Miami Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club in Miami, Florida. According to rankings in Rugby Magazine, Miami is amongst the top five clubs in the Southeastern United States. They have regularly won the Florida State Championship. Miami Rugby traces its origin to 1969 when it was founded by Keith Cooksy and Reverend John Howells, the Anglican priest at the University of Miami, who wanted to provide visiting British Royal Navy ships and teams in the Bahamas with competitive rugby. Miami Rugby competes in the USA Rugby South against clubs from Florida, as well as touring African, Argentine, British, French, German, Uruguayan, and West Indies Clubs. Miami Rugby has also toured the Americas.
Miami Rugby players come from all over the globe. Players from Miami Rugby have captained the United States Eagles and represented the Eastern Rugby Union, USA Rugby-South as well as Florida on select side (all-star) teams. Miami Rugby players and “Old Boys” also lend coaching assistance to local universities such as University of Miami and Florida International University. Miami RFC competes in the Premier Division within the Florida Rugby Union and nationally in USA Rugby's Division II. As recently as 2008, Miami Rugby was ranked 19th in the nation by USA Rugby after winning a Florida State Championship. The club started a youth division in 2009.
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
Honors Florida Rugby Union Division 1 titles: 14+ 1972, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1979–1980, 1980–1981, 1981–1982, 1982–1983, 1983–1984, 1986–1987, 1994–1995, 1996, 2007–2008, 2010 1991, 2nd Place 2007, Plate Champion Florida Rugby Union Division 2* titles: 2+ 1981, 2013-2014 Florida Rugby Union Sevens Championship Series titles: 2+ 2013, 2016 Florida Cup 1972, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1983, 2004, Champions 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 2nd Place USA Rugby South (fka Eastern Rugby Union Southeastern Region) 1983, 2nd Place 1984, 3rd Place 1987, 2nd Place - 12th in the nation Beerfoot Beach 7s 2005, Champions Daytona Beach 7s 2013, Champions Fort Lauderdale Ruggerfest - (fka Spring Ruggerfest, fka International Rugby Tournament, fka Easter Seals Rugby Tournament) 1983, 1998, Champions 1997, Open Division Champions 1999, Premier Division 2nd Place Gold Coast Rugby Tournament 1970, 1971, Champions Hurricane 7s 1991, Champions 2000, 3rd Place Invasion 7s - Lakewood Ranch 2016, Champions Orlando Invitational Rugby Tournament 1999, Champions Phillippe "Fiji" Leka Memorial 7s - Miami 2016, Champions 2013, 2nd Place St. Patrick's Day Tournament - Savannah, Georgia 1997, Gold Division 2nd Place Sarasota Rugby 10-A-Side 1997, Cup Division 1st Place Sunshine State Games 2016, Champions 2013, 2nd Place Surfin' 7s 2016, Cup Champions 2016, Plate Champions Todd Miller 7s - Clermont 2016, Champions 2001, Plate Division 1st Place 1997, Open Cup Division Winner 1997, Open Cup Division Place
(*FRU stopped sanctioning division 1 in 2012)
Hall of Fame John Clements
Kevin McDonough - 2019
David Kittrell - 2019
AJ Lipstein - 2019
Presidents Robert Weaver
Dave Williams
Brad Hanafourde
John Clements
Douglas Neary
Mark Tompkins
Ivan Mihovilovic
Frank Henry
Franklyn Williams
Ruben Dario Garcia (2008-2009)
Sergio Chade (2009-2010)
Eduardo Hussey (2010-2012)
Dr. Christian Schlaerth (2012-2017)
Kevin McDonough (2017-2021)
Alfonso Perez Soto (2021-2023)
Ivan Mihovilovic (2023-present)
Results
As of February 2, 1977: 197 wins and 27 losses 1969-1977: 261 wins and 30 losses 1978-1979: 37 wins and 7 losses 1978-1984: 178 wins and 18 losses 1980: 41 wins and 2 losses 1969-1981: 349 wins, 39 losses and 5 ties 1969-1983: 358 wins and 42 losses
Schedule for 1970:
Mar 28th vs. HMS Arethusa May vs. University of Florida, Gold Coast Rugby Tournament, Won 8-3 May vs. Freeport, Gold Coast Rugby Tournament, Won 6-3 Dec 21st vs. University of Georgia
Schedule for 1971:
Jan 16th vs. Baillou (Nassau) Jun 26th vs HMS Ark Royal Nov 14th vs. University of Florida Reserves, Orlando Dec 4th at Aerowik (Kingston), Lost 16-6 Dec 5th at Jabaa (Kingston), Won 16-9
Schedule for 1972:
Jan 8th vs. HMS Phoebe Jan 22nd vs HMS Jupiter Apr 15th Miami B vs. Nassau + Baillou, Gold Coast Rugby Tournament Apr 15th Miami A vs. Pensacola, Gold Coast Rugby Tournament Oct 7th at Orlando, Won 20-15 Oct 28th at Orlando, Cocoa Dec 2nd Miami Red vs. Pensacola, Florida Cup, Lost 30-4 Dec 2nd Miami Black vs. Orlando, Florida Cup, Won 12-9 Dec 2nd Miami Red vs. University of South Florida, Florida Cup, Lost 16-0 Dec 2nd Miami Black vs. University of Florida, Florida Cup, Won 20-0 Dec 3rd Miami Red vs. Jacksonville, Florida Cup, Lost 11-4 Dec 3rd Miami Black vs. Florida State University - Final, Florida Cup, Won 15-13
Schedule for 1973:
Feb 23rd vs. Florida State University, Won 19–17; Reserves Won 4-3 Mar 3rd at Orlando, Won 7-0 Oct 6th vs. Orlando, Won Oct 13th vs. Jacksonville, Won Nov 10th vs. University of South Florida, Won 30-14 Nov 17th at Orlando (14 wins in a row on Nov 16th) Dec 15th vs. Trident, Florida Cup, Won 27-0 Dec 15th vs. University of South Florida, Florida Cup, Won 24-0 Dec 16th vs. Florida State University - Final, Florida Cup at the Tangerine Bowl, Lost 13-0
Schedule for 1974 (12-2 record for the year):
Jan 15th vs. Pueyrredón B (Argentina), Won 25-18 Feb 23rd vs. HMS Fearless, Won 52-11 Mar 23rd vs. Orlando, Won 26-4 Sep 14th vs. Trident, Won Oct 5th at Orlando, Lost 9-3 Nov 10th vs. Jacksonville, Won 48-0 Nov 12th vs. Trident Dec 7th vs. University of Florida, Florida Cup, Won 10-6 (3 OT) Dec 7th vs. Orlando, Florida Cup, Won 15-6 Dec 8th vs. Florida State University - Final, Florida Cup at the Tangerine Bowl, Lost 17-12
Schedule for 1975:
Jan vs. Club Pueyrredón (Argentina), Won Mar 2nd vs. HMS Ark Royal, Won 12-9 Mar 4th vs. HMS Tartar, Won 42-4 (7th straight win) Apr 19th vs. Trident Sep 17th vs. HMS Nubian, Won 15-6 Sep 28th at Iron Horse Dec 13th vs. Pensacola, Florida Cup, Won 24-0 Dec 14th vs. University of Florida - Semi-Final, Florida Cup, Won 10-0 Dec 14th vs. Tallahassee - Final, Florida Cup, Lost 16-6
Schedule for 1976: Fall Season - 1st team 15 wins, 1 loss; 2nd team 7 wins, 3 losses, 1 tie
Jan 10th vs. Alumni (Argentina) Jan 24th at Iron Horse Jan 25th at Orlando Mar 20th vs. Canadagua (NY) Vikings, Gator Invitational Rugby Tournament Jul 3rd vs. HMS Ark Royal, Won Sep 4th vs. Old Smugglers 2nd team, FIU 7s Tournament, Won 20-0 Sep 4th Reserves vs. Trident 2nd team, FIU 7s Tournament, Won 20-3 Sep 4th 3rd team vs. Old Smugglers 3rd team, FIU 7s Tournament, Won 12-0 Sep 4th vs. Trident, FIU 7s Tournament, Won 24-0 Sep 4th Reserves vs. Old Smugglers 2nd team, FIU 7s Tournament, Won 30-0 Sep 4th 3rd team vs. Old Smugglers 3rd team/Naples, FIU 7s Tournament, Won 16-14 Sep 4th vs. Old Smugglers, FIU 7s Tournament, Won 28-7 Sep 4th Reserves vs. Trident, FIU 7s Tournament, Tied 10-10 Sep 11th vs. Trident, Won 28–3; Reserves Won 18-4 Sep at Grand Cayman, Won 7-6 Sep Reserves vs. President's XV in Grand Cayman, Lost 9-7 Oct 2nd Reserves vs. Old Smugglers Reserves, Won 22-11 Oct 5th vs. Public School Wanderers (England), Won 16-10 Oct 8th Reserves vs. Public School Wanderers, Lost 36-10 Oct 16th Reserves vs. Boca Raton, Won 16-10 Oct 23rd at Orlando, Won 19-6 Nov 6th vs. Freeport (Bahamas), Won 25-10 Nov 7th Reserves vs. Freeport Reserves, Lost 6-4 Nov 13th vs. Boca Raton, Won 37-0 Nov 20th at Brevard, Won 41–22; Reserves Won 20-6 Dec 4th vs. Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands), Won 18-11 Dec 4th Reserves vs. Boca Raton, Won 25-0 Dec 5th Reserves vs. Grand Cayman Reserves, Won 26-10 Dec 11th vs. Jacksonville, Florida Cup, Won 19-4 Dec 11th vs. Tallahassee, Florida Cup, Won 7-4 Dec 12th vs. Old Smugglers - Final, Florida Cup, Won 20-0
Schedule for 1977: 45-4 for '76/'77; First American team to win Mandeville 7s Tournament
Jan 8th vs. Boca Raton, Won 33–4; Reserves Won 32-0 Jan 15th at Freeport (Bahamas), Won 10-3 Jan 16th at Freeport, Won 18-0 Jan 22nd vs. New York Athletic Club, Won 37-15 Jan 23rd Reserves vs. New York Athletic Club Reserves, Won 13-6 Jan 25th Reserves vs. Old Smugglers Reserves, Won 16-0 Feb 1st vs. Sarnia (Canada), Won 28-18 Feb 3rd Reserves vs. Sarnia (Canada) Reserves, Won 16-6 Feb 5th at Tampa, Won 23–14; Reserves Won 22-0 Feb 16th Reserves vs. Princeton Old Boys, Lost 29-13 Feb 19th vs. Old Blue (NY), Lost 28–22; Reserves Lost 18-10 Feb 26 at Kingston Reserves, Mandeville All Caribbean 7s Tournament in Jamaica, Won 34-0 Feb 26 at Montego Bay, Mandeville All Caribbean 7s Tournament in Jamaica, Won 24-0 Feb 26 at Mandeville, Mandeville All Caribbean 7s Tournament in Jamaica, Won 20-0 Feb 26 at Arawak, Mandeville All Caribbean 7s Tournament in Jamaica, Won 26-0 Feb 26 at Kingston - Semi-final, Mandeville All Caribbean 7s Tournament in Jamaica, Won 20-0 Feb 26 at Mandeville - Final, Mandeville All Caribbean 7s Tournament in Jamaica, Won 16-8 Mar 1st vs Western Illinois University, Won 66-3 Mar 3rd Reserves vs Western Illinois University Reserves Mar 5th vs. Tampa/University of South Florida, Won 16–7; Reserves Won 12-4 Mar 8th vs. University of West Virginia, Won 38-3 Mar 10th Reserves vs. University of West Virginia, Won 74-3 Mar 12th vs. Orlando, Won 50-0 Mar 12th Reserves vs. University of Florida, Won 32-24 Mar 19th at Florida International Tournament in Gainesville Mar 22nd vs. Kent State University, Won 24-7 Mar 26th vs. Iron Horse, Won 47–0; Reserves Lost 25-14 Apr 1-13 South American Tour Apr 2nd Reserves vs. Camp LeJeune Marines Apr 16th vs. Jamaican Barbarians Apr 23rd at Fort Lauderdale, Won 86-0 *New state scoring record Apr 24th Reserves vs Boca Raton, Won 36-6 Apr 30th Reserves at Boca Raton, All Florida 7s Tournament in Miami, Won 22-0 Apr 30th at Boca Raton Reserves, All Florida 7s Tournament in Miami, Won 34-0 Apr 30th Reserves at Winter Park, All Florida 7s Tournament in Miami, Lost 20-0 Apr 30th at Winter Park, All Florida 7s Tournament in Miami, Won 26-6 Apr 30th vs. Miami Reserves, All Florida 7s Tournament in Miami, Won 24-6 Apr 30th Reserves at Trident, All Florida 7s Tournament in Miami, Won 16-4 Apr 30th at Trident, All Florida 7s Tournament in Miami, Won 30-0 Apr 30th at Boca Raton, All Florida 7s Tournament in Miami, Won 36-0 May 3 vs. Oldie Goldies May 5 vs. Oldie Goldies Sep 3rd vs. Trident - scrimmage Sep 10th vs. Old Smugglers, Won 41–3; Reserves Lost 9-7 Sep 16th vs. HMS Diomede, Won 66-6 Sep 17th Reserves vs. Trident Reserves, Won 26-3 Sep 17th 3rd team vs. Boca Raton 1st team, Won 20-9 Sep 24th at Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands), Won 21–8; Reserves Won 27-9 Oct 1st vs. Freeport (Bahamas) Oct 2nd Reserves vs. Freeport Reserves Oct 8th Reserves vs. Fort Lauderdale, Won 36–6; 3rd Team vs Boca Raton, Lost 12-11 Oct 15/16 at Jamaica National Team in Kingston, Won 19–6; Won 32-22 Oct 20th Reserves vs. Trident, Lost 22–3; 3rd Team vs. Trident Reserves, Won 20-0 Oct 22nd Reserves vs. Old Smugglers, Lost 19-11 Oct 30th vs. Tampa Pelicans, Won 78–15; Reserves too Nov 5th Reserves vs. Fort Lauderdale Nov 8th vs. Trident Nov 12th vs. Brevard Nov 19th at Reforma Barbarians (Mexico), Won 42-4c Nov 24th Reserves at Atletico de Mexico (Mexico), Won 24-3 Nov at Mexico National Team, Won 25-12 Dec 10th vs. Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) Dec 11th Reserves vs. Grand Cayman Reserves Dec 17th at Florida Cup
Schedule for 1978: 25-2 and Reserves 20-6 as of Mar 16 for 77/78; 36-6-3 for 77/78
January 21–22 vs. Velox (Victoria, British Columbia) January 27–29 at Freeport January 27–29 at Bahamas Feb 12-15 vs. Cardinal Newman (Argentina) Feb 18th vs. Boston Feb 18th at Fort Lauderdale, Won 36-16 Feb 19th vs. HMS Porpoise, Won 66-6 Mar 2nd vs HMS Phoebe, Won 94-4 Mar 4th vs. Tallahassee, Lost 20-17 Mar 4th Reserves vs. Pennsylvania State University, Won 54-8 Mar 5th vs. East Carolina University, Won 27–0; 3rd Team, Won 14-0 Mar 11th Reserves at Tampa Mar 11/12 vs. US Niad, Won 44-3 Mar 11/12 vs. Tallahassee, Won 177-20 Mar 11/12 Reserves vs. Fort Lauderdale, Won 36-0