Rugby girls claim tournament championship

Maryville Rugby Football Club

The Maryville Rugby Football Club (MRFC) Girls made history in 2004 when they became the first girls' rugby club in Tennessee. The club also won the Smoky Mountain Athletic Club (SMAC) Cup and Tennessee state championships that same year.

In 2005, they won the SMAC Cup and Tennessee state tournament, earning an invitation as South Territorial Union's (TU) first team to compete nationally. The girls' club took eighth in the nation.

2006 saw MRFC ladies placing second in SMAC and Tennessee state championships. That same year MRFC ladies had two players qualify for the U19 (under 19 years of age) Women's National Rugby Team. Ten of the players also qualified for the first-ever South U19 All-Star team.

By 2007 MRFC ladies had again placed second in the state and sent two players to the national team.

On May 3-4, MRFC once again made history, claiming the first-ever Girl's High School South Territorial Union tournament championship, defeating the Florida state champs, Jupiter RFC, and the Middle Tennessee regional champs, Ravenwood Raptors. They will again represent South in the national invitational tournament in Pittsburgh May 30-June 1.

MRFC is currently attempting to raise funding for the NIT trip. Contributions may be made by sending a check made payable to MRFC, c/o Marye Lois McCroskey, 1302 Boyd Ave., Maryville, TN 37803. All donations are appreciated.

For more information on MRFC rugby go to www.mrfcrugby.com or call Head Coach Jay Hawkins, 388-4074. MRFC is comprised of girls and boys, high school and middle school aged, from area high schools and home schoolers. Practices are held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, behind the Vulcan baseball diamond on S. Court St., Maryville.