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About

MISSION

The Potomac Rugby Foundation (PRF) develops, promotes and preserves rugby football in the Mid-Atlantic region.

 

PHILOSOPHY

Purpose: PRF was created as a non-profit organization to raise the awareness of the game of rugby football in the Mid-Atlantic (Washington, D.C./Baltimore) region while advancing and sustaining rugby’s growth and providing educational initiatives.

Function and Role: PRF will be a regional leader in sourcing initiatives aimed at helping the game of rugby football make a valuable contribution to our communities in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area. PRF will remain independent from rugby’s local, regional and national governing bodies but foster a collaborative and positive environment based on a shared sense of purpose.

Formation and Implementation: PRF’s efforts will be supported by the regional rugby and business communities, recognizing the Foundation’s role to initiate, advise, promote and recognize rugby’s value proposition.

FOUNDATION HISTORY

The Potomac Rugby Foundation (PRF) began in the mid-1980’s as a non-profit to assist injured players, in particular, one of the founder’s of the Foundation. A major initiative was a partnership with the American Red Cross,National Capital Region in the formation of the Potomac Ruggerfest, an early season Fall tournament that featured a blood donation drive (“Give Blood, Play Rugby”). By the late 90’s PRF had all but ceased operations with the untimely passing of the Foundation’s charitable beneficiary. In 2004, leadership were determined to breathe new life into the organization by increasing its scope. It was agreed that youth initiatives were the direction of growth, although all facets of the game were monitored for improvement. PRF reached out to the start-up USA Rugby High School All American program age grade organization Rugby Virginia as well as the Commonwealth Games (Virginia Amateur Sports) and formed partnerships. PRF sustains these advocacy relationships today along with originally sourced initiatives.

RUGBY IN THE REGION

 

Rugby in the Washington. D.C./Baltimore region originated in the early 1960’s. The first organizations to form were the men’s clubs of Baltimore (1960) and Washington (1963) and college clubs at the U.S. Naval Academy (1963), George Mason (1965) and Georgetown (late 1960’s). These clubs, along with the University of Virginia (1961) became members of the Eastern Rugby Union (1934). Teams regularly traveled north and south along the East coast to play matches against well-established programs in Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Whitemarsh), New York City (Old Blue, Manhattan, New York, and White Plains), Boston (Boston, Mystic River) and North Carolina (Duke – 1963, N.C. State – 1965). The Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union formed in 1972, Met New York Union in 1971 and Virginia RFU in 1972. The first area women’s club was the Washington Furies (1978) and college women’s club was Mary Washington. The first area high school programs included Walt Whitman (MD), Langley (VA), West Potomac (VA) and West End (VA) while the first youth programs were established included Springfield Youth Club (VA), Andover (MD) and Fairfax Police Club (VA). By the mid - 2000’s rugby in the region proliferated, most significantly at the youth level. Today there are 187 rugby clubs in the Washington/Baltimore region.

The Potomac Rugby Foundation strives to preserve rugby football’s beginnings in the region while laying the groundwork for future sustainability.

AFFILIATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS

As a development leader in the Mid-Atlantic Region, Potomac Rugby Foundation is an affiliate, advocate and partner with many regional, national and global organizations including:

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Potomac Rugby Foundation

P.O. Box 2148
Merrifield, VA 22116

Email: rugbyfoundation@msn.com

Phone: 703-966-5253

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