Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dallen Stanford. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dallen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Working in the sport of rugby is a very niche career in the United States and I’m extremely fortunate to be one of the few full-time rugby commentators in this country. My parents inspired me to pursue what I loved, while also instilling valuable life lessons, role modeling ethics, working hard, kindness and passion. I would credit having a positive attitude, doing the best you can in all situations, being friendly and saying yes to opportunities, together with having fun in your chosen industry as some of the tools for success.

When I began working in the broadcast industry, I volunteered to work on various rugby competitions in order to get more comfortable and gain valuable experience in a variety of settings. My goal wasn’t to work full-time in broadcasting, but to continue to enjoy what I did and share the love for the sport. As I gained more experience and connected with a variety of organizations, I was able to get more work in the field. This eventually led to a very busy yearly broadcasting schedule, working on a variety of projects including some remote media opportunities.

Dallen, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up in Cape Town and was passionate about the sport of rugby especially after witnessing Nelson Mandela using the sport to unite people from all backgrounds in South Africa during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, after he became President following 27 years in prison.
After I finished University, I wanted to spend time in the United States and a friend (Hilton Warmback) connected me with a rugby club in Los Angeles. It was there that my American journey began, meeting 30 new friends at the Oxy Olde Boys Rugby Club. They found me a place to stay, helped with transportation, as well as some part time work. I am so grateful to those that looked out for me, especially James Walker and Andre van Schalkwyk.
Once my visa expired I returned to South Africa, but was extremely fortunate that the rugby club helped me acquire a two-year visa to live and work in California. It was during that time, I met the person who changed the trajectory of my life: Verity Branco. We dated for a short time and decided to get married near the end of my visa period, in order to keep me in the United States (we will be celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary later this year!).

It was three years later that I received a call from the USA Rugby Head Coach, who invited me to try out for the national rugby team. I didn’t realize that because I had never represented South Africa, I was able to do so for my adopted country. So really it was my wife Verity that needs to be thanked!

After being selected for the USA Rugby team, I was fortunate to visit amazing places like Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Bahamas, Dubai and also New Zealand, Australia and South Africa playing on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens. Through the sport other tours emerged, taking us to Spain, Italy, Germany and after retiring I became the Media Manager for USA Rugby traveling to World Cups in New Zealand and Russia.

It was because I loved talking so much, that a friend (Patrick Guthrie) from the Oxy Olde Boys Rugby Club, invited me in 2012 to work sideline on a rugby broadcast at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado. It was so much fun, and I couldn’t believe that I was getting paid to talk about the sport of rugby. If that was always the case, my mother would have been a millionaire!

After gaining experience in the industry, I reached out to World Rugby and was extremely fortunate to become one of the commentators on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in 2016. This opportunity allowed me to learn from the world’s best rugby broadcasters and is something I am so grateful for, especially to World Rugby Director, Steve Jamieson. He has built a remarkable group of international broadcasters that embody the values of the sport, working so well together. I’ve been lucky to work on various broadcasts through Fox Sports, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, Peacock TV and have covered Rugby World Cups in San Francisco, Cape Town and Japan.

One of my favorite moments was working the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, which was the most watched rugby event ever with more than 857 million people around the world watching the action via World Rugby’s network of rights-holding broadcast partners. The other very exciting development in rugby is the growth of the game in North America. We now have 12 professional teams through Major League Rugby in New England, New Orleans, New York, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, San Diego, Seattle and Toronto. We also have 8 franchises fielding a women’s and men’s sevens team through the Premier Rugby Sevens which sees tournaments in Austin, Minneapolis, San Jose, Pittsburgh and Washington D.C.

I’m still extremely passionate about promoting the values of rugby, which have tremendous benefits for society, especially with the divisions we see today. In the past I have worked with an amazing organization (Play Rugby USA) using non-contact rugby as a vehicle for social change. This year I am helping launch Flag Rugby X, which promotes similar values, promotes exercise and encourages participation of youth as well as adults in a safe non-contact environment.

I’m a massive believer in positivity, goal setting, visualization, having a laugh and also working extremely hard.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect about broadcasting for me is if I am able to elevate a moment in time with energy, enthusiasm or humor. It’s truly remarkable to have that front row “seat” at these pinnacle events and be able to celebrate the sport, the people involved, and the teams / countries taking part.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The ability to perceive the world through a positive mindset has significantly impacted my life. If you’re able to turn any situation into a positive one, or one where you learn something from it, you will never be disappointed with anything in your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dallenstanford.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallenstanford/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dallenstanford
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dallenstanford/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dallen_Stanford
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DallenStanfordRugby
• Other: https://linktr.ee/champagnerugby