The United States Rugby Super League

The Rugby Super League was created in 1996 by the 14 major governing bodies of the sport in the United States. It was intended to create a competitive and national competition.

It was created at a time when there was a need for expansion of the code in the country. 1997 was subsequently the inugural season of the competition. There were 14 teams competing, which were divided into two seven-team divisions, the Western-Pacific Conference and the Midwestern-East Conference.

The original competiting sides in the 1997 season were; Belmont Shores the Chicago Lions, the Dallas harlequins, the Denver Barbarians, the Gentlemen of Aspen, the Kansas City Blues, Life College, Old Blue, Old Pudget Sound Beach, OMBAC, PAC, Golden Gates and Washington RFC. Aspen won the first championship, defeating Old Blue 29 points to nine in the final which was played in New York.

The following season, two more sides gained entry into the competition, being, Boston RFC and the Philly-Whitmarsh. Both sides joined the eastern conference, which saw the Harlequins move to the Western conference.

This expansion saw two, fifteen-side conferences. In 2001 the competition became recognized as the premier club rugby union competition in the United States—becoming separated from USA RUGBY DIVISION 1 The following season, the league expanded again, with the inclusion of NYAC who gained entry through means of promotion and the [Hayward Rugby], who formed a merger with the OLD BLUES.

The 2002 season saw major changes to the competition, with the "east and west divisions" format being dissolved to form a national competition. The format reverted back to the division-associated fixtures in 2005.

Super League celebrated a decade of competition in 2006, with OMBAC defeating Belmont Shore 36 to 33 in the final which was held in SANTA CLARA, CAL It was announced after the 2006 season that the Rugby Super League would be expanding from 15 teams to 18 for the 2007 season.

Santa Monica RFC accepted an invitation to join Super League, as did the Boston Irish Wolfhounds, who also finished runner-up in both Divisions I and III in 2006. The Chicago Griffins (finished tied for third in there first year) also joined to replace the Kansas City Blues, who self-relegated their club to the USA Rugby Division I men's club competition. 

This is the 12th year of rugby super league and the intrest is growing nationwide.  High schools all over the country have begun to adapt rugby youth programs.  In the states of illinois, California, Pennsylvania you can find youth rugby as early as 5 years old. 

It is these youth programs that are building the foundation to take the united states super league farther than it has ever been. Rugby is a sport that has been played for over 100 years in this country and one that the united states used to be very strong in until the invention of football.  Rugby is still played in about every big or near big city in this country. 

Many do not get paid and if they do it is very little compared to what another professional atheltes do.  It is truly for the glory.  If you have never been out to a rugby match check it out.  It is loads of fun and if you dont understand what is going on there is always somebody who will be willing to explain.  And if your really interested most clubs take on new players with little to no experience.