NOVA RFC
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[edit] The Founding
In 1965, George Mason University students formed a rugby club and competed against both men and university clubs. The sport of rugby was still in its infancy and membership of the club waxed and waned with graduates staying on to play for the George Mason Rugby Club. However, after a decade of rugby, the number of players listed on the club roster was approximately one hundred, and with the school reluctant to fund a club that was, for the most part, not students, the Northern Virginia Rugby Football Club was founded. Circa 1976.
[edit] Early Success
President Fred Byrne together with Pat Cunningham, Jim Franca, John Kirchner, Mike Kentes, and Mel Meadows, to mention but a few, led the club through their early years. Games were played at Gravelly Point, as indeed they are today. Despite being a relative newcomer to the Potomac Rugby Union ranks, NOVA quickly established itself as a quality club, winning the Atlantic Cup Tournament at Rehobeth Beach in 1976, as well as defeating well-established clubs such as Maryland Old Boys and Richmond. For one reason, NOVA was coached by north of England ex-rugby league player Dave White. Dave was succeeded by another Englishman in 1977, Chris Brook. Chris brought a heavy emphasis on organization to the team's play. Over the next 3 years, NOVA emerged as a major force in the Potomac Rugby Union.
[edit] A Tour Leads to Success in the 1980's
NOVA's 1979 Tour to England proved a great success and the lessons learned quickly showed on the field. NOVA won the PRU championship every year from 1980-1983. In 1982 and 1983, NOVA made the Final Four of the ERU Championships. Tournament victories were frequent as NOVA defeated opposition at the Commonwealth Cup, Porter Cup, Cherry Blossom Tournament, and the GW Tournament. The club was able to field four sides and on occasion an Old Boys XV.
[edit] Help From Abroad, and Homegrown Talent
Numerous players from Australia, the UK, and France have played for NOVA over the years. Currently we have 4 international players, two from Fiji, England and Scotland. In the early 90's we were fortunate enough to acquire Tom Parsons of Auckland, New Zealand to help teach us the latest in New Zealand techniques, tactics, and training methods. Tom is a 6'3", 265 lbs prop, and has played for Marist and the Auckland provincial side when their All-Black prop is busy with national obligations. Also in the mid 90's we aquired the services of another Kiwi, Geoff Cooke. Whose talents, combined with Mel's lead NOVA to an undeafted 1997 season, MARFU Champs and a spot in the National tournament in Dallas.
As fond as we are of our "funny talkers", Nova has prided itself on the fact that the fondation of our success has been from the hard play of American players. Even with the relative inexperience of US players, NOVA feels that the only way to improve the standard of rugby, across the board in the US, is to develop our American players. And that is what Nova has done in the past and will continue to do in the future.
