About USA Rugby Super League
In 1996 the Rugby Super League was developed as a result of the need for more visibility and higher competitive structure for the sport of rugby throughout the United States. It was created by the management of 14 of the best rugby organizations in the United States. The hope was to create a high level, national rugby competition in America. Now, years later, there can be no doubt Rugby Super League has reached that goal. As the premier division of men's rugby in the United States, the Super League has placed rugby at the fingertips of the American audience. 16 teams represent 13 major markets across the US, and present opportunities for broad exposure of the sport.
The Rugby Super League was operational for the 1997
rugby season with two seven club divisions; the Western-Pacific Conference and
the Midwestern-East Conference. The original members were Belmont Shore
(CA), Chicago Lions, Dallas Harlequins, Denver Barbarians, Gentlemen of Aspen,
Kansas City Blues (MO), Life (GA), Old Blue (NY), Old Blues (CA), Old Puget
Sound Beach (WA), OMBAC (CA) Potomac Athletic Club (DC), San Francisco-Golden
Gate, Washington (DC). The league expanded for the 1998 season to include teams
from Boston (Boston RFC) and Philadelphia (Philadelphia Whitemarsh RFC) - both
joining the Eastern Conference with the Dallas Harlequins moving to the Western
Conference.
In 2001 the Super League was separated from the USA Rugby Division 1 club
competition and officially recognized by USA Rugby as the premier rugby
competition in the United States. In 2002, the league changed slightly with two
of the most prestigious athletic clubs in the country joining the competition.
The New York Athletic Club (NYAC) and the Olympic Club (CA) both entered the
league. Olympic gained entry as the result of a merger with the San Francisco
based Old Blues RFC. NYAC played their way into the league, gaining promotion
from USA Division 1. Also in 2002, the geographic format was abandoned in favor
of a more national format - furthering the ideal of national competition for the
country's best teams. Life departed from the league after the 2002 season due
to changes at the institution and a revamping of the athletics program.
However, they left behind a vibrant competition, with 16 of the best rugby
organizations in the USA. Players from the "Super League" represent American
rugby at the highest levels of international competition. In fact, the vast
majority of domestic men's rugby players on the US National Team come from Rugby
Super League clubs.
Currently the Super League is comprised of 16 teams that are divided across the Blue and the Red conference.