Celebrating Pride Night with Seattle Seawolves – A Fan’s Journey

“Let’s just go!” I said, “It’ll be fun.” I’d heard there was a new Seattle rugby team starting up and I wanted to check it out. I have a group of friends who had smatterings of familiarity around rugby, but mostly we just thought: “Why not?” That was seven seasons ago and we had NO idea what lay in store.

Hi there – I’m Mikel Poulsen, a dedicated Seawolves fan and season ticket member since that momentous first match against San Diego. I am beyond excited to celebrate our upcoming Pride match, a day when we come together as a rugby community to show our support for the LGBTQIA+ community and to promote inclusivity in sports.

Being a fan of the Seawolves has been an incredible journey. From the highs of winning back-to-back championships in San Diego (hey there, Marni Jacobsen and me on CBS!) to the lows of some heartbreaking losses and injuries, my friends and I have been there through it all. And I do mean Been There – the five of us just recently tallied up our “cap” count for fun – counting in-season home and away matches, we just recently hit our 58th cap! (We’re no Matt & Jennifer Courtright, but hey – who is??)

Speaking of away matches, some of my favorite times of being a fan are when we hit the road together. If you have never traveled with a pod of Seawolves fans, I cannot recommend it enough. I’ve met many wonderful people and made some great friendships and memories through the sport we share. (I may have also lost some memories due to post-win celebrating, but that’s another conversation.) And coming together in force in an opponent’s territory is magical. At the most recent NOLA match, we were congratulated by the locals for our traveling fans cheering louder than the whole of the home stadium. Now THAT is some Seawolves Pride!

Every season, I enjoy all of the home Theme Nights that recognize various groups and honor their accomplishments. But I have to say Pride Night is the one I look forward to the most. There is a palpable sense of community, camaraderie, belonging, and celebration perhaps unlike any other home match. I am moved and so proud that the Seawolves organization is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for ALL – all bodies, all colors, all orientations. Everyone belongs in rugby, and not all sports can say that. And seeing SO many of our fans from all walks of life sporting Seawolves Pride gear, I’ve been genuinely moved, and it means so much to those of us who’ve not always had that sense of belonging or being welcomed.

As a fan, it’s inspiring to see the Seawolves using their platform to promote positive change. And it’s not just about the Pride match – the team also gets involved in the community in other ways to make a difference. From getting kids to Run with the Pack, visiting Children’s Hospital, and Dan & Candice Kriel’s Happy Bundles, to keeping us all entertained during lockdown with some unbelievable skill & stunt videos, our team is made up of incredible humans truly making a difference.

So here’s to this weekend’s Pride Match, and to all the amazing experiences that being a Seawolves fan has brought me, and all of us, over the years. I wouldn’t trade it for anything (but I might pawn it briefly to bring home a third shield). Enjoy the match, say hi to someone you’ve not met, and remember – We Are Family and Together We Hunt!