Always moving forward: Aegis support propels local rugby clubs
As the youth rugby season kicks off, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the enduring partnership between the Aegis Companies and the Maryland Exiles. Our collaboration mirrors the core principle of rugby: always moving forward. Just as Aegis strives to charge ahead and complete projects, this partnership is instrumental in fostering the growth and development of amateur rugby in the DMV, creating a legacy of progress and achievement.
Keeping true to our core value of trusted partnership, our sponsorship of the Maryland Exiles Youth Rugby Club is driven by the passion of our CEO, Dave Hatwell, whose commitment has significantly impacted the club and its members since the founding of Aegis in 2006.
As longtime rugby players and friends, Hatwell and Maryland Exiles club president Dan Soso have worked together to give back to the community. Said Hatwell, “At Aegis, our mascot is the mighty rhino, symbolic of the company’s determination and ability to overcome obstacles. These traits are equally prized in rugby, so supporting local clubs naturally fits Aegis’ philanthropic vision.”
This support was more important than ever in 2023 when disaster struck. The club faced a significant challenge when $17,000 was stolen from its account. This theft left the club without funds to continue its programs, threatening all nine teams and 150 participants. Aegis stepped in, providing the necessary funds to cover essential costs such as permits and medical expenses, ensuring the club’s survival and that the kids would continue to play with the Maryland Exiles.
Since 2006, Aegis has sponsored all new jerseys and rugby balls and assisted in securing fields for the local youth and high school rugby programs. This support has been critical to helping the club sustain and grow its operations since its founding. The jerseys, featuring the Aegis logo to this day, symbolize community and the hard-charging rhino spirit for all participants.
Reflecting on Aegis’ support, Dan Soso expressed his gratitude, highlighting the importance of such contributions in enabling the club to continue its work with local youth. Many of these young athletes come from challenging backgrounds, and rugby gives them a sense of belonging and direction. Soso shared, “Maryland Exiles Youth Rugby loves Aegis; we are so thankful for their support of our youth rugby programs. Their support has allowed us to offer youth rugby for kids in Montgomery County, regardless of their financial status. The Aegis logo is featured prominently on our team website and the kids’ jerseys.”
One example is Daniel, a young boy from the foster system whose life was transformed by rugby. With the club’s support and Hatwell’s mentorship, Daniel is graduating from high school this summer. He has earned an academic scholarship and aims to study mechanical engineering in college.
Soso also noted, “I know that if we have a need, or a kid desperately seeking financial help, I can always call Dave. His response is always the same: ‘Let me know what you need to get to the finish line.'”
The origins of Aegis’ support of local youth rugby lie in Dave Hatwell’s passion for the sport and prolific amateur playing career. His rugby career began at the University of Maryland, where he played at the front of the scrum as a prop for four years. After joining the Potomac Exiles Rugby Club, he was selected for the Potomac Union All-Star and USA East Coast teams. Over 20 years with the Exiles, Dave earned spots on the Potomac and Mid-Atlantic All-Stars, representing the Mid-Atlantic Region six times at the Inter-Territorial Tournament. He became the club president in 2003, served as team captain beginning in 2010, and retired at the end of 2012.
Aegis’s sponsorship of the Maryland Exiles is a testament to the company’s commitment to our community. Aegis’ dedication has ensured the continued success and impact of youth rugby. Soso emphasized, “Today, we can offer year-round opportunities to play for high school boys and girls. We’ve started a U14 team. In the summer, we field teams at the U7, U9, U11, and U13 levels, and we will be starting a U16 summer team. Our partnership with the Aegis Companies made all of this possible.”
To learn more about Maryland Exiles Youth Rugby Club, visit their website. Visit https://www.consultaegis.com/about/ to learn more about Aegis’ unique culture and industry-leading project controls expertise.
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