North Shore Rugby Football Club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The North Shore Rugby Football Club (NSRFC) is a men's rugby union club based north of Boston, competing since the spring of 2002 in the third division of the New England Rugby Football Union which is part of the Northeast Rugby Union and USA Rugby. The club played its first match in spring 2002 and competes against clubs throughout New England in addition to regional tournaments and international tours.
Contents |
[edit] History
In the winter of 2001–2002, North Shore Rugby Football Club founder Gus del Puerto recognized the need for a rugby club to represent the North Shore area of Massachusetts. There were established first, second and third division clubs in and around Boston, but little representation along the Route 95/128 corridor north of the city.
Despite a rich athletic history, the North Shore had no rugby club to call their own. Gus put the word out in local newspapers, and among those who joined up were rugby journeymen Liam Brady, Cam Williams, Dan Solomon and Chris LeBlanc-Smith. They would become core members of NSRFC. A handful of others attended an initial meeting (and enjoyed a few pints) at Champions Pub in Peabody, and the North Shore Rugby Football Club was born.
Unlike many clubs that form as an extension of a particular college or splitting from another club, NSRFC pulled players from many backgrounds (former college players, rugby neophytes, and a small foreign contingent).
The club places great value in the social side of rugby, taking pride in hosting our opponents with generosity, spirit and song. Club social events such as Halloween parties and annual banquets add to the club's camaraderie.
[edit] Club Notes
- 2002: NSRFC gains first club victory in first official match against Wentworth
- 2003: NSRFC posts 4-1-1 fall season record, narrowly missing NERFU third division playoff berth
- 2004: NSRFC obtains first hardware at Bull Moose Tournament in N.H. as B-Division runner-up
- 2005: NSRFC travels to Ireland for first international tour, with matches against Shannon RFC and Garryowen RFC. Fall season sees NSRFC reach NERFU third division playoffs, losing to Portland RFC in semi-final
- 2006: NSRFC posts 4-2 fall season record, eliminated from NERFU third division playoff contention only by mathematics
- 2007: Second tour to Ireland planned for February 2007
[edit] Recruiting
NSRFC has become a common destination for high school and college rugby players who move back to the North Shore, rugby journeymen who end up in the Boston area for whatever reason, and athletes who are looking for a new athletic challenge. The club is open to any new players and plays a full spring and fall schedule with ample opportunities to play.
