Ohio Aviators (rugby union)

Last updated
Ohio Aviators
Ohio Aviators logo.png
Full nameOhio Aviators
Union USA Rugby
Founded2016
Location Obetz, Ohio, U.S.
Ground(s) Fortress Obetz (Capacity: 6,500)
Coach(es) Paule Barford
Top scorer Shaun Davies (84)
Most tries Spike Davis (14)
League(s) PRO Rugby (2016)
World Tens Series (2020-present)
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1st kit
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2nd kit
Official website
www.ohioaviators10s.com

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.

Contents

History

PRO Rugby announced on February 9, 2016 the addition of Columbus, Ohio as the league's third team. [1] 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. [2] Ohio's inaugural season home opener was played on May 1, 2016. [3] PRO Rugby revealed the team's nickname — the Ohio Aviators — on June 6, 2016, a reference to the Wright brothers who were from Ohio. [4]

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. [5]

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. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

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. [11]

The squad for the 2016 PRO Rugby season: [12]

Ohio roster

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centers

Wingers

Fullbacks

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped.

2016 coaching staff

PositionName
Head coach Flag of England.svg Paule Barford
Assistant coach Flag of South Africa.svg Paul Holmes
Assistant coach IRFU flag.svg Eamonn Hogan

Current players and staff

Current roster

The squad for the 2020 World Tens Series: [13]

Ohio roster

Forwards

Backs

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped.

Current coaching staff

PositionName
Head coachTaylor Howden
Assistant coach Kane Thompson
ManagerZach Stryffeler
Medical DirectorRichard Quincy
DirectorTom Rooney

[14]

World Tens Series

2020

Bermuda

DateOpponentVenueResult
October 25, 2020Phoenix Bermuda National Stadium Won, 26-0
October 25, 2020 Flag of the United States.svg Rhinos Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 0-12
October 25, 2020 Flag of England.svg London Royals Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 10-11
October 26, 2020 Flag of Singapore.svg Asia Pacific Dragons Bermuda National Stadium Won, 11–10
October 26, 2020 Flag of the United States.svg Miami Sun Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 10–11
November 2, 2020 Flag of the United States.svg Rhinos Bermuda National Stadium Won, 11–10
November 2, 2020Phoenix Bermuda National Stadium Won, 22–0
November 2, 2020 Flag of Singapore.svg Asia Pacific Dragons Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 16–20
November 3, 2020 Flag of England.svg London Royals Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 12–13
November 3, 2020 Flag of the United States.svg Miami Sun Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 17–17
November 3, 2020 Flag of South Africa.svg SX10 Bermuda National Stadium Won, 14–10
November 7, 2020
Quarterfinal		 Flag of the United States.svg Miami Sun Bermuda National Stadium Won, 26–5
November 7, 2020
Semifinal		 Flag of England.svg London Royals Bermuda National Stadium Won, 12–7
November 7, 2020
Final		 Flag of South Africa.svg SX10 Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 14–21

Season summaries

C=Champions, R=Runners-up, W=Wooden Spoons
CompetitionGames
Played		Games
Won		Games
Drawn		Games
Lost		Ladder
Position		CRWCoachDetails
2016 PRO Rugby season 129032 / 5 Paule Barford 2016 Ohio Aviators season

Leading players

SeasonCaptainMost triesMost points
2016 Jamie Mackintosh Spike Davis (14) Shaun Davies (84)

Coaches

CoachTenureMatchesWonDrawnLostWinning Percentage
Paule Barford 20161290375%
Taylor Howden2020–present1470750%

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Ohio Gains PRO Rugby Team", This Is American Rugby, February 9, 2016.
  2. ↑ "PRO Rugby Launches First Professional League in North America" Archived 2015-11-12 at the Wayback Machine , USA Rugby, November 9, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Rugby | New team offers speed, power, blood", Columbus Dispatch, Bill Rabinowitz, April 15, 2016.
  4. ↑ "PRO Rugby Unveils Team Names", This Is American Rugby, June 6, 2016.
  5. ↑ , Ohio Aviators Instagram, September 9, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Ohio Aviators trying to grow regional fan base" Archived 2016-10-13 at the Wayback Machine , The Columbus Dispatch, Adam Jardy, July 3, 2016.
  7. ↑ Weese, Evan (November 18, 2016). "Obetz building 6,500-seat sports and concert venue". Columbus Business First. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  8. ↑ Perry, Kimball (November 16, 2016). "Obetz to build 6,500-seat stadium for pro sports teams". Columbus Dispatch. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  9. ↑ Widman Neese, Alissa (November 17, 2016). "Obetz says lacrosse stadium eventually will pay for itself". Columbus Dispatch . Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  10. ↑ "Multi-Use Athletic Stadium To Take Place Of Columbus Motor Speedway". Columbus, Ohio: WOSU Public Media. The Associated Press Ohio. November 17, 2016. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  11. ↑ "Down Goes PRO". Archived from the original on 2019-06-20. Retrieved 2016-12-20.
  12. ↑ "PRO Rugby Preview – Ohio". Americas Rugby News. Americas Rugby News. April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Ohio Aviators - Team Roster". Ohio Aviators. Ohio Aviators. September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Round One of World Tens". worldtens.com. October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
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