Atlanta Rhinos

TheAtlanta Rhinos are an AmericanRugby League team based inAtlanta, Georgia. 2014 was their inaugural season in theUSA Rugby League. They play all their home games atAtlanta Silverbacks Park.

Atlanta Rhinos
Club information

Full name	Atlanta Rhinos Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Rhinos
Colours	Gold, Maroon, White and Black
Founded	2014; 11 years ago (2014)
Website	atlrhinos.com
Current details
Ground(s)	Atlanta Silverbacks Park (5,000)
CEO	Robert Taylor
Coach	Sean Hunt
Captain	Oche Armstrong
Competition	USARL:
Records
Premierships	1 (USARL) (2017)
Runners-up	1 (USARL) (2015)
Minor premierships	2 (USARL) (2015,2017)

History

edit

2014-2020: Foundations and USARL

edit

Atlanta were founded in early 2014 and joined theUSARL Southern Conference. By March, it was announced that Atlanta would share a partnership withBritish Super League club Leeds Rhinos. The Rhinos stated they will help bring a professional approach to the Atlanta club by sharing information and playing talent.^[1] Following the announcement of the partnership with Leeds, Atlanta announced they would adopt Leeds' Rhinos moniker, colours and similar club crest.

The clubs first season in the USARL was positive winning two of their six Conference games and losing their first playoff game. They built on their positive first season by winning the 2015 Southern Conference and making it to the Grand Final, eventually losing 44-12 toBoston Thirteens. The Rhinos failed to build upon their success the following season finishing third however still qualifying for the playoffs and making the semifinals eventually losing toJacksonville Axemen.

The 2017 season was another successful one for the Rhinos, winning the Southern Conference without losing having won five and drawn one game. They faced Northern Conference championsNew York Knights in the Grand Final who they beat 32-18 to win their first major Championship. They were semi finalists again in 2018 losing again to eventual ChampionsJacksonville Axemen.

In what would be their final season in the USARL the club were deducted two points for forfeiting a game in round 8 which lead to them finishing third in the Southern Conference and missing out on the playoffs.

2021- 2022: NARL

edit

It was announced in March 2021 that the Rhinos would withdraw from theUSARL to compete in the professionalNorth American Rugby League. The club also changed their logo, and colours to gold, maroon, white and black .^[2]