News Blog
BARBOS END SEPTEMBER HOT AND COLD
Your Denver Barbarians opened up their XV’s fall season with four wins on the trot. After a high scoring opening weekend, the try scoring continued on through Ruggerfest weekend. There, up in Aspen on Wagner Field, the Barbos fell just short the the Gentlemen of Aspen. It was no gentle match, with both teams dealing blows through the final seconds. While men in Green & White scored more tries on the day, the final result was a loss at the death. 36-32 Aspen victory.
BARBOS NAME STRONG TEAM FOR CLUB 7’S NATIONAL TOURNAMENT
It was easily the most competitive summer of 7’s we’ve had since the American rugby landscape began its slow crawl back in the summer of 2021. The core of this player group have been together since 2021, and each year they push themselves to get better each day. The results have shown through the intensity in which this team trains. It’s really something to see. After a long and tiring summer, teams usually fall off in August, but what separates this summer’s group is player depth and team commitment. Only 13 names were able to be selected for our traveling roster, but the larger group knows the group selected represents all 30 players that trained throughout the summer.
And without further ado, the team for the 2024 Club National 7’s tournament:
Alex Wormer (c)
John Ryberg
Nick Johnson
Eric Sykes
Jack Miller
Campbell “Soup” Johnstone
Mickey Bateman
Arnaud Agasse
Luke Neely
Ian Wormer
Iosefo Selevasio
Kobe Millar
David Hightower
BARBO KE'VON WILLIAMS CAPTAINS USA MEN’S 7’S IN PARIS OLYMPICS
The only thing better than seeing a great talent join the Denver Barbarians is also watching them leave for greater rugby opportunities. This was the case for Barbo great Ke’Von Williams who joined the Barbo 7’s program in the summer of 2014. Even though he had only recently started playing rugby at New Mexico Highlands University, he arrived in Denver as one of the best pure athletes the team had seen in years. At the wing, he dominated the men’s club 7’s circuit for the next four summers before he was called into the USA Men’s Eagles 7’s camp in Chula Vista. Not only did he make the team, but transformed himself as a rugby player, learned a new position, became one of the most potent halfbacks on HSBC 7’s circuit and eventually was named Captain of the national team.
BARBOS SWEEP 55TH ANNUAL DENVER 7’S
After posting a 4-0 record on a successful trip up to Aspen Colorado for an afternoon of 7’s matches, the men in Green & White turned their focus toward their home tournament. The 55th Annual Denver 7’s. An event that once stood at 30+ teams across the Men’s, Women’s, Social and High School brackets at the pristine Dick’s Sporting Goods Park fields, is now a more humble gathering of teams at Cook Park. After semi-final victories over Aspen and Park City, it was the Denver Barbarians who raised the hardware in the end, defeating the Barbo 2nd side in the final match of the day. The day featured great moments of 7’s excitement, a strong showing from the local rugby audience and pizza for all after the final from Guido’s Pizza in Genesee.
BARBOS RIGHT THE SHIP HEADING INTO PLAYOFFS
Spring has sprung, flowers are blooming, hibernation ends as life begins again. The men in Green & White step into the arena once again, to defend what is currently theirs. A nation club championship. But those who have won in the past know how fleeting success can be. In order to maintain a winning form, your Denver Barbarians will face their most daunting opponents they have seen since last year’s club finals.
THE LEGACY OF OUR CLUB FOUNDER TERRY FLEENER
When a club member passes, the mood is often somber. But Terry Fleener’s legacy was full of the happiness and exuberance that the sport of rugby brings to our lives. He founded our beloved club, the Denver Barbarians in 1967 in addition to the Rocky Mountain Rugby Union. As a player, coach and organizer, he did it all. In 1975 he was selected for the first Board of Directors for the United States Rugby Football Union and served on different roles until 1999. It takes a true titan of the game to see our national union through three decades of growth and Terry was indeed that titan. We are truly indebted to the efforts he made to grow the game of rugby throughout the years.
BARBOS OPEN SPRING SEASON AGAINST STOUT KCRFC
Ethan Harrison - The Washington State Cougar isn’t afraid to hunt for contact on the prairie. A Prop who can tackle like a Flanker.
Kyle Hiyard - If MMA was legal on the rugby pitch, he’d surely whip out the choke hold. Undersized forwards are forced to scrap in games like these.
Bryan Todman - This Prop plays more like a frisky 6. Not afraid of a highlight reel run either.
Kierian Langskov - High motor guy, but can he make more tackles than vowels in his name?
Sean Gorman - A traditional Flanker that can play at lock too. One could say your modern day Jack-Knife.
Dakota Southworth - The young and talented ICCC alumni knows how to bring the heat.
Donny Ronan - If Groundskeeper Willie and Sonic the Hedgehog had a baby, it would be Donovan Ronan.
Alex Wormer (C) - The skipper embodies what it means to wear the Green & White.
Brett DeBoy - A Winger turned Scrumhalf, DeBoy shows an ability to move into new spaces.
Hank Kafonec - Last year’s Scrumhalf, turned Flyhalf. This guy can get you into (and out of) out of a deep hole.
Hunter Wade - A shade of red hair never hurts in the month of March. Can this dancing winger find a pot of gold?
Alex Schultz - I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again … no one runs a better cannon-ball straight line hit up than Schultzy.
Todd Oswald - A man so wise and discipline, he tended to dreadlocks for 3 plus years. The “Tadd Hatter” always has a bag of tricks.
Jack O’Connor - Heading up the Barbos Community Service Dept., Jack leads by example. Community First!
Sean Kilfoyle - No stranger to the Rocky Mountain Rugby Union, Sean looks to make an impact in colors.
BARBOS FALL TO PARK CITY IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN FINAL
Your Denver Barbarians fell to Park City Haggis 63-26 in the 2023 Rocky Mountain Premiership Final. The match remained close at the 60 minute mark, but the Haggis closed out the game with 6 unanswered tries. This was the 6th time in two years that the teams have played.
BARBOS SQUEAK BY PARK CITY IN SNOWBOWL
Your Denver Barbarians defeated Park City Haggis 20-19 in a thrilling defensive snow game. While the Barbos opened up with three tries and a 15-0 lead, Park City came storming back and took the lead 19-15. But it was Luka Pavlakis who crossed over for what would be the game winning try in the 72nd minute (pictured below). The Barbos defense then held up at their own try line, holding up the ball on the final play.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS - COLLEGE RUGBY IN DENVER - MINES VS. DU
The Colorado School of Mines Men’s Rugby Club will head across town to take on the Denver University Pioneers. The battle for small college rugby eminence will take place Friday Night at 5pm MST (7pm Eastern). It will be streamed nationally via the National Collegiate Rugby Youtube page.
The Denver Barbarians have had many alumni from both schools join the club over the eras. This year, the team features veteran winger Landan Banks (DU Alumn class of 20??) and rookie lock Micheal Oliver (Mines alumn class of 2022). As many young college students in Colorado approached their graduation date, they pondered what life would be like if they got a job in Denver and stayed for a while. After all, nothing beats playing rugby in the crisp Mile High air on a sunny October day.
Come out at support local college rugby, Friday Night 5pm, under golden Colorado sunset. See you all at Denver University, turf pitch behind the lacrosse stadium.
BARBOS PREP FOR A MASSIVE OCTOBER
Your Denver Barbarians gear up for a massive month of rugby as the team prepares for 8 games in 4 weeks. Get your asses down to Infinity Park Turf for what will surely be a Saturday for the ages!
SOCIAL GOLF & COMPETITIVE RUGBY; WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE
Golf and Rugby at Applewood!
BARBO 7S UNDEFEATED THROUGH TWO TOURNAMENTS, SHIFTING FOCUS TO SUNPLASH 7S
The Denver Barbo 7’s program is renowned for producing home grown talent and continually competing at the highest level. Saturday June, 24th at Prospect Park was no exception. The Barbos finished 1,2 and went undefeated in pool play throughout the day. The Barbo A side was led by Mickey Bateman & Malik Bryant who both scored early and often throughout the day. The Barbo B side had multiple standouts including Nick Johnson, Thomas LaMuraglia & USA 7’s Eagle Ben Pinkelman.
THE BARBO LEGACY OF GIVING
Giving IS Receiving. That’s what friend, mentor and confidant John Warner taught me in my first year as a Denver Barbarian in 2012. In my decade with the club, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. It happens in many ways, shapes and forms, but always has the ethos of selflessness that is key to philanthropy.
Here are some examples I’ve witnessed from the past decade of the men in Green & White giving back.
BARBOS RIDING HOT STREAK INTO DOUBLE HEADER CLASH VS. BOULDER
BARBOS CLAW THEIR WAY THROUGH GRIZZLES
Your Denver Barbarians defeated the Colorado Springs Grizzlies 50-0 on a cold and windy spring day. Robert Valle scored a hat trick of tries off the bench as the Barbos finally adjusted to the adverse windy conditions and adapted their strategy. Many of the first half passes that didn’t go to hand (perhaps due to a combination of frozen fingers and air-headedness) finally hit home when the Barbos put together one of the more beautiful open field tries we have seen this season!
Take a look below as Luca Tani puts Robert Valle away with a snappy flat ball under pressure !
BARBOS 1ST XV DEFEAT BOULDER 47-17
The Denver Barbarians 1st XV soundly defeated Boulder RFC by a score of 47-17. The massive road victory marked the 3rd straight win against Boulder since dropping the season opener to them last fall season. The clash was an intense hit out, with the men in Green & White eventually putting the Boulder side away with brains and brawn.
BARBOS SQUARE UP AGAINST BOULDER AS THE SEASON HANGS IN THE BALANCE
Your men in Green & White take on Boulder RFC on Saturday October 29th. The 1pm Kick Off will take place at Pleasant View Fields Sports Complex. The team is looking to bounce back from a home loss against Park City Haggis, and the coaching staff has named a strong side.
BARBOS FALL SHORT TO PARK CITY HAGGIS
The Barbos fell short to Park City for the 2nd time in 3 weeks, collapsing in the 2nd half and blowing a 14 point halftime lead. Credit goes to Park City who continued to battle through multiple yellow cards and rode their momentum to complete the impressive comeback. After scoring 4 first half tries, the men in Green & White simply couldn’t turn the corner in the 2nd half. Park City rode their momentum until the final whistle where they scored in the corner to make the final score 31-28.
BARBOS DOWN THE WATERDOGS 69-14
Your Denver Barbarians defeated the Denver Waterdogs 69-14 on a perfect October afternoon at Infinity Park. The game was physical and included some impressive ball work as the two side duked it out for 80 minutes. Alex Wormer was impressive in attack all day as the open side flanker and lineout operator consistently broke the gain line finishing four tries (most of the under the posts). In the end, the relentless Barbo attack was too much for a Waterdogs side who had a man sent to the bin with a red card.