Rugby New York, originally known as Rugby United New York and officially nicknamed the Ironworkers, was a professional rugby union team based in New York City that was a member of Major League Rugby (MLR). The team played an exhibition season in spring 2018 and joined MLR for its second full season in 2019.[1][2] The team was founded by James Kennedy.[3]
During the 2022 season, its first under the Rugby New York name, the team made its only MLR Final appearance, winning a title in front of 1,979 attendees at Red Bull Arena in nearby Harrison, New Jersey.[4]
In December 2023, MLR announced that Rugby New York had withdrawn from the league and had folded, following a failed attempt to sell the team.[5][6]
Rugby United New York was founded in April 2018 by James Kennedy, owner of Murphy Kennedy Group a New York construction management company. In its 2018 exhibition season, RUNY was led by former USA men's national team coach Mike Tolkin, and assistant coaches Bruce McLane (former coach of New York Athletic Club RFC), Andrew Britt, and Vili Vakasisikakala.[1] The team's 2018 spring season consisted of matches against the Ontario Arrows and the Mystic River Rugby Club of Boston.[1] The team played its home matches at Gaelic Park in The Bronx.[7] The team played its first match on March 17, 2018, at Mazzella Field in New Rochelle, New York.[8] New York defeated the Ontario Arrows by a score of 36–19.[8] RUNY played its first match in New York City against Mystic River on March 24 before a sold-out crowd at Gaelic Park.[9] New York defeated Mystic River by a score of 50–0.[9]
Ahead of the 2019 season, RUNY announced that they had retained Mike Tolkin as the team's head coach,[10] signed Kees Lensing as the team's forwards coach,[11] and named James English as general manager.[12]Tiffany Faʻaeʻe was signed as Assistant Coach.
On November 7, 2018, RUNY announced that MCU Park in Brooklyn would be their home field for their first full season.[13]
On April 12, 2021, the club announced that they would begin the season at Cochrane Stadium in Jersey City, NJ. The club would end up splitting their home fields between Cochrane Stadium and Belson Stadium in Queens, NY.[14]
In January 2023, Rugby New York announced that Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, NY would be their home field.[15]
On December 6, 2023, it was announced that the Iron Workers would not compete in the 2024 MLR season.[16]
Broadcasts
2019 and 2020 home games were shown on SportsNet New York (SNY). Matt McCarthy, John Broker and Steve Lewis were the on air talent.
The 2021 season matches was broadcast on MSG Networks, ending their contract with SNY.
Sponsorship
During the inaugural season, RUNY signed a partnership deal with Magners Irish Cider,[17] the official drink partner and Bawnmore Irish Beef Jerky[18] as the official snack partner for the 2019 season. They also partnered up with EVF Performance,[19] the team's official gym and Motion PT Group, named the official physical therapy partner for the team.[20]
For the 2021 season, RUNY partnered with Sword Performance, a sports drink hydration company.[21] They also partnered with Mainfreight as their shirt sponsor for the next two seasons.[22]
Details of the performance of Rugby United New York against Major League Rugby opponents, between the 2019 and 2022 seasons. Table includes all regular season and play-off matches.
On March 12, 2020, MLR announced the season would go on hiatus immediately for 30 days due to fears surrounding the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic.[26] It was cancelled the following week[27]
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