Kansas City Blues Rugby Club - Junior BLUES Web Link

Interested in learning more about the Blues, or how you can get involved?
Email us at kcbluesinfo@gmail.com

Kansas City Junior Blues
est. 1992

Junior Blues Win 2009 "Friday Night Lights 7s"
at the KC Wizards Training Complex in Swope Park
Special thanks to On Goal and the KC Wizards for their partnership in making the July 24th event happen, and to Heartland Rugby Supply and Canterbury of New Zealand for supplying the awards kit to the finalists.

The Kansas City Junior Blues, one of the nation's longest-running and most successful U19 teams, was established in 1992 by Blues player Dave Penner. Comprised mostly of Rockhurst High School students, the Club was closely affiliated with the Blues senior side from the beginning, drawing coaching and administrative assistance from the established men's side.

The Junior Blues experienced quick success in the early years, and with the growing popularity of the Club came incredible support from the players parents. Today, the Junior Blues administration is made up of a unique blend of former Blues players and current and past player parents, and these partnerships are what sets the Club apart from all others in the Kansas City area.

The Junior Blues play a spring rugby season against other members of the Heart Of America, and often extend the union boundary to compete against teams from St. Louis, Iowa, Texas, and Colorado. They are members of the West RFU.

Click HERE for the Spring 2009 Match Schedule

Since 1996, the Junior Blues have WON the WESTERN Championship 6 TIMES and now have appeared at the National Championships 11 TIMES (counting 2009).

From 2007-2009, the Junior Blues have compiled an astonishing 49-8-1 record, with their 8 losses all coming at the hands of 5 different teams.

1996 - Western Champions & National Championship Appearance
1997 - 2nd at West & National Championship Appearance
1998 - Western Champions & National Championship (10th Place)
1999 - 2nd at West & National Championship Appearance
2000 - Western Champions & National Championship (6th Place)
2001 - 3rd at West & National Championship (7th place)
2002 - Western Champions & National Championship (10th place)
2003 - Semifinalist at Westerns
2004 - 3rd at Westerns & National Championship Appearance
2005 - 2nd at Westerns & National Championship (8th Place)
2006 - Semifinalist at Westerns
2007 - Western Champions & National Championship (4th Place)
2008 - 2nd at Westerns
2009 - Western Champions & National Championship (3rd Place)

In addition, during that timeframe the Junior Blues have produced seven age-grade National Team selections or trialists: Chuck DiMartino, Tony Vontz, Joe Orscheln, Dustin Orscheln, Rob Reintjes, Mike Kelly, Casey Cummings, and Johann Swanepoel.

Eighteen former Junior Blues currently play for the Blues senior side in 2009, including: Matt Gunter ('92), Ashley Pouche ('98), Eric Munninghoff ('99), Junior Tali ('99), Matt Tali ('00), Brett Tali ('02), Rob Reintjes ('02), Steve Sharkey ('03), Conner Smith ('03), Andrew Charlton ('03), Pat Laughlin ('04), Wes Lillig ('05), Marty Cummings ('06), Kevin Schwartze ('06), Casey Cummings ('08), James Poli ('08), Thomas Stewart ('08), and Matt Wirken ('08).

In 2007, the Junior Blues placed 4th at Nationals, the Club's highest finish ever, and they followed that up with a 2nd place finish at Westerns in 2008, and a Western Championship in 2009.

Classified as a U19 program by USA Rugby, the Junior Blues are comprised of student-athletes from multiple Kansas City area high schools, including: Rockhurst Hight School, Truman High School, Olathe, O'Hara High School, and Blue Springs High School.