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Overview
This week on the With You! Rugby Podcast, the President of the United States Rugby Foundation, Brian Vizard, spoke with former Old Blues star, former 7’s and 15’s standout for the USA Eagles, and a 2023 US Hall of Fame inductee, Roy Helu. Born in Tonga, and with only a handful of sports played around his home, Helu picked up Rugby as a part of his pastimes. Rugby became such a natural part of Helu’s life that he eventually turned his passion for rugby to the international stage. Learn more about Roy Helu’s rugby career, his life after the sport, and more in this episode of With You! Rugby Podcast.
Show Notes
1:04 Tell us about your upbringing where you grew up and what sports you played as a kid.
2:22 Who introduced you to the sport of rugby
3:26 What was a highlighter to plan for the Tongan under 23?
4:02 You move to American 1980s. What brought you to the States.
5:13 What inspired you to join the blues which brought you over to the mainland?
6:32 What were some of your highlights playing with the old blues and some of your favorite teammates from those blues teams.
7:13 Was that first year you played with the blues? How about some of your favorite blue teammates?
7:47 You played for both the Eagles 15's and eagles sevenths, what were some of your memorable moments were in the Eagles jersey?
8:23 What did you like best about the Hong Kong sevens?
10:21 You took up coaching in 2009, with the Danville youth in high school teams. Did someone reach out to you to help with the youth? Or did you just see an ad or How'd you get to youth coaching?
12:37 How rewarding and satisfying was it for you coaching kids to play the game that you love so much?
13:45 What was your favorite memory coaching youth and high school rugby?
14:40 Of all your rugby memories all over through the years. Is there one that stands out As a favorite.
15:31 Okay, all of all your tours, eagles, or otherwise, is there one that stands out in your mind and why?
17:48 Looking back on your rugby career, Roy, what are you most proud of?
18:38 What does it mean to you? Roy being selected as a US Rugby Hall of Fame inductee.
Wrap Up
In this episode of the With You! Rugby Podcast, we heard from Roy Helu about his time spent playing rugby in Tonga, his time traveling, and the highs and lows of his career. Come support Roy and the rest of the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees this September 16, 2023.
