Kansas City Blues (USA Rugby)
| Full name | Kansas City Blues Rugby Football Club |
|---|---|
| Union | USA Rugby |
| Nickname(s) | Blues |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Ground(s) | Sporting KC Training Facility |
| President | Derek Mannell |
| Coach(es) | Scott Kram |
| League(s) | USA Rugby Divisions 1 & 3 |
The Kansas City Blues Rugby Football Club fields rugby union teams in USA Rugby Divisions 1 & 3, both based in Kansas City, Missouri. Up until 2007, the team played in the Super League, but were replaced that year by the Chicago Griffins. During the 2011-2012 season both the D1 and D3 sides reached the USA Rugby National Championship Series, becoming just the second club in USA Rugby history to advance two sides to the Divisional Elite Eight round.
Based on a loose affiliation with both UMKC and Rockhurst College, the Kansas City Blues Rugby Club was established in 1966. Strides were taken to early on to develop a unique Club identity and culture by the founding members, and throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Blues elevated their rugby knowledge and skill level to become one of the dominant teams in the United States. In 2009, the Blues field an active roster of 65 players, an Old Boys side (35+ years) called the Blues Brothers, a high school side (Jr. Blues), a close affiliation with three additional high school age sides (Gentlemen of Olathe, Blue Valley RFC, St. Thomas Aquinas RFC), and an even larger supporting cast of non-playing members.
Since 1993, the Blues have participated in three Division 1 National Championships in 15's rugby, placing 4th in 1993 and 3rd in 1994. The Blues have also been a fixture in the 7's National Championships, qualifying in 9 of the last 20 years, placing 2nd in 1993, 5th in 1998 and 2nd in 2000. The Blues Brothers are perennial contenders at Aspen's Ruggerfest, having won the Over-35 Division in 5 of the last 8 years.
In 1997 the Blues were a founding member of the United States Rugby Super League (US). The Rugby Super League is the premier competition in the US, made up of the top 15 teams in the nation, spanning from Boston to San Diego. The spring of 2002 saw the Blues advance to the RSL Semi-Finals with an impressive 5-2-1 record in league play. The Blues made the decision of self-relegation from the Super League in 2007, one that has allowed the Club to re-tool in Division 1 and develop a program that has aspired to again reaching the National Championships. In 2008 the Blues and County Sundogs merged under the Blues umbrella, and the Club now competes in the West D1 and D2 leagues weekly.
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