Rugby has had a long association with residents in Kitsap County. Shephard wants to see that relationship continue, but can't do it alone. Kevin Sturm coaches the Peninsula Rugby Club, a civilian senior men's team. Sturm has seen as many as 25 people turn out early in the season, only to drop out later. As the season goes, Sturm can barely field a team.
Players find the responsibility of families and marriages preceding a commitment to the team.
Sturm said those reasons, along with life in a Navy town, have made it difficult to field a team. When we manage to put a team together, we do fairly well. Rugby teams consist of at least 22 players, including six substitutes. Because it is a continuous sport, substitutes are allowed in only if a player is injured. If there aren't enough substitutes, then the team has to keep playing low, or without a player.