KENMORE — While the sport of rugby often struggles to gain popularity here in the United States, it is perhaps revered second only to soccer across the pond.

The Kenmore West Rugby Club had the opportunity earlier this month to travel to Europe — visiting rugby clubs in both Wales and England along the way — and returned with a renewed passion and appreciation for the game.

“It’s breathtaking and it was a change to see kids walk into stores and find rugby gear or go to a pitch and see a stadium built for their sport,” coach Bill Conrad. “It was awe-inspiring.

“What I think was funny from their perspective, was that they were so enthused by our enthusiasm toward the sport,” he continued. “For (Europeans), it’s kind of like (American) football here, but to the kids, it’s rugby. They just said that we were so thirsty for knowledge for any little tidbit. It’s kind of, like they said, reinvigorated them a little bit.”

That keen interest was especially brewing when the Blue Devils toured a few professional stadiums, including Twickenham Stadium, home of England’s national rugby team.

“That was just a great experience, just to see something we can aim for with our lives, just to be in that great stadium,” Kenmore West senior co-captain Zak Smith said.

The club actually “returned the favor,” Conrad said, in visiting Bridgend — a town in Wales. The Blue Devils hosted the rugby squad from Bridgend in May 2009.

From there, Ken West traveled about the United Kingdom to play international friendlies against the local U-19 teams.

That experience engineered an even greater respect and appreciation of the game, said Smith, who graduated this past spring and will head to the Ohio State University with hopes to play Division I rugby.

“It was an amazing experience,” he said. “Around here, rugby is kind of like, “oh, what’s that.” They’re kind of interested in it, but over there it’s crazy how it’s accepted and everything.”

Because teams in Wales and England are in season, the squads could not participate in full-contact play. In Wales, Conrad said the team was willing to bend the rules a bit, but in England, they weren’t as reluctant to do so.

“When we went to England, they’re like, “sorry boys, the lads will have to play tag rugby,” Conrad said in his best British tone.

After player more than half of a game versus a club from Stratford-upon-Avon, the team decided to play the remaining 20 to 30 minutes of full-contact.

“Surprisingly, when contact was introduced, we murdered them,” Conrad said.

Smith said even though they were able to keep the match tight, the skills displayed on the opposite side were nearly impeccable. Because of that, he believes the team learned a great deal more about the game.

“It definitely gave me a goal to aim to. They were amazing,” Smith said. “Their skills were just so tight and so perfect.”

Conrad said he learned as a coach as well and is willing to introduce new techniques next season to better improve the Blue Devils.

“We’re coming back with a whole new design” said Conrad, who teaches social studies at Kenmore West. “We are amazed by how fast they can pass and catch, especially the catch. We can fire a real-fast pass, but they can catch it.”

Along with the visit to Europe meant for some a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience historical landmarks in both Wales and England.

Conrad said while the team got to experience the town of Stratford-upon-Avon — where William Shakespeare was born — in addition to many castles in Wales including Caerphilly Castle in South Wales.

The team also visited the Tower of London where they examined royal jewels and Stonehenge in Wiltshire, he said.

The trip, which was paid for and funded by the parents and club members themselves, was initially scheduled for April, but was postponed due to the volcano in Iceland. Conrad estimates the cost of the tour was about $1,500 per person.

“It was a great opportunity to grow as a rugby player and as a person in general,” Smith said. “It has definitely given me more experience in my life that I could use here like treating other people like we were treated there. We were treated so well.”

Contact sports editor Brandon Koch at 693-1000,  ext. 117.