Dua Moana Pasifika Rugby Podcast · Jeremy Lardner

Club Corner - Dallas Harlequins

·37 min·3 clips

How did a polite letter from Nelson Spencer in 1971 create a Dallas rugby club that quickly became a championship contender?

The episode begins with an acknowledgment of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people and a welcome to the Dua Moana Rugby Podcast. Host Gerry introduces the Club Corner series, focusing on grassroots clubs, and welcomes guest Zach Getzen, president of the Dallas Harlequins. Zach shares his personal rugby journey, starting in high school football and transitioning to rugby after breaking his nose in his first game. He retired due to injuries but returned after a Facebook DM from a former coach. The club was founded in 1971 by Nelson Spencer as an offshoot of the Dallas Reds, with early success including a 1984 championship aided by players like Naas Botha and Mark Cuban. The club was part of the U.S. Super League for over 10 years and faced struggles post-league, leading to a revival starting in 2018. Zach emphasizes the importance of club history in rebuilding identity, detailing his efforts to archive memorabilia. The Dallas Harlequins are officially affiliated with the London Harlequins and part of a global network of over 50 Harlequins clubs, with connections to clubs in places like Kenya and Papua New Guinea. Zach describes the club's culture as focused on being good stewards of the local game, promoting respect and bridge-building with other teams. The club fields six teams, including men's and women's premier sides, and has a partnership with Salina Rugby Club. The local rugby community in Dallas includes over 50 senior teams, with the Texas region encompassing Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Rivalries with the Dallas Reds are highlighted, including recent competitive matches. Zach acknowledges sponsors and alumni like Nelson Spencer and Keith Engelbrecht, who support the club financially and through mentorship. Player recruitment comes from social media, personal connections, and relationships with colleges like the University of North Texas. Zach shares fond memories, such as a contentious D3 game and the women's team reaching sevens nationals. Contact information is provided via social media and the website quins.com. The episode concludes with host Gerry thanking Zach and encouraging listener support.

As heard by us

A club rugby piece about history, identity, and the people keeping it alive.

Dallas Harlequins Rugby Club gets a grounded Club Corner segment, with Zach Getzen speaking as president and loosehead prop about the club's history and the links that come with grassroots rugby. The episode works best when it keeps the focus on people and place.

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Why you'd press play

Dallas Harlequins rugby, club history, and the people behind the club are all here.

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