TUKWILA, WASHINGTON (January 11, 2022) – The Seattle Seawolves have signed Canadian-born scrumhalf Reid Watkins through 2024. The wrestler-rugby player combination earns his first professional contract with Major League Rugby’s Seattle Seawolves after progressing through high-performance programs.
“Reid’s path to the MLR has been one of sacrifice and dedication,” said Seawolves director of rugby and head coach Allen Clarke. “He’s an exciting scrumhalf who has worked hard to obtain a first professional contract with the Seawolves. As a crossover athlete from wrestling, he is no stranger to what it takes to be successful in elite sport having won four National Golds, a Pan American Championship, and competed at the World Championships. I’m looking forward to seeing his development and impact with the Seawolves over the next three years.”
Originally from Okotoks, Alberta, Watkins considers the Pacific Northwest home, playing most of his adult rugby in British Columbia. Watkins began his rugby career with the Foothill Lions Rugby Club and attended Holy Trinity Academy in Alberta, where he also wrestled at a high level. The scrumhalf represented Canada at the age-grade level for rugby while also competing nationally and globally on the wrestling mat. Watkins attended Simon Fraser University, continuing to wrestle at the NCAA level. His move to a different province also provided more rugby opportunities in rep-side program British Columbia Bears, Burnaby Lake, Vancouver Island Crimson Tide, and most recently the Vancouver Wave. Stints in the United States also support Watkins growth with appearances for the US South Panthers and the Hartford Harpooners. Signed to the Toronto Arrows for the tail-end of the 2021 season after training with Rugby ATL’s Pathway 404 Academy for a few months, Watkins trained with the Arrows but didn’t make an appearance before their season ended. The 5’10, 185 lb. scrumhalf brings great field vision, technical contact skills, sharp decision making, and growth potential to the Seawolves as he prepares to make his MLR debut in 2022. You can view Watkins’ highlights here.
“The energy coming from the Seawolves organization makes it impossible to not be excited about the upcoming season,” said Watkins. “The PNW is where I call home, so I am even more thrilled to be back playing rugby in my backyard.”
The Seawolves are set to face the UBCOB Ravens on January 22 and the Hartford Harpooners on January 28 as their two preseason matches. Regular season will begin February 6 as Seattle welcomes the Toronto Arrows to Starfire Stadium in Tukwila. 2022 season and half-season memberships, as well as group and single-match tickets, are on sale now and can be purchased here.
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