Panama City Beach Hurricanes Rugby Club prepare for upcoming tournament
The Panama City Hurricanes Rugby Club offers a family-like atmosphere, welcoming new players to the sport and community.
On Wednesdays at Aaron Bessant Park, a group of men sprint, pass and dive for possession of an 11-inch, egg-shaped ball. For the Panama City Hurricanes Rugby Club, practices quickly become family gatherings in cleats. “Coming to a rugby club is the fastest way to get 15 new best friends,” Gage Whitt said.
“You’re immediately part of the family. That’s how it was for me when I walked onto this club in 2021. The captain asked if I was here for rugby—I said yes—and I’ve been part of the family ever since.
” Whitt, who started playing rugby in 2012 at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, moved to Panama City Beach in 2021 to build a life with his wife while continuing his rugby career. “I moved in September, and by November I was on the team. I didn’t waste any time because I grew up with rugby and couldn’t wait to get back on,” he said.
The Hurricanes, a Florida-based nonprofit, have grown steadily since Whitt joined. “We were a small family at first,” he said. “We got new coaches, new captains, became a nonprofit, and really built structure around the team.