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Official Name: |
Atlanta Renegades Rugby Football Club |
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Established: |
1971 |
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Colors: |
Black, Red and Gold |
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Crest: |
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Affiliations: |
United States of America Rugby Football Union (USARFU)
USA Rugby South (USARS)
Georgia Rugby Union (GRU)
Major League Rugby (MLR)
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Competitive Level: |
National Division One - First XV
National Division Two - Second XV
Major League Rugby (MLR)
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The Atlanta Renegades Rugby Football Club was founded in 1971 by a small group of
athletes dedicated to the game of rugby. The aspirations of the club were not great;
in fact at that time there were no club championships, select sides, territorial
sides or national side. The Club Philosophy was simply to WORK HARD, PLAY WELL and
HAVE FUN.
Since then rugby has grown to have multiple layers of competition in the U.S. True
to the traditions laid down in the beginning - Renegade sides have earned a respected
place in the history of Southern and American rugby.
In 1973, ARRFC hosted the first Peachtree Invitational Rugby Tournament - one of
the first ever rugby tournaments to be held in the South. In 1977, the club was
the first Southern team to tour England and Wales. Interestingly enough, one of
the host teams has become a "brother club" to the Renegades - the Newport Saracens.
To this day, members of those teams gather to travel to play in Saranac as the "Saragades"
in over-45 divisional play. Also in 1977, the club formed its original charter.
On the field, the club has a long list of successes. The Renegades have been involved
in territorial playoffs since 1980, through the existence of the old Eastern Rugby
Union and now in USA Rugby South. Tournaments won include the Peachtree Invitational,
St. Louis Ruggerfest, Gator Invitational, Savannah St. Patrick's Day Tournament,
Charleston Michelob Rugby Classic, the Dogwood Invitational and others.
The ARRFC has toured Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England, The Bahamas, The Cayman
Islands, and the U.S. West Coast. Touring sides to visit the Renegades include teams
from Wales, Ireland, Zambia, South Africa, Argentina, England, Bermuda, The Bahamas
and The Cayman Islands.
The club membership rolls have included players from not only all corners of the
U.S., but also England, Wales, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa , Western
Samoa, Uruguay, Scotland, France, Kenya. That cultural diversity is an aspect of
this club that is particularly rewarding.