Dallas Harlequins RFC
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[edit] Founding the Harlequins
The Dallas Harlequins Rugby Football Club was formed in January, 1971 and named in honor of the venerable Harlequin FC of London, England. The Club grew quickly from a handful of members to become a force in the Texas Northern Counties Rugby Football Union, the Texas Rugby Football Union and, beginning in the 1980's, the Western Rugby Football Union and the United States Rugby Union.
For over twenty years, the Harlequins have been one of the top clubs in the United States, having earned their way to the "Final Four" of the National Rugby Championships six times. In 1983, the club reached the Championship finals in Chicago and, in 1984, the Harlequins won the National Club championship in Hartford, Connecticut, defeating the Los Angeles Rugby Club by 31-12. Since that time, the Harlequins have finished third in the National Championships four times: 1986, 1991, 1992 and 1995. Of the more than 1700 rugby clubs in the United States, few have matched the Harlequins' success at the national level.
[edit] Success Inside the Texas Rugby Union
The club has done even better at the regional level. The Harlequins 1st side won the Texas Rugby Football Union Championships for the first time in 1975 and, since 1981, has dominated Texas Rugby by winning the Texas RFU Championships a staggering twenty times: 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003. The Harlequins 2nd side has won its bracket of the Championships on ten occasions: 1974, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1998. The Harlequins have been the only Texas RFU club to win the Western RFU Championships (covering territory from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains), having done so six times: 1983, 1984, 1986, 1990, 1991 and 1995.
[edit] International Competition
The Harlequins became the first Texas RFU club to defeat a visiting team from outside the United States when they defeated the Baillou Club of Nassau, Bahamas in 1972. The club also has hosted visiting international sides from Argentina, Kenya, South Africa, England, New Zealand, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Australia and the Cayman Islands. In 1983, the Dallas Harlequins RFC became the only western hemisphere club to be formally affiliated with the team for whom they were named: the prestigious Harlequin FC of London, England.
[edit] Entering the Super League
In 1997, the Dallas Harlequins became one of the founding members of the USA Premier Rugby Super League. The Super League was formed to promote competition among the strongest clubs across the country on an annual basis. Beginning with 14 teams in 1997 and expanding to 16 teams in 1998, and currently 18 teams, the Super League continues to draw national attention to this fast growing sport. Originally positioned in the Western Conference of the new league, the Harlequins play other perennial national rugby powerhouses - such as Aspen, San Diego and Los Angeles - every year in head to head competition. The league now features 16 teams under the umbrella of USA Rugby, and serves as the top club competition in the USA.
[edit] Current State of the Club
The club currently fields three sides, an over 35 Gentlemen's side and an Under 19 Colts team. A club with a varied membership, the Harlequins range in age from 18 to early 40's and include: teachers and coaches, business executives and professionals, construction workers and craftsmen. While many players are native Texans, the roster has featured a sprinkling of players from other states with additional flavor coming from Great Britain, Ireland, France, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Trinidad, Mexico, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Tonga, Kenya, Jamaica, Korea, Japan and Canada. Visiting and resident "ruggers", whether active or former players, administrators or coaches, are always welcome at the pitch and in the pub.
