Ohio Aviators (rugby)

The Ohio Aviators were a professional American rugby union team that played in the short lived PRO Rugby competition. They were based in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area, and played their home games at Memorial Park in Obetz, Ohio.

This article is about the PRO Rugby team. For the defuct ABA Basketball team, see Ohio Aviators (basketball).
Ohio Aviators
Full nameOhio Aviators
UnionUSA Rugby
Founded2016
Disbanded2017
LocationObetz, Ohio, U.S.
Ground(s)Fortress Obetz (Capacity: 6,500)
Coach(es)Paule Barford
Top scorerShaun Davies (84)
Most triesSpike Davis (14)
League(s)PRO Rugby
1st kit
2nd kit

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]

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.[5][6][7][8][9]

Current players and staff

Current roster
For player movements before and during the 2016 season, see 2016 PRO Rugby season § Ohio.

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.[10]

The squad for the 2016 PRO Rugby season:[11]

Ohio roster

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose Forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centers

Wingers

Fullbacks

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

Current coaching staff
PositionName
Head coach Paule Barford
Assistant coach Paul Holmes
Assistant coach Eamonn Hogan

Season summaries
C=Champions, R=Runners-up, W=Wooden Spoons
CompetitionGames
Played		Games
Won		Games
Drawn		Games
Lost		Ladder
Position		CRWCoachDetails
2016 PRO Rugby season129032 / 5Paule Barford2016 Ohio Aviators season

Leading players
SeasonCaptainMost triesMost points
2016Jamie MackintoshSpike Davis (14)Shaun Davies (84)

Coaches
CoachTenureMatchesWonDrawnLostWinning Percentage
Paule Barford2016–present1290375%

See also
  • Ohio Aviators (basketball) — defunct ABA basketball team

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 trying to grow regional fan base", The Columbus Dispatch, Adam Jardy, July 3, 2016.
  6. Weese, Evan (November 18, 2016). "Obetz building 6,500-seat sports and concert venue". Columbus Business First. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  7. Perry, Kimball (November 16, 2016). "Obetz to build 6,500-seat stadium for pro sports teams". Columbus Dispatch. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  8. Widman Neese, Alissa (November 17, 2016). "Obetz says lacrosse stadium eventually will pay for itself". Columbus Dispatch. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  9. "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.
  10. Down Goes PRO
  11. "PRO Rugby Preview – Ohio". Americas Rugby News. Americas Rugby News. April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
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