Head Coach Kalauta Kupu
Bay Area Baracus Rugby Club wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for Coach Kala.
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Coach Kala, is a seasoned Rugby coach and elite Rugby player. Born and raised in Tonga, Kala had a successful career as a Rugby Player and Coach in New Zealand and for the Tongan National Rugby Team.
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He is currently the Head Coach for the Bay Area Baracus Rugby Club in San Francisco. Kala has extensive knowledge of Rugby, fitness and athletics preparation and has been turning men into machines for nearly half a Century.
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All the players know and love Kala. He is a gentle giant, who is humble and kind, but commands the respect of his players and always brings out the best in them. It's a privilege to have Kala's guidance and expertise on the field and in the gym.
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Assistant Coach Levi Tinai
Levi Tinai brings a lifetime of rugby experience and a deep passion for the game to his role as Backs Coach at BA Baracus.
Originally from Samoa, he began playing rugby at the age of five and continued through middle school and high school in Samoa’s fiercely competitive rugby culture.
He represented Samoa on the international stage, including in the inaugural First XV Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand in 1992. He also played for the Samoan national 7s team in 1995 and 1996.
After moving to the United States, Levi played with San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club from 1998 to 2013 before joining BA Baracus.
Since 2015, he has been an integral part of the club, first as a player and now as a coach, semi-retired but never far from the action. Levi has been the Backs Coach since 2024, continuing to shape and inspire the next generation of Baracus players.
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