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Ohio Aviators (rugby union)

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The Ohio Aviators are an American rugby union team that played professionally in the short lived PRO Rugby competition. They are based in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area, and played their home games at Memorial Park in Obetz, Ohio. They are now playing in the newly formed World Tens Series.

Ohio Aviators
Full nameOhio Aviators
UnionUSA Rugby
Founded2016; 10 years ago (2016)
LocationObetz, Ohio, U.S.
GroundFortress Obetz (Capacity: 6,500)
CoachPaule Barford
Top scorerShaun Davies (84)
Most triesSpike Davis (14)
League(s)PRO Rugby (2016)
World Tens Series (2020-present)
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.ohioaviators10s.com

History

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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]

10's return

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On September 9, 2020, the Aviators announced on their Instagram page their return to participate in the World Tens Series, occurring from October 24 through November 7, 2020 in Bermuda.[5]

Stadium

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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.[6][7][8][9][10]

2016 roster

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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.[11]

The squad for the 2016 PRO Rugby season:[12]

Ohio roster

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centers

Wingers

Fullbacks

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

2016 coaching staff

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PositionName
Head coachEngland Paule Barford
Assistant coachSouth Africa Paul Holmes
Assistant coachIreland Eamonn Hogan

Current players and staff

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Current roster

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The squad for the 2020 World Tens Series:[13]

Ohio roster

Forwards

Backs

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

Current coaching staff

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PositionName
Head coachTaylor Howden
Assistant coachKane Thompson
ManagerZach Stryffeler
Medical DirectorRichard Quincy
DirectorTom Rooney

[14]

World Tens Series

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2020

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Bermuda

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DateOpponentVenueResult
October 25, 2020PhoenixBermuda National StadiumWon, 26–0
October 25, 2020United States RhinosBermuda National StadiumLost, 0–12
October 25, 2020England London RoyalsBermuda National StadiumLost, 10–11
October 26, 2020Singapore Asia Pacific DragonsBermuda National StadiumWon, 11–10
October 26, 2020United States Miami SunBermuda National StadiumLost, 10–11
November 2, 2020United States RhinosBermuda National StadiumWon, 11–10
November 2, 2020PhoenixBermuda National StadiumWon, 22–0
November 2, 2020Singapore Asia Pacific DragonsBermuda National StadiumLost, 16–20
November 3, 2020England London RoyalsBermuda National StadiumLost, 12–13
November 3, 2020United States Miami SunBermuda National StadiumLost, 17–17
November 3, 2020South Africa SX10Bermuda National StadiumWon, 14–10
November 7, 2020
Quarterfinal		United States Miami SunBermuda National StadiumWon, 26–5
November 7, 2020
Semifinal		England London RoyalsBermuda National StadiumWon, 12–7
November 7, 2020
Final		South Africa SX10Bermuda National StadiumLost, 14–21

Season summaries

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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

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

Coaches

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CoachTenureMatchesWonDrawnLostWinning Percentage
Paule Barford20161290375%
Taylor Howden2020–present1470750%

See also

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References

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  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" Archived 2016-09-24 at the Wayback Machine, This Is American Rugby, June 6, 2016.
  5. ↑ , Ohio Aviators Instagram, September 9, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Ohio Aviators trying to grow regional fan base" Archived 2016-10-13 at the Wayback Machine, The Columbus Dispatch, Adam Jardy, July 3, 2016.
  7. ↑ Weese, Evan (November 18, 2016). "Obetz building 6,500-seat sports and concert venue". Columbus Business First. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  8. ↑ Perry, Kimball (November 16, 2016). "Obetz to build 6,500-seat stadium for pro sports teams". Columbus Dispatch. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  9. ↑ Widman Neese, Alissa (November 17, 2016). "Obetz says lacrosse stadium eventually will pay for itself". Columbus Dispatch. Columbus, Ohio. Retrieved 2017-01-21.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ "Down Goes PRO". Archived from the original on 2019-06-20. Retrieved 2016-12-20.
  12. ↑ "PRO Rugby Preview – Ohio". Americas Rugby News. Americas Rugby News. April 12, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Ohio Aviators - Team Roster". Ohio Aviators. Ohio Aviators. September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Round One of World Tens". worldtens.com. October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
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