by Jessica Hughes
The Glendale rugby team, American Raptors, has returned to the U.S. to continue its season at Infinity Park Stadium in Glendale.
When the Colorado Raptors withdrew from Major League Rugby back in April 2020, the direction of the team was unknown. Now, as of fall 2021, the Raptors brand returned after the club announced the decision to transition from the Colorado XOs to the American Raptors.
The American Raptors is a team of cross-over athletes from all different athletic backgrounds learning to play the sport of rugby. The intention for creating this team is to help build out a talent pool of American rugby players that can eventually be recruited to play American rugby in the U.S.A. Rugby World Cup.
But not just anyone can join. General Manager Peter Pasque runs a sort of boots-on-the-ground campaign recruiting a pipeline of non-traditional rugby players from across the nation. The invite-only roster has seen some success stories with athletes such as David Still, who played college football and joined the Colorado XOs team for eight months and will now play in the 2024 Olympic rugby team.
This will be the first season the American Raptors will play in the Super Rugby Americas League, which officially launched in 2019 as SLAR. The competition is made up of seven franchises focused on the development of rugby players. The league is made entirely of teams from South America, with the American Raptors as the only team from North America. Other firsts to join this year in the competition include two franchises from Argentina, and one each from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Colombian players will also participate in the continental tournament.
The league competition began February 18, 2023, and will conclude June 9. The Raptors split their time between playing in South America — where they have been the last two months — and at Glendale’s Infinity Park.
Their home opener concluded March 24 against Dogos, with five more home matches lined up, before ending the season in South America. If they advance, the post-season will take pla
ce the first two weeks of June with the final match played in Uraguay.
Infinity Park is a fun venue to enjoy the fast-paced game of rugby. Come out and see some big hits, meet the players, and support the Raptors. Tickets are $10 and children 12 and under are free.
For more about the American Raptors visit them at americanraptors.com or on social media, @Ameri canRaptors. Games are broadcast on ESPN+.
Photos by Sebastian Miranda of Gaspafotos