Category: News

We Want You

WE WANT YOU!

New Players Wanted! No Experience Needed

If you enjoy a contact sport with the camaraderie of a team environment, then the Harrisburg Rugby Football Club wants you!

Home matches are played on Saturdays at Memorial Park in Highspire. The women kickoff at 11:00am and the men kickoff at 1:00pm. Feel free to come watch any of our home matches and see what Harrisburg Rugby is all about!

Regular practice sessions for both the Men and the Women are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 6:00pm at Memorial Park.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us!

image of the HRFC Women, East Coast D2 Women's Champions 32-12

Women Headed to National Championship Match

After clinching their 4th straight Mid-Atlantic Conference championship two weekends ago, the Harrisburg Rugby Football Club Women’s team was navigating familiar territory this past Saturday and Sunday at the USA Rugby Eastern Regional Championships in Spartansburg, SC.

“Entering the weekend Harrisburg looked to be the most dominant team on paper, and they proved their form, winning the East Women’s Division II Championship. They were victorious over the Atlanta Harlequins D2 squad. Both teams made it through to the national semifinal via impressive performance on the first day of competition. Harrisburg knocked over Providence 52-38, and the Atlanta Harlequins beat a tough Buffalo side, 30-24. Going into the East Championship, it looked to be anybody’s game, Harrisburg quickly put an end to any speculation of who would be triumphant- running out to a 14-0 lead. While the Harlequins were able to get on the board and reduce their deficit to only nine, Harrisburg always looked in control of the match, dominating on both ends. Their defense was impenetrable and when they won quick ball, they played the topography of the field to their advantage with brilliant clearing kicks. In attack they were clinical, led by the Rebecca Lengle and Georgia Goodman they continuously found holes in the Harlequins defense and used their electrifying speed to find the all-important outside corners. The Harlequins never stopped fighting and amidst a building injury list, they continued to show their desperation to win. Unfortunately, for them, Harrisburg seemingly had an answer for everything that was thrown at them. Harrisburg winning, 35-12. 30 of the 35 points were scored by Lengle or Goodman.” — USA Rugby (source)

The Women play for the National Championship Sunday, June 2, at 3pm against the Sacramento Amazons. Watch the match live on FloRugby, and please help our beloved Harlots travel to Obetz with a donation to their GoFundMe!

Women Earn 4th Straight MAC D2 Championship

On Saturday, May 4th, in Pittsburgh, PA, the Harrisburg Women took the field for their Mid-Atlantic Conference Division 2 Championship semi-final match. Despite a surprise end-of-regular-season loss to an energized White Horse squad, the Harlots entered the match as the #1 seed from the North Division. A physically tough Norfolk side, 2nd seed in the South Division, lined up across from our heroines on a wet, muddy pitch. Embracing the challenging field conditions, Harrisburg started the match with a bang, scoring 3 times in the first 5 minutes. The Harlots were relentless through the first 25 minutes, dotting down try after try. The squad’s speed on the outside overwhelmed the Norfolk side. Well in the lead, Harrisburg slid into a familiar pace for the remainder of the first half. Halftime brought words of encouragement from coaches and leaders, as well as some fresh legs. The depth of Harrisburg’s bench and the ability to bring in “run ons” without dropping the level of play on the field has been key to their success this year, and Saturday was no exception. Norfolk eventually mounted a comeback with a Harrisburg player in the sin bin, but it was too little, too late. The Harrisburg Women won handily, 53-20.  They would return to the muddy pitch the next day to face White Horse in a rematch of their only loss from a few weeks prior.

Sunday was warm and wet 😉 when the Harrisburg Women kicked off the MAC D2 Women’s Championship match against White Horse. The field was a muddy mess and threatened Harrisburg’s speed on the outside. Soon after kick-off, White Horse seized their opportunity, scoring the game’s first try. But the Harlots, loath repeat the missteps of their previous encounter, rallied and got down to business. The White Horse team kept the action close to the breakdowns, attempting to make ground with short, intense bursts from their forwards. Harrisburg stonewalled them time and again, sticking tackles and keeping their defensive formation. Communication on the Harrisburg side kept everyone focused and on task. Harrisburg wore down their opponent and finally gained momentum, cracking the White Horse line for 5 unanswered tries. The match maintained a back-and-forth pace, but Harrisburg kept control of the scoreboard. Their consistent tackling and dominant backline and scrum could not be matched. The game finished 36-17 with the Harrisburg Women prevailing as 4-time MAC D2 Champions!

The win punched Harrisburg’s ticket to the USA Rugby Eastern Club Championships in Spartanburg, SC. The Women will play in the National Quarter-finals on May 18th against Providence Rugby, for the chance to move on to the semi-final on May 19th. This marks the Harlots’ fourth trip to the National Quarter-final, and the ladies are hoping the fourth time’s the charm.

HRFC 30 for $30

HRFC 30 for $30 Program

Program Overview

As part of an ongoing effort to ensure the future home of the Club, we are asking HRFC members and supporters to participate in our 30 for $30 program.

The goal is for 30 donors to subscribe and donate $30 per month to the HRFC Rugby Complex Field Fund for an entire year.

The HRFC Futures Committee, along with the entire club, hopes to consistently have 30 or MORE participants in this program at all times.

In return for their generous donations, 30 for $30 program donors will receive:

  • special recognition from the club in all future HRFC Rugby Complex Field Fund marketing materials
  • recognition on the participation chart below
  • an exclusive 30 for $30 program t-shirt (exclusive design changed yearly – collect them all!)

Subscribe Today

Please help drive the ongoing success of Harrisburg Rugby Football Club by subscribing to the 30 for $30 program.

You can pay for your subscription in a lump sum (contact A.J. Carr) or with perpetual monthly donations* via the ‘Subscribe’ button below. Anonymous donors are also welcome.

Name you would like to appear:  


*Perpetual monthly donations will continue past 12 months until you opt out through PayPal.

 

Thank You

The entire Harrisburg Rugby family would like to recognize the current participants of our 30 for $30 program:

CURRENT HRFC 30 FOR $30 PARTICIPANTS
Wade & Karen Em Wade John Humphrey
Amy Senn Julie George Georgia Goodman

 

Thank you for your generosity!

HRFC 30 for $30

Stratton and Tare Coach EPRU Women’s All-Star 7s at NSCRO Tourney

In January, HRFC Women’s Coach Scott Stratton and player Ali Tare coached the EPRU Women’s College All-Star Team to a 5th place finish at the NSCRO 7s tournament! Here is Coach Stratton’s recap of the tourney:

The ladies of the EPRU Women’s College All-Star team competed in St Petersburg Florida in the National Small College tournament the weekend of January 19th.

For the EPRU College 7’s All Stars this was their first gathering competitively into the 7’s tournament.  The opening match was against the Cascades. From the opening whistle the EPRU players took control.  Jadelyn Rivera (Widener) hit the long 5 meter line coming up short for a try but still running hard.  It took a second for the team to re-gather themselves but stopped the Cascade attack.  Off the next lineout Anika Blackman (Albright) hit the corner hard and went in for the first try.  There continued to be some back and forth play with our ladies having first game hiccups.  As we closed out the half Rose Wireman (Albright) sliced through the defense to score the second try of the match.  Katie Andrews (Albright) hit her first conversion of the day.  Players were set to continue the domination for the second half.  Jadelyn Rivera caught the opening kickoff and went 60 meters for the try.  With the teams spirts high Dionna Stockton (Albright) crashed through the middle to hit another try.  As the match closed Jess Jones (Lehigh) caught a clean ball off the scrum and finished with a try.  She followed with the conversion.  Final score EPRU 29 Cascades 0.

The next match was against The South, last year’s Champions. The team knew this match would be difficult, the South’s experience and fluidness was difficult to defend. The South opened up the scoring at the 3 minute mark off a corner run  and adding the conversion.  EPRU would hit back up the side with Jen Palys (Widener) finishing in the middle for her first try.  Kate Andrews added the conversion.  Unfortunately for the ladies this would end the scoring against the South.  Their experience would allow them to finish the match up 29- 7.  EPRU had a number of chances and due to a few mistakes kept the match out of hand.

Finishing 1-1 in pool play put the EPRU ladies into the championship pool.  Third match of the day gave the team Upstate New York, 3rd place team from the previous year. EPRU ladies started positive pressuring the NY squad early.  A knock on by NY gave the red, white and blue a scrum in mid field.  A clean win gave quick ball to Jess Jones (Lehigh) who cut through the defense to score first.  A slight miscue by the EPRU team gave the ball to the NY team on the front foot giving up a try and conversion.  With no time left in the half EPRU was awarded a scrum deep in their own end.  Another clean win but this time the NY team would buckle down on defense and stop the attack.  With a missed catch the NY team pounced on the ball and scored with time gone.  As the second half kicked off the tired legs gave another try to the upstate team.  17 – 5 with little time left Dionna Stockton (Albright) smashed through the middle to bring the score closer, Jess Jones (Lehigh) made the conversion.  As the time was closing in on the EPRU team another turnover off a lineout saw the ball slip to the NY team which ripped up the middle to close the match.  EPRU 12 – USNY 24.

Day 2 put the EPRU team looking to win 5th place.  First match of the day was a very good Lonestar team.  EPRU pushed the ball back into the Lonestars end and played some very inspired defense.  Unfortunately 4 offside penalties placed co-captain Jadelyn Rivera (Widener) into the sin bin with a yellow card.  With two and a half minutes to go in the half it was not looking good for the team.  However they young ladies pulled together and pitched a shutout to the Lonestar team.  Refocused for the second half they hit the ground running.  Anika Blackman had a great give and go move with Jen Palys (Widener) to then give a smart pass to Jadelyn Rivera (Widener) for the opening try.  From that point the group pulled together and pressured the Texas ladies.  Albright teammates linked together to produce the next try.  Naadirah Moore gave the pass to speedy Anika Blackman who couldn’t be caught, Kate Andrews added the conversion.  With the match closing out Kate Andrews (Albright) put the ball in the scrum then took it out and into the tryzone to finish the scoring.  EPRU 17 – 0 Lonestar.

The EPRU ladies would need to beat a very tough Ohio team to take 5th place.  The first half was a back and forth match showing the strength and speed of the Ohio team.  The tight defense of the EPRU shut out Ohio in the first half.  Prior to the end of the half Rose Wireman (Albright) hit the try line to put the team in front.  Second half started on a positive note with Anika Blackman (Albright) scoring another try.  Teammate Kate Andrews converted the try.  The EPRU was leading 12 – 0 with less than 4 minutes to play.  Unfortunately the penalty bug hit both teams.  EPRU could not get their penalty play on the move.  Allowing turnovers on the plays.  Ohio punched in a try but missed the conversion.  As the match came to a close the Ohio ladies had one last push off of another EPRU m=penalty.  The Ohio wing hit the corner and then cut inside to find the line.  Lucky for EPRU the conversion sailed wide.  Final score EPRU 12 – 10 Ohio.

The team selected Jadelyn Rivera (Widener) as the MVP of the team.  The coaches selected Anika Blackman (Albright) as their player.  A very special thanks also to Rose Wireman (Albright) for the Iron Women award for playing extremely tough for every minute of the tournament.  The ladies are grateful for everything they’ve learned the past few months and the generosity of the EPRU. Special thank you to Steamroller Rugby for the amazing kit.  The coaching staff was extremely impressed with the growth and connectedness of these ladies in such a short amount of time. The team is looking forward to their shot at 1st next year!  They will expand the numbers this spring after the EPRU 7’s Championship.  Afterwards they will start a summer training program preparing for the 2020 championship.