In our country, true teams rarely exist . . . social barriers and personal ambitions have reduced athletes to dissolute cliques of individuals thrown together for mutual profit . . . Yet these rugby players, with their muddied, cracked bodies, are struggling to hold onto a sense of humanity that we in America have lost and are unlikely to regain. The game may only be to move a ball forward on a dirt field, but the task can be accomplished with an unshackled joy and its memories will be a permanent delight. The men who play on that rugby field are more alive than too many of us will ever be. The foolish emptiness we think we perceive in their existence is only our own. - Victor Cahn
About me: The Fox Valley Maoris Rugby Football Club was established in the spring of 1975. Brothers Danny and Benny Kenyon wanted to share the experience of rugby football with their home town friends of Aurora, Illinois. Danny got his introduction to rugby at Southern Illinois University and Benny received his at Illinois State University.
The first meeting to organize a club occured at Ward's Place, a local watering hole in Aurora. Approximately a dozen high school friends attended and a practice was scheduled. The word of a new club spread to other locals, some with rugby experience. Numbers were not many but a match was scheduled for May 4, 1975 against the "B" side of the Chicago Griffins. For this inagural match the Maoris assembled a team of four experienced ruffians, 6 inexperienced ruffians, four high school students and a borrowed body from the Bloomington Blues RFC.
The Maoris came away with a 4 - 0 victory and the enthusiasm of rugby football was born in Fox Valley. In the next years to follow the new club acquired membership in the Chicago Area Rugby Football Union (CARFU) and a home pitch at Simmons Park in Aurora. Other experienced playeres found a home with the Maoris RFC. Several local athletes became CARFU select players.
As growth and success continued the Maoris found themselves representing CARFU in Detroit Michigan at the Midwest Territorial Tournament. In these early days the club served the unions in many other capacities as well. Maoris player, Gregg Miller served as union president. The Fox Valley pitch served as a practice and trial site for CARFU and Mid West select side matches. Several touring teams were hosted by the Fox Valley RFC. The United States Rugby Union held a coaches training seminar at Simmons Park and Simmons Junior High School.
The Maoris also played host to the Chicago Ball Tournament and in 1990 the Maoris won the tournament. The Fox Valley area has enjoyed 30 years of rugby football thanks to the commitment of hundreds of dedicated people that have unselfishly contributed to the success of this club.
Who I'd like to meet: Anyone interested in playing rugby, experienced or not.
Training is on Tuesday and Thursday nights 6:00-8:00. Spring training begins the first Tuesday in March. Training is at Primrose Farm Park (Bolcum Road, west of Randall Road) in St. Charles, IL.
We also meet every Thursday after training at the Dog & Duck Inn pub in St. Charles (16 S. 1st Ave, just east of the Fox River and half a block south of Rt. 64).
Matches are on Saturdays, with socials following home games at the Dog & Duck Inn (see calendar for schedule).
Fox Valley Rugby Football Club's Friend Space (Randomized)
Thanks for the friendship. In 2009 - I hope that, all your tries are converted, all penalties go against the other side, you remain injury free, and the after match beer is cold and flowing!!
