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Cordata Elementary hosts national champion Western Washington University men’s rugby program for assembly visit

A student smiles and chases a rugby player with a rugby ball
A young boy is lifted high by his teammates, holding a rugby ball, with an audience watching in the gymnasium background.
Five men in athletic wear stand in a gymnasium, holding rugby balls and a trophy, with a whiteboard and classroom decorations in the background.
A young girl in a green hoodie smiles as a tall person in a blue jersey with the number 23 on it holds a ball, with an audience blurred in the background.
A man in a blue jacket speaks into a microphone in the foreground, while a whiteboard with %22Welcome WWU Mens Rugby Team!%22 and other decorations fills the background.
Children in the foreground excitedly reach for a trophy, while a blurred background shows more children watching.
In the foreground, a group of young men in matching blue jerseys high-five a young student on a polished wooden court, while in the background, a door is visible.
A group of people, including several young men in rugby uniforms, stand together in a gymnasium with a woman taking a photo in the foreground.
A young girl in a red hoodie holds a rugby ball in the foreground, while a blurred crowd watches from the background of a gymnasium.
Four men in blue rugby jerseys stand in a gymnasium, two holding rugby balls and one holding a trophy, with basketball hoops visible in the background.
A woman and an older man smile for a photo in the foreground, while a young girl looks up in the background of a gymnasium.
Two young men wrestle on a blue mat in the foreground, while a blurred crowd watches from the background.
Two young wrestlers grapple on a blue mat in the foreground, while an audience watches from the background.
In the foreground, a man in a blue shirt throws a rugby ball to two boys in a classroom with colorful posters and whiteboards in the background.
A young boy in a black t-shirt runs with a rugby ball in his hands, while a blurred crowd watches from the background.
In the foreground, a group of people are gathered on a polished wooden basketball court, while the background shows a gymnasium with bleachers and doors.
A young boy is lifted high in the air by four men in rugby uniforms, with a gymnasium and climbing rope visible in the background.
A young girl in the foreground reaches for a volleyball, while blurred figures and a gymnasium wall form the background.
A young girl in a white hoodie and green pants runs alongside a man in a blue jersey who is on the floor, while other young men in athletic wear stand in the background of a gymnasium.
A young boy in a colorful hat and a t-shirt with a peace sign runs with a rugby ball in the foreground, while blurred spectators watch from the background.
A woman in a blue shirt raises her hand while holding a microphone in front of a gymnasium with double doors.
In the foreground, a young man in a blue jersey throws a ball to a boy in a green shirt, while in the background, another young man in a similar jersey and a boy in a blue shirt watch.
A young boy in the foreground holds a rugby ball while two other boys stand nearby, with a plain wall in the background.
In the foreground, three boys are playing soccer in a gym, while the background shows a plain wall and a whiteboard.
A young child in a camouflage hoodie reaches for a rugby ball in the foreground, while a blurred background reveals bookshelves and classroom elements.
A group of smiling children and adults pose for a photo in a gymnasium, with a basketball hoop visible in the background.
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Cordata Elementary hosts national champion Western Washington University men’s rugby program for assembly visit

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Cheers filled the gym as classmates and staff encouraged students participating in drills alongside Western Washington University (WWU) men’s rugby players during an action-packed assembly at Cordata Elementary School on Thursday, May 7. 

The assembly provided the chance to learn about the basics of rugby, including drills for which student volunteers were selected to participate alongside the collegiate student-athletes. 

The visit was also an opportunity to celebrate the national championship won by WWU men’s rugby on Sunday, May 3 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The storied program brought the championship trophy and medals to Cordata. 

Thursday’s assembly visit was emceed by WWU Director of Rugby, Paul Horne.  

Horne was joined by WWU men’s rugby assistant coach, Tripp Marroto, and four student-athletes to demonstrate rugby basics via passing, lineout lift, tackling and offense/defense drills.  

Many students eagerly raised hands when volunteers were requested and enthusiastically participated when chosen, backed by cheers. 

Horne shared that the WWU men’s rugby roster features student-athletes from all over the world. The current roster has student-athletes from Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, South Africa and Japan. 

Beyond the drill exercises, Horne also emphasized the importance of being a good student and always working to improve as lifelong learners pursuing passions. He shared that each WWU student-athlete at the assembly is a good student working hard in the classroom and on the rugby pitch, and that the largest room in the world is the “room for improvement.”  

Horne has family and professional connections to Cordata and Bellingham Public Schools. He was the first physical education teacher at Cordata when the school opened in 2011.  

“It was especially meaningful to have a former teacher from Bellingham schools who is now a coach for the national championship team come to Cordata,” Cordata Principal Eva Chazo said. 

Horne is the father of Cordata’s school counselor, Hayley Horne, as well as the spouse of retired BPS educator, Robin Russell. Hayley Horne introduced and concluded Thursday’s assembly for the Cordata community. 

“It was exciting to see so many of our students take a risk to participate in something new at this assembly,” Hayley Horne said. “I hope our students remember this experience and pursue the sport in the future. Rugby is a sport for everyone, and rugby culture holds a deep value of connecting with others. Connection and belonging is core to Cordata and it was so fun to see our learners connect with the rugby players, have some fun, and welcome them to our community.”  

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