The move took much thought and reflection, said Head Coach Derek Holmberg, who called the decision difficult but strategic.
"The continued growth and success of the Single School league, along with the school’s desire to align our calendar with other sports on campus, made this the right move at the right time," said Holmberg.
De La Salle will continue to play challenging matches both within the Rugby NorCal SS League and also outside, including the All-California playoffs with top teams from Southern California.
"The SS League, however, remains the best fit for who we are as a program," said Hollmberg. "It’s growing rapidly and supports our core mission: to develop the sport of rugby within high schools and help as many players as possible advance to the next level.
"That mission is gaining momentum. In 2026, we’ll welcome two new schools, Cardinal Newman and Rio Americano, into the SS League, bringing fresh competition and energy. Our long-term goal is to expand from 12 to 18 participating schools within the next five years, and the shortened season will allow me to dedicate more time to working directly with athletic directors to help launch new programs."
Of course this also means rugby won't directly compete with other spring sports. Rugby at De La Salle will be a winter sport.
"Historically, rugby has run from December through mid-May, making it the longest season on campus," said Holmberg. "Moving forward, we’ll train from January through mid-April, maintaining intensity and quality while ensuring balance for our athletes."
DLS has won the Rugby NorCal Premier Division three times since entering that league in 2020, and have lost only four games.
This year they will also add non-league standout teams such as Fresno All-Stars, Cathedral Catholic, Granite Bay, and the San Diego Mustangs.
