Las Vegas Blackjacks RFC

The Las Vegas Blackjacks Rugby Football Club (Las Vegas Blackjacks RFC) was a rugby union team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were members of the Southern California Rugby Football Union and competed in the Senior Men's 1st (Red) Division of USA Rugby.[1]

Las Vegas RFC
Full nameLas Vegas Rugby Football Club
UnionUSA Rugby
Nickname(s)Blackjacks
Founded1976
Ground(s)Charlie Frias Park
PresidentThomas Carter
Coach(es)N/A
League(s)SCRFU Division I
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.vegasblackjacksrugby.com

The Blackjacks finished in fourth place at the USA Rugby Nationals - Division I Tournament and won their first SCRFU Regular Season title in 2008. The Blackjacks won the regular season again in 2009 and made it to the National Final where they lost to the Gentlemen of Aspen. Redemption was found in 2010 as the boys claimed the nations top prize with a win in the national final against Belmont Shore.

History

The Las Vegas Rugby Club was established in 1976, following a newspaper advertisement to recruit players for a local rugby club. The Blackjacks have reached the National Final 4 competition three times since 2006 and were the national runner-up in 2009. The club finally reached the mountain top as they edged Belmont Shore for the 2010 National Championship.

In 2010, LVRC signed a player development agreement with Top 14 side, Montpellier Hérault RC. The agreement with Montpellier will have the French side sending young players to play with LVRC during France's offseason, while allowing amateur players with the Blackjacks the opportunity to play top-level professional rugby.[2]

Season-by-season record

Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, D = Draws, Pts = Points, PF = Points for, PA = Points against

SeasonWLDPtsPFPAFinishPlayoffs
2003470-1742835th, Division IUSA Sweet 16
2004260-1302786th Division I
2005271-1422267th, Division I
2006940-3471742nd, Division INational Semifinalist
2007570262192504th, Division ILost in Round of 32
2008921483751301st, Division INational Quarterfinals
20095102519245T-1st, Division INational Finalists
2010411223091152nd, Division INational Champions
2011580252853235th, Division IDNQ

Sponsors

The Blackjacks were sponsored by several different companies, including McMullan's Irish Pub, Bugsy's Bar and Grill, and the Megapixel Cafe. Canterbury of New Zealand is the official merchandise supplier of the team in 2012.[3]

Honors

Club Championships
  • USA Rugby Premier Division
    • Champions - 2010
    • 2nd Place - 2009
    • 4th Place - 2006
  • SCRFU Division I
    • Gainy Cup Champions - 2009
    • Regular Season Champions - 2008
    • Playoff Champions - 2008

References
  1. "2008 Schedule and Results". Las Vegas Blackjacks RFC. Archived from the original on April 3, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2008.
  2. Mita, Hepi (May 15, 2010). "Vegas rugby club enters into player agreement with French pro team". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  3. "Sponsors". Las Vegas Blackjacks RFC. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved April 7, 2008.


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