Randall’s Island, NY - The toughest and most talented rugby clubs in the northeastern U.S. are heading to New York City November 21-22 for the Northeast Rugby Union (NRU) Championship.
A dozen men’s teams will face off on Randall’s Island in three divisions, with the winners moving on to the USA Rugby National Championships in spring 2010. New York is well represented in the NRU Championship; local clubs in the competition include New York Rugby Club, North Jersey, Montauk (NY) and Monmouth (NJ).
Both fans of rugby and those who don’t know a ruck from a scrum are encouraged to come out and watch. Admission and parking on Randall’s Island are free and the matches kick off at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Randall’s Island is nestled between Manhattan and Queens and is accessible by public transportation.
Both days feature six games played on the picture-perfect artificial turf on the southernmost tip of Randall’s Island known as Ward’s Meadow, in the shadow of the Manhattan skyline.
Building on its successful hosting of the elite National All-Star Sevens Championship in August, the Metropolitan New York Rugby Football Union is hosting the Northeast Championship. “Thanks to the installation of the new rugby pitches at Randall’s Island, the Met NY Rugby Union can host regional, national and international events like this,” says Met. NY Rugby Union President Toby Butterfield. “Having all three divisions playing together is unprecedented. We look forward to a weekend of rugby for everyone.”
Rugby was recently voted into the 2016 Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee. The U.S. is actually the reigning gold medal holder in rugby; it defeated France in the 1924 Games in Paris, the last time rugby was played in the Olympics. The U.S. “Eagles” will seek to defend their title in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Randall’s Island is accessible via public transportation: the 4-5-6 train to 125th Street, and the M35 bus from there. Fields 73 and 74 are located at the southeastern tip of the island, and are easily accessed on foot via the 103rd St. footbridge.
“Randall’s Island has always offered waterfront parkland wide open views, but in the past few years it has undergone a transformation, with new and renovated fields and facilities,” said Randall’s Island Executive Director Aimee Boden. “We welcome the region’s rugby players to these new fields, and encourage NRU and all the athletes of New York City and beyond to enjoy the great outdoors at Randall’s Island Park.”
Readers can get up-to-date information at www.nruplayoffs.org including match-ups, results, and maps of the Island.
When the rugby action is completed, players and spectators alike will cross the East River to sample New York’s world-class entertainment options.
For more information, contact Village Lions Rugby Club President Bret Costain at 917-273-3171.