Springfield Rifles Rugby Final Home Game October 26
Springfield Rifles Rugby Team to play New London RFC at the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England on Saturday October 26.
Please join the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England on Saturday, October 26 as we host the Springfield Rifles rugby team to as they enter the finals of the season with a match against the New London team. Kickoff is at 1:00 pm. The Irish House Restaurant and Trinity Pub opens at noon.
This is the 50th year in action for the Springfield Rifles. They play in the New England Rugby Union league, which as 12 teams in total.
The ICC has opened its newly completed facilities to help the Rifles grow the sport of rugby, with is one of Ireland’s favorite sports and fast growing in popularity around the world. This new partnership gives the team a new permanent home to play home matches, an excellent pub and restaurant for social gatherings, and a home to conduct club operations. With ICC support, the Rifles hope to increase awareness of the club and the sport in the Pioneer Valley.
The ICC and the Springfield Rifles are pleased to announce this new joint partnership, with the West Springfield facility now home base to the local team. The rugby field is located just behind the ICC, an ideal location for the matches which can be viewed from the sidelines or up above from the deck, where guests can have lunch, beverages or dinner during or after the action.
ICC President Sean Cahillane said the partnership is the result of efforts by both organizations.
“We’re so pleased to be the new home of the Springfield Rifles. This is a perfect partnership for both of us and we are delighted to be able to watch the matches from our deck and get to know the team. This season, the matches have been drawing enthusiastic crowds from the Rugby Club as well as from the ICC,” Cahillane said.
Springfield Rugby Football Club Captain Leon Moultrie Jr. agreed. “We are happy that ICC has opened their doors to us and allowed for us to be part of their family. We are hoping that this affiliation is the beginning of something great and we are hoping for continued success for years to come,” Moultrie said.
Lee Devlin, president of the Springfield team, said, “The Springfield Rifles Rugby Club is thrilled to be part of the ICC and we as a club look forward to working alongside Sean Cahillane and the ICC board to grow the sport of rugby in Western Massachusetts. The Rifles have a rich history here, and this year marks our 50th year as a club. I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to move the club to the next level, providing a promising future for the Rifles and a place for us to call home.”
The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England is a non-profit, charitable organization that seeks to cultivate a connection with Ireland through the arts, cultural, history, language, and heritage. The Center offers opportunities to engage in educational, travel and social events that promote the Irish culture.
The Springfield Rugby Football Club, founded in 1969, has fielded a men’s club to the sport of rugby. Springfield RFC is one of the country’s oldest clubs with a strong reputation within the New England Rugby Union. The club is registered with the New England Rugby & USA RUGBY. New and experienced players are welcome to join the club throughout the season. Learn more.