Joining a rugby team might start with a conversation at the gym. Or at a concert. Or just out around town.
That’s how many players find their way to the Reno Zephyrs, a team that’s been part of the community since 1979 and now fields more than 30 players from across Reno, Sparks, and Carson City.
“Rugby in the U.S. is very much grassroots,” says Willis Mein, a Zephyrs player. “A lot of guys don’t start until high school, college, or even later.” For the Zephyrs, that’s part of the appeal. Many players show up with little to no experience, brought in simply by meeting someone already on the team.
“There’s a position for everyone,” Mein says.
What they find is less about fitting a predetermined mold and more about finding their particularly carved place. The roster includes longtime locals and recent transplants, business owners, veterans, and guys who just moved to Reno a few months ago. No two players look the same on paper, but the connection on the field is what keeps them there.
“You won’t find the same two people on our team,” Mein says, “but every single player shares a passion for rugby and respect for the player next to them.”
That respect doesn’t stop when the game ends. After every match, both teams come together for a social rugby tradition that turns competitors into something closer to a community. Players swap stories, recognize standout performances, and, sometimes, even sing together.
The Zephyrs welcome beginners and encourage anyone curious to come out to a practice or reach out through social media. And while the culture is welcoming, the team itself is far from playing small. The Zephyrs compete in the Northern California Rugby Football Union and have built a quiet legacy over the years, including Division III national championships in 2003 and 2008 and, most recently, a league title in 2025.
However, despite that history, the team’s biggest challenge is visibility. Many locals don’t realize Reno has a rugby team at all. Club rugby operates largely through word of mouth, and the Zephyrs rely on that same energy, including meeting people around town, inviting them out, and building the roster one connection at a time.
For anyone curious, the ask is straightforward: show up. No experience required. Because once people find the Zephyrs, they tend to stay.
For More Information:
www.renozephyrsrfc.com