Key Biscayne Rugby Rats is a not-for-profit organization the goal of which is to share core rugby values and build character through Rugby sportsmanship.

When did all start?

The story goes back to the end of 2007 after the Rugby World Cup in France. During that event, the Argentinean national team, Los Pumas, had its best performance ever, finishing third in the world.

Excited and proud of the Pumas, during a visit to his home in Mendoza, a former Puma player living in Key Biscayne, Boqui Cremaschi, decided to bring back a few rugby balls to Key Biscayne so his children could start playing Rugby with their friends.

In January 2008, Boqui Cremaschi along with other parents enthusiastic about the Rugby began to get together to play with their children in the Key Biscayne park, the Village Green. At first, they were only a few: Pablo and Juan Cremaschi, Marcos Corti, Mariano Torres Garcia and Gonzalo Cortavarria. Over time, more children joined them and they began to organize themselves by age and / or size to be able to play and the first teams began to form.

The following season and better organized, the Key Biscayne Community School (KBCS) allowed them to use its sports field for practice. At the same time, in the Miami area two other club initiatives were beginning to form: Miami Rugby and a Rugby school in Doral. They met at the weekends to practice, play some matches and also spend time with families enjoying Rugby together.

As the club grew in size, at the end of 2009 a plan was presented to the Village of Key Biscayne to formally request space to practice and to be recognized as one of the community activities. Mariano Torres Garcia was appointed as the first president of the Key Biscayne Rugby Rats.

The main objective of the first parents and coaches has remained unchanged since its inception: to share the core rugby values of respect, friendship, tolerance and solidarity. Where children can have fun, find life-long friendships and camaraderie, learn about healthy teamwork and sportsmanship and build community. At Key Biscayne Rugby Rats, winning is not pursued above anything else, but rather the result of being disciplined in our values. The children who play rugby at Key Biscayne Rugby Rats learn from each other and the coaches. The coaches mostly parents of the children, are absolutely passionate volunteers, with the sole interest of seeing their children grow and make friends.

At Key Rats there is a place for every child of all ages, from 4 to 19 years old, to come and have fun, make friends and learn to share our values. Everyone, no matter where they come from or what they are, has a place.

The great success of Key Biscayne Rugby Rats is not the cups won, the finals played or the players who have managed to insert themselves into a selected team. The success is that in 2021 we are already more than 200 happy and enthusiastic children who transmit the passion of rugby and the values of the Key Biscayne Rugby Rats.