| USA Rugby League | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | January 12, 2011 |
| IRL affiliation | 2015 |
| Americas affiliation | 2014 |
| Responsibility | United States (from October 2014[1]) |
| Competitions | USA Rugby League |
 | |
TheUSA Rugby League (formally theUS Association of Rugby League, Inc.) is the national governing body forrugby league in the United States.
The organization is responsible for running thedomestic club competitions and theUnited States national rugby league team in addition to other responsibilities.
The body was founded in 2011 by clubs that had broken from the establishedAmerican National Rugby League (AMNRL), plus expansion franchises. The USARL began its inaugural competition season in2011 with eight teams.
The USARL was granted affiliate membership in November 2014 of theRLIF andRLEF, replacing the AMNRL which is now defunct.[2]
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 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.[3][4][5]
The departing AMNRL teams were theBoston Thirteens, theWashington, D.C. Slayers, theFairfax Eagles, theJacksonville Axemen, theNew Haven Warriors, thePhiladelphia Fight, and thePittsburgh Vipers; they were to be joined by two new teams, theNew 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.[6] The New York team was unable to find a suitable stadium in the city, and instead became theRhode Island Rebellion.[7] One additional team,Oneida FC, joined the top-tiered competition for the 2011 season.[8]
On January 13, 2011, the USARL announced that Peter Illfield, chairman of thePhiladelphia Fight, would be the league's first chairman.[9][10] The league's first event was arugby league nines tournament in thePhiladelphia area on May 28–29, 2011. Round 1 of the regular season championship kicked off on June 4; theJacksonville Axemen won the minor premiership with the best regular season record. In the inaugural Grand Final on August 27, thePhiladelphia Fight defeated theNew Haven Warriors to win their first ever national championship.[11]
In 2013 the USARL and AMNRL increased their focus on reunification, particularly after theUnited States' encouraging showing at the2013 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.[12]
In 2014, the USARL expanded to 10 teams, adding expansion squadsAtlanta Rhinos,Central Florida Warriors, andTampa Mayhem. In addition, theNorthern Virginia Eagles withdrew from the AMNRL and joined the USARL.[13] To reduce operating costs, the competition was split into two conferences.[14] Meanwhile, the AMNRL suspended its 2014 season.
In 2015, three former AMNRL clubs joined the USARL;Bucks County Sharks,Connecticut Wildcats, andNew York Knights. The Delaware Black Foxes also joined as an expansion squad. For 2016, the Connecticut Wildcats left 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 bySouthwest Florida Copperheads and Danny Hanson was appointed the second league chairman. The Rhode Island Rebellion also left the competition. The New York Knights left the competition after the 2018 season.[15]
USARL membership has been in flux since the announcement of theNorth 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 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 the USARL, playing in the South Division. Pacific Coast Rugby League (PCRL) joined USARL, operating on the West Coast. PCRL broughtLos Angeles Mongrel,San Diego Barracudas, andSanta Rosa Dead Pelicans – all formerly part of California Rugby League – as well as the newly formerlyLos 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, 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 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 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.[16] 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.[17]
In late April 2024, the USARL announced a new Regionalized structure to the national league. TheUtah Rugby League Association would now operate as an independent entity distinct from thePacific 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, the unification effort on the East Coast of the United States sees the return ofBoston 13s,Brooklyn Kings RLFC, andDelaware Black Foxes withWashington DC Cavalry joining as theRugby 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 theJacksonville Axemen and Axewomen,Southwest FL Copperheads,Tampa Mayhem and Mischief, and theAtlanta Rhinos.[18][19]
In 2024, the USARL bid to host the2029 Wheelchair and2030 Men's Rugby League World Cup.[20]
Current season or competition: 2024 USARL season | |
| |
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2011 |
| Inaugural season | 2011 |
| Number of teams | 20 |
| Country | United States |
| Champions |  DC Cavalry (1st title) (2024) |
| Most titles |  Philadelphia Fight(4 titles) |
| Website | usarl.org |
Starting in 2024, the USARL competition was expanded following teams withdrawing for theNARL 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 the winners of each facing each other in the Grand Final.[19]
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 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.
| Rugby League United RLU | |||||
| Colors | Club | Founded | City (MSA) | Stadium | National Titles (Last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Boston Bears | 2014 | Boston | Eastern Boston Stadium | 1 (2015) |
 | Brooklyn Kings | 2006 | Brooklyn | Randalls Island Field 10 | 1 (2019) |
 | Delaware Black Foxes | 2015 | Wilmington, Delaware | Eden Park | 0 (N/A) |
| DC Cavalry | 2021 | Washington Metro | Central Sports Complex | 1 (2024) |
| Florida Rugby League | |||||
| Colors | Club | Founded | City (MSA) | Stadium | National Titles (Last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Atlanta Rhinos | 2014 | Roswell, GA | Elkins Pointe Middle School | 1 (2017) |
 | Jacksonville Axemen | 2006 | Jacksonville, FL | UNF Rugby Field | 3 (2022) |
 | Southwest Florida Copperheads | 2018 | Naples, FL | Paradise Coast Sports Complex | 0 (N/A) |
 | Tampa Mayhem | 2014 | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough High School | 1 (2021) |
| Pacific Coast Rugby League | |||||
| Colors | Club | Founded | City (MSA) | Stadium | National Titles (Last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | East Palo Alto Razorbacks | 2021 | East Palo Alto, California | Rich May Field | 0 |
 | Los Angeles Bandidos | 2022 | Los Angeles, California | Various | 0 |
 | Los Angeles Mongrel | 2019 | Los Angeles, California | Various | 0 |
 | Sacramento Immortals | 2020 | Sacramento, California | Danny Nunn Park | 0 |
 | San Diego Barracudas | 2020 | San Diego, California | Various | 0 |
 | Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans | 2018 | Santa Rosa, California | For Pete's Sake Field | 1 (2023) |
| West LA Jackrabbits | 2024 | Los Angeles, California | TBA | 0 |
| Utah Rugby League | |||||
| Colors | Club | Founded | City (MSA) | Stadium | National Titles (Last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glendale Storm | 2022 | Glendale, Utah | Burgess Park | 0 |
 | Herriman Roosters | 2022 | Herriman, Utah | Burgess Park | 0 |
 | Provo Broncos | 2022 | Provo, Utah | Burgess Park | 0 |
 | Riverton Seagulls | 2022 | Riverton, Utah | Burgess Park | 0 |
 | South Jordan Rabbitahz | 2024 | South Jordan, Utah | South Jordan Park | 0 |
| Season | Grand Finals | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premiers | Score | Runners-up | Ref. | |
| 2011 |  Philadelphia Fight | 28–26 | New Haven Warriors | [21] |
| 2012 | Jacksonville Axemen | 28–22 |  Boston 13s | [22] |
| 2013 | Philadelphia Fight | 28–22 | Jacksonville Axemen | [23][24] |
| 2014 | Philadelphia Fight | 30–18 | Jacksonville Axemen | [25] |
| 2015 | Boston 13s | 44–12 |  Atlanta Rhinos | [26] |
| 2016 | Philadelphia Fight | 42–20 | Jacksonville Axemen | [27][28][29] |
| 2017 | Atlanta Rhinos | 32–18 |  New York Knights | [30][31] |
| 2018 | Jacksonville Axemen | 56–16 | Brooklyn Kings RLFC | [32] |
| 2019 | Brooklyn Kings RLFC | 12–6 | Jacksonville Axemen | [33] |
| 2020 | Not held due toCOVID-19 | |||
| 2021 | Tampa Mayhem | 60–10 | Delaware Black Foxes | [34] |
| 2022 | Jacksonville Axemen | 36–12 | Tampa Mayhem | [35] |
| 2023 | Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans | 20–16 | Jacksonville Axemen | [36] |
| 2024 | DC Cavalry | Walkover |  Provo Broncos | [37] |
| Winners | Count | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Fight | 4 | 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016 |
| Jacksonville Axemen | 3 | 2012, 2018, 2022 |
| Brooklyn Kings RLFC | 1 | 2019 |
| Boston 13s | 1 | 2015 |
| Atlanta Rhinos | 1 | 2017 |
| Tampa Mayhem | 1 | 2021 |
| Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans | 1 | 2023 |
| DC Cavalry | 1 | 2024 |
As part of the 2011 season, a former AMNRL team, thePittsburgh Sledgehammers, participated as a "developmental team", playing a more limited schedule while developing the club for future seasons.[citation needed]
| ||||||
| Team information | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Immortals | |||||
| Governing body | AMNRL (2010) USARL (2011–present) | |||||
| Region |  New England | |||||
| Head coach |  Robin Peers | |||||
| Team results | ||||||
| First game | ||||||
Immortals 12–8 Canada(New Jersey,United States; 31 July 2010) | ||||||
| Biggest win | ||||||
| Immortals 12–8 Canada (New Jersey,United States; 31 July 2010) | ||||||
| Biggest defeat | ||||||
Immortals 12–68 Royal Marines(Rhode Island,United States; 27 April 2012) | ||||||
TheNew England Immortals are an inactive representativerugby league football team selected fromAmerican players born inNew England or those who play for clubs in New England.
The New England Immortals were founded in 2010 and consisted of the top players from the New England–based teams of theAMNRL – theBoston Thirteens,Connecticut Wildcats and theNew Haven Warriors. Their logo is based on theRobert Gould Shaw Memorial located onBoston Common at the corner of Beacon and Park Street in Boston, MA. Colonel Shaw commanded the54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment during the civil war. There are six stars which represent 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 theCanadian National Team at the2010 AMNRL "War at the Shore", on July 31, 2010, defeating the Canadians 12–8 in a tightly contested match.[38]
After the AMNRL/USARL split in 2011, the Immortals joined the latter. Due to the regulations of the separation outlined by theRLIF, only players registered in the AMNRL competition qualified for selection to theUSA 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 CoachRobin Peers named the 23-man roster that would make up the New England Immortal side that would represent their region against the BritishRoyal Marines at Tucker Field in Cumberland, Rhode Island, at the end of the month.[39] Despite the loss of the Connecticut, the expanded player pool from newly formedOneida FC and theRhode Island Rebellion saw a new breed Immortals, with only three returning veterans. The Immortals took to 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.[40]
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.
| 31 July 2010: Immortals vs. Canada | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result: W 12 - 8[38] Coach:Mikhael Shammas | ||||||||
| No. | Player name | Position | Club | Tries | Con | Pen | DK | Points |
| 1 | Lance Gaines | Fullback | Boston Thirteens | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2 | Tyler Scullen | Right wing | Boston Thirteens | - | - | - | - | - |
| 3 | Jonathan Mixon | Right center | Boston Thirteens | 1 | - | - | - | 4 |
| 4 | Joe Roucken | Left center | New Haven Warriors | - | - | - | - | - |
| 5 | Brian Lee | Left wing | New Haven Warriors | - | - | - | - | - |
| 6 | Nathan Debartolo | Five-Eight | Connecticut Wildcats | - | 2 | - | - | 4 |
| 7 | Benjamin McHugh | Half-back | Boston Thirteens | - | - | - | - | - |
| 8 | Justin Xenelis | Prop | New Haven Warriors | - | - | - | - | - |
| 9 | Jeffrey Perkins | Hooker | Boston Thirteens | 1 | - | - | - | 4 |
| 10 | Mike Schachter | Prop | Connecticut Wildcats | - | - | - | - | - |
| 11 | Matt Troila-Kelliher | Second row | Boston Thirteens | - | - | - | - | - |
| 12 | Curtis Cunz | Second row | Connecticut Wildcats | - | - | - | - | - |
| 13 | Michael Bozza | Lock | Boston Thirteens | - | - | - | - | - |
| 14 | Sean Donahoe | Reserve | Boston Thirteens | - | - | - | - | - |
| 15 | Kenneth Stern | Reserve | Connecticut Wildcats | - | - | - | - | - |
| 16 | Nate Bangura | Reserve | Boston Thirteens | - | - | - | - | - |
| 17 | Chris Carter | Reserve | Boston Thirteens | - | - | - | - | - |
| 18 | Nick Rutberg | Reserve | Boston Thirteens | - | - | - | - | - |
| 19 | Kyle Winter | Reserve | Boston Thirteens | - | - | - | - | - |
The following is a list of New England Immortals who have played representative rugby (league or union) at the National level.
Curtis Cunz — Former member of theUSA Tomahawks with over ten test matchesNathan DeBartolo —Played for theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs in the top tier of the AustralianNRL and formerTomahawkLance Gaines — Named to theUSA Tomahawks roster for the 2009 Atlantic Cup Test match againstJamaicaMike Schachter — member of theUSA Tomahawks including threeColonial Cup tournaments
Kenneth Stern — Represented thePhilippines in both rugby union 7s and XVs, including the2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens
Kyle Winter — Former member of theIndonesian national rugby union team, including two appearances in theHSBC Asian Five NationsShain Singleton — Former member of theUSARL HawksIn 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-professionalHurricanes Rugby League whilst still proving to be strong opposition for the Jamaicans.[41] The Pioneers played a friendly against a touringNew Zealand Police squad the following August, losing 6–62.
A women's USA Pioneers side played in theAmericas qualification tournament for the2026 Women's Rugby League World Cup as a result ofBrazil's late withdrawal. Naturally, they were unable to take a qualification spot if victorious. They playedCanada who received as semi-final bye as the highest ranked side, andJamaica who lost there semi-final against theUnited 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 thePhiladelphia Fight and theJacksonville Axemen. This representative consisted of overseas-imports from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and France; similar toSuper League'sExiles. They were beaten by the Kiwis 16–46.
| USARL Representative teams | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Representation | Established | Match history | |||
| New England Immortals | New England | 2010 | W 12–8Canada July 31, 2010 L 12–68  Royal Marines April 27, 2012 | |||
| USARL Pioneers | Development (non-internationals) | 2013 | W 46–26 Duhaney Park Red Sharks April 3, 2013L 30–50 Hurricanes Rugby League April 7, 2013L 6–62  New Zealand Blue Thunder August 16, 2013 | |||
| Presidents Barbarians | 'Exiles' (overseas imports) | 2013 | L 16–46New Zealand Blue Thunder August 23, 2013 | |||
| NORTH Conference All-Stars | North of America | 2015 | L 20–34 SOUTH Conference All-Stars August 29, 2015 L 32–38 | |||
| SOUTH Conference All-Stars | South of America | 2015 | W 34–20 NORTH Conference All-Stars August 29, 2015 W 38–32 | |||
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