RUNY to Honor Three High School Champs in Home Opener on March 15th

The fight to #UnitetheEmpire continues as RUNY heads home March 15th for their first home game at MCU Park, when they face  off against the Toronto Arrows. But in order to Unite the Empire, we must Honor some of the Empire, and at our first home game that is exactly what we intend to do.

Come halftime, the state champions from three different states, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, will be honored at midfield by the boys in Blue and Orange. 

The three champions, Xavier High School (NY), Union County Mudturtles (NJ), and Greenwich High School Rugby (CT), and all of the youth teams that compete in the tri-state area, are an integral part of ensuring the future success of both Major League Rugby and Rugby United New York.

“The RUNY stars of today have made a real impact in connecting this team with our local fan base,” RUNY General Manager James English notes. “Therefore, the success of RUNY lies in fostering these relationships at the grassroots level and engaging with local talent to become not only great players, but top class role models too.”

William MacLaney, head coach of the Union County Mudturtles, understands the importance of having such role models right here in the New York City rugby community.

“I’ve been a part of the rugby scene in the U.S. since the early 1980s as player, coach and administrator. For the first time, I am seeing a professional level of rugby in the United States that our high school players can clearly identify with, follow, and aspire to,” MacLaney said.  “The accessibility of the RUNY organization to the high school players has been extremely amazing. These kids really feel that they can be part of a team that they can follow as fans.

“To me, this will breed a lifelong affinity to a professional rugby team for these guys,” MacLaney went on to say. “It reminded me of listening to my grandfather talk about the old NFL days, when the Philadelphia Eagles played at Franklin Stadium. I really feel like I am part of something special.

“The support has to be a two way street across the board, though,” he added. “And since I first heard of RUNY, they have showed the support. Whether it was having a presence at the Northeast Regional tournaments, or just visiting the Mudturtle Middle School classic. They are connecting with the local rugby community.”

RUNY is proud to honor these three teams and their achievements from last season. With the talented athletes, coupled with the coaches and the supporters of rugby in the tri-state area, RUNY hopes to continue to grow the game.

AND Rugby United New York will be honoring the High School Girls State Champions at a later date, so stay tuned for more information!

Show your support for grassroots rugby, and buy your tickets here today. 

#UniteTheEmpire