The 1981 National Rugby Championships were a series of tournaments organized to determine a national champion in several divisions for United States rugby teams. The divisions included Men's/Women's Club, college, high school, Military, Sevens, and Interterritorial.

Men's Club The 1981 National Club Rugby Championship was sponsored by Michelob and took place in Dayton, Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base from May 9–10.Ridenour, Marla (May 10, 1981). "It's Rugby; Pass The Beer". Dayton Daily Times, p.1-C col.2-3 The teams featured in the tournament were the champions of the four sub unions of USARFU. Coached by Ron Mayes the Berkeley Old Blues won the title defeating Old Blues of New York in the final 9–3."Cal, Blues Take Rugby Titles Again". (May 11, 1981). The Independent & Gazette, p.15 col.5 Old Blues scrumhalf David Bateman was MVP back and Old Blues flanker Whit Everett was MVP forward.

Semifinals

Third place

Final

Champions: Old Blues RFC of Berkeley, CA Coach: Ron Mayes Captain: Jeff Hollings (Hooker) Roster: Dale Allan (Lock), Bill Armstrong (Center), Rick Bailey (Prop), Dave Bateman (Scrumhalf), Jim Brazil (Prop), Gary Bunce (Wing), John Dixon (Fullback), Duke Eberle (#8), Lee Evans (Center), John Everett (Hooker), Whit Everett (Flanker), Roy Helu (Center), Jay Heron (Flanker), Charlie Hextrum (Lock), Jeff Hollings (Hooker), Dean Landry (Prop), Jeff Lucas (Flyhalf), Bo Myersiek (Flyhalf), Steve Ponder (#8), Marty Richter (Wing), Steve Teasdale (Scrumhalf), Dennis Ward (Fullback), Blane Warhurst (Flanker), Jeff Westcolt (Wing), Brad Williams (Lock).

Women's Club The 1981 Women's National Rugby Championship was a 16 team tournament sponsored by Michelob that took place on May 23–25 in Oak Brook, IL.Kiley, Mike (May 24, 1981). "Rugby Not So Foreign, After All". Chicago Tribune, sec.4 p.2 The Belmont Shores team of Long Beach, CA won the championship with a 7–6 win over Beantown of Boston, MA."Women Take To Rugby Field". (May 28, 1981). The Daily Herald, sec.1 p.6 Kathy Cantu of Belmont Shore was MVP and Karen Onufry of Beantown won the Game Breaker Award.

Final

Lineups: Belmont Shore– Dave Head (Coach), Stregge (Prop), Hankins (Hooker), Hancock (Prop), Boyce (Lock), Hartman (Lock), Rogers (#8), Kathy Cantu–captain (Flanker), Miller (Flanker), Wallace (Scrumhalf), Cindy Martinich (Flyhalf), Jill Goldberg (Center), Gail Ball (Center), Kuskey (Wing), Martin (Wing), Melissa Hart (Fullback).Beantown– Moynihan (Prop), Mullins (Hooker), Kimble (Prop), Kaspotys (Lock), Rutkowski (Lock), Locket (#8), Bridi (Flanker), Mindy Fener (Flanker), Cepko (Scrumhalf), Karen Onufry (Flyhalf), Evans (Center), Lewis (Center), Keith (Wing), Marr (Wing), Nancy Breen (Fullback).

College

The 1981 College championship was won by University of California at Berkeley. Harvard was runner-up.

Military The 1981 Military Club Rugby Championship took place in Dayton, Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base from May 9–10 and was won by the Wright Patterson Jets with a 7–3 win over Camp Pendleton.

Final

Sevens The 1981 National Sevens Rugby Tournament was hosted by the Hartford Wanderers and took place on June 20, 1981, at Sterling Field in West Hartford, Connecticut."Rugby Tournament Scheduled For Today". (June 20, 1981). Hartford Courant, p.C3 col.6 The tournament was won by the Hartford Wanderers for the first time.Paterno, Karen (June 21, 1981). "They're After Top Quality Rugby". Hartford Courant, p.D8 West Hartford Wanderers 30-16 University of Rhode Island alumni (Final)

ITT The Inter Territorial Tournament involved the four regional rugby unions comprising the United States RFU: Pacific Coast RFU, Western RFU, Midwest RFU, and the Eastern Rugby Union. The region teams are formed from selected players from the sub regional rugby unions. Subsequently, the USA Eagles are selected from the four regional teams after the ITT concludes. The 1981 edition was played at the Oak Brook Sports Core in Oak Brook, Illinois from May 23–25."Rugby Trials". (May 23, 1981). The Daily Herald, sec.2 p.4 col.7 The Pacific Coast RFU repeated as tournament champions. Flyhalf Steve Morris of the West was MVP back and flanker Gary Lambert of the East was MVP forward. Results:

TeamWLFA1Pacific Coast Grizzlies3071232Eastern Colonials2170243Midwest Thunderbirds1244654Western Mustangs032089

Champions: Pacific Coast Grizzlies Coaches: Ron Mayes, Rod Sears Manager: Dan Hickey Roster: Bill Armstrong–Wing (Old Blues), Rick Bailey-Prop (Old Blues), Dave Bateman–Scrumhalf (Old Blues), Jim Brazil-Prop (Old Blues), Ed Burlingham–Lock (Irvine Coast), Dave Carpenter-Flanker (Old Puget Sound), John Carroll-Lock (Santa Monica), Bill Ekern-Flanker (Davis City), Whit Everett–Flanker/#8 (Old Blues), John Fowler–Flanker/#8 (UCLA), Jamie Grant–Hooker (Santa Monica), Steve Gray–Flyhalf (Los Angeles), Don Guest–Wing (BATS), Ian Gunn–Flyhalf (Old Puget Sound), Jay Hanson-Hooker (San Francisco), Roy Helu–Center (Old Blues), Chuck Hextrum–Lock (Old Blues), John Jelaco–Prop (BATS), Skip Niebauer-Flanker (BATS), Tim O'Brien-Center (UC Berkeley), Mike Purcell–Wing (BATS), Dennis Shanagher-Center (BATS), Tom Smith-Flyhalf/Fullback (UCLA), Winn Vanderspek-Scrumhalf (Old Puget Sound), Scott Williams-Fullback (Old Puget Sound).

High School The 1981 National High School Rugby Championship took place in Dayton, Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base from May 9–10."Scoreboard". (May 10, 1981). Dayton Daily News, p.3-C col.1-2 Redwood High of Larkspur, CA became the first champions after a 6–3 victory over Seneca Valley of Maryland.Stroble, Zan (May 11, 1981). "Waterlogged Coach Keys Wright-Pat Rugby Win". Journal Herald, p.7 First round: Seneca Valley W-L Cincinnati Indian Hills

Champions: Redwood High Coach: David Kirschoff Roster: Colin Cole, Brian Muller, John Flowers, Jeff Davis, Elliot Morshead, Steve Fentress, Benny Thio, Mitch Halston, Barry Grove, Greg Merriman, Greg Behrendt, Robert Salaber, Robert Forstner, Nick Stoll, Duncan Green, Phil Aufricht, Eric Goodfield, Mike Jackson, Bud Riley, Steve Havernass, Sean Silvera, Pat Farley, John Weisberg, Mike King, David Flowers.

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