Alamo City Rugby Football Club

The Alamo City Rugby Football Club (also known as just Alamo City RFC or Alamo City Rugby) is a Texas rugby union club that is based in the city of San Antonio, TX. Alamo City RFC plays in the Texas Rugby Union Men's Division 3 league. Home matches are held at the Bowie Field rugby pitches located inside Brooks Park in southeast San Antonio. The nickname for Alamo City Rugby is "The Defenders", but is rarely used.

History

In 1983, Alamo City Rugby Football Club was started by a small group of players who were interested in promoting rugby in the city of San Antonio, Texas. Over the years, the club has grown to support high school, collegiate, masters (“old boys”), military, and currently, men’s and women’s divisions. A great achievement for the club was when the high school team received 2nd, 3rd, and 6th place finishes in the National High School Championships. The fathering of the high school program helped the club achieve its 501(c)-3 status as a non-profit organization with exemption from state franchise and sales tax.

In 2001, Alamo City RFC expanded its club by starting a women’s side. The Alamo City Assassins formed through word of mouth of the men's club and local soccer leagues. Most of the women had little exposure to rugby prior to joining Alamo City RFC, but have quickly adapted to the change in rules and techniques. The women's team unfortunately ceased operations in 2007 due to a dwindling numbers restricting them from fielding a side.

Bowie Field

One of the club’s great accomplishments was obtaining the land for Bowie Field, which was named after Dr. Neil Bowie for his never-ending support to the club. The 10-acre (40,000 m²) site has a regulation rugby playing pitch and a lighted practice pitch. This facility is San Antonio’s first and only of its kind. It is located south of Brooks City-Base on Goliad Rd.

Community involvement

ACRFC contributes to the community of San Antonio by holding events and assisting in local charity fund raisers. The club has increased its ability to contribute to the community with their affiliation to the Harper and Shamrock Society, Target 90 Goals for San Antonio, and other local organizations. Alamo City RFC has an annual presence delivering toys to children in support of the San Antonio Elf Louise Program. H.E.B. and Halo Distributing have also assisted by giving generous contributions to Alamo City RFC. In addition, ACRFC members donate their time to the San Antonio Food Bank.

In recent years, members of Alamo City Rugby have begun donating their time and money to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Specifically representing the Lone Star Chapter, ACRFC has participated in the San Antonio CF Great Strides, and will participate in the 2008 CF Tower Climb. Participants will run a mile prior to running up the stairs of the Tower of the Americas in downtown San Antonio.

Fiesta 7s Tournament

In the spring of 1984, Alamo City RFC joined the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, and has since hosted the Alamo City Rugby Fiesta 7's Tournament annually. The Fiesta 7's tournament is held each spring in April during “Fiesta San Antonio”. Rugby sevens is played at the Fiesta Tournament, and is usually played in some type of round-robin tournament format. Teams from across Texas, and the nation, participate. In addition, teams from Europe, such as British Caldonia, Twickingham, Imber Court, England's Royal Engineers, Ireland's Arklow, and The Old Hirelings of France have traveled to San Antonio and played in the tournament.

Commandant's Cup Trophy

Although the Fiesta Tournament is a rugby sevens tournament, Alamo City RFC invites three of the United States military academies (United States Air Force Academy, United States Naval Academy, and the United States Military Academy) to participate in a round-robin tournament for the Commandant’s Cup. Each military academy enters a full rugby union (15-a side) team to compete for the cup.

Biennial Tours

Beginning in the year 2000, Alamo City Rugby Football Club began taking biennial tours to different countries around the world.

Wales, UK

In November 2000, Alamo City RFC traveled to Wales in the United Kingdom. On the two week stay, the club visited the major tourist attractions, such as the capitol of Cardiff, and played two rugby matches against local villages. In addition, the club attended an international rugby union match between Wales and Western Samoa at Millennium Stadium.

Cayman Islands, BWI

In May 2003, Alamo City RFC traveled to the Cayman Islands in the British West Indies. The club visited the major tourist attractions and played a rugby match against the Cayman Rugby Football Club.

New Zealand

In July 2005, Alamo City RFC traveled to New Zealand. On the two week stay, the club visited many of the major tourist attractions and was immersed in the local culture, even staying on a maori village. While visiting, the club played two rugby matches. The first was against Mount Maunganui RFC, and the second was against Lake Rotoiti RFC. In addition to playing rugby matches, Alamo City RFC was able to attend an international match between Auckland, New Zealand and the touring British and Irish Lions at Eden Park.

2006-2007 Season

2006-2007 Playoffs

2007-2008 (25th Anniversary Season)

Many activities and celebrations are scheduled for Alamo City's 25th Anniversary Season. The activities will be planned in conjunction with Fiesta San Antonio.

Ben Barton, an Alamo City RFC alumnus, has been elected the Alumni Director for the 2007-2008 25th anniversary season. He will be coordinating all of the celebration activities.

Schedule

2007-2008 Playoffs

2008-2009 Season

Schedule

2008-2009 Playoffs

External links

• Alamo City Rugby Football Club Official Site
• Texas Rugby Union

Categories: Sports in San Antonio, Texas | American rugby union teams | Rugby clubs established in 1983 | Rugby union teams in Texas