The disparate nature of their competitions is highlighted by our conversations with James Bannon from the  Branford High School Rugby Football Club , Bill Bishop from the Cheshire Rugby Club and Andrew Marullo from Southern Connecticut State University Men's RFC.

The mix of people above is an exciting one is US rugby, with High School, University and Senior rugby represented. This shows the strides that the game is making in the uS.

All three agree that the game is growing in Connecticut Bishop noted "The game is growing rapidly in the state. Two new teams were formed this year, Madison and Darien. Simsbury started the year before, and Cheshire, Branford, and Cromwell all started two years ago. There are 11 teams in CT. The six teams in the southwestern part of the state are part of the Met NY rugby union, while the other 5 are part of NERFU. In June, the first ever CT state championship will be held in Westport and all 11 teams are expected to compete. The teams will be divided into two tiers to ensure competitiveness. All teams want to use this event to foster growth of the game in the state.

The Connecticut rugby community has created The Connecticut Rugby Football Foundation whose aim is to serve as avehicle for education, promotion, and fundraising for the advancement of the game.Its intent is to create two premier rugby pitches next to the Uconn football stadium in Hartford to host major rugby events,including international matches.The State has made a major financial commitment to this project and construction permits have been issues. The foundation also seeks to raise money for rugby scholarships and grants. The foundation is currently seeking any and all donations. 5013c status is pending with the IRS. Please contact Paul Atkins at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more info."

Andrew Marullo noted that during his Presidency Southern Connecticut State University would be looking to undertake some development work in the community at large to encourage participation. Cheshire rugby Club already have their nose to the grindstone "We play touch in the summer in which many college kids come back to play. We are considering starting an U13 kids touch program/clini this summer. We are looking to become more active with community service by hosting a blood drive this winter." As Bishop noted.

Interestingly Bannon highlighted Bill Bishops club Cheshire as the strongest in the area, although Bishop was far to diplomatic to accept the accolade stating "Greenwich and Fairfield Prep are the strongest teams in CT with Greenwich competing at the National level. In the CT Valley league, in which all teams are Division 2, Cheshire is currently in first place."

Unlike in many other US states travel does not weigh too heavily on the clubs minds with most matches less than an hours travel.

Whilst travel isn't an issue identifying you rcompetition could be as bannon noted "[we play in] NERFU North East Rugby Football Union as well as a new Sub organization with is now being called the Connecticut River Valley Union". Most clubs struggle with one competition let alone multiples.

What does need to be recognised is the  standard of rugby is fast rising in the Connecticut and greater New England area at a rapid pace and it is down to the clubs and their members such as the above.

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