New Orleans Rugby Football Club
The New Orleans Rugby Football Club (also known as NORFC), founded in 1973, is a men's rugby union team based in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. The club competes in and is governed by the True South Geographical Union (GU), and USA Rugby.[1]
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| Full name | New Orleans Rugby Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | USA Rugby | |
| Founded | 1973 | |
| Location | New Orleans, Louisiana | |
| Ground(s) | Gretna Park | |
| President | Jimmy Rehkopf | |
| Coach(es) | Chalie Baleirara (head), Joe Rolf (assistant) | |
| Captain(s) | David Buckingham | |
| League(s) | True South Rugby Football Union | |
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| Official website | ||
| www | ||
Chalie Baleirara is the current head coach. Joe Rolf is the assistant coach.
The NORFC practices twice weekly at the Gretna Rugby Pitch located on Gretna Blvd, just off Belle Chase Hwy. in Gretna, Louisiana.
History
The New Orleans Rugby Football Club is currently a member of the True South Rugby Union, Division II. New Orleans Rugby competes against other TSRFU teams such as: Birmingham Rugby Football Club, Memphis Blues Rugby Club, Knoxville Rugby Football Club, Chattanooga Rugby Football Club, Baton Rouge Rugby Football Club and Nashville Rugby Football Club.[2]
NORFC won the USA Rugby South Division II Deep South Pool in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.[3] In 2011, NORFC fielded a 2nd XV in the DIII competition. This team won the Deep South Pool and advanced to the South Finals. New Orleans won the 2011 DII USA Rugby National Championship, defeating defending champions Tampa Krewe. In 2012, New Orleans' DI side won the South union, but lost in the DI national playoffs to the Chicago Lions. That same year, New Orleans' DIII side went 22-0 and won the USA Rugby DIII National Championship. In 2013, the DI side finished third in the 2013 USA Rugby DI Championship, losing in the semi-finals to Seattle/Old Puget Beach, but then beating the Denver Barbarians for third place. In 2014, the DI side finished as runner-up to Life University at the 2014 USA Rugby DI Championship.
Notable alumni players
Gary Giepert, Tim Falcon, Bob Olsonowski (USA Eagles), Chip Curtis (USA Eagles), Mauricio Urrutia (Chilean National Rugby Team), Cameron Falcon (NOLA Gold, USA Eagles), Brennan Falcon (NOLA Gold, USA Eagles U-20) Cameron Troxler (NOLA Gold), Billy Stewart (NOLA Gold), Mason Briant (NOLA Gold), Todd Dupre (NOLA Gold), Bobby Johns (NOLA Gold)
High School Rugby Program
NORFC created the Louisiana High School rugby program, with clubs such as the Jesuit Blue Jay Rugby Club, Brother Martin Crusader Rugby Club, Barbarians Rugby Club, Bayou Hurricanes Rugby Club, and St. Paul's High Rugby Club.
See also
References
- "USA Club Rugby: Geographical Unions". usarugby.org/. Archived from the original on 2014-02-13. Retrieved 2014-03-04.
- "Gambit Weekly: Scrum Club". bestofneworleans.com. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
- "Before you head to the pitch, get to know NOLA Gold Rugby". nolagoldrugby.com. Retrieved 2018-03-18.