Australian RL clubs helping out with grassroots development in the USA

A product of AYRLA High School players, new players to the game and RI Rebellion players not making the USA Rugby League top 17, the RI Rugby League Development side is an open-team where persons/ college union players returning home for the summer and other ‘first timers’ or ‘newbies’, can come and get there feet wet and give league a go, in a structured but informal game prior to USA Rugby League Matches hosted by the RI Rebellion. This allows for more persons to get engaged in the sport and have the opportunity to play a game, boosting their skills and introducing them to the sport of rugby league.

The impetus or demand for the formation of the group has been a direct result of the AYRLA high school rugby league competition which saw over 100 Providence Students give rugby league a go this spring. In the end AYRLA had 50 Players compete over 10 weeks, representing E3 Academy, Dr. Jorge Alvarez, Classical, The MET, Hope and Juanita Sanchez High School.

The players all made their way across the city to Classical for training twice a week at 6&7pm at night, three and half hours after school got out. Some students were even participating in other varsity sports earlier in the day, whilst others took upon additional requirements in order to have their participation in Rugby League count toward credit to graduate high school.

Throughout the season, students had the opportunity to take on the Boston 13s U23 team, play with the Southampton Dragons vs. The RI Rebellion pre-season game and the Rhode Island Training School Team. The demand for games continue as a dedicated core of players constantly attend Rebellion Training's (which Head Coach Liam Cain holds open to all players of any ability so long as they want to pay attention, have the desire to learn and improve their game). This weekend saw many of the High School Seniors and Juniors returning to hit the field one more time, in addition to some college rugby union players and newbies to rugby league.

Many thanks go out to Graham Robinson for organizing four sets of jerseys from the Brisbane North Devils and Wavell High School; in addition, Graham organized socks, balls, and youth balls from the Brisbane Bronco’s in addition to posters and stickers for the Middle and High School Participants.  Also included were some training jerseys from the North Devils and Wavell High School as well as Wavell Zip ups that went to players for various awards.

Additionally none of this could have happened without the support of our volunteer coaches who not only did not get paid, but gave up wages, and traveled from New Bedford MA, Ivorytown CT, and North Smithfield RI, to ensure the program’s success:  Josh Price, Derek Trehan Liam Cain and Lawrence Almagno Jr.

Many Thanks go out to the sponsors & partners

• Graham Robinson, MIPA – General Taxation Serviecs, East Banyo, QLD
• The Rhode Island Rebellion Rugby League Team
• Todd Elliott, Art & Design – Elliottand.com
• Fotis Kakaroubas
• Mesolella, Almagno & Goldberg, LLC – Attorneys at Law
• Providence After School Alliance
• Wavell HS Rugby League
• Brisbane North Devils Rugby League
• Brisbane Bronco’s Rugby League