Category: News

Hungry Ruggers Night

Hungry Ruggers Night

Come out and enjoy a meal on Wednesday, February 8th, 2017, at WEST SHORE ISAAC’S in Lemoyne with your Harrisburg Rugby family and friends. Isaac’s will donate 25% of your dine-in & takeout purchases to HRFC. We are grateful for your support.

WHERE: WEST SHORE/LEMOYNE ISAAC’S
West Shore Plaza – Valid at this location only
1200 West Market Street, Lemoyne
Call 731-9545 for takeout orders

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb 8th, 2017, 5:00 – 9:00p.m

HOW: BRING THIS FLYER with you to Isaac’s, Eat!, complete the form, and hand it to your server when paying.

This form can be used for Dine-In, Takeout &
Online Orders at www.isaacsdeli.com!
Use coupon code FUND for online fundraiser orders.

3 Degree Freezin' Freemasons

Help Alex Rocca & the Masonic Lodge raise funds for Special Olympics

DONATE ONLINE NOW!

HRFC member Alex Rocca will be “freezin for a reason” on Saturday, January 16th providing polar bear plungers with warm towels, warm shelter, etc for polar bear plungers. They call it the Chicken Plunger at the Capital Area Polar Plunge for Special Olympics PA! He’s made the commitment to raise donations, which will be used to help further the mission of Special Olympics PA and help support the over 20,000 Athletes served in PA.

Please consider making a donation towards his personal fundraising goal and help me make a difference in the lives of so many amazing athletes. This year is the 11th anniversary of the Capital Area Polar Plunge (formerly Harrisburg Polar Plunge), help us celebrate 11 years of making a difference for Special Olympics PA!

If you would prefer to make a cash or check donation, please make your check or money order payable to SOPAM or Special Olympics PA – Area M. Please include Alex’s first and last name “A. Rocca” and “Capital Area Polar Plunge” in the memo line.

Donations can be mailed to the following address:
Special Olympics PA – Area M
ATTN: Capital Area Polar Plunge
PO Box 382
Summerdale, PA 17093

CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE NOW!

Thank you for your support!

Mayor John Hoerner

HRFC Mourns the Passing of John Hoerner, Mayor of Highspire

With heavy hearts, HRFC mourns the passing of John Hoerner, Mayor of Highspire and beloved friend of the club and its members. Mayor Hoerner gave Harrisburg Rugby the closest thing it had to a real home pitch, by allowing us to play and practice on Memorial Field for the past several years. Our deepest condolences go out to Mayor Hoerner’s family, and to the greater Highspire community.

We would like to have a great showing of HRFC members at the funeral on Saturday, 1/7, at 11am, to show our appreciation for his dedicated relationship with HRFC.

All services will be held at Highspire United Methodist Church (170 2nd St, Highspire, PA 17034). Look to meet in the parking lot of the church between 10:30am – 10:45am on Saturday and/or park cars at Memorial Park and carpool to the church.

Viewing: Friday, January 6th – 6pm – 8pm
Viewing: Saturday, January 7th – 9am – 11am
Funeral: Saturday, January 7th – 11am

There will be a gathering at Champions following the funeral.

Penn Live Article – Highspire mourns a mayor who had a hand in everything: John Hoerner dead at 62

Conceptual Site Plan

HRFC Futures Committee: #HRFCRUGBYCOMPLEX

The Plan

Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the United States, with Pennsylvania boasting well-established rugby programs all over the Commonwealth. For over 45 years, Harrisburg Rugby Football Club has been a leader in the development of rugby in Central Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg Rugby Football Club (HRFC) was founded in the fall of 1969, and became incorporated in 2003 as a non-profit organization. The HRFC mission statement is to grow the game of rugby at a grass roots level, and we strive to live that mission.

What started as a single men’s club team has grown into a total of seven teams. HRFC is currently made up of four U19 (under 19 years of age) teams: West Shore United Girls, Cumberland Valley Girls, West Shore United Boys, and Dauphin U19 Boys; and three senior teams: Men’s, Women’s, and H.O.B.O.S. (Harrisburg Old Boys Occasional Side – over 35 years of age) club teams.

Despite having such a large rugby footprint in Central Pennsylvania, during the 45+ year history of HRFC, the club has been a nomadic rugby club – playing in multiple parks and on multiple fields around the Central Pennsylvania region. It is our dream to end our nomadic nature.

Over the next 5 years, Harrisburg Rugby Football Club would like to purchase and develop land in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area – a place to call home.

#HRFCRugbyComplex is a dream, and we need your help to turn that dream into reality!

The Presentation

In late 2017, representatives from Harrisburg Rugby Football Club were invited to the Dauphin County Gaming Advisory Board meeting to make a presentation, telling our story and sharing our vision for the future of rugby in Central Pennsylvania. If you would like to download a pdf of the presentation for yourself or to share with others, CLICK HERE.

We would like to thank DC GAB for the opportunity to make a presentation at their board meeting, and we would like to thank all of the extended Harrisburg Rugby family for their support!


Project Status



UPDATE: Above is the conceptual site plan for Perseverance Fields at Sunset Park. In this plan, you are able to see field layouts, clubhouse location, parking lot, and other items of note.


Below are the preliminary grading plan and updated rendering for the fields provided by Third Mountain Surveying. As you can see, the club is able to develop this plot of land into 2 different field/pitch scenarios. Scenario #1 would have 1 international size rugby pitch and 1 full size pitch. Scenario #2 would lay out 3 smaller sports fields with the potential to be used for practices and/or other underserved sports entities. The parking lot, as shown, has 60 spaces. This will be large enough to accommodate the club and any visiting clubs.

Rugby Complex Sketch Plan

The wheels are in motion and HRFC is one step closer to making the dream of growing the sport of rugby in Central Pennsylvania a reality!

Project Plan

The primary field, in Field/Pitch Scenario #1 will be used exclusively as a match pitch (international size) for the club and is situated furthest from the parking lot. Field 2 will be situated closer to the parking lot and will be mainly used for practices. In Field/Pitch Scenario #2 there will be 3 smaller fields that will be used for club practices, and will also be made available to rent by other local sports clubs, including soccer, rugby, lacrosse and other minority sports entities.

The development plan is aggressive and requires a high amount of capital, but also generates a great potential for return on investment. The plan requires $800,000 – $1 million to be raised in order to be completed. This price includes, land development, and further rugby complex development.

To meet the capital fund raising goal, the club has committed $50,000. The club is also offering the naming rights for the entire complex for a contribution of $100,000. The remaining amount will be generated through tax-deductible charitable donations.

Project Phases

Phase 1 – Construction: The property will undergo grading to level the fields. Retaining walls will be installed. A parking lot will be completed. Top soil and seeding will be applied.

Phase 2 – Operation: In addition to field usage, the club plans to raise money through ongoing field rentals. This will come in the form of practices, games, and tournaments. The club has had preliminary discussions with local organizations, such as Capital Area Soccer Association (CASA) and Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP), in which they expressed interest in future field rental opportunities.

Phase 3 – The Club House: After stabilizing operations and raising additional cash through donations and/or field rentals, it is the club’s intent to install permanent light fixtures and build a clubhouse, complete with changing rooms, showers, and social facilities. The first step is to drill a well for water and install a septic system before the clubhouse can be fully outfitted with facilities. We are looking for talent and skill sets within our club and the community to complete a majority or the work if possible.


Donate Today

Please FOLLOW THIS LINK to visit our club’s GoFundMe campaign page to learn more about our vision and to make a donation to further our cause. Every donation, no matter what size, is greatly appreciated and will be put to excellent use.

If you would like to set up a recurring donation, please FOLLOW THIS LINK to set up automatic monthly donations.

Thank you for your cooperation, consideration, and generous support!

2016 Olympic Team USA

HRFC Prepares for Rugby’s Return to the Olympics!

2016 marks the return of rugby to the Olympic Games, and Team USA is set to defend their 1924 gold medal, the last Olympiad to feature the sport. Rugby isn’t as familiar to American audiences, but once Team USA fans experience rugby sevens, many fans will find their way to Pennsylvania rugby clubs looking for options to try the sport locally.

In our part of the state, the EPRU runs competition, both recreational and competitive, throughout the year for both men and women at the club level. The main rugby seasons in Pennsylvania are Fall 15s, Spring 15s, and Summer 7s.

“Harrisburg Rugby wants to wish the US Women’s and Men’s Olympic Teams good luck on their quest for Gold at the 2016 Olympic Games! Rugby has an option for individuals of every shape and size to be successful on the field, and the emphasis on fair play and sportsmanship is without equal in organized sports. Anyone–of any age–interested in trying out rugby can find their local club at playrugbytoday.com. If you are located in the Harrisburg area, we encourage you to browse HRFC’s website and join us at Memorial Field in Highspire for practice. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!,” said Jeff Cook, HRFC Chairman of the Board.

Members of Harrisburg Rugby are planning to gather together at Champions Sports Bar & Grill in Highspire, where the general public is welcome to learn more about the sport & opportunities locally. Keep an eye on our Club Event Calendar for further information.

The women’s team will kick off the Olympics in play pool matches against Fiji, Colombia, and Australia on Saturday, August 6. Six players of the roster were a part of the team that won Silver at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto.

“I have selected a group with a wide variety of playing styles and I am excited to see them all come together and play for each other in Rio,” Coach Richie Walker said.

The men’s team will begin their quest for gold in pool play matches against Fiji, Argentina, and Brazil on Tuesday, August 9. The team includes Nate Ebner, a defensive back for the NFL’s New England Patriots, and crossover-sport stars Perry Baker and Carlin Isles, along with professional Rugby players who play both in the US and overseas.

Coach Mike Friday said, “The squad itself represents the country on so many levels and is cosmopolitan in makeup, which is a true reflection of the country. The team is balanced in terms of physicality, power, X-factor, and out-and out pace.”

All 6 Team USA pool play matches will be broadcast live, with a total of 34 rugby matches of the 2016 Olympic Games being broadcast live on NBCSN, CNBC, and USA Network. This truly is a great time to become a fan of the fastest growing sport in America!


Team USA Rosters, Staff, & Schedules | 2016 Olympic Games

Team USA (Women) | 2016 Olympic Games Players

Bui Baravilala
Ryan Carlyle
Lauren Doyle
Joanne Fa’avesi 
Carmen Farmer
Victoria Folayan
Kelly Griffin (C)
Jessica Javelet
Kathryn Johnson
Alev Kelter
Jillion Potter
Richelle Stephens

Travel Reserves:
Meya Bizer
Nicole Heavirland

Team USA (Women) | 2016 Olympic Games Staff

Richie Walker, Head Coach
Pete Steinberg, Assistant Coach
Jared Siegmund, Strength Coach
Nicole Titmas, Physio
Andrew Locke, Video Analyst
Dr. Lisa Bartoli, Team Doctor
Emilie Bydwell, Team Leader
Alex Magelby, Director of Rugby

Team USA (Women) | 2016 Olympic Games Schedule

v. Fiji – Saturday, Aug. 6 – 9:00 a.m. PT – NBCSN
v. Colombia – Saturday, Aug. 6 – 2:00 p.m. PT – CNBC
v. Australia – Sunday, Aug. 7 – 9:30 a.m. PT – USA Network


Team USA (Men) | 2016 Olympic Games Players

Perry Baker
Danny Barrett
Garrett Bender
Andrew Durutalo
Nate Ebner
Madison Hughes
Carlin Isles
Folau Niua
Ben Pinkelman
Zack Test
Maka Unufe
Chris Wyles

Team USA (Men) | 2016 Olympic Games Staff

Mike Friday, Head Coach
Chris Brown, Assistant Coach
Phil Greening, Assistant Coach
Brian Green, Physio
Paul Goulding, Video Analyst
Sarah Sall, Massage Therapist
Dr. Eric Test, Team Doctor
Nick Tricarico, Manager

Team USA (Men) | 2016 Olympic Games Schedule

v. Argentina – Tuesday Aug. 9 – 9:00 a.m. PT – NBCSN
v. Brazil – Tuesday Aug. 9 – 2:00 p.m. PT – CNBC
v. Fiji – Wednesday Aug. 10 – 9:30 a.m. PT – USA Network


Full Broadcast Schedule

WOMEN

Saturday, August 6th
12:00pm USA v. Fiji NBCSN
12:30pm Australia v. Colombia NBCSN
5:00pm USA v. Colombia CNBC
5:30pm Australia v. Fiji CNBC
Sunday, August 7th
12:00pm Fiji v. Columbia USA
12:30pm USA v. Australia USA
4:00pm 1st Pool A v. 2nd Best 3rd
4:30pm 2nd Pool C v. 2nd Pool B
Monday, August 8th
1:30pm Semifinals NBCSN
2:00pm Semifinals NBCSN
5:30pm Bronze Medal Match CNBC
6:00pm Gold Medal Match CNBC

*all times EST

MEN

Tuesday, August 9th
10:00am Australia v. France NBCSN
10:30am South Africa v. Spain NBCSN
11:00am Great Britain v. Kenya NBCSN
11:30am New Zealand v. Japan NBCSN
12:00pm USA v. Argentina NBCSN
12:30pm Fiji v. Brazil NBCSN
3:00pm Australia v. Spain USA
3:30pm South Africa v. France USA
4:00pm Great Britain v. Japan USA
4:30pm New Zealand v. Kenya USA
5:00pm USA v. Brazil CNBC
5:30pm Fiji v. Argentina CNBC
Wednesday, August 10th
12:00pm Argentina v. Brazil USA
12:30pm Fiji v. USA USA
4:00pm 1st Pool A v. 2nd Best 3rd USA
4:30pm 2nd Pool C v. 2nd Pool B USA
5:00pm 1st Pool C v. 2nd Pool A CNBC
5:30pm 1st Pool B v. Best 3rd CNBC
Thursday, August 11th
1:30pm Semifinals NBCSN
2:00pm Semifinals NBCSN
5:30pm Bronze Medal Match NBCSN
6:00pm Gold Medal Match NBCSN

*all times EST