Talking Rugby (Vol. 2, Iss. 9): Clubbing

Here we are with another edition of Talking Rugby. This week I’ll be covering a couple different topics revolving around USA club rugby, one of my favorite subjects to tackle.

Club Champs

With most of the focus here at Americas Rugby News revolving around bigger stories from our side of the world, I wanted to take a little time today to congratulate the club rugby champs from around the United States. The Senior rugby clubs in the USA are the lifeblood of USA Rugby. Clubs are the engine that keep our Union running as they promote the sport, run youth programs, and buy tickets to major events. They are also one of the most overlooked and underappreciated sectors of USA Rugby.

Senior clubs have difficult tasks in the United States. Many clubs struggle to survive from year to year with issues that range from funding to player retention to finding fields to play on. Issues that clubs in major rugby playing nations might understand, but cannot truly appreciate. Driving two or more hours to play your closest opponent is a regular occurrence for clubs in the USA.

Before I send out congrats to all of the club champs from this year, I’d like to congratulate every club in the USA. Keep up the hard work. It is worth it. The experiences you are providing your members will give them memories that last a lifetime.

Now, onto the club champs. Here are the Senior Club Champions from each level in the United States.

Pacific Rugby Premiership – Glendale Raptors

American Rugby Premiership – Life Running Eagles

Men’s Division I – New York Athletic Club

Women’s Division I – Seattle Saracens

Men’s Division II – Life West Gladiators

Women’s Division II – Wisconsin

Men’s Division III – Wichita Barbarians

Change Coming?

While we’re on the subject of club rugby. the playing season has often been one of hot debate around the pub. Single season? Split season? Should there be more room for 7s season? The list could go on and on. Club rugby is a passionate group and there’s nothing like a good debate revolving around rugby. USA Rugby have always stuck with a Spring Championship window and left the playing season up to the local unions. The competitive cycle starts in August and the end game championships take place in May or June. Some would have their seasons in the Fall, others in the Spring, and some would split the difference.

A few years back, in an effort to get clubs more meaningful games in the lead up to the playoffs, USA Rugby proposed a split season setup and it went off without much of a hitch. Clubs in cold-weather areas started playing Spring league matches and the warm-weather areas stuck with their Spring schedules. Clubs seemed fairly accepting, although some regions never increased the number of games on offer (which was one of the original goals). They simply split the games between the Fall and Spring, leaving clubs with seasons where they played no more than 3-4 league matches.

Could another change be on the way?

Rumors are starting to circulate that there could be yet another change in the winds. No one is completely sure of where it is all headed (or at least aren’t talking about it in depth), but the odds on bet is that it is going to put a final stamp on a unified club rugby season. Every club, everywhere in the USA following the exact same competitive schedule. Depending on how it all plays out, I don’t think anyone will mind getting everyone on the same page.

If that is the case, then could we be looking at a switch to a Fall season? Some will shriek at the mere thought. Others will jump on board happily. If we are indeed looking at a future where club rugby plays a unified Fall season, what could be coming in the Spring window? I’ve always been a supporter of the Fall club season idea followed by a select-side competition in the Spring. The biggest reason I support this is it would allow time for players to support youth rugby, which is played as a Spring sport. Coaches are needed and if clubs are building up for a playoff run, the last thing players are going to do it help out with youth rugby.

I could go on and on about this subject for days, so I won’t drone on. I’ll leave you with this disclaimer. These, of course, are just rumors. We’ve all seen where some rumors end up, so until you hear anything official take it as such.

Have a great week!