One of the oldest clubs in Washington State, the Chuckanut Bay Rugby Club (CBRC) was formed in 1973 as a result of former Western Washington University players seeking to continue to play rugby after graduation. Due to the association with WWU, CBRC adopted the Columbia Blue and Orange as its team colors, which are often associated with sunset over Chuckanut Bay and occasionally referred to as sunset orange or sunset blue. 

After formation of the club, the Geoducks became members of the Fraser Valley Rugby Union in British Columbia. In the second year of existence, the new team earned first division Union Champions and went all the way to the British Columbia first division semi finals. The Geoducks were also runner- up in the second division. The Club remained in the Union another year and finished close to the top but did not repeat as champions.

In the fall of 1976, the American and Canadian teams went their separate ways. The Canadians maintained the Fraser Valley Union and the American members formed the Western Washington Rugby Union, which is now part of the Pacific Northwest Rugby Football Union. In the second year of the new union, the Geoducks won the title for first division and won it again in 1984. The club achieved National recognition by winning the consolation championship at the 1980 Monterey National Tournament in Carmel, California. Over the years, the team has won tournament titles in Idaho, Oregon, California and Washington.

Originally owned by the DeWilde family, the property was used as a site for horse polo prior to its rugby days - the field name keeps that history alive today.

The CBRC continues to serve Bellingham and Whatcom County by providing a safe environment for adults and young men/women alike to compete in rugby matches while fostering a sense of community within the club.

Timeline

1973 - WWU students for the Chuckanut Rugby Club

1980 - First International Chuckanut Tour to Europe

1981 - 4th Annual Can-Ams : First time played at the Polo Grounds

1982 - Chuckanut High School Rugby first established

2003 - Club becomes Non-profit organization

2003 - K-12 Boys and Girls teams form

2006 & 2007 - Host USA National Club 7s Championships

2018 - Club receives gift of 17 acres from the DeWilde family! 

2019 - Strategic Planning begins for our facility development project. 

Stay up to date with deWilde Polo & Rugby Fields and Chuckanut Bay Rugby by subscribing to our newsletter!