Rugby ATL
A professional rugby union team Rugby ATL has come into limelight in 2020. Major League Rugby announced on 21st September, 2018, that one of the expansion teams of Atlanta is going to join the league for the 2020 season. The name of the team is Rugby ATL which was revealed on February 26, 2019.
Founded and owner of Rugby ATL is late S. Marcus Calloway, under his leadership, Rugby ATL won the Eastern Conference Championship in 2021. Recently Major League Rugby(MLR) introduced the “S. Marcus Calloway Community Impact Award”.
Marcus is a very enthusiastic rugby fan. He also serves as the Secretary of Atlanta Renegades Forever, Inc. It is a non-profit organization which is dedicated to strengthening rugby in the Atlanta market. Marcus and his wife, Clea, have three daughters. They live in Atlanta, Georgia.
The professional performance center of Rugby ATL’s team is located in the heart of Marietta, Georgia, which is only half an hour drive from north of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown Atlanta.
It started an exhibition side, called 404 Rugby, which played some exhibition matches against Mystic River, NYAC, Old Blue, and USA Rugby men’s club champions Life University
Headquarters of the team provides almost everything to the franchise and athletes which help them to perform at the highest level.
The major facilities at the center are State-of-the-art Weight Training Facility, Outdoor Artificial Turf Field, Athletic Training Room, Locker Rooms, Clubhouse, Player Lounge, Kitchen, Professional Development Center.
Rugby ATL is excited to announce the 2023 Major League Rugby season schedule. This season all of Rugby ATL’s home matches will be hosted at Silverbacks Park. Season tickets will be going on sale December 1st for the public. Any current season ticket holders have access to exclusive early bird ticket pricing until November 29th.
Rugby ATL Records So Far
In 2020 the team’s position- was 6th based on points. That season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic
In 2021 the team position was 2nd. They won East Conference Final (Rugby United New York) 10–9 and lost Major League Rugby Final (LA Giltinis) 17–31
In 2022 again team position is 2nd. They lost to East Conference Eliminator (Rugby New York) 19–26
Team Details
- Home Ground: Silverbacks Park
- Head Coach: STEVE Steve Brett
- Assistant Head Coach: Blake Bradford
- Director Rugby Operations: Mark Carney
- Strength And Conditioning, Skill Coach:
- Lucas Baistrocchi
- Athletic Trainer: Brain Roberts
- Captain: Matt Heaton / Ryan Nell Johan
Also Read: 2023 Rugby World Cup, Schedule, Pools, Venues
Rugby ATL 2023 Schedule
| Date | Teams | Time | Round | Stadium |
| Feb 18 | Rugby ATL Vs Toronto Arrows | 5:30AM (IST) | 1 | Silverbacks Park, Atlanta |
| Feb 25 | Seattle Seawolves Vs Rugby ATL | 9:00AM (IST) | 2 | Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila |
| Mar 5 | Rugby ATL Vs NOLA Gold | 4:30AM (IST) | 3 | Silverbacks Park, Atlanta |
| Mar 19 | Rugby ATL Vs San Diego Legion | 3:30AM (IST) | 5 | Silverbacks Park, Atlanta |
| Mar 26 | Houston SaberCats Vs Rugby ATL | 5:30AM (IST) | 6 | AVEVA Stadium, Houston |
| Apr 3 | Rugby New York Vs Rugby ATL | 12:30AM (IST) | 7 | TBA |
| Apr 9 | Rugby ATL Vs Old Glory DC | 3:30AM (IST) | 8 | Silverbacks Park, Atlanta |
| Apr 16 | NOLA Gold Vs Rugby ATL | 12:30AM (IST) | 9 | The Gold Mine, New Orleans |
| Apr 23 | New England Free Jacks Vs Rugby ATL | 12:30AM (IST) | 10 | Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy |
| May 7 | Rugby ATL Vs Chicago Hounds | 3:30AM (IST) | 12 | Silverbacks Park, Atlanta |
| May 13 | Toronto Arrows Vs Rugby ATL | 4:30AM (IST) | 13 | York Lions Stadium, Toronto |
| May 21 | Rugby ATL Vs Dallas Jackals | 3:30AM (IST) | 14 | Silverbacks Park, Atlanta |
| May 28 | Utah Warriors Vs Rugby ATL | 7:00AM (IST) | 15 | Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman |
| Jun 3 | Rugby ATL Vs New England Free Jacks | 4:30AM (IST) | 16 | Silverbacks Park, Atlanta |
| Jun 11 | Rugby ATL Vs Rugby New York | 3:30AM (IST) | 17 | Silverbacks Park, Atlanta |
| Jun 18 | Old Glory DC Vs Rugby ATL | 4:30AM (IST) | 18 | Segra Field, Leesburg |
National Partners of The Rugby ATL
- Shopmlr.com
- Rugby now
- American Airlines
- Rhino
- Paladin Sports
Team Jersey
Rugby ATL will wear custom-made jerseys designed by Atlanta’s famous feline street artist
Team Members
1. Alex Maughan: 
His position is Hooker. He is a three-time All-American in college. His wife organizes outreach mission trips with Perimeter Church. His favorite sport other than rugby is hockey.
2. Austin White: 
His position is Wing. He is from Tulsa. He is a fashion designer. His father is his great motivator. He always admired his attitude, motivation, and the respect he shows everyone.
3. Daemon Torres: 
His position is Back Row. His nickname is Damo and hometown is in Austin, Texas. Other than Rugby, he loves to play chess and coaches at Life University.
4. Duncan Van Schalkwyk: 
His position is Fly Half. He was born and brought up in South Africa. His nickname is Dunks. Other than Rugby he wants to become a chiropractor and create his own practice. Once he has been attacked by a lion before
5. Frederick Henry-Ajudua: 
His Position is Lock. He was born and raised in Nigeria and moved to the U.S at the age of 16. His nickname is Nigeria Lightning. He has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL and the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL
6. Harley Davidson: 
His Position is Wing. He is from Boise, Idaho. His nicknames are Zoom-zoom and Muscle hamster. He wants to become a chiropractor after his rugby career is over
7. Jason Damn: 
His position is Eight Man. His hobbies are playing bass guitar, hiking, cooking, baking, and video games. He is a author of two publications about salamanders
8. Johan Momsen: 
His position is Lock. He has 2 cousins that played semi-professionally in South Africa. His hobbies are playing tennis, golf, and singing in the (baritone) choir, and playing the guitar
9. John Roy Jenkinson: 
His position is Prop. He is from Cape Town, South Africa. He can speak three languages. His greatest memory was when he made his super rugby debut with the Blue Bulls.
10. Jonas Petrakopoulos: 
His position is Prop. He was born in Amsterdam and raised in Indiana. He has won nationals during his senior year of high school. His favorite hero is Joe Moody.
11. Kurt Coleman: 
His position is Fly Half. He was born and raised in South Africa. His best rugby memory was when he made his professional debut in South Africa. He loves to play Cricket
12. Lincoln Sll: 
His position is Prop. He was born in Japan, raised in San Diego. His favorite sport other than rugby is bowling. He has graduated with a degree in electrical engineering
13. Martini Talapusi: 
His position is Utility Back. He was captain of Samoa U18s and U20s. He has a commercial pilot license. His favorite hero is his father who influenced him into playing rugby
14. Matt Heaton: 
His position is Flanker. He has won Canadian Player of the Year in 2017 and 2019. His hobbies are studying IT, cryptocurrency, stocks, coffee, and reading. He wants to work in Cyber Security after his rugby career is over
15. Nolan Tuamoheloe: 
His position is Wing. He was born and raised in American Samoa. His nickname is the Hot Stepper. After Rugby he wanted to serve the community or become a police officer in his hometown.
16. Ross Deacon: 
His position is Eight Man. He was born and raised in Ireland. His favorite hobby is to play golf. He runs in a charity marathon event for cystic fibrosis to support friends
17. Rowan Gouws: 
His position is Scrum Half. His nickname is Goose. His hobbies include golfing and biking. After Rugby he wants to run his family engineering business, running a coffee business, and wanting to help his wife open a salon.
18. Ryan Rees: 
His position is Scrum Half. He is from Austin, Texas. His hobbies are golfing and basketball. He has dual citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom
19. Te Rangatira Waitokia: 
His position is Utility Back. He is originally from New Zealand. He is 2016 Heartland player of the year. His favorite memory was winning the Heartland competition in 2016
20. Tiaan Erasmus: 
His position is Hooker His nickname is Tionchar. His brother and father are his heroes
21. Vilami Helu: 
His position is Flanker. He started playing rugby at the age of 13 in Danville, CA. He is currently supporting two missionaries in Thailand. He wants to give coaching to nearby club team after retiring from active Rugby.
22. Wikus Groenewald: 
His position is Prop. He has studied Law in South Africa and is pursuing his B.S. in Exercise Science. His nickname is John Wick. His favorite memory is playing in front of 25,000 thousand people and defeat school rival
23. Will Burke: 
His position is Prop. He is from Buffalo, NY. He has graduated Cuma Laude from the University of Buffalo. He loves hunting, journaling, and drawing
24. Will Leonard: 
His position is Center. His hobbies include studying economics, finance, and the stock market. His nickname is Pig. He has worked with homeless charities in Ireland
Note- Rugby ATL fans you can keep their eye out for a social media contest on Catlanta with a chance to win exclusive merch, tickets, and other prizes.
Also Read: 2023 Rugby World Cup, Schedule, Pools, Venues
