72-740: The USA Rugby League (formally the US Association of Rugby League, Inc. ) is the national governing body for rugby league in the United States . The organization is responsible for running the domestic club competitions and the United States national rugby league team in addition to other responsibilities. The body was founded in 2011 by clubs that had broken from the established American National Rugby League (AMNRL), plus expansion franchises. The USARL began its inaugural competition season in 2011 with eight teams. The USARL
144-613: A Western American National Rugby League and development in other areas had been announced at various times. The USA Rugby League was announced on January 12, 2011. It was formed by seven teams formerly in the AMNRL, and became a competitor m and competition to the AMNRL. It held its inaugural season during the Summer of 2011, and in 2014 became the sole competition in the US following AMRL's collapse. The North American Rugby League ( NARL )
216-702: A 5 year contract to host matches at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada every March. The inaugural 2024 season event saw a double-header with the Sydney Roosters facing Brisbane Broncos and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles taking on South Sydney Rabbitohs . Tracing its origins to 1997, the American National Rugby League (AMNRL) was the United States' oldest rugby league competition. Eleven teams competed in
288-405: A High School Competition. Also AYRLA has created coaching courses that are geared for Americans and American youth. The American Youth Rugby League Association is responsible for the first American in history to be brought through a rugby league youth development program to play for a first grade side. In 2012, the AMNRL reached a partnership agreement with Grand Prix Rugby to broadcast and finance
360-822: A U.S. team to the Sydney 7s and in 1993 Morgan created the American Patriots who became a novel hit at the event. Morgan also acquired the TV rights to ARL competitions and aired them on his Rugby World TV program from 1991 to 1995. He also attempted to launch League in the U.S. and convinced the RFL to send an Ireland Team to the U.S. for St. Patrick's Day matches in 1995 and 1996. The games were staged at RFK Stadium and televised live by ESPN2 in 1995 and delayed in 1996. In 1992 former St George Dragons player David Niu moved to Philadelphia and began to introduce rugby league to
432-535: A four- to six-team competition for Hawaii in partnership with the Hawaii Rugby League; teams in the development were Kona, Maui, Harlequins, Spears, Islanders, and University of Hawaii . On June 10, 2011, the Utah Avalanche of Salt Lake City, Utah , announced they were joining the AMNRL as a developing team. To date, they have not yet aligned with the new USA Rugby League Other plans for
504-514: A friendly against a touring New Zealand Police squad the following August, losing 6–62. A women's USA Pioneers side played in the Americas qualification tournament for the 2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup as a result of Brazil 's late withdrawal. Naturally, they were unable to take a qualification spot if victorious. They played Canada who received as semi-final bye as the highest ranked side, and Jamaica who lost there semi-final against
576-408: A lack of club input and stability in the administration of the AMNRL as the main reason for forming the new competition. The departing clubs were New Haven Warriors , Jacksonville Axemen , Philadelphia Fight , Boston Thirteens , Pittsburgh Sledgehammers , Washington DC Slayers and Fairfax Eagles . The New Jersey Turnpike Titans and Rhode Island Rebellion were new teams that came into being as
648-728: A reorganization; the league headquarters were moved to Jacksonville, Florida , with Jacksonville-based marketing executive Steve Gormley serving as the organization's new president. Niu would serve as CEO and maintain the northeastern branch in Philadelphia . The organization was renamed the United States Rugby League, and set its sights on expanding into the Southeastern United States and attracting British rugby league teams to Florida for training camps and international competitions. The USRL
720-537: A result of the USA Rugby League's formation and served as founding clubs to the new competition. In retribution, the AMNRL used its position as the RLIF sanctioned U.S. body to overlook any USARL affiliated players from selection for U.S. national representative football. This enticed several players to abandon their local USARL club in the hope of representing the national team, such as Apple Pope . 2011 saw
792-568: A twelve-team professional competition. The proposed league would have chiefly relied on attracting American football players who could not make it in the National Football League . However, Mayer was unable to find sufficient financial backing, and the league never got off the ground. In the 1980s interest in amateur rugby league began to grow. In 1986 a new competition, the Tri-Counties Rugby League,
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#1732793502353864-650: Is a rugby league long discussed competition in the Midwest United States . In 2009 an organization named Midwest Rugby League was formed to promote rugby league in the Midwestern United States , and to operate the Stockyarders team from 2010 onwards. There has been significant difficulty establishing clubs close enough to Chicago to operate regular matches. According to estimates in 2022, there were 700 rugby league players in
936-572: Is an unsanctioned rugby league club competition in North America . At launch, the league announced fourteen teams; twelve from United States and two from Canada. An inaugural season was planned for 2021 but was deferred until 2022 due to increased health and safety needs regarding COVID-19 and insurance and travel costs. The league will now launch with six foundation teams, five from the United States and former professional Super League member club Toronto Wolfpack from Canada. The first season
1008-504: The 2010 AMNRL season , with seven departing after the season to form the USA Rugby League , currently the only domestic rugby league competition in the United States. Before the split and decline of the AMNRL, it had announced various plans for expansion. The Chicago Stockyarders team had announced it would be embarking on a full exhibition schedule for 2011, and had future plans to join the AMNRL. The AMNRL had also planned
1080-581: The 2013 Rugby League World Cup . An independent commission assembled to lead negotiations, however the USARL clubs eventually pulled out. USARL commissioner Peter Illfield blamed apparent dysfunction and disorganization in the AMNRL organization for this decision. The USARL subsequently invited AMNRL clubs to join their ranks as full members and initiated a four-team expansion. In 2014, the USARL expanded to 10 teams, adding expansion squads Atlanta Rhinos , Central Florida Warriors , and Tampa Mayhem . In addition,
1152-593: The Brooklyn Kings RLFC joined the Northeastern conference. Meanwhile, the AMNRL competition failed to materialize in 2014 and, following the end of David Niu's long association with the sport, the AMNRL ceded their RLIF membership and folded as an organization, with the USARL being accepted as the sole governing body for the sport in November 2014 and the few remaining AMNRL teams being accepted into
1224-907: The Bucks County Sharks ), the New York Broncos (later the New York Knights ), the Philadelphia Bulldogs (now the Philadelphia Fight ), the Boston Storm, and the Pennsylvania Raiders, with Glen Mills winning the inaugural championship. Boston and Pennsylvania later dropped out of the league, while the remaining four teams continued to play under the guidance of Super League America. In 2000, Super League America announced
1296-605: The Bucks County Sharks , suspended operations in 2010, while the Pittsburgh Vipers were added. In 2009, a new professional rugby league competition, the National Rugby League USA (NRLUS), was announced. The new league was to include administrators and talent from the AMNRL, and was intended to begin play in 2010. However, as of 2010 the league had not gotten off the ground, and officials announced their hopes that play would begin in 2011, citing
1368-708: The Fairfax Eagles , the Jacksonville Axemen , the New Haven Warriors , the Philadelphia Fight , and the Pittsburgh Vipers ; they were to be joined by two new teams, the New Jersey Turnpike Titans and Kodiak Rugby from New York City. Before the season Pittsburgh and Fairfax became "developmental" teams in the new league outside of the top-tiered competition; Fairfax subsequently suspended operations. The New York team
1440-546: The Glen Mills Schools , where he was employed as a teacher. Soon after, he was contacted by Morgan and they set about building a U.S. national team with Niu as player coach to compete in international tournaments for the first time. Morgan also hosted a few U.S.-Canada matches and a U.S.-Russia match at Kezar Stadium in San Francisco in 1996. Niu took over for Morgan after the 96 season. Under Niu's leadership
1512-626: The Jacksonville Axemen and Axewomen , Southwest FL Copperheads , Tampa Mayhem and Mischief , and the Atlanta Rhinos . In 2024, the USARL bid to host the 2029 Wheelchair and 2030 Men's Rugby League World Cup . Starting in 2024, the USARL competition was expanded following teams withdrawing for the NARL in the years previous. The competition would be structured into four regional leagues across an East and West Conference. Winners of each league advance to their respective conference final before
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#17327935023531584-495: The New South Wales Rugby League and media organizations based in that state have added the win to their tally. Promoters claimed the match drew 10,000 spectators, but detractors said it drew only about 7,000 and was not a financial success. Meanwhile, Mayer had continued to promote rugby league. His efforts resulted in establishing a national team to play a match against Canada in 1987; this would be
1656-652: The Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states , and affiliated to the Rugby League International Federation , the sport's world governing body. In 2011, a new domestic competition, the USARL , began. Games related to rugby football (now rugby union ) were played in the United States in the early 19th century. During this time the sports had no fixed rules, and were particularly popular in universities and college preparatory schools in
1728-573: The Northern Virginia Eagles withdrew from the AMNRL and joined the USARL. To reduce operating costs, the competition was split into two conferences. Meanwhile, the AMNRL suspended its 2014 season. In 2015, three former AMNRL clubs joined the USARL; Bucks County Sharks , Connecticut Wildcats , and New York Knights . The Delaware Black Foxes also joined as an expansion squad. For 2016, the Connecticut Wildcats left
1800-540: The United States . The Pioneers lost 0–88 to Canada, and 12–48 to Jamaica, finishing last. The USARL established another team to play a second match against the New Zealand Police and to 'curtain-raise' the 2014 USARL National Championship between the Philadelphia Fight and the Jacksonville Axemen . This representative consisted of overseas-imports from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and France; similar to Super League 's Exiles . They were beaten by
1872-520: The late 2000s recession as a factor in the league's lack of progress. In November 2010 the U.S. announced a strategic plan to grow the sport in the country with grass roots development, expansion and world cup qualification in sight. The start of 2011 saw a schism in American rugby league, with seven sides leaving the AMNRL to form a new competition, the USA Rugby League . The departing clubs cited
1944-645: The 2006 competition. A Chicago team is also going through various stages of development with possible inclusion in the USARL in the future. 2006 saw further expansion as the league added a first Southern club in Jacksonville Axemen , while further Northeastern clubs were added in New Haven Warriors, and the Boston Braves. The Fairfax Eagles joined the competition in 2007, and the Boston Thirteens joined in 2009. Another founder member,
2016-580: The 2020s include the Chicago Stockyarders and Cleveland Rugby League . The USARL as of 2021 plans to expand in all formats of the game such as Wheelchair rugby league , Masters Rugby League and Women's rugby league . In 2021, a break-away competition was form, the North American Rugby League (NARL). However, to date, only one match of the competition was ever played. In 2022, The Commission for Rugby League in
2088-531: The 22 American players had ever played rugby league prior to the tour, and they presented themselves in American football -like attire early on in the tournament. The side won only six games as well as drawing two. Their second match of the tour, against a Sydney side, drew a crowd of 65,453 to the Sydney Cricket Ground . After a consistent lack of competition, crowds were good but never reached
2160-755: The 23-man roster that would make up the New England Immortal side that would represent their region against the British Royal Marines at Tucker Field in Cumberland, Rhode Island, at the end of the month. Despite the loss of the Connecticut, the expanded player pool from newly formed Oneida FC and the Rhode Island Rebellion saw a new breed Immortals, with only three returning veterans. The Immortals took to
2232-467: The AMNRL to form a new league. The stated reason for the split was dissatisfaction with the governance of the AMNRL; the departing teams were unhappy with the lack of club involvement in the league's decision making, and the new league was founded with the principle of including its member clubs in its administration. The departing AMNRL teams were the Boston Thirteens , the Washington, D.C. Slayers ,
USA Rugby League - Misplaced Pages Continue
2304-680: The Immortals joined the latter. Due to the regulations of the separation outlined by the RLIF , only players registered in the AMNRL competition qualified for selection to the USA Tomahawks . Under that same ruling, the Connecticut Wildcats (who opted to stay with the AMNRL) were dropped from selections to the Immortals. The Immortals was now the only representative rugby available to USARL players. In April 2012, Head Coach Robin Peers named
2376-668: The Kiwis 16–46. L 32–38 [REDACTED] SOUTH Conference All-Stars October 22, 2016 W 38–32 [REDACTED] NORTH Conference All-Stars October 22, 2016 Rugby league in the United States While rugby league has been played in the United States since 1954, with Australia and New Zealand playing games there on their return from the Rugby League World Cup in France, serious attempts to start
2448-701: The National level. In 2014, the league established a touring developmental side, the USA Pioneers, to play friendly matches against foreign nations. They completed a two match tour in Jamaica in April 2014, winning their first game against a Jamaican domestic outfit, but fell short to the semi-professional Hurricanes Rugby League whilst still proving to be strong opposition for the Jamaicans. The Pioneers played
2520-704: The Northeastern United States. The sport of American football evolved from these intercollegiate games. Meanwhile, in Huddersfield , England a schism developed in rugby football between those who favored strict amateurism and those who felt that players should be compensated for time taken off work to play rugby. Many Northern English industrial towns tended to be poorer, the working class players often working in industries that had long hours of manual labour for which they would not get paid for time off. Amateur status for players in these towns
2592-727: The Sunshine State Challenge, where the United States competed against Huddersfield , Halifax and Leeds , the miniature tournament drew a crowd of 6,700. In 2005, an exhibition match was played in Phoenix, Arizona , to help promote rugby league outside the heartland. Plans were announced to start a west coast competition called the WAMNRL in Summer 2011. In 2006, a new team joined the AMNRL from Boston, which played an exhibition match in 2005. Teams from New Haven (Connecticut) and Jacksonville (Florida) also joined
2664-667: The U.S.' first international match since the 1950s. The following year he was involved in promoting an exhibition game between the English teams the Wigan Warriors and the Warrington Wolves at County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin . Wigan defeated Warrington 12–5, in front of a crowd of 17,773. In 1991 Rugby World TV promoter John F. Morgan of Lake Placid, NY was petitioned by Rugby League Australia to bring
2736-726: The USARL announced a new Regionalized structure to the national league. The Utah Rugby League Association would now operate as an independent entity distinct from the Pacific Coast Rugby League , managing its competition in accordance with USARL standards. At the end of the season, URLA and PCRL winners will play for the Western Championship, with the winner facing the Eastern Champions for the National Championship. Secondly,
2808-462: The USARL competition. In 2016, the U.S. was awarded the 2025 Rugby League World Cup along with co-host, neighbors Canada . However, plans for the World Cup to be held in the U.S. and Canada were scrapped on December 4, 2018, due to financial concerns and that the location of the 2025 Rugby League World Cup would be determined by a new bidding process in 2019. Current expansion franchises as of
2880-626: The USARL, playing in the South Division. Pacific Coast Rugby League (PCRL) joined USARL, operating on the West Coast. PCRL brought Los Angeles Mongrel , San Diego Barracudas , and Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans – all formerly part of California Rugby League – as well as the newly formerly Los Angeles Bandidos into USARL. Additionally, four Utah teams, Riverton Seagulls, Herriman Roosters, Glendale Storm and Provo Broncos began playing USARL sanctioned matches as affiliates of PCRL. In August 2023,
2952-449: The United States (USARLC) was established and claimed that it had the agreement of the International Rugby League (IRL) to become the governing body for rugby league in the United States . The IRL issued a statement refuting the claim made by USARLC stating that they (IRL) had had no contact with USARLC and that USARL remains the sole IRL member in the United States. In August 2023, Australia's National Rugby League competition signed
USA Rugby League - Misplaced Pages Continue
3024-416: The United States competed in the Super League World Nines (1996, 1997), Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament ( 2000 and Victory Cup (2003, 2004) competitions. In the mid-1990s, rugby league promoters including Australian-American Niu worked to promote the game domestically, and in 1997 the first rugby league organizing body, Super League America (later renamed America National Rugby League (AMNRL)),
3096-561: The United States. In 2011 The American Youth Rugby League Association was formed as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. The goals of the American Youth Rugby League Association otherwise known as AYRLA are dedicated to introducing the sport to youth throughout the United States. AYRLA has formed a partnership with Rugby League Clubs in the U.S. most Notably the Rhode Island Rebellion and the Philadelphia Fight, in efforts to launch youth competitions and clinics in schools and towns, utilizing players coaches and administrators of local club's to run
3168-458: The Western Conference, while Carolina Valkyries, Tampa Mischief, Jacksonville Axewomen and New York State Queens to represent the Eastern Conference. The winner of each conference would face off to crown the National Women's Champion. In 2024, the governing body also announced the beginning of Youth Hawks, the Under 20 national team. This is first time since the late 1990s that a USA youth rugby league team will be put together. In late April of 2024,
3240-448: The competition and were replaced by the White Plains Wombats. Before the 2017 season, the D.C. Slayers and Bucks County Sharks left the competition, and the USARL abolished the division structure within the North Conference. Before the 2018 season, the Central Florida Warriors left the competition and were replaced by Southwest Florida Copperheads and Danny Hanson was appointed the second league chairman. The Rhode Island Rebellion also left
3312-408: The competition. The New York Knights left the competition after the 2018 season. USARL membership has been in flux since the announcement of the North American Rugby League in spring 2021. Boston 13s and Philadelphia Fight left USARL to be founding members of the new competition. White Plains folded after NARL established the New York Freedom. Northern Virginia folded after most of its players joined
3384-428: The creation of the American Youth Rugby League Association. The sole concern of AYRLA is introducing the sport to American youth. Since 2011, the American Youth Rugby League Association has created and administered summer camps and clinics in addition to a Middle School Flag Competition, A U23 Tackle Competition, A Training School Program (youth prison), a U23 Representative Side dubbed the 'AYRLA Americans', and as of 2014
3456-1427: The day to day programs. The American Youth Rugby League Association have created Middle School, U23 and as of 2014 High School Competitions. Additionally AYRLA has created and assist run summer camps and clinics. For a history look here Southwest Florida Copperheads US semi-professional rugby league club, based in Tampa, Florida [REDACTED] This article does not cite any sources . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . Find sources: "Southwest Florida Copperheads" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR ( October 2018 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this message ) Southwest Florida Copperheads [REDACTED] Club information Full name Southwest Florida Copperheads Rugby League Football Club Nickname(s) Copperheads Founded 2018 ; 6 years ago ( 2018 ) Website http://copperheadsrlfc.com Current details Ground(s) Lehigh Senior High School CEO Curtis Goddard Coach Derek McVey Competition USA Rugby League 2019 5th The Southwest Florida Copperheads are an American rugby league team based in Florida . 2018
3528-442: The field for their second match since their inception, and despite putting up a hard fight, they were out classed by the more experienced Marines, losing by a score of 68–12. As of 2014, due to budgetary cuts and restructuring of the USARL competition, the Immortals have not played a match since their loss to the Royal Marines. The following is a list of New England Immortals who have played representative rugby (league or union) at
3600-400: The first ever coast to coast National Champion was crowned with Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans defeating defending champions Jacksonville Axemen, 20–16. In late December of 2023, the USARL announced the introduction of Women's National Competition or the Women's Championship for 2024. 6 clubs from both coasts, Los Angeles Mongrel, San Diego Barracudas, and Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans joined to represent
3672-654: The first three seasons of the league, clubs were only present in the North East thus only one geographic group was required. The top four teams advanced to the playoffs ending with the Grand Final. As part of the 2011 season, a former AMNRL team, the Pittsburgh Sledgehammers , participated as a "developmental team", playing a more limited schedule while developing the club for future seasons. The New England Immortals are an inactive representative rugby league football team selected from American players born in New England or those who play for clubs in New England. The New England Immortals were founded in 2010 and consisted of
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#17327935023533744-611: The newly established DC Cavalry in NARL. Lakeland Renegades suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 USARL season was contested by six teams. Philadelphia and Delaware in the North; Tampa, Jacksonville, Southwest Florida Copperheads, and South Florida Speed in the South. USARL South Championships Tampa Mayhem defeated North winners Delaware Black Foxes in the championship. The North Division has been unable to play in 2022. Multiple forfeits by South Florida Speed in July 2022 have put their future with USARL in doubt. 2023 has seen significant expansion. Atlanta Rhinos rejoined
3816-425: The outbreak of World War II . One of the earliest attempts to introduce rugby league to the United States was in 1953, when Mike Dimitro, a wrestling promoter and former UCLA football all star and NFL Rams player ( 1947 draft ), was asked to organize a tour of Australasia by an American rugby league side. The team was given a huge schedule that included 26 matches against Australian and New Zealand sides. None of
3888-412: The past, the state was the host to 1999 North Pacific Qualification Tournament, where the U.S. beat both Japan and Canada to meet Lebanon for the right to play in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup . Orlando 's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex hosted the Tomahawks's test against England , for the latter's 2000 World Cup warm up game. It ended 110–0 to the away team. In 2001, Florida was also host to
3960-424: The regular season championship kicked off on June 4; the Jacksonville Axemen won the minor premiership with the best regular season record. In the inaugural Grand Final on August 27, the Philadelphia Fight defeated the New Haven Warriors to win their first ever national championship. In 2013 the USARL and AMNRL increased their focus on reunification, particularly after the United States ' encouraging showing at
4032-431: The same heights. In turn, the tour did not bring any benefits to American rugby league, but Mike Dimitro did not give up, he was able to organize two exhibitions against Australia and New Zealand in California that did not turn out to be a big success. An American side also made a short tour of France in early 1954, including a match against the France national team in Paris. France beat the United States 31–0. Mike Dimitro
4104-411: The six states that make up New England, while the red white and blue symbolize not only the national colors of the U.S., but also hardiness, valour, vigilance, and perseverance. They played their inaugural match against the Canadian National Team at the 2010 AMNRL "War at the Shore" , on July 31, 2010, defeating the Canadians 12-8 in a tightly contested match. After the AMNRL/ USARL split in 2011,
4176-422: The sport in the United States began only in the late 1970s. The establishment of a national team and a domestic competition in the late 20th century has seen more recent progress. The United States national rugby league team has participated in international competition since 1987. In 1998, the country's first domestic competition, the AMNRL , was launched as a semi-professional league, predominantly based in
4248-475: The sport within the United States, in the lead up to the 2013 Rugby League World Cup . During this period, the USARL looked to consolidate its domestic competition while the AMNRL struggled domestically, with only New York Knights and Connecticut Wildcats maintaining regular competition under the AMNRL banner. In 2014, the USARL announced the formation of a Southern conference, with the Atlanta Rhinos and Central Florida Warriors among participating teams, while
4320-404: The top players from the New England–based teams of the AMNRL – the Boston Thirteens , Connecticut Wildcats and the New Haven Warriors . Their logo is based on the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial located on Boston Common at the corner of Beacon and Park Street in Boston, MA. Colonel Shaw commanded the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the civil war. There are six stars which represent
4392-412: The unification effort on the East Coast of the United States sees the return of Boston 13s , Brooklyn Kings RLFC , and Delaware Black Foxes with Washington DC Cavalry joining as the Rugby League United competition becomes the Northeastern conference of USARL. Lastly, the USARL South would now become the Florida Rugby League, the rebranding affects both men's and women's teams in the region, including
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#17327935023534464-428: The winners of each facing each other in the Grand Final. Between 2014 and 2023 the USARL competition was split a Northern and Southern Conference with the top four teams advancing to their conference semi-final. Winners of each conference final would contest the Grand Final. California Rugby League (now Pacific Coast Rugby League) was established in 2018 but was not integrated into the USARL competition until 2024. In
4536-406: Was eclipsed by American football and was confined to California by the time of the 1920 Olympics. In 1939, the Californian Rugby Football Union wrote to the governing body of rugby league, the Rugby Football League , to tell them they wanted to switch from rugby union and affiliate to the RFL. In June 1939, the RFL made plans to send a delegation out to California but were unable to do so due to
4608-407: Was established with three teams in Canada and one from the United States, the New York state -based Adirondacks club. In 1987 the Australian state teams of Queensland and New South Wales played a fourth exhibition match following the three 1987 State of Origin series matches in Long Beach, California . The result of this match was not to be included in official statistics, but in recent years
4680-408: Was formed, with Niu as its head. Super League America was recognized as the official governing body for the sport by the Rugby League International Federation , and was in charge of organizing the national team and establishing a domestic competition. The domestic competition kicked off in 1998 and was contested by six team; the Glen Mills Bulls (later the Aston Bulls), the New Jersey Sharks (later
4752-408: Was granted affiliate membership in November 2014 of the RLIF and RLEF , replacing the AMNRL which is now defunct. The formation of the USA Rugby League was announced on January 12, 2011. Seven teams that had previously competed in the American National Rugby League, the United States' established rugby league organization and recognized governing body for the sport, announced they were breaking with
4824-506: Was still optimistic of developing the game in the United States, but his bid to host a Rugby League World Cup in the 1960s failed. In the 1970s former American football player Mike Mayer founded the United States Rugby League with the intention of forming the country's first professional rugby league competition. Between 1976 and 1978, Mayer secured franchising rights from the British Rugby Football League and attempted to attract funding from British and Australian promoters to help establish
4896-400: Was successful in entering the U.S. national team into the Rugby League World Cup qualification process for the first time, as they participated unsuccessfully in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup qualifying tournament. However, a dispute involving the British Rugby Football League led to financial difficulties and internal strife within the USRL. Florida has hosted rugby league games in
4968-456: Was supposed to kick off on May 21, 2022, but failed to do so. A pre-season game was played in June and an announced start for September for the competition with even more reduced sides. This also failed to start. The Championship Rugby League (CRL) was introduced in December 2022. It was not affiliated with USARL . It began play in December 2022 and played through April 2023. It ceased operations at that point. The Midwest Rugby League ( MWRL )
5040-1719: Was their inaugural season in the USA Rugby League . 2018 season [ edit ] Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result Score 6/9 Atlanta Rhinos Home Lehigh Senior High School , Lehigh Acres, Florida L 6-58 6/16 Tampa Mayhem Home Lehigh Senior High School, Lehigh Acres, Florida L 22-52 6/30 Jacksonville Axemen Away UNF Rugby Field , Jacksonville, Florida L 4-90 7/14 Atlanta Rhinos Away Atlanta Silverbacks Park , Atlanta, Georgia L 0-74 7/21 Jacksonville Axemen Home Lehigh Senior High School, Lehigh Acres, Florida L 10-62 7/28 Tampa Mayhem Away Tampa Catholic High School , Tampa, Florida L 32-40 8/4 Jacksonville Axemen Away UNF Rugby Field, Jacksonville, Florida L 0-88 2019 season [ edit ] Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result Score 5/25 Jacksonville Axemen Home Lehigh Senior High School , Lehigh Acres, Florida L 14-42 USARL season summaries [ edit ] C=Champions, R=Runners-Ups, F=Finished first, P=Playoff Appearance, L=Finished Last (Brackets Represent Playoff Games) Competition Games Played Games Won Games Drawn Games Lost Ladder Position C R F P L Coach Captain Notes 2018 USARL season 6 (0) 0 (0) 0 6 (0) 11/11 Curtis Goddard Club foundation season See also [ edit ] [REDACTED] Sports portal [REDACTED] United States portal Rugby league in
5112-545: Was therefore not just financially difficult, but also physically demanding due to the nature of their work. In 1895 this resulted in the formation of a break-away professional sport, rugby league , the rules of the two codes of rugby ( union and league) would themselves diverge. The bulk of the clubs conforming to the new sport consisted of Northern English towns. Whilst the new form of rugby was taken to countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and France, American rugby continued to be played solely under rugby union rules. The sport
5184-449: Was unable to find a suitable stadium in the city, and instead became the Rhode Island Rebellion . One additional team, Oneida FC , joined the top-tiered competition for the 2011 season. On January 13, 2011, the USARL announced that Peter Illfield, chairman of the Philadelphia Fight , would be the league's first chairman. The league's first event was a rugby league nines tournament in the Philadelphia area on May 28–29, 2011. Round 1 of
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