We have our first partners in Minnesota; the Valkyries

It’s about to get really cold up north. In a few short weeks, rugby training in the northern states is going to be put on hold in favor of frantic off-season strength and conditioning work. Luckily for the Minnestoa Valkyries, they won’t be doing it alone this year. As part of a new sponsorship deal, Ruck Science will be helping to support the Valks as part of our broader sponsorship program which aims to provide obligation-free revenue to every rugby club in the country. You can read our manifesto here or continue to learn more about the Valks and what this partnership means for their members and supporters.

Club Mission

Founded in 1993, the Minnesota Valkyries Rugby Club is an organization of former and present rugby players dedicated to the development of rugby, the team, and the community. The club’s membership strives to maintain their position as one of the elite organizations within USA Rugby by creating a positive and enduring impact in everything they do. They aim to bring honor to the organization and the community by competing with pride, and understanding that every time they step onto the pitch, they play for the legacy and future of The Minnesota Valkyries Rugby Club.

Why you should join the Valks – Core Values

Most rugby teams preach about respect for others. But few take the time to really formalize those thoughts into words. One of the great things about the Minnesota Valkyries is their commitment to a set of core values for everyone involved in the club. Here’s their list with definitions:

  • Integrity: Never compromised
  • Unity: To work for each other and with each other
  • Strength: To challenge ourselves mentally and physically
  • Development: As individuals, as team, as organization, as community
  • Respect: For the game, our coaches, our teammates, our opponents, our lives outside of rugby, our differences, our abilities, our history

How to join the Valks

The MN Valkyries club structure is designed to be inclusive, with different kinds of memberships for different people. Due to the structure of the rugby competitions within USA rugby, the Valkyries play games in 3 different rugby seasons each year. Each season comes with a different type of practice and games, as well as events and social gatherings. For more on this, we turn to the three key members of the Valks coaching staff;

Rugby has a big family feel. If someone’s down the community picks them up. There’s also always some one to have a beer with and a good time. We have a spot for everyone on this team. From first time players to All Americans. Everyone has a role to play on our club. We have a great bunch of rugby players, outstanding ladies on and off the field. It’s a club that is growing and we want to be the best not just compete.

         -Nate Osborne (Coach)

Rugby is a family. Everyone is looking after each other no matter what club you from. The coaches love the sport and we love to develop and share what we have to players to make them better. This club is good development opportunity for young player.

       -Chalie Baleirara (Coach)

In my time with the Valks, I can say that the organization and commitment to learning shown by the players is first class. Everyone is willing to chip in and help on and off field. In practice and on field you have a great mix of experience and youth so the opportunity to grow as a player is there. That mixed with a great coaching staff will accelerate you as a player very quickly.

      -Simon Sutcliffe (Coach)

Watch them in Action

Supporting the Valkyries

There are four different ways you can support the Minnesota Valkyries:

  1. donate directly through the donation page of their website
  2. buy merchandise from their online store
  3. enter the coupon code MINNESOTAVALKS when you checkout on ruckscience.com
  4. Shop thousands of online retailers using GoodSearch.com/GoodShop coupons and select Minnesota Valkyries Rugby as your cause

Find them online