The Ohio Aviators are an American rugby union team that played professionally in the short lived PRO Rugby competition. They are based in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area, and played their home games at Memorial Park in Obetz, Ohio. They are now playing in the newly formed World Tens Series.
History PRO Rugby announced on February 9, 2016, the addition of Columbus, Ohio as the league's third team."Ohio Gains PRO Rugby Team", This Is American Rugby, February 9, 2016. The selection of Columbus came as somewhat of a surprise, because the original PRO Rugby announcement in November 2015 did not mention that the competition planned to place a team in the midwest in the inaugural season."PRO Rugby Launches First Professional League in North America" , USA Rugby, November 9, 2015. Ohio's inaugural season home opener was played on May 1, 2016."Rugby | New team offers speed, power, blood", Columbus Dispatch, Bill Rabinowitz, April 15, 2016. PRO Rugby revealed the team's nickname — the Ohio Aviators — on June 6, 2016, a reference to the Wright brothers who were from Ohio."PRO Rugby Unveils Team Names" , This Is American Rugby, June 6, 2016.
10's return On September 9, 2020, the Aviators announced on their Instagram page their return to participate in the World Tens Series, occurring from October 24 through November 7, 2020 in Bermuda., Ohio Aviators Instagram, September 9, 2020.
Stadium The Aviators during the 2016 season played their home games at Memorial Park in Obetz, a suburb of the Columbus metropolitan area. The Aviators planned to move to Fortress Obetz, on the site of the former Columbus Motor Speedway, starting with the 2017 season."Ohio Aviators trying to grow regional fan base" , The Columbus Dispatch, Adam Jardy, July 3, 2016.
2016 roster
On December 20, 2016, all PRO Rugby players received notice their contracts will be terminated in 30 days if progress is not made towards resolving disputes between the league and USA Rugby.
The squad for the 2016 PRO Rugby season:
Ohio rosterProps Demecus Beach Jamie Mackintosh (c) Angus MacLellan Anthony Parry Derrek Van Klein
Hookers Dylan Fawsitt Chris Schade
Locks Kyle Baillie Pierce Dargan Ryan McTiernanLoose forwards Filippo Ferrarini Matt Hughston Chad Joseph Sebastian Kalm Peter Malcolm Dominic Pezzutti Riekert Hattingh
Scrum-halves Shaun Davies Robbie Shaw Sam McGuffie
Fly-halves JP Eloff Taylor Howden Chris KunkelCenters Ryan Cochran Ahmad Harajly Zach Stryffeler Roland Suniula Dominic Waldouck
Wingers Mason Baum Spike Davis Alex Elkins Shawn Riley
Fullbacks Allan Hanson Zac Mizell (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped.
2016 coaching staff Position Name Head coach Paule Barford Assistant coach Paul Holmes Assistant coach Eamonn Hogan
Current players and staff
Current roster The squad for the 2020 World Tens Series:
Ohio rosterForwards Kyle Baillie Chris Baumann Dylan Fawsitt Riekert Hattingh Eric Howard Spencer Krueger Paddy Ryan John Sullivan Moni Tonga’uiha Brad TuckerBacks Bryce Campbell Ben Cima JP Eloff Tiaan Loots Will Magie Taylor Howden Chris Kunkel Shawn Riley Christian Rodriguez Juan-Philip Smith Shalom Suniula Nick Feakes (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped.
Current coaching staff Position Name Head coach Taylor Howden Assistant coach Kane Thompson Manager Zach Stryffeler Medical Director Richard Quincy Director Tom Rooney
World Tens Series
2020
Bermuda Date Opponent Venue ResultOctober 25, 2020 Phoenix Bermuda National Stadium Won, 26–0October 25, 2020 Rhinos Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 0–12October 25, 2020 London Royals Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 10–11October 26, 2020 Asia Pacific Dragons Bermuda National Stadium Won, 11–10October 26, 2020 Miami Sun Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 10–11November 2, 2020 Rhinos Bermuda National Stadium Won, 11–10November 2, 2020 Phoenix Bermuda National Stadium Won, 22–0November 2, 2020 Asia Pacific Dragons Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 16–20November 3, 2020 London Royals Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 12–13November 3, 2020 Miami Sun Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 17–17November 3, 2020 SX10 Bermuda National Stadium Won, 14–10November 7, 2020Quarterfinal Miami Sun Bermuda National Stadium Won, 26–5November 7, 2020Semifinal London Royals Bermuda National Stadium Won, 12–7November 7, 2020Final SX10 Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 14–21
Season summaries + C=Champions, R=Runners-up, W=Wooden Spoons Competition GamesPlayed GamesWon GamesDrawn GamesLost LadderPosition C R W Coach Details 2016 PRO Rugby season 12 9 0 3 2 / 5 Paule Barford 2016 Ohio Aviators season
Leading players Season Captain Most tries Most points 2016 Jamie Mackintosh Spike Davis (14) Shaun Davies (84)
Coaches Coach Tenure Matches Won Drawn Lost Winning PercentagePaule Barford 2016 12 9 0 3 75% Taylor Howden 2020–present 14 7 0 7 50%
See also Ohio Aviators (basketball) — defunct ABA basketball team
References