The Tempe Rugby Club has a rich history which started in 1980 and spans over three decades with a legacy of success on-the- pitch.
NOTE: We welcome contributing authors who have verifiable content for the chronological history below. If you have any verifiable updates, corrections, and/or content for the overall Club, Sr. Men’s Team, Sr. Women’s Team, or Youth Teams’content below, please feel free to message us directly with updates though our public website or public Facebook page.
2017
The Nationals experience came in handy for the Sr. Women during their summer 7s season, coached by 2 former USA Eagles, Daniela Mogro and Alison Price. The Ninjas competed in 2 qualifying 7s tournaments in San Clemente, CA and Long Beach, CA. The Tempe Women came in 2nd place in both tournaments, losing and tying to the highly experienced San Diego Surfers. The tournaments secured Tempe with the 16th seed at the Club 7s National Championship playoffs, held in Minneapolis, MN. Though the Ninjas came up empty in Nationals, it was an exciting and eye-opening time to compete with higher level teams that featured former and current USA Eagles.
2016
The Sr. Men’s Team – After winning its 8th consecutive Arizona Rugby Union state championship (10-0) dating back to 2009, the Old Devils defeated El Paso (153-0) and Red Mnt (31-13) in the Arizona/Rio Grande Regional Championship, and Huntington Beach in the Pacific South Championships en route to another birth to the USA Rugby National Championship playoffs!
The Sr. Women’s Team started off the season strong with consecutive wins in both preseason and the conference season. Unfortunately due to injuries and wear and tear of the players, the Sr. Women were defeated in our goals to reach the Regional and National Championship playoffs.
The 7s season for the Sr. Women’s Team was proven to be more successful as they qualified for the 16th seed in the Club 7s National Championship playoffs, held in Glendale, CO. Though the Ninjas fought hard to compete, the more experienced teams were able to defeat the Tempe Women.
2015
Sr. Men’s Team – After winning its 7th consecutive Arizona Rugby Union state championship (9-1) dating back to 2009, the Sr. Men’s Team successfully navigated El Paso (74-5) and Red Mountain (24-12) in the Arizona/Rio Grande Regional Playoffs before dispatching Back Bay Sharks (34-7) in the national round of sixteen and Dallas Rugby (67-21) in the national round of eight before falling to eventual champions, Life West Gladiators (41-32), in the national final four.
Youth – The Boy’s U19 Jr. Devils program was resurrected under the leadership of Head Coach Bret Fullerton, Asst. Coaches Lati Maafu, and Asst. Coach Jose Aburto. In late Fall, Tempe was approached by Coach Mike Weber of the East Valley Eagles RFC with a proposal to merge for the 2015-2016 season to ensure sufficient member numbers for proper training and competitive match season. While the late timing of the merger was not ideal, it was not surprising that the Rugby Arizona Youth administration and participating coaches subsequently moved to block the merger. Unsuccessful in their efforts, they called for a mid-season vote to impose a new policy, which precluded teams that merge after December 1st from being playoff eligible. They subsequently called for a vote to retroactively applying the new policy, thus penalizing Tempe and EV for merging and deeming the team ineligible for the 2016 state playoffs. Nevertheless, the squad finished the season 7-2 while dominating most of the Arizona field and ascending to a #18 national ranking in its first year back. The Tempe Jr’s Devils successfully developed a good core group of members and momentum heading into the 2016-2017 year.
2014
Sr. Men’s Team – After winning its 6th consecutive Arizona Rugby Union state championship (10-0) dating back to 2009, the Sr. Men’s Team successfully navigated El Paso (65-7) and Red Mnt (21-15) in the Arizona/Rio Grande Regional Playoffs before dispatching the Oceanside Chiefs (47-8) in the round of sixteen, the Glendale Raptors (35-22) in the round of eight, and the Little Rock Stormers (55-37) in the final four en route to Tempe’s third trip to the USARFU National Finals. The Old Devils battled, but came up short against a well drilled and disciplined Rocky Gorge squad (29-5).
2013
Youth Program – James Sparman resumed as Head Coach of the Tempe Rugby Club Boys U19 Team with Dave Jumbo Blank on staff.
2012
Youth Program – James Sparman resumed as Head Coach of the Tempe Rugby Club Boys U19 Team with Dave Jumbo Blank on staff.
2011
Youth Program – James Sparman resumed as Head Coach of the Tempe Rugby Club Boys U19 Team with Dave Jumbo Blank on staff.