Rugby Football Clubs

Drae Charles is the founder and former president of the Eugene Stags Rugby Football Club. After relocating to Eugene from Sacramento, where he had played rugby for nearly ten years, Mr. Charles sought to connect with the local rugby community. Discovering that the former club in town was no longer active, he initiated networking and recruitment efforts to revive the sport locally.

Under Drae's leadership, the Eugene Stags achieved significant success within their first five years. The team secured numerous sponsorships and accolades, including a league championship, hosting an international team, and receiving national recognition from USA Rugby as one of the fastest-growing programs in the country. 

Drae resigned from his leadership duties to focus on other community endeavors but remains an active member of the club.

Drae Charles is the Co-Founder and former President and Coach of the Oregon Sharks Rugby Academy. The Oregon Sharks were established to address a concerning trend within the sport of rugby, where access to opportunities was often restricted, particularly for individuals of color in a predominantly white sport. Drae and his co-founder aimed to create a local program with a majority BIPOC membership, focusing on breaking stereotypes, creating access and opportunities for its members, and highlighting the importance of collective diversity. 

The organization embodied this mission with the slogan "Ruck Racism," combining rugby-specific terminology with their commitment to combating racism and discrimination. During his tenure, Mr. Charles played a pivotal role in helping members secure college scholarships, professional rugby contracts, and even opportunities with organizations like WWE. Additionally, he provided numerous other professional development opportunities, significantly impacting the lives and careers of many individuals within the academy.