Long Island RFC

[edit] Founding

The Long Island Rugby Football Club (LIRFC) was founded in 1972 as the Smithtown Rugby Club by St. Anthony and Chaminade alumni. Among the individuals instrumental in its creation were Mike Scott, an expatriated Englishman, Mike Cotter and John McDermott. The name was changed to the Long Island Rugby Football Club shortly thereafter. The club was incorporated in 1979. The moniker of the Rhino was suggested by then president, Gareth Brancato, in the early 1990's. He felt that the rhino's qualities of strength, endurance, and capacity for rage espoused the makeup of the players. The club continued as the Long Island Rugby Rhinos until 1998 when it merged with the Rockville Centre Rogues.

The Rockville Centre Rugby Club was founded in the Spring of 1992 through the efforts of Fred Hunt and Johnny Profitlich. The club, nicknamed "The Rogues", centered around a nucleus of players formerly with the Amityville RFC and grew to over 50 dues paying members in its first year. RVC joined the Metropolitan NY Rugby Union's Division III in the Fall of 1992. RVC improved on the field each year falling 6 points shy of winning the Division III Championship (to Long Island) in just its second year, but going undefeated to win the crown in its 3rd League season and being promoted to Division II the following year. It was that year, 1994, when Coach John Collins joined the club and provided guidance and leadership. In 1997, Coach McDonald strengthened the coaching staff by adding his own vast experience,

[edit] Merging the Clubs

After competing with local rival, Long Island, on the field and with recruiting, it was decided that it would be best for both clubs to join forces to put forth one strong, unified Rugby Club in the region. RVC and Long Island merged in the Spring of 1998 to form LIARS. Both clubs decided to cease competing for players and resources and combine to enhance both teams ability to compete. The LIRFC have now become the focus of rugby on Long Island in Nassau and western Suffolk Counties. The team has competed in Division's I, II, and III. They are currently in Division II and on the rise. They are coached by New Zealand expatriate Derek "Mack" McDonald and John Collins.