Alamo City Rugby Football Club
Encyclopedia
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.
. 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 ceased operations in 2007 due to a dwindling numbers restricting them from fielding a side.
on Goliad Rd.
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 participates in the San Antonio CF Great Strides, and the CF Tower Climb. Participants will run a mile prior to running up the stairs of the Tower of the Americas
in downtown San Antonio.
Beginning in 2010, a few members of ACRFC began donating their time coaching the reinvigorated collegiate rugby programs of the University of Texas at San Antonio UTSA Roadrunners
and St. Mary's University, Texas
Rattler Rugby.
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.
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.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
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, TexasSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. 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
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
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 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 acres (40,468.6 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-BaseBrooks City-Base
Brooks City-Base was a United States Air Force facility located in San Antonio, Texas, southeast of Downtown San Antonio.In 2002 Brooks Air Force Base was renamed Brooks City-Base when the property was conveyed to the Brooks Development Authority as part of a unique project between local, state,...
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
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a non-profit organization in the United States established to provide the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis . The Foundation provides information about cystic fibrosis and finances CF research that aims to improve the quality of life for people with the...
. Specifically representing the Lone Star Chapter, ACRFC participates in the San Antonio CF Great Strides, and the CF Tower Climb. Participants will run a mile prior to running up the stairs of the Tower of the Americas
Tower of the Americas
Tower of the Americas is a 750-foot observation tower/restaurant in San Antonio, Texas. The tower was designed by San Antonio architect O'Neil Ford and was built as the theme structure of the 1968 World's Fair, HemisFair '68....
in downtown San Antonio.
Beginning in 2010, a few members of ACRFC began donating their time coaching the reinvigorated collegiate rugby programs of the University of Texas at San Antonio UTSA Roadrunners
UTSA Roadrunners
The UTSA Roadrunners is an athletic program that represent the University of Texas at San Antonio . The UTSA Roadrunners are also commonly referred to as "UTSA", Roadrunners,or simply as "Runners" . The Roadrunners compete in the NCAA Division I Southland Conference in 17 varsity sports...
and St. Mary's University, Texas
St. Mary's University, Texas
St. Mary's University is a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution located on northwest of downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. St. Mary’s is a nationally recognized master’s level school ranked among the top colleges in the west for best value and academic reputation by U.S. News...
Rattler Rugby.
Fiesta 7s Tournament
In the spring of 1984, Alamo City RFC joined the Fiesta San AntonioFiesta San Antonio
"Fiesta San Antonio" is an annual spring festival held in San Antonio, Texas with origins dating to the late 19th century. The festival began as a single event to honor the memory of the battles of The Alamo and San Jacinto....
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
Fiesta San Antonio
"Fiesta San Antonio" is an annual spring festival held in San Antonio, Texas with origins dating to the late 19th century. The festival began as a single event to honor the memory of the battles of The Alamo and San Jacinto....
”. Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
is played at the Fiesta Tournament, and is usually played in some type of round-robin tournament
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
format. Teams from across Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, 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 sevensRugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
tournament, Alamo City RFC invites three of the United States military academies
United States military academies
The United States Service academies, also known as the United States Military Academies, are federal academies for the undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers for the United States armed forces.There are five U.S...
(United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
, United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, and the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
) to participate in a round-robin tournament
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
for the Commandant’s Cup. Each military academy enters a full rugby union (15-a side) team to compete for the cup.
Schedule
| Match | Alamo City | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 09, 2010 -Corpus Christi RFC | ||
| Oct 23, 2010 -UT Grads RFC | ||
| Nov 06, 2010 -HARC II | ||
| Nov 20, 2010 -McAllen RFC | ||
| Dec 18, 2010 -Austin RFC II | ||
| Jan 15, 2011 -University of St. Thomas RFC | ||
| Feb 05, 2011 -San Antonio MC RFC | ||
| Feb 19, 2011 -Galveston RFC | ||
| Mar 05, 2011 -West Houtson RFC | ||
| Mar 19, 2011 -Austin Huns RFC II | ||