Lakeland Lancers are Lakeland’s first rugby club. Since they were founded in August 2017, they’ve been steadily growing. In the fall season, they play 15’s, or 15-a-side, and compete with teams all across the state of FL. The club will soon join the professional circuit and put Lakeland on the rugby map. Wondering what it takes to be a Lancer? Looking to be part of the club? Reach out for more details about their regular season. Currently the team has 20 members and is always looking to add more. No experience is needed, just a passion to learn.
Clubs like the Lancers are vital to helping Lakeland develop, expand + draw in a more diverse community. So to better understand the process of starting a successful club, we sat down with Jordan JD Arbuckle, the captain of the Lancers, to talk about his team, clubs + Lakeland.
Q: How does someone become a sponsor and what does that mean?
A: We have multiple Sponsor Packages that we encourage any company to look into. You have the chance to get your logo on our jerseys, be in our social media posts, and even create other ways to throw your company name out there.
Q: What inspired you to start your organization?
A: Mixen Holmes tried to start the club first, and asked me to help with the start up. I fell in love with the process. I was a rugby player before this so I knew I loved the game, but having my team there to help build up the organization was an amazing experience. As a young adult, it’s hard to get out and be social after a long day at work, and this organization gave me a great group of men with the same passions and dedication to keeping the Lancers a competitive team in Florida.
Q: Who did you go to with your idea for starting an organization? (city official? national organization?)
A: I had to reach out to the national organization first. They gave me all the material I needed, from how to recruit, get licensed, how to fundraise + even how to stay motivated to build the organization when times were tough. Once I had everything figured out with them, I would take me and my few members to practice at a public park and show up first so we had the space. Then people became curious and we started to get a following. It just took dedication to the organization and building up the passion I had in other curious men.
Q: Most difficult part of running the Lancers?
A: Fundraising and recruitment. Recruitment is your lifeblood. If you have 20 - 30 people to show up and love the game, you’ll be fine. You need money to pay for refs, parks, gas + more, but if you have dedicated members, it all comes together.
Q: Most rewarding?
A: Being a part of a team that is made up of good people. Celebrating after a game with your close friends is an amazing feeling and being apart of team as a young adult helps connect us with our community and builds up core values. Our core values help us on the field and make us even better men off the field.
Q: What is some advice you would give someone who wants to start their own club?
A: Keep showing up. We have some women who are starting a rugby club, and they have had a few members come out and play, but not enough for a team. They are staying dedicated to their passions like we were able to do and we believe they will soon be right alongside us as Lakeland’s first women’s rugby team. So keep showing up and never give up.
Q: Why start your club in Lakeland?
A: The city is moving in the right direction. The restaurants, clubs + government bodies are pushing against the glass ceiling that Lakeland has had for many years and growing in ways we never thought possible. If you get in on the ground floor and work hard, this city will help turn your dreams into a reality. I’ve often heard Lakelanders say, “Lakeland loves to love itself”. The community spirit is amazing and we are the biggest small city in Florida, so there is no better place to start your club than Lakeland.
Now that you know all about clubs + organizations from a local expert, it’s time to consider starting your own. If you have any questions regarding startups or learning more about getting involved in the Lakeland community, Catapult Lakeland is a great resource. Or, if you have club ideas that you think should be started, reply and let us know.
