Beginning with his introduction to rugby in the Aspetuck Valley program through today as he plays at University of Tennessee, the sport has opened many doors for Newtown's Brendan O'Neill — including a collegiate National Championship and title game Most Valuable Player accolades — along the way. He was recognized as First Team All South Eastern Collegiate Rugby Conference and a First Team All-American.

As Aspetuck players compete on the field this spring — some just to give the sport a try, others with title aspirations — Brendan will lace up as part of Tennessee's spring 7s team having helped the Volunteers' traditional 15s squad capture the university's first Division I-AA National Title in December. The fly-half attributes much of his success to his roots with the sport in his home state, and specifically with Aspetuck, where his dad, John O'Neill, is president of the Aspetuck program and currently coaches girls in the program.

John started coaching Aspetuck when Brendan was in seventh grade and played with the U14s. The year he graduated from Newtown High, 2021, Brendan's sister Rhyan was an incoming freshman to Newtown High and wanted to play rugby as well. There was a need for a head coach for Aspetuck's girls' team, so John started doing that in the spring of 2022. Rhyan played for all four years and was recruited to play in college, but decided against playing at the next level.

"Aspetuck elevated my rugby career exponentially. I was able to play with athletes and rugby players who were extremely better than I was. Being around a great coaching staff that sacrificed every weekend in the spring to travel and compete was super helpful. When you look at the history of the club, the number of athletes the program sends to college is crazy. And it isn't just for the boys' team; the girls' team has been dominant in past years, which elevates both the girls' and boys' teams," Brendan said.

Since Aspetuck Valley's inception in 2012, when it started with U12 and U14, the program has gained U19 Boys, U19 Girls, and U8 and U10 flag teams. "Our numbers normally average around 120 during the year. Some years more than others. Unfortunately since COVID the numbers have dropped, but I see now a real resurgence in the younger ages," John said.

On the boys' side, three players have gone on to play at Tennessee, and others moved on to compete at University of Arizona, Cal Berkley, West Point, UCLA, UConn, St Bonaventure, Brown, Fordham, SCSU, Loyola University of Maryland, University of Mississippi, and Kutztown University (two players), among others, John noted. For the girls, players have been recruited to play at Quinnipiac, West Point (two players), University of Georgia, UConn, Frostburg State, Lindenwood, Ohio State, Mount Saint Mary's, University of New Haven, Sacred Heart (two players), West Chester, and St Bonaventure.

"For the girls now, because of Title IX, many colleges and universities have started varsity college rugby programs. It has been amazing to see how many girls that play for us, and that we compete against, getting partial and full athletic scholarships to college. Many times because they have just played for Aspetuck," John said.

"When I got to college, because of everything that club has done, it almost felt easier playing at the college level. Everyone on the high school team knew all the basics, and when that happens, you are able to go into a more intricate game. When I went to college, a lot of people started playing for the first time, which was very different from what I was used to. Aspetuck Rugby transformed me from a kid who loved rugby to a rugby player, and I am very grateful for it. Huge thank you to them, and if you have nothing going on in the spring, go play rugby, give it a shot," Brendan said.

Brendan signed a national letter of intent to play Division I-A rugby for the Rochester, N.Y.-based Nazareth College upon graduating from Newtown High School in 2021. He transferred to Tennessee after the coach left following his sophomore year. At Tennessee he is studying kinesiology, and took his game to another level, scoring a try in the team's 21-15 win over Bowling Green in that title game, held in Houston on December 13.

"The feeling of winning a national championship this past December was truly one of the best moments of my life. To this day, we all sit down together and talk about it. The best part for me was the support we received while traveling. We were lucky to bring everyone on the team, not just the varsity squad, due to the support of the donors and alumni, and we appreciate their support. We also had parents hosting dinners down there at houses and restaurants for us. I was able to compete for the last time in my college career in front of my parents, which was special," Brendan said. "My family is a huge rugby family, it's how my parents met in college, and to be coached by my dad my whole life, not just on the field but off, and my mom to support every decision with 100% confidence that I could succeed, has made me who I am. My younger sister even played, so shout out to her."

John and his wife Shannon both started playing rugby at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU). "After graduation I played a couple of years with the Danbury Men's Rugby program. WCSU needed a coach, so I decided to start doing that as without a coach they weren't going to be allowed to play. I still played a little with Danbury, but had to focus more time on coaching. I did that for 13 years, that is where Brendan was first introduced to the game. I would carry him at games up and down the sidelines in a camping backpack, and when he was old enough to run around, I'd bring him to practice and games," he said. "The players were forced to play with him as he was the coach’s son haha. I took a few years off as Brendan started getting into soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and football here in town. He decided after sixth grade to leave lacrosse and start playing rugby for Aspetuck in the spring of seventh grade."

When that happened, the main coach had to travel a lot for work, so John and another dad were asked to help him out. He continues to coach, even with both children out of the program, plus he has been the club president since 2019. "I really do enjoy seeing the kids learn a new sport and flourish. I wouldn't mind though at this point giving up some of my responsibilities, as I'm also working two jobs, but there are rarely many takers," he said.

MVP Honors

Being recognized as MVP of the title match came as a surprise to Brendan, but it goes to show how important he was to the team's success. Just as Brendan points to Aspetuck for helping develop his game, the fly-half credits his college teammates for this accolade.

“The MVP honor was very unexpected to me. I just felt like I played that game like every other game. I was able to score, which probably helped my case, but I just felt like as long as I can play my game, the rest of the guys will be able to win that game. Looking across the roster for that game, every guy could have won that honor due to the hard work and outstanding performances in that game," he said. "To me, the ball just bounced my way that day, and I would not have been able to earn that award if it weren't for my teammates. I'm not the best when it comes to talking about the MVP, I just think anyone could have earned that honor on that day, coaching staff included."

Rugby action picks up in the spring with games featuring seven players aside, a different game from the 15 (per team) on the field game in the fall. "It is styled as a faster-paced game. Games are shorter, fewer guys on the field, more games in a day. At the start of May, we have an alumni game, which is also something we prepare for, and it is always fun," said Brendan, adding that the training is the same in the fall with lifts on Mondays, and practice Tuesday through Thursday each week, with traveling on Fridays, and games on Saturdays.

"The best thing that I enjoy about the game is being able to create connections that last not just on the field, but off as well. Since being at the University of Tennessee, I have been lucky enough to meet and be/live with some of my closest friends who will be my closest friends for the rest of my life," Brendan said. "But if I had to choose the best thing about the game itself, I would say not just trying to beat the other team physically, but also trying to beat them mentally. I play a position where you need to always be multiple steps ahead of your opponent. I consider it like chess, having to try and get into your opponent's head, figuring out their next move, so you have an answer. It can get tricky, but that's why I love it."

"It's an amazing thrill to see both of my kids playing sports they love. Whether it was rugby, football, or basketball for Brendan; or rugby and basketball for my daughter Rhyan, I can't explain how much I love it and how proud both my wife Shannon and I are of them both. But to see Brendan end his youth career this way, from starting in seventh grade at Aspetuck, or maybe even running around the field when he was really little at WCSU, and now in Houston in the National Championship game captaining the team at the University of Tennessee — it was absolutely crazy," John said. "My wife Shannon and I can't put into words how extremely proud of Brendan we are, the hard work that he's put in, and all that he's accomplished because of that hard work."

Aspetuck's official season is in the spring, but coaches try to find ways for the participants to play all year long. "Kids are welcome to join whenever. Most kids are new to the game, so you are never the newest kids for long, and kids can join all the time. We have U8 and U10 coed flag rugby, U12 & U14 tackle rugby, but I like to bring the middle school girls up to play with the high school girls, as the size is much closer and it is much safer than playing with the U14 boys," John said.

Aspetuck moved from the West Redding Firehouse to as numbers grew, and began to play in Newtown in 2019. "The field at Pecks Lane became an option, so we reconditioned it, the best a bunch of dads could do, and it's turned out to be pretty good. Our landlords now, Housatonic Athletic Wellness Center here in Newtown, have been an amazing partner. They understand the challenges that running a club can face, especially with so many other town and school sponsored sports. Without this field location I'm not sure what we would do," John said.

Participants come from all over the area, including New York State. "They come from different family backgrounds, and friend groups, other sports, etcetera. They leave all the stress of their everyday lives and come to be with their rugby friends. They learn to meet new friends, coaches, and a new sport," John said. "Youth sports can be expensive, we know that. Especially if your child plays more than one sport. Our main motto is, every kid who wants to play, will play, and not being able to afford it will not get in the way. It's really important as they grow that they have balance, mentally with school and life, and physically with sports and exercise."

John said Aspetuck has some companies that donate, that some parents sponsor players, and the club uses a fundraising tool. The club also prorates depending on when the player signs up. Aspetuck offers partial and full scholarships, and payment plans.

U8 & U10 are charged $275, U12 & U14 $375, and the high school teams, which travel more than the others, are $475. USA Rugby charges about $55 annually, and goes from September 1 through August 30.

Visit aspetuckrugby.org for information.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.