Rugby News

Army Captures Ninth Armed Forces Rugby 7’s Title

All-Army Men's Rugby team wins gold during the 2023 Armed Forces Sports Men's Rugby Championship held in conjunction with the Rugbytown 7's Rugby Tournament in Glendale, Colo. Championship features teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force players), and Coast Guard. (Dept. of Defense photo by Mr. Steven Dinote, released)

Aug. 26, 2023 - Not a single point scored against Army as they continue their undefeated streak to win their ninth Armed Forces Men’s Rugby here at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo.

Armed Forces Rugby Championship returns to Glendale

Army Sgt. 1st Class Faleniko Spino of Auburn University breaks free for the score during the championship match of the 2022 Armed Forces Sports Men's Rugby Championship held in conjunction with the Rugbytown 7's Rugby Tournament in Glendale, Colo. Championship features teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force players), and Coast Guard. (Department of Defense photo by Mr. Steven Dinote)

Aug. 23, 2023 - The 2023 Armed Forces Sports Men's Rugby Championship will be hosted by Rugbytown 7's at the Infinity Park Stadium in Glendale, Colorado from August 25-27. The 2023 Championship will feature teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force Personnel), and Coast Guard.

Air Force Soars to Gold

Tech Sgt. Tanya Siford of Anderson AFB, Guam leads the way to victory during Air Force's defeat of Army during the 2023 Armed Forces Sports Women's Rugby Championship held in conjunction with the Cape Fear 7's Rugby Tournament in Wilmington, N.C. Championship features teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force players), and Coast Guard. (Dept. of Defense Photo by Mr. Steven Dinote, Released)

June 25, 2023 - Air Force captured their first Armed Forces Women’s Gold Medal after dominate play Saturday, here at Ogden Park in Wilmington, N.C.

AIR FORCE ENDS ARMY’S 12-MATCH UNBEATEN STREAK

Tech Sgt. Tanya Siford of Anderson AFB, Guam takes control during Air Force's defeat of Army during the 2023 Armed Forces Sports Women's Rugby Championship held in conjunction with the Cape Fear 7's Rugby Tournament in Wilmington, N.C. Championship features teams from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force players), and Coast Guard. (Dept. of Defense Photo by Mr. Steven Dinote, Released)

June 23, 2023 - The 2023 Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship burst into action at the Cape Fear Rugby Club Field Friday night, with Coast Guard, Air Force and Marine Corps registering wins on opening night.

2023 ARMED FORCES WOMEN’S RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP AT CAPE FEAR 7s

Army 1st Lt. Madison Hovren of Fort Gordan, Georgia takes off for the score during the 2022 Armed Forces Women's Rugby Championship held in conjunction with the Cape Fear Fugby 7's Tournament in Wilmington, N.C. from 24-26 June. The best players from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force players), and Coast Guard compete for gold. (Photo by Mr. Steven Dinote, Department of Defense Photo - Released)

June 22, 2023 - The annual Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship featuring teams from Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force personnel), and Coast Guard, is held in conjunction with the 2023 Cape Fear Rugby Sevens Tournament from 23-25 June.

Army Captures Eighth Rugby Gold

Aug. 21, 2022 - Going undefeated in pool play, Army dominated their way to the Championship match where they defeated Navy 27-7 here at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado on August 20.

Army Three-Peats in 2022 Armed Forces Women’s Rugby

June 26, 2022 - Army goes undefeated in their third straight Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship to capture the 2022 title.

CAPE FEAR 7’S TO HOST 2022 ARMED FORCES WOMEN’S RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

Marine Corps LCpl Kerra Wieberg of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. collides with Coast Guard Lt. J.G. Sheila Bertrand of Washington, D.C. during the opening match of the 2021 Armed Forces Rugby Championship held in conjunction with the 2021 Cape Fear Rugby Sevens Tournament, held from 24-28 June. Service members from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force personnel) and Coast Guard battle it out for gold. (Department of Defense Photo, Released)

June 21, 2022 - The annual Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship featuring teams from Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force personnel), and Coast Guard, is held in conjunction with the 2022 Cape Fear Rugby Sevens Tournament from 23-27 June.

Airmen at Travis AFB Feat. DGMC part 4: Staff Sgt. Loisel

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Stefani Loisel, 60th Surgical Services Squadron aerospace medical technician, hugs her sons, Noah, left, and Kaden Aug. 11, 2021, at Travis Air Force Base, California. Loisel contributes to the recruitment, retention and readiness of service members by playing on the USAF Women’s Rugby Team, which is a part of Armed Forces Sports. After her more than two years of training to be on and finally joining the USAF Rugby Team came to a halt due to the pandemic, the team played in the June 2021 Annual Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship in Wilmington, North Carolina, securing second place. (U.S. Air Force photo by Nicholas Pilch)

Sept. 9, 2021 - Ask a rugby player what’s good to bring along for a match and you might hear a strange answer: A medic. For one player, though, it’s a requirement. Staff Sgt. Stefani Loisel, an aerospace medical technician with the 60th Surgical Services Squadron, plays as a wing on the U.S. Air Force Rugby team and is a single mother to two boys, aged four and five.

Navy tops Air Force to win first Armed Forces Men’s Rugby Championship

Petty Officer First Class James Irey of Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, La. lifts Lieut. Adam D'Amico of Navy Shipyard Portsmouth, Va. as Navy claims victory over Air Force. The 2021 Armed Forces Rugby Championship held in conjunction with the 2021 Rugbytown 7's Tournament, held from 20-22 August. Service members from the Navy, Air Force (with Space Force personnel) and Coast Guard battle it out for gold. (Department of Defense Photo, Released)

Aug. 22, 2021 - In the heart of the Rocky Mountains emerged new champions at Infinity Park in the City of Glendale, Colo. this Saturday as Navy defeated Air Force 14-7 to win their first Armed Forces 7’s Rugby Championship. The Armed Forces Championship is held in conjunction with the Rugbytown 7’s Tournament from 20-22 August.

Army goes undefeated to win Armed Forces Women's Rugby Gold

Army 2nd lt. Samantha Sullivan of Fort Carson, Colo. drives to the try zone against the Marine Corps during the 2021 Armed Forces Rugby Championship held in conjunction with the 2021 Cape Fear Rugby Sevens Tournament, held from 24-28 June. Service members from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force personnel) and Coast Guard battle it out for gold. (Department of Defense Photo, Released)

June 27, 2021 - Army goes undefeated to win their second consecutive title at the 2021 Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship held in conjunction with the Cape Fear 7’s Rugby Tournament in Wilmington, N.C. from June 25-27.

Cape Fear sevens to Host 2021 Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship

WILMINGTON, N.C. (June 6, 2019) -- Army faces off against Navy on day two of the inaugural Armed Forces Women's Rugby Championship held in Wilmington, N.C. July 5-7, 2019. This historic event features the best female rugby players from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, who will compete for the title of the first ever Women's Rugby Champs (U.S. Dept. of Defense photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Patrick Gordon/RELEASED)

June 15, 2021 - The annual Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship featuring teams from Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force (with Space Force personnel), and Coast Guard, is held in conjunction with the 2021 Cape Fear Rugby Sevens Tournament from 24-28 June.

2020 Armed Forces Sports Championships Cancellations

April 10, 2020 - As leadership continues to monitor the current COVID-19 guidance from the Department of Defense and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Armed Forces Sports Council has made the decision to cancel all Armed Forces Sports Championships and events through September 30, 2020.

Army wins seventh-straight Armed Forces Ruby 7’s title

GLENDALE, Colo. (Aug. 24, 2019) Army and Air Force play for the 2019 Armed Forces Rugby Championship hosted by the city of Glendale, Colo. in conjunction with the 2019 Rugbytown Sevens Tournament, held from 23- 25 August. Service members from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard battle it out for gold in this world class rugby championship. (U.S. Dept. of Defense photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Timothy Hazel/RELEASED)

Aug. 27, 2019 - In a decisive fashion, Army captured their seventh straight Armed Forces Rugby 7’s Championship with a 33-5 win over the Air Force at Infinity Park in Glendale Colorado on August 25.

U.S. Service teams go head to head in Armed Forces 7's Competition

Aug. 22, 2019 - The 2019 Armed Forces Rugby 7’s tournament will welcome teams from every military service in the United States Military on August 23 – 25. Held at Infinity Park for the 8th consecutive year, the tournament starts with two days of single round-robin play, followed by a championship match on August 25.

Armed Forces Sports Concludes Inaugural Women’s Rugby Tournament with Army Taking Gold

WILMINGTON, N.C. (June 6, 2019) -- Navy faces off against Marine Corps on day two of the inaugural Armed Forces Women's Rugby Championship held in Wilmington, N.C. July 5-7, 2019. This historic event features the best female rugby players from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, who will compete for the title of the first ever Women's Rugby Champs (U.S. Dept. of Defense photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Patrick Gordon/RELEASED)

July 11, 2019 - Armed Forces Sports (AFS) wrapped up its first ever Women’s Rugby Championship June 7 in Wilmington North Carolina. The historic event was capped by an awards ceremony that saw Army take the gold going undefeated in the tournament, followed closely by the Marines who earned silver with three wins and one loss.

Field to Pitch - Marine Takes On Two Sports for Armed Forces

WILMINGTON, N.C. (June 6, 2019) -- Capt. Kate Herren carries the ball down the pitch during the Marine Corps-Coast Guard rugby match on day two of the inaugural Armed Forces Women's Rugby Championship held in Wilmington, N.C. July 5-7, 2019. This historic event features the best female rugby players from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, who will compete for the title of the first ever Women's Rugby Champs (U.S. Dept. of Defense photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Patrick Gordon/RELEASED)

July 10, 2019 - Captain Kate Herren strikes the imposing model of a Marine – lean, energetic, and a look of determination in her eyes as she faces her opponents. Advancing up the field with her fellow Marines, she and her team seem unstoppable; taking blow after blow they move forward, getting knocked down but never staying down, all with the goal of victory foremost in mind.

Armed Forces Sports Kicks Off Inaugural Women’s Rugby Championship in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, N.C. (June 5, 2019) Day one of the Inaugural Armed Forces Women's Rugby Championship held in Wilmington, N.C. from July 5-7, 2019. This historic event features the best female Rugby players from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard, who will compete for the title of the first ever Women's Rugby Champs. (U.S. Dept. of Defense photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Patrick Gordon/Released)

July 6, 2019 - On a balmy summer’s afternoon in the heart of residential Wilmington, North Carolina, history was made when women of all five U.S. armed service branches faced off in the first Armed Forces Women’s Rugby Championship on the pitch of the Cape Fear Rugby Football Club July 5.

Hospital Corpsman finds Home in Rugby

GLENDALE, Colo. – Navy Hospital Corpsman Cyprian Shimenga of Portsmouth, Va. stands if front of the pitch at 2018 Armed Forces Rugby Sevens Championship at Infinity Park, home of Rugbytown USA (Glendale, Colo.), Aug. 24-26, 2018. All Five Service branches are represented individually to compete in the 7th annual head-to-head competition. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Caswell (Released).

Aug. 29, 2018 - Hospital Corpsman Cyprian Shimenga of NMC Portsmouth, Va. has played rugby since he was a teenager, from growing up in Kenya, to graduating from West Virginia University. Rugby is still constant in his life as he represents the U.S. Navy on the All Navy Rugby Team.

Army wins sixth-straight Armed Forces Rugby Sevens title

GLENDALE, Colo. – The US Army and the US Air Force rugby teams congratulate each other after the championship rugby game during the Rugbytown 7s tournament. All Five Service branches are represented

individually to compete in the 7th annual RugbyTown 7s competition. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Cleary (Released).

Aug. 27, 2018 - In a sweeping victory, Army captured their sixth straight Armed Forces Rugby 7’s Championship with a 12-7 win over the Air Force at Infinity Park in Glendale Colorado on August 25.

U.S. Service teams go head to head in Armed Forces 7's Competition

Aug. 27, 2018 - The 2018 Armed Forces Rugby 7’s tournament will welcome teams from every military service in the United States. It will be held from August 24 – August 26 at Infinity Park for the 7th year in a row. The tournament will be conducted in single round-robin games on August 24 – August 25 followed by a championship match on August 26. Infinity Park is a cultural cornerstone in Colorado and boasts the first rugby-specific stadium in the country.

U.S. Armed Forces Women's Rugby Team Competes at National Development Academy Tournament

U.S. Armed Forces Women's Rugby Team competed in the Women's Academy Tournament this week at the U.S. Olympic Training Site in Chula Vista, CA.

June 18, 2018 - USA Rugby will host a seven team Women's Academy Tournament this week at the U.S. Olympic Training Site in Chula Vista, CA. Set to take place June 16-17, six academy teams and the Women's Collegiate All-American Sevens (WCAA 7s) will participate in a round-robin competition to showcase their developed talent for the opportunity to earn 2018-19 residency contracts or to play for an open spot for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 High Performance Camp.

Army captures fourth straight Armed Forces Rugby crown with 55-5 win over Air Force

The 2016 Armed Forces Rugby CHampionship gold medal team, the U.S. Army. Army captured their fourth straight Armed Forces crown defeating Air Force 55-5 in the championship match.

Aug. 30, 2016 - GLENDALE, Colo. (Aug. 28, 2016) -- The Army captured their fourth straight title at the 2016 Armed Forces Rugby Sevens Championship at Infinity Park, home of Rugbytown USA (Glendale, Colo.), Aug. 26-27.

Army hosts first Armed Forces women's rugby camp

Marine 1st Lt. Jane Paar defends against a member of the Armed Forces Men's Rugby Team during a drill at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., Aug. 25, 2015. Paar is captain of the Armed Forces Women's Rugby Team and also plays for the U.S. National Team in San Diego.

Aug. 31, 2015 - FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. -- Sixteen service members reported Aug. 23 to the military's first training camp for women's rugby.

Soldiers win third consecutive Armed Forces Rugby Sevens crown

Spc. Faleniko Spino of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., drives for a try during All-Army's 43-12 victory over All-Air Force in the gold-medal game of the 2015 Armed Forces Rugby 7s Championship Tournament on Saturday at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs

Aug. 19, 2015 - GLENDALE, Colo. (Aug. 17, 2015) -- The All-Army team won its third consecutive crown at the 2015 Armed Forces Rugby Sevens Championship Tournament at Infinity Park, home of the Glendale Raptors, one of the nation's premier rugby clubs, Aug. 14-15.

Army Crushes Air Force 43-12 in 2015 Armed Forces Championship

Army Captures their third consecutive Armed Forces Rugby 7's title defeating the Air Force 43-12 in the championship match on 16 August at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo., better known as Rugby Town USA.

Aug. 18, 2015 - Army repeats their Armed Forces Rugby 7's gold medal streak by capturing their third consecutive title. Complete results are below.

Army Captures Back-to-Back Armed Forces Rugby Title

The 2014 Armed Forces Rugby 7s Champions, All-Army. Standing Left to Right: SGT Nuuese Punimata (Ft. Carson, CO),CPT John Bryant (South Carolina NG), SPC Kevin Harrison (Ft. Campbell, KY), MAJ Nate Conkey (JB Lewis-McChord, WA), SPC Michael Melendez-Rivera (Ft. Bragg, NC), SGT Matt Tago (Kaiserslautern, Germany), CPT Andrew Locke (Ft. Carson, CO)
Front Row Left to Right: SPC Stephen Johnson (Ft. Bragg, NC), PFC Faleniko Spino (JB Lewis-McChord, WA), 1LT Uiki Leatigaga (Ft. Carson, CO), 1LT David Geib (Ft. Campbell, KY), 1LT Benjamin Paul (Ft. Benning, GA)

Aug. 21, 2014 - Glendale, Colo. (Aug. 17, 2014) – Army and Air Force repeated their 2013 performance by advancing to the finals, with the Army once again victorious in the 2014 Armed Forces Rugby Sevens Championship.

Army wins Armed Forces Rugby on last-second try

Maj. Nate Conkey of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., via Falls Church, Va., sets the defensive tone for All-Army during the Soldiers' 19-14 victory over All-Air Force in the gold-medal game of the 2013 Armed Forces Rugby Championships on Aug. 17 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, IMCOM Public Affairs

Aug. 26, 2013 - GLENDALE, Colo. (Aug. 26, 2013) -- All seven Soldiers on the pitch touched the ball during All-Army's winning drive to the 2013 Armed Forces Rugby Sevens Championship

GLENDALE, CO (By Kenneth Polk, Armed Forces Sports) – The last time the Marines and Air Force faced each other in the championship match was the 2006 Armed Forces 15-aside Rugby Championship. Since then, the Marine Corps Rugby team placed last in three of five years with the last two years failing to reach at least the consolidation match. As the Armed Forces Championship format moved from 15-aside to 7’s, the fast and physical Devil Dogs would emerge as champions over the Air Force (33-31) at the inaugural 2012 Armed Forces Rugby 7’s Championship.

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