🏉 The Cascade Classic Returns: Rugby, Rivalry & Community in Central Oregon

Get ready for a full day of tackles, tries, burgers, and banter — because the Cascade Classic is back! Join us on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, as teams from across the Pacific Northwest converge on Pine Nursery Park in Bend, OR for one of the region’s most beloved preseason rugby tournaments.

This year’s Classic holds extra weight, as we celebrate 50 years of Bend Rugby Club. Whether you're lacing up your boots or just coming to enjoy the action, we invite players, families, fans, and curious newcomers to make it a day to remember.

📍 Tournament Details:

• 🗓 Date: Saturday, August 23rd, 2025

• 📍 Location: Pine Nursery Park, 3750 NE Purcell Blvd, Bend, OR

• 🏉 Format: 15s Rugby | Bracket-style tournament

• 👥 Divisions: Men’s & Women’s

• 🎽 Teams: From across the PNW and West Coast — registration still open!

🔥 Why the Cascade Classic Matters

The Cascade Classic has been a preseason tradition for nearly two decades, giving teams a chance to shake off the rust, test new combinations, and find form ahead of the competitive season. But more than that — it's a celebration of the sport and the people who love it.

This year promises:

• Tough rugby with a healthy dose of banter

• An exhibition “Old Boys” match

• The Bend Blues Burger Shack (run by our youth players, supporting their season)

• Pitch-side beers, local vendors & tournament merch

• A strong showing from both our Bend Men’s and Women’s teams, aiming to lift the trophy on home soil

And of course — bragging rights are on the line. There’s always a little extra spark when you're playing the tournament hosts.

🛍 Tournament Merch

Celebrate our 50th anniversary in style with limited edition gear:

• Custom Cascade Classic tournament tees

• Branded Hydro Flasks, beer mugs, and koozies

• All available at the event merch tent!

👋 Get Involved

The Cascade Classic is more than just a rugby tournament — it’s a community event. Whether you’re a former player, a rugby-curious spectator, or just love a good Saturday in the park, there’s something for everyone.

• 🏉 Spectators: Free to attend, family-friendly, and very fun to watch — stop by, grab a burger, and see what rugby is all about!

• 🤝 Volunteers & Alumni: We’d love to see you back on the sidelines helping make it happen.

• 🧢 New to Rugby? Some of our coaches and players will be around all day — come chat with us about getting involved!

📣 Team Registration Still Open

Think your club has what it takes?
✅ Register online through our website
💸 Early bird pricing until August 1st:

• $200 – Women’s teams

• $400 – Men’s teams
  🔺 Prices increase by $50 after 8/1

Have questions? Reach out via our social media DMs or the email listed on our website.

💼 Interested in Sponsoring?

We’re still accepting sponsors and prize donations! This is a great chance to:

• Support rugby in Central Oregon

• Reach an engaged, passionate community

• Have your business seen by teams and fans from across the region

🎆 Make a Weekend of It

There may or may not be an official post-tournament social event this year — but one thing’s for sure: Bend’s nightlife and brewery scene never disappoints. Win or lose, there’s plenty of celebration to be had in Central Oregon.

Whether you’re chasing the cup or just coming for the vibes — the 2025 Cascade Classic is shaping up to be one of our best yet. Come out and be part of it!

📸 Stay tuned to our socials for team announcements, schedules, merch drops & more.

⛳ Celebrate 50 Years of Bend Rugby at Our July 4th Golf Tournament!

Join us as we tee off in style for the Bend Rugby Club’s 50th Anniversary Golf Tournament — a fun, social event celebrating five decades of rugby in Central Oregon!

This year’s event will take place on the morning of Thursday, July 4th at Lost Tracks Golf Club, with an 8:00 AM shotgun start. We’ll be playing a scramble format over 18 holes, making it a perfect mix of friendly competition and relaxed summer fun. We’ll wrap up before the BBQs and fireworks begin, and celebrate with drinks and prizes afterward!

🥇 Tournament Highlights:

• Where: Lost Tracks Golf Club, Bend, OR

• When: Thursday, July 4th | Tee-off at 8:00 AM

• Format: 18-Hole Scramble

• Price: $120/golfer (includes breakfast, Bend Rugby golf balls & more)

• Teams: Co-ed and casual — sign up solo or with friends!

• Open to: Anyone — members, alumni, friends, and the general public are welcome!

🎟 Register Here — spots are limited!

🎉 What You Get:

• Breakfast before the round

• Custom Bend Rugby golf balls

• Prizes awarded at the post-round social

• An epic start to your Independence Day!

This isn’t a fundraiser — it’s a celebration! We're working to reduce the entry fee with help from sponsors, and if the final cost is lower, you'll be refunded the difference. So don't wait — register early and secure your place in this historic day.

📣 Sponsor the Event!

Want to support Bend Rugby and get your business in front of the community? Become a Hole Sponsor ($150) or Event Hole Sponsor ($225) and gain visibility with our players, fans, and mailing list of over 200 rugby supporters.

Sponsorship benefits include:

• Logo signage at the course

• Placement in our event handout

• Promotion through our email list & website

📞 To sponsor a hole, contact Joe Zagunis at 503-851-1894 by June 15th.
📄Message us for the Sponsorship packet!

🏉 Why a Golf Tournament?

This is our first-ever club golf event, and we’re using it to bring together current players, alumni, and supporters in a laid-back, social setting that reflects the fun, inclusive spirit of Bend Rugby. Whether you swing a club often or haven’t touched one in years, you’re welcome to join us!

🎆 Make it part of your July 4th weekend in Bend — golf in the morning, BBQ and fireworks at night, and a whole weekend of Bend Rugby’s 50th Anniversary celebrations to follow.

Summer Starts Now: Join Our Touch Rugby Series

With our spring season over, Bend Rugby doesn’t hang up the boots — we just swap them for something a little lighter. Our Touch Rugby Series is back in full swing for the summer, and we’re inviting everyone to come out, get involved, and enjoy rugby the easygoing way.

What Is Touch Rugby?

Touch rugby is a non-contact, fast-paced version of the sport that focuses on running, passing, support play, and space awareness. It’s easy to learn, fun to play, and one of the best introductions to rugby for people of all ages and experience levels. With no tackling, no scrums, and no lineouts, the emphasis is on fitness, teamwork, and skill — not brute force.

Touch is also a great way to stay rugby-fit during the off-season. The tempo is high — play only slows down after a score — so you’re constantly moving, scanning for gaps, supporting your teammates, or getting back onside on defense. It’s a perfect environment to sharpen your decision-making, passing, and footwork — whether you’re brand new to the sport or looking to keep sharp between seasons.

When and Where?

Our current summer series runs from April through August, with weekly sessions on:

• Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30 PM

• Saturday or Sunday mornings around 10:00–10:30 AM

We typically meet at Riverbend Park, but all updates — including any location or schedule changes — will be posted on our social media channels and website calendar.

What You’ll Need

• Cleats are ideal (we play on grass), but regular athletic shoes are fine.

• Bring water, electrolytes, and don’t forget the sunscreen.

• No gear? No problem. Just show up ready to run around and have some fun.

Who Can Play?

Everyone. Seriously. Touch rugby is free, open to the public, and no club membership is required. It’s part of our effort to grow the sport and make it accessible to anyone who’s curious. Newcomers, seasoned players, college students, curious parents — all are welcome.

We mix teams up every round to keep things fresh and welcoming. Sessions typically start with some casual free play and then move into “first to five” games. Once a game wraps, we take a water break, mix up the teams again, and keep the good vibes rolling. It’s fun, laid-back, and pressure-free.

And yes — we usually have music playing while we play.

Why Join?

Touch rugby has helped recruit new players to our men's and women's teams, and it’s especially valuable for COCC students looking for something fun, active, and community-driven. Our sessions are entirely player-led, creating a chill, no-hassle atmosphere where you can come to learn, compete, or just run around with some great people.

Even if you’re not quite ready to jump in, feel free to stop by and watch a session. You’ll get to see what the game looks like and meet some of the people who make Bend Rugby such a welcoming group.

What's Coming Up?

We’ll likely hold a special session around July 4th — expect red, white, and blue gear and a good time. Keep an eye on our socials for any pop-up sessions or changes to the schedule, especially as the club gears up for our 50th anniversary celebrations later in the summer. Some touch dates may shift as we prep for our tournament, the Cascade Classic, in August.

Let’s Play

Touch rugby is rugby without the bruises — a gateway into the game, a fun way to stay active, and a great way to connect with the Bend Rugby community. We’ll see you out there.

Bend Rugby Steps Up: Adjusting to Life in PNW D2

After multiple successful seasons in Division 3—capped by a 2023 PNW Championship and a Sweet 16 appearance at USA Club Rugby Super Regionals—Bend Rugby took a bold step up for the 2024/25 season: our first campaign in PNW Division 2.

This move brought new challenges, tougher competition, and a faster pace of play—and while we haven’t had the perfect season, we’ve learned a lot and shown that we absolutely belong at this level.

A New Tempo

The speed of the game in Division 2 was immediately noticeable. Small mistakes? They get punished. Opposition teams move the ball quickly, keep the pressure on, and bring a level of physicality that’s higher across the board. But credit to the boys—we’ve stood up to the challenge. Our fitness has held strong, and we’ve met that physical test head-on.

Where we’ve been slow to adjust is between the ears. It’s not just about learning from one game to the next—it’s learning within a game. Recognizing patterns, making in-game adjustments, and trusting our rugby IQ. Every match this season has been a crash course, and the team has responded with effort and grit.

Finding Our Stride

There were flashes of what Bend Rugby can be at this level. Against Seattle Rugby—yes, the D1 team—we put together some great phases and even dotted down a few impressive scores. That game showed us that when we play our game—when we stick to the fundamentals, support the ball, and communicate—we can challenge anyone.

Our coaches, including our dedicated player-coaches, have really stepped up. The message has been clear: we don’t need to get fancy. Let’s do the basics, and let’s do them right. Structure, discipline, effort. That’s the foundation for growth.

Challenges & Commitment

Like every amateur club, we’ve felt the reality of squad depth—especially on the road. Life, families, jobs—these things come first, and that’s part of what makes this community so special. The commitment our players have shown, week in and week out, has been inspiring. Despite limited numbers at times, we’ve never backed down.

More than anything, this season has highlighted the importance of learning and building together. Each game gave us something to take into practice. The team culture—based on feedback, openness, and genuine care—has grown stronger with each outing.

What’s Next?

The 2024/25 league season might be in the books, but Bend Rugby doesn’t stop here.

Our summer touch rugby series kicks off soon—perfect for staying fit, keeping skills sharp, and welcoming new players to the game. Whether you're a current player, a former player, or someone who's just rugby-curious, come out and join us. It’s fun, social, and open to everyone.

👉 Keep an eye on our social media for touch rugby updates, dates, and locations.

We’re already setting our sights on the next tournament in August, and trust us—we’ll be ready.

📣 Want to Get Involved?

• Follow us on social media

• Come play touch this summer

• Bring a friend

• Or just come watch—Bend Rugby is better with a crowd!

🏉 Bend Rugby Summer Camps – Registration Now Open!

Summer is the perfect time to dive into rugby – and Bend Rugby Club is excited to be running youth and youth girls summer camps from June 30 – July 3, 2025 at Big Sky Sports Park in Bend!

Whether you're new to the sport or already have a few seasons under your belt, these camps are all about building skills, having fun, and making new rugby friends.

📍 Camp Details:

• Location: Big Sky Sports Park – 21690 Neff Rd, Bend, OR

• Dates: June 30 – July 3, 2025

• Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM each day

  👥 Who Can Sign Up?

• Youth Camp: Ages 5–8 & 9–11

• Youth Girls Camp: Grades 7–8 & 9

  🏉 What to Expect:

• A fun mix of rugby skills, games, and activities

• Intro to rugby for beginners, and advanced drills for returning players

• A focus on teamwork, confidence-building, and active movement

• Led by Bend Rugby Youth coaches and club members, with special guests likely to drop in!

💻 How to Register:

Registration is available now through Bend Parks and Rec:

Fee: $100 (in-district) / $120 (out-of-district)

What to Bring: Cleats/sports shoes, athletic clothes, mouthguard, water, snacks, sunscreen, and a hat

Spots are limited, so sign up early! These camps are a fantastic way to get involved in Central Oregon’s rugby scene, build foundational skills, and connect with future teammates through fun and focused sessions.

Questions? Follow us on social media for updates or reach out through our website.

Website Updates

We are currently in the process of updating our website. we are bringing a fresh look, whilst updating links and references. Let us know if there’s anything a miss or if you have any suggestions.

In the mean time, check our or team pages and social media for all the latest information!