A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| USA Rugby League | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | January 12, 2011 |
| IRL affiliation | 2015 |
| Americas affiliation | 2014 |
| Responsibility | United States (from October 2014[1]) |
| Competitions | USA Rugby League |
 | |
The USA Rugby League (formally the US Association of Rugby League, Inc.) is the national governing body for rugby league in the United States.
The organization is responsible for running the domestic club competitions and the United States national rugby league team in addition to other responsibilities.
The body was founded in 2011 by clubs that had broken from the established American National Rugby League (AMNRL), plus expansion franchises. The USARL began its inaugural competition season in 2011 with eight teams.
The USARL was granted affiliate membership in November 2014 of the RLIF and RLEF, replacing the AMNRL which is now defunct.[2]
History
2011–2013: Formation after schism with AMNRL
The formation of the USA Rugby League was announced on January 12, 2011. Seven teams that had previously competed in the American National Rugby League, the United States' established rugby league organization and recognized governing body for the sport, announced they were breaking with the AMNRL to form a new league. The stated reason for the split was dissatisfaction with the governance of the AMNRL; the departing teams were unhappy with the lack of club involvement in the league's decision making, and the new league was founded with the principle of including its member clubs in its administration.[3][4][5]
The departing AMNRL teams were the Boston Thirteens, the Washington, D.C. Slayers, the Fairfax Eagles, the Jacksonville Axemen, the New Haven Warriors, the Philadelphia Fight, and the Pittsburgh Vipers; they were to be joined by two new teams, the New Jersey Turnpike Titans and Kodiak Rugby from New York City. Before the season Pittsburgh and Fairfax became "developmental" teams in the new league outside of the top-tiered competition; Fairfax subsequently suspended operations.[6] The New York team was unable to find a suitable stadium in the city, and instead became the Rhode Island Rebellion.[7] One additional team, Oneida FC, joined the top-tiered competition for the 2011 season.[8]
On January 13, 2011, the USARL announced that Peter Illfield, chairman of the Philadelphia Fight, would be the league's first chairman.[9][10] The league's first event was a rugby league nines tournament in the Philadelphia area on May 28–29, 2011. Round 1 of the regular season championship kicked off on June 4; the Jacksonville Axemen won the minor premiership with the best regular season record. In the inaugural Grand Final on August 27, the Philadelphia Fight defeated the New Haven Warriors to win their first ever national championship.[11]
In 2013 the USARL and AMNRL increased their focus on reunification, particularly after the United States' encouraging showing at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. An independent commission assembled to lead negotiations, however the USARL clubs eventually pulled out. USARL commissioner Peter Illfield blamed apparent dysfunction and disorganization in the AMNRL organization for this decision. The USARL subsequently invited AMNRL clubs to join their ranks as full members and initiated a four-team expansion.[12]
2014: AMNRL collapse
In 2014, the USARL expanded to 10 teams, adding expansion squads Atlanta Rhinos, Central Florida Warriors, and Tampa Mayhem. In addition, the Northern Virginia Eagles withdrew from the AMNRL and joined the USARL.[13] To reduce operating costs, the competition was split into two conferences.[14] Meanwhile, the AMNRL suspended its 2014 season.
2014–2020: Expansion
In 2015, three former AMNRL clubs joined the USARL; Bucks County Sharks, Connecticut Wildcats, and New York Knights. The Delaware Black Foxes also joined as an expansion squad. For 2016, the Connecticut Wildcats left the competition and were replaced by the White Plains Wombats. Before the 2017 season, the D.C. Slayers and Bucks County Sharks left the competition, and the USARL abolished the division structure within the North Conference. Before the 2018 season, the Central Florida Warriors left the competition and were replaced by Southwest Florida Copperheads and Danny Hanson was appointed the second league chairman. The Rhode Island Rebellion also left the competition. The New York Knights left the competition after the 2018 season.[15]
2021–2022: COVID-19 pandemic and NARL breakaway league
USARL membership has been in flux since the announcement of the North American Rugby League in spring 2021. Boston 13s and Philadelphia Fight left USARL to be founding members of the new competition. White Plains folded after NARL established the New York Freedom. Northern Virginia folded after most of its players joined the newly established DC Cavalry in NARL. Lakeland Renegades suspended operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2021 USARL season was contested by six teams. Philadelphia and Delaware in the North; Tampa, Jacksonville, Southwest Florida Copperheads, and South Florida Speed in the South. USARL South Championships Tampa Mayhem defeated North winners Delaware Black Foxes in the championship. The North Division has been unable to play in 2022. Multiple forfeits by South Florida Speed in July 2022 have put their future with USARL in doubt.
2023–present: Restructure, Women's and Youth focus, and expansion following NARL failure
2023 has seen significant expansion. Atlanta Rhinos rejoined the USARL, playing in the South Division. Pacific Coast Rugby League (PCRL) joined USARL, operating on the West Coast. PCRL brought Los Angeles Mongrel, San Diego Barracudas, and Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans – all formerly part of California Rugby League – as well as the newly formerly Los Angeles Bandidos into USARL. Additionally, four Utah teams, Riverton Seagulls, Herriman Roosters, Glendale Storm and Provo Broncos began playing USARL sanctioned matches as affiliates of PCRL. In August 2023, the first ever coast to coast National Champion was crowned with Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans defeating defending champions Jacksonville Axemen, 20–16.
In late December of 2023, the USARL announced the introduction of Women's National Competition or the Women's Championship for 2024. 6 clubs from both coasts, Los Angeles Mongrel, San Diego Barracudas, and Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans joined to represent the Western Conference, while Carolina Valkyries, Tampa Mischief, Jacksonville Axewomen and New York State Queens to represent the Eastern Conference. The winner of each conference would face off to crown the National Women's Champion.[16] In 2024, the governing body also announced the beginning of Youth Hawks, the Under 20 national team. This is first time since the late 1990s that a USA youth rugby league team will be put together.[17]
In late April of 2024, the USARL announced a new Regionalized structure to the national league. The Utah Rugby League Association would now operate as an independent entity distinct from the Pacific Coast Rugby League, managing its competition in accordance with USARL standards. At the end of the season, URLA and PCRL winners will play for the Western Championship, with the winner facing the Eastern Champions for the National Championship. Secondly, the unification effort on the East Coast of the United States sees the return of Boston 13s, Brooklyn Kings, and Delaware Black Foxes with Washington DC Cavalry joining as the Rugby League United competition becomes the Northeastern conference of USARL. Lastly, the USARL South would now become the Florida Rugby League, the rebranding affects both men's and women's teams in the region, including the Jacksonville Axemen and Axewomen, Southwest FL Copperheads, Tampa Mayhem and Mischief, and the Atlanta Rhinos.[18][19]
Domestic competition
Current season or competition: 2024 USARL season | |
| |
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2011 |
| Inaugural season | 2011 |
| Number of teams | 20 |
| Country |  United States |
| Champions |  Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans (1st title) (2023) |
| Most titles |  Philadelphia Fight (4 titles) |
| Website | usarl.org |
Structure
2024–Present
- USARL Grand Final
- USARL Eastern Conference Final
- New England Rugby League
- Florida Rugby League
- USARL Western Conference Final
- Pacific Coast Rugby League
- Utah Rugby League
- USARL Eastern Conference Final
Starting in 2024, the USARL competition was expanded following teams withdrawing for the NARL in the years previous. The competition would be structured into four regional leagues across an East and West Conference. Winners of each league advance to the their respective conference final before the winners of each facing each other in the Grand Final.[19]
2014–2023
Between 2014 and 2023 the USARL competition was split a Northern and Southern Conference with the top four teams advancing to their conference semi-final. Winners of each conference final would contest the Grand Final.
California Rugby League (now Pacific Coast Rugby League) was established in 2018 but was not intergrated into the USARL competition until 2024.
2011–2013
- USARL Grand Final
- USARL Regular Season[a]
In the first three seasons of the league, clubs were only present in the North East thus only one geographic group was required. The top four teams advanced to the playoffs ending with the Grand Final.
Teams
Eastern Conference
| Northeast Rugby League | |||||
| Colors | Club | Founded | City (MSA) | Stadium | National Titles (Last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Boston Bears | 2014 | Boston | Eastern Boston Stadium | 1 (2015) |
 |
Brooklyn Kings | 2006 | Brooklyn | Randalls Island Field 10 | 1 (2019) |
 |
Delaware Black Foxes | 2015 | Wilmington, Delaware | Eden Park | 0 (N/A) |
 |
Washington DC Cavalry | 2021 | Washington Metro | Central Sports Complex | 0 (N/A) |
| Florida Rugby League | |||||
| Colors | Club | Founded | City (MSA) | Stadium | National Titles (Last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Atlanta Rhinos | 2014 | Roswell, GA | Elkins Pointe Middle School | 1 (2017) |
 |
Jacksonville Axemen | 2006 | Jacksonville, FL | UNF Rugby Field | 3 (2022) |
 |
Southwest Florida Copperheads | 2018 | Naples, FL | Paradise Coast Sports Complex | 0 (N/A) |
 |
Tampa Mayhem | 2014 | Tampa, FL | Hillsborough High School | 1 (2021) |
Western Conference
| Pacific Coast Rugby League | |||||
| Colors | Club | Founded | City (MSA) | Stadium | National Titles (Last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
East Palo Alto Razorbacks | 2021 | East Palo Alto, California | Rich May Field | 0 |
 |
Los Angeles Mongrel | 2019 | Los Angeles, California | Various | 0 |
 |
Los Angeles Bandidos | 2022 | Los Angeles, California | Various | 0 |
 |
Sacramento Immortals | 2020 | Sacramento, California | Danny Nunn Park | 0 |
 |
San Diego Barracudas | 2020 | San Diego, California | Various | 0 |
|
Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans | 2018 | Santa Rosa, California | For Pete's Sake Field | 1 (2023) |
|
West LA Jackrabbits | 2024 | Los Angeles, California | TBA | 0 |
| Utah Rugby League | |||||
| Colors | Club | Founded | City (MSA) | Stadium | National Titles (Last) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Herriman Roosters | 2022 | Herriman, Utah | Burgess Park | 0 |
 |
Riverton Seagulls | 2022 | Riverton, Utah | Burgess Park | 0 |
 |
Provo Broncos | 2022 | Provo, Utah | Burgess Park | 0 |
|
Glendale Storm | 2022 | Glendale, Utah | Burgess Park | 0 |
 |
South Jordan Rabbitahz | 2024 | South Jordan, Utah | South Jordan Park | 0 |
