Connecticut Yankees RFC

[edit] The Founding

The Yankees began their first season back in September 1975, when a number of players answered a newspaper advertisement. The advertisement read "Wanted: Rugby Players and Beer Drinkers", and was placed by club founder, Frank Sinnott (President 1976). That Fall the Club had one scrimmage against Yale University and lost 28-4. From such an inauspicious beginning, the Yankees have grown into one of the most stable and successful clubs in the Northeastern US.

[edit] A Growing Club

The Yankees officially joined the MetNY Union in the Spring of 1978 as an independent club with one side. The youthful and inexperienced Yankees posted a 10-2 record that Spring and a 6-5-1 record in the Fall. Due to life's impediments (age, careers, family resposibilites, etc) this one group of dedicated ruggers dwindled & in the Fall of 1988, the Yankees merged with their cross Fairfield County rivals, the Stamford Wombats. The red stripe within the club shield represents the jersey color associated with the former Wombats RFC.

[edit] Club Success

Some Yankees distant past on-field successes include first place finishes in the Orlando, Florida; Long Island, New York Tournaments and Mid- Atlantic Conference Championships in Washington, DC (1992). The Club has hosted various touring sides from Ireland, Wales, England and France. In addition, the Club has travelled on international tours to England (1981); Ireland (1985); Spain (1986); Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia (1987), and The Stratford Sister Games in Ontario, Canada (1994).

In the fall season of 1992, the Yankees A and B sides combined for a 22-2 record, won the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament, and qualified as one of the final four teams in the East Coast finals. In 1994, under the guidance of Coach Stephen Cain, the Yankees completed the season in first place in Division II of the Met Union.

In 1999, the Yankees, with an A-side record of 8-1, fought to finish second in Division II of the Met NY Union. This was a memorable occasion because between 1995 and 1999 the Yanks did not post a single winning season and despite establishing a clubhouse, now lost, numbers waned, interest fell and the club was in danger of folding. Sensing the danger, many old boys, including Tommy Kubic, Beave Kubic, Duncan Forsyth, Kevin Black, Kenny Seakas, Mark Holzner, Scott Pressler and others answered the call. That year, the Yanks lost the first game to Monmouth by 10 points and many members had to play two matches because we failed to travel with sufficient numbers. The second game of that season against Montauk, a longtime rival, saw only 17 players travel and the game started with just 14 players against Montauk's full side. Something happened at that game and the Yanks manged to win by 5 points. From that moment, the Yanks understood that they could accomplish anything and indeed they did, winning all of the remaining matches that season. With that turnaround, our finish in 1999 was sufficient for a bid to the USARFU Men's Div. II Sweet Sixteen in Fort Worth, TX. While falling to national powerhouse Fort Worth RFC in the first round at their home pitch, the Yanks learned that they could compete at the highest levels of Division II national rugby and that championship rugby was something they should take seriously.

In 2000, capitalizing on three years of practice, team work, and sacrifice brought the Yankees to win Division II of the Met NY Union, undefeated in league play. The Yanks completely dominated Division II, beating long time rivals Monmouth RFC, Montauk RFC and Long Island RFC. Returning to USARFU Men's Div. II Sweet Sixteen playoffs in Spring 2001, the Yanks received a berth in the playoffs which were held locally by New Haven "Old Black" RFC in New Haven, CT. After defeating Buffalo RFC in the first round, the 2001 championship series saw the Yanks enter the Elite Eight for the first time in club history. Unfortunately, the Yanks progressed no further, falling again to Fort Worth RFC.

In the fall 2001, the Yankees remained focused on their winning ways, posting a 7-1 record in league play. Another tough regional playoffs turned the Yanks to face Springfield (MO) RFC in the first round of the playoffs. The Yanks fell to Springfield (MO) RFC in the Round of 16. However, this was the 3rd consecuative appearance in the "Sweet Sixteen" over the previous three years - a CT Yankees record!

In 2002,the Yanks changed their affiliation from the Met Union to the New England Rugby Union. Instead of travelling to New York, New Jersey and Long Island, the Yanks schedule moved to include Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont. In the first season with NERFU, the Yanks announced their presence with authority, posting a 6-1-1 record. return to sweet sixteen, travel to California,

At the conclusion of the Fall 2003 season, the Yanks posted another undefeated record, dominating New England, 8-0. Many new faces are present at practice; many old faces have returned to lend their experience, tenacity and vigor.

Undoubtedly, we have reclaimed the glory of years past, renewed the reputation established by our founders and are ready to create new legends for the future