The Pleasanton Cavaliers (Calif.) do a good job of readying players for collegiate rugby, and the NorCal program is well represented in the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA), the NCAA varsity league. Kai Brandt-Templeton didn’t know the team’s reputation when she moved from Virginia to Santa Cruz, but after one practice decided that the two-hour roundtrip to training sessions was worth it.
“My two years with the Cavaliers have been nothing short of amazing,” the 17-year-old enthused. “I have played with some super talented teammates, and been coached by dedicated, knowledgeable and supportive coaches. I’ve learned so much from my coaches and teammates and still continue to grow with each practice. I couldn’t have landed a better team!”
Brandt-Templeton’s rugby story begins with the 2016 Summer Olympics. The former soccer, softball and field hockey player happened upon the women’s 7s Gold Medal match between New Zealand and Australia.
“Immediately, I found the game so dynamic and interesting that I told my parents I wanted to play before the match even ended,” Brandt-Templeton reflected on the summer before freshman year of high school.
Brandt-Templeton joined the West End Ruckettes in August 2016 and learned the game under then-head coach Matt Estes.
“I transitioned to rugby from 10 years of soccer, which I think helped me to see the field well and know where to be, which is why I believe I started at fullback,” she explained the transfer of skills. “Additionally, I found conversion kicking to come easy to me. I remember my first kick being a penalty kick from about 10-15 meters out at around the hash marks on a football field. My coach directed me on how to kick it, I followed his guidance and executed my first three points. Since then, I’ve loved to kick and have kicked for each team I’ve played on.”
Today West End is coached by Sarah Emory and James Adase.
“Sarah was always there for me when I was in my head,” Brandt-Templeton thanked influential coaches from her early years. “She made me feel strong, capable, and believed in me when others did not.”
Brandt-Templeton built on that confidence at the select side and all-star level, representing the Virginia All-Stars, PA United and Atlantis at major competitions. In 2018, her dad’s job took the family from the east coast to Santa Cruz, Calif., and Brandt-Templeton settled into Pacific Collegiate School for the second half of high school. She was concerned about finding a rugby team, because staying active was the number-one priority, but ideally she wanted a program and coach with which she could grow.
“When I first moved to Santa Cruz, my dad tried tirelessly to get in contact with the Los Gatos boys’ team to see if I could practice with them while I tried to find a girls’ team but they never got back to us, so we continued to look for teams,” Brandt-Templeton recounted the frustration. “I had just played for Kate Zackary on Atlantis that summer and she recommended some teams in the Bay Area I could reach out to, including Pleasanton and Milpitas. At the time, Milpitas was still trying to grow a team and we had heard very good things about Pleasanton so, despite the distance, I agreed to show up for some pre-season practices to meet the players and the coach. Right after the first practice, I knew I found a great team.”
Brandt-Templeton fondly remembers that first season with the Cavaliers, and the then-junior was pleasantly surprised to be named backs captain after only a few months with the team. She credits head coach Steve Lopez for trusting her in that elevated role, and Pleasanton enjoyed an undefeated Rugby NorCal season that also included a Kickoff Tournament title.
“He helps me keep my head and always believes in me,” Brandt-Templeton lauded Lopez. “I have never met someone more passionate about what they do than Steve with coaching. He is always there to help me and answer any questions. Steve has helped shape me into the player and person I am today.”
Brandt-Templeton kept pushing for exposure at the next level of play and added the NorCal All-Stars, Redshirts and Rhinos Rugby Academy to her resume.
“[Another] top moment was getting the chance to play with the Redshirts in Vegas and take first place in the elite division,” Brandt-Templeton recalled the 2019 LVI High School Elite competition. “It was my first time playing in the 7s elite bracket and I am so grateful for that experience.”
Her rugby IQ heightened during these experiences, and her speed and kicking abilities made for the ideal flyhalf. She also gets time in the back three for 15s, and plays all over the pitch in 7s.
“The person I try to model myself after and who I look up to is USA Eagles captain Kate Zackary,” Brandt-Templeton tipped her cap to the international player and coach. “Whenever I watch her play I notice how she is always looking for work and when she finds it she always gives 100% no matter what. I also learned while being coached by her how good of a leader she is. Even after a loss, she would always have a smile on her face to remind us of the positives rather than having us focus on the negatives.”
Like all of the high school seniors, Brandt-Templeton’s time with Pleasanton ended unexpectedly early. Fortunately, what ended up being her final run with the Cavaliers was also a career highlight.
“My second top moment with the Cavaliers was playing in [the 2020] LAI 7s open division and surprising ourselves right off the bat against Carson,” she added. “We won in the last second and then moved on to eventually finish in second place among 24 teams.”
The Cavaliers have placed many alumnae into the collegiate ranks, especially since the dawn of NIRA. Emily Roskopf (Quinnipiac), Sabrina Kim (Harvard) and Marion Sellier (Brown) are just a sampling of Pleasanton players making a difference on college teams, and Brandt-Templeton is continuing the tradition at DI Elite Central Washington University. The incoming Class of 2024 includes notables like Abby Fearey, Tessa Hann, Zonaye Tupuola and more.
“I initially loved CWU for its location and beautiful campus but once I met the coaches and the team, I was sold,” Brandt-Templeton explained. “Trevor [Richards] and Matt [Ramirez] are both super great people and I love their coaching style and how much love they have for their team.
“When I was there on my first visit over the summer, I was having lunch with the coaches and every time they saw one of their players they asked how they were doing and how school was going, rather than just asking if they were hitting the gym and keeping up with their skills,” she continued. “It showed me that they really care about their players more than just on the field, which I think is super important.”
During her official visit in the fall, she was met with the same friendly, positive team culture that had pulled her into Pleasanton, and committed to a new family.
“What I love most about rugby is the camaraderie and supportive atmosphere. No matter what team I’ve played on, I have always felt welcome and supported by my teammates,” Brandt-Templeton summarized. “In all of the other sports I played or tried, I never found this level of acceptance and support.”
Although the rugby world is on pause during the coronavirus and players like Brandt-Templeton are missing out on important high school milestones, there’s plenty to achieve in the near future.
“My ultimate goal in rugby is to work hard to sharpen my tactical and strategic skills while also becoming mentally and physically stronger,” she ended. “However for now, my immediate goal as I prepare for college is to become a Collegiate All-American.”
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