The Cleveland Rugby League are an American amateur rugby league football club based in Cleveland, Ohio. They were a founding member of the new North American Rugby League that formed in 2021, but failed to launch. Currently the club runs as a USARL independent.
 | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Cleveland Rugby League |
| Nickname(s) | Cleveland |
| Colours |  Red, yellow and black |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
|
| Coach | Mark Subinsky |
| Captain | Monte Gaddis & Sterling Wynn |
History
editFounding, NARL and First match (2018 - 2021)
editThe Cleveland Rugby League team were first established in 2018 by Toronto Wolfpack trialist, Monte Gaddis. Initially they planned to start the Midwest Rugby League Conference where they would play a rugby league 9s game against the Chicago Stockyarders.[1]
Cleveland's first match was against USA Rugby League club, the Northern Virginia Eagles.[2]
On 31 March 2021 it was announced a new professional North American Rugby League competition with 14 teams taking part, including Cleveland Rugby League.[3] Cleveland played one exhibition team against the Atlanta Rhinos before the competition folded.
On 19 April 2021 it was announced that experienced Australian coach Glenn Morrison had been appointed as Director of Rugby;[4] Morrison has previously been head coach at Dewsbury Rams, in the RFL Championship and the Jamaican national team.
Post-NARL, Outlaws and present day (2022 - present)
editIn 2023, Cleveland introduced a women's team known as the Cleveland Outlaws. In April of that year, both teams would play a cross border club friendly versus ORL Champions, Toronto City Saints and Ontario Ospreys. The event was titled, "Battle of the Great Lakes" and played at Baldwin Wallace University's George Finnie Stadium. Cleveland scored early tries to lead 14–12 at the half time but Toronto would rally to a 34–22 victory.[5][6] As for the Outlaws, they would be defeated by the Ospreys with a score of 64–0. The men's side would go on to participate in 2023 USARL Naples Nines, finishing 8th of 12 teams, afterwards they would also participate in the Cleveland Beach 5s, a beach rugby tournament hosted by Cleveland Crusaders RUFC. CRL Men's would finish 5th, repeating the result from 2022.
In 2024, Outlaws partnered with regional side Midwest Rouge Runners. The ladies would play a friendly against Ontario Ospreys at York University, falling 30–22 after being ahead for periods of the match.[7]
Current Squad
editThe list of the Men's side are from matches including Battle of the Great Lakes versus Toronto City and Naples Nines.
Flags of Nationality are next to the players' names.
(as of May 20, 2023)
| Position. | Player | Position | Player | Position | Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back | Sterling Wynn (C) 
|
Utility | Peter Garlando 
|
Forward | Jalen Peeples
|
| Back | Monte Gaddis (C)
|
Utility | Tyrone Lyons
|
Forward | Dante Camboni
|
| Back | Phen Johnson
|
Utility | Tyson Riggins
|
Forward | Garrett O'Connell
|
| Back | Dayshawn Garr
|
Utility | Cameron Taylor
|
||
| Back | Devon Range
|
Forward | Keith Harris
| ||
| Back | Daejon Street
|
Forward | Cory Graham
| ||
| Back | Dayne Karlovec
|
Forward | Elijah Tchilembe 
| ||
| Back | Brent Coles
|
Forward | Charles Wroten
| ||
| Back | Damontae Gaither
|
Forward | Evan Bradshaw
| ||
References
edit- ^ Lowe, Brian (2 September 2020). "Rugby league to debut in Cleveland USA". Rugby League Planet.
- ^ Lowe, Brian (6 September 2020). "NOVA Eagles show class in Cleveland exhibition game". Rugby League Planet.
- ^ "Organizers announce formation of 14-team pro North American Rugby League". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 31 March 2021.
- ^ "Glenn Morrison becomes director of rugby at Cleveland". Love Rugby League. 19 Apr 2021. Retrieved 20 Apr 2021.
- ^ canadarugby (2023-04-02). "Toronto City Saints Head to Cleveland". Canada Rugby League Association. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2024-08-06.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-08-06.