampshire. The team practices at Great Salt Bay School on Wednesday evenings. (Courtesy photo)
The Lincoln County Beavers play sevens rugby, which means there are seven athletes on the pitch per team. Sevens rugby is played on the same size pitch as the 15s game.
“Sevens encourages more open play, and is a good way to learn the game,” said Brinkler. “It focuses more on speed and the fundamentals of rugby for younger players. You get the best of both worlds – you get to play rugby at fast speed, but you take less hits.”
While rugby was created in the 1840s with 15 players on a side, Brinkler said sevens rugby actually came along only 40 years later, in the 1880s, but didn’t gain popularity until the mid 1900s. The first sevens rugby world cup took place in 1993.
“Sevens rugby is becoming more and more popular in high school and beyond, especially with multi sport athletes,” said Brinkler, who also noted that interest is growing for a girls team. “At present the girls numbers are small, but we are looking to have a full team next year,” said Brinkler, who is getting some coed help coaching the team this season.
“My partner, Alison Hooper, became a certified rugby coach over the winter,” said Brinkler. “We both played for the University of Maine, Farmington and learned similar styles of rugby. Ali is excited to officially join the team as a coach and is looking forward to a strong season.”
Although the program is currently limited to athletes aged 15-18, Brinkler thinks the sport could expand into other age groups, in particular the youth.
“We are not currently associated with the CLC YMCA, but it would be great to partner with them to create an intro level rugby camp that would give children the ability to learn the love of rugby earlier than I did,” said Brinkler, who is also looking beyond Lincoln County for recruits. “I would love to expand our team beyond Lincoln County, if you know anyone in the surrounding area interested in rugby please let them know they are welcome to join us.”
According to Brinkler, the ultimate goal of the club is to spread the joy of rugby.
“It is a sport that welcomes everyone,” said Brinkler. “No matter how tall or small you are, there is a place on the pitch. We’re here to help build confidence that players can use in the real world – if you aren’t afraid to tackle someone, you will be more mentally prepared for job and college interviews.”
Another emphasis of the program is to build camaraderie.
“We’re trying to build a community, and not just students from one school,” said Brinkler. “We’re also trying to build on the character aspects of the sport that appealed to me in college. To leave it all on the field and congratulate your opponent, no matter the outcome. There is a saying that rugby is a hooligan’s sport, but it is played by gentlemen.”
For more information about the Midcoast Rugby Football Club and the Lincoln County Beavers, contact Liam Brinkler at liam. brinkler1@gmail.com, or click the “contact coach” button on the website nhmyru.org/beavers-club.
