You may be surprised to learn that rugby is a rising sport in the U.S. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing sports. And, we have our own team right here in Thurston County: the Budd Bay Barbarians! Incoming Timberline High School senior Alijah Bee-Richards is a member of the team and this year he, along with teammates Feru Galoia, Imaree Lawson and Kaden Larkin, was chosen to represent Washington State on the Select Rugby Team. While it wasn’t originally a sport he had planned on, Alijah has grown to love it.
“My friend Alex told me he would buy me a Chipotle gift card if I went to practice so I went,” shares Alijah about how he got into rubgy in the seventh grade. “He still hasn’t gotten me the Chipotle gift card!”
Missed free meal aside, Alijah has enjoyed every minute on the pitch. “I love the family community that rugby builds and encourages,” he shares. “After each match, we have family-style get-togethers between teams. I honestly can’t really describe it but I love rugby, when I get out there on the pitch, I feel like all my worries go away. I love cracking heads!”
Making the Washington Select Rugby Team
The Thurston County rugby team, Budd Bay Barbarians, were Division 2 State Champions in 2024. “This year I won forward of the year on the Barbarians,” Alijah says. “I made the Washington Selects Team, which only 4 people on our team made, and 24 people this side of the mountains made it.”
The Washington Select Rugby Team is a team made up of members from rugby teams in the state. They then get to go and play out-of-state games as a team. The coach for the Washington Select team came to practices and selected players to attend two tryouts that happened in Orting and Redmond, Washington.
Alijah’s current goal is to play college rugby. But it’s not his only sport. He also plays high school football for Timberline High School. “This will be my fourth year playing,” he shares. “I was personally invited to Hawaii to play in December at the TIki Bowl, more than likely the last football game I will play in as I don’t plan on pursuing football in college. If anyone would want to sponsor me, I’d love it.” Alijah is hoping to raise $2,000 for the trip to Honolulu to play in the Hawaii Tiki Bowl. The event is for top high school senior athletes and is the number-one-rated football experience for high school seniors. Taking place over six days, athletes stay four per room and get to play football at a beautiful stadium.
When not playing sports, Alijah helps out with his younger siblings – he is number three of eight – and loves playing Playstation games, and hanging out with his girlfriend and friends. “I also really enjoy cooking and make some mean chicken,” he adds.
Alijah hopes that as a representative of rugby, he will get others interested in the sport locally. “We’d love to have more people come out and try out the sport,” he shares. “We had to move down a division because of the lack of people coming out to play.” Learn more about the Budd Bay Barbarians on their Facebook page.
