Ohio Aviators (rugby)

The Ohio Aviators are an American rugby union team that played professionally in the short lived PRO Rugby competition. They are based in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area, and played their home games at Memorial Park in Obetz, Ohio. They are now playing in the newly formed World Tens Series.

This article is about the PRO Rugby team. For the defuct ABA Basketball team, see Ohio Aviators (basketball).
Ohio Aviators
Full nameOhio Aviators
UnionUSA Rugby
Founded2016
LocationObetz, Ohio, U.S.
Ground(s)Fortress Obetz (Capacity: 6,500)
Coach(es)Paule Barford
Top scorerShaun Davies (84)
Most triesSpike Davis (14)
League(s)PRO Rugby (2016)
World Tens Series (2020-present)
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.ohioaviators10s.com

History

PRO Rugby announced on February 9, 2016 the addition of Columbus, Ohio as the league's third team.[1] The selection of Columbus came as somewhat of a surprise, because the original PRO Rugby announcement in November 2015 did not mention that the competition planned to place a team in the midwest in the inaugural season.[2] Ohio's inaugural season home opener was played on May 1, 2016.[3] PRO Rugby revealed the team's nickname — the Ohio Aviators — on June 6, 2016, a reference to the Wright brothers who were from Ohio.[4]

10's return

On September 9, 2020, the Aviators announced on their Instagram page their return to participate in the World Tens Series, occurring from October 24 through November 7, 2020 in Bermuda.[5]

Stadium

The Aviators during the 2016 season played their home games at Memorial Park in Obetz, a suburb of the Columbus metropolitan area. The Aviators planned to move to Fortress Obetz, on the site of the former Columbus Motor Speedway, starting with the 2017 season.[6][7][8][9][10]

2016 roster
For player movements before and during the 2016 season, see 2016 PRO Rugby season § Ohio.

On December 20, 2016 all PRO Rugby players received notice their contracts will be terminated in 30 days if progress is not made towards resolving disputes between the league and USA Rugby.[11]

The squad for the 2016 PRO Rugby season:[12]

Ohio roster

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose Forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centers

Wingers

Fullbacks

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped.

2016 coaching staff
PositionName
Head coach Paule Barford
Assistant coach Paul Holmes
Assistant coach Eamonn Hogan

Current players and staff

Current roster

The squad for the 2020 World Tens Series:[13]

Ohio roster

Forwards

Backs

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped.

Current coaching staff
PositionName
Head coachTaylor Howden
Assistant coachKane Thompson
ManagerZach Stryffeler
Medical DirectorRichard Quincy
DirectorTom Rooney

[14]

World Tens Series

Bermuda
DateOpponentVenueResult
October 25, 2020PhoenixBermuda National StadiumWon, 26-0
October 25, 2020 RhinosBermuda National StadiumLost, 0-12
October 25, 2020 London RoyalsBermuda National StadiumLost, 10-11
October 26, 2020 Asia Pacific DragonsBermuda National StadiumWon, 11–10
October 26, 2020 Miami SunBermuda National StadiumLost, 10–11
November 2, 2020 RhinosBermuda National StadiumWon, 11–10
November 2, 2020PhoenixBermuda National StadiumWon, 22–0
November 2, 2020 Asia Pacific DragonsBermuda National StadiumLost, 16–20
November 3, 2020 London RoyalsBermuda National StadiumLost, 12–13
November 3, 2020 Miami SunBermuda National StadiumLost, 17–17
November 3, 2020 SX10Bermuda National StadiumWon, 14–10
November 7, 2020
Quarterfinal		 Miami SunBermuda National StadiumWon, 26–5
November 7, 2020
Semifinal		 London RoyalsBermuda National StadiumWon, 12–7
November 7, 2020
Final		 SX10Bermuda National StadiumLost, 14–21

Season summaries
C=Champions, R=Runners-up, W=Wooden Spoons
CompetitionGames
Played		Games
Won		Games
Drawn		Games
Lost		Ladder
Position		CRWCoachDetails
2016 PRO Rugby season129032 / 5Paule Barford2016 Ohio Aviators season

Leading players
SeasonCaptainMost triesMost points
2016Jamie MackintoshSpike Davis (14)Shaun Davies (84)

Coaches
CoachTenureMatchesWonDrawnLostWinning Percentage
Paule Barford20161290375%
Taylor Howden2020-present

See also
  • Ohio Aviators (basketball) — defunct ABA basketball team

References
  1. "Ohio Gains PRO Rugby Team", This Is American Rugby, February 9, 2016.
  2. "PRO Rugby Launches First Professional League in North America" Archived 2015-11-12 at the Wayback Machine, USA Rugby, November 9, 2015.
  3. "Rugby | New team offers speed, power, blood", Columbus Dispatch, Bill Rabinowitz, April 15, 2016.
  4. "PRO Rugby Unveils Team Names", This Is American Rugby, June 6, 2016.
  5. , Ohio Aviators Instagram, September 9, 2020.
  6. "Ohio Aviators trying to grow regional fan base", The Columbus Dispatch, Adam Jardy, July 3, 2016.
  7. Weese, Evan (November 18, 2016). "Obetz building 6,500-seat sports and concert venue". Columbus Business First. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  8. Perry, Kimball (November 16, 2016). "Obetz to build 6,500-seat stadium for pro sports teams". Columbus Dispatch. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  9. Widman Neese, Alissa (November 17, 2016). "Obetz says lacrosse stadium eventually will pay for itself". Columbus Dispatch. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  10. "Multi-Use Athletic Stadium To Take Place Of Columbus Motor Speedway". Columbus, Ohio: WOSU Public Media. The Associated Press Ohio. November 17, 2016. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  11. Down Goes PRO
  12. "PRO Rugby Preview – Ohio". Americas Rugby News. Americas Rugby News. April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  13. "Ohio Aviators - Team Roster". Ohio Aviators. Ohio Aviators. September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  14. "Round One of World Tens". worldtens.com. October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
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