About Us
History
The Detroit RFC was founded in 1968 and is one of the first established rugby clubs in the State of Michigan. The original seven founders were Detroiters who had been crossing the Detroit River to Windsor, Canada to play the game as members of the Walkerville Borderers. The club originally went under the nickname of the Detroit “Cobras” since most of the players were Ford Motor Company engineers working on the design of the Cobra sports car.
In the first ten years of its existence the club trained and played home fixtures on the fields at Belle Isle, hosting visiting clubs from all over the State of Michigan and the Midwest. In 1978, with club growth and changing demographics, the club moved training and fixtures to Farwell Field, then determined to be a central location for the Detroit metropolitan area.
Since our humble beginnings, over 1,500 players have proudly worn Detroit’s colors of black, red and gold. About half of these players came to the club from all over the world with varying rugby experience. The other half had their introduction to rugby and played their first games in a Detroit RFC uniform.
Pay Dues
Interested In Joining?
There are 2 competitive seasons. The Fall is the main league season, and there is also the Spring/Summer 7s season. Practices and home games are held at Farwell Field in Detroit.
Detroit RFC Men – Division III
To join the Men’s team contact coach Art Rucinski at artrucinski70@gmail.com
Detroit RFC Women – Division I
To join the Women’s team contact coach Erin McGowan at coach-women@detroitrugby.org
Detroit Old Guys Select
To join the D.O.G.S, contact Old Boy Rep Mike Gangler at mjgangler@yahoo.com
We also have an Associate Club Membership for non-playing members such as supporters, fans, Old Boys, Old Girls, etc. Associates will be kept up to date on Club happenings via the newsletter and be able to attend club functions such as the awards banquet for the same rate as playing members.
Team Physician - Nicholas J. Moore, MD
Nicholas Moore, M.D., FAAFP
Dr. Moore is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a major in Nutritional Sciences, followed by medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He then completed Family Medicine Residency at Phoenix Baptist Hospital and Primary Care Sports Medicine fellowship at the University of Connecticut. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and was an Hour Magazine Detroit Top Doc in 2018.
His clinical interests include concussion, chronic tendinopathy, Tenex percutaneous tenotomy, diagnostic ultrasound, ultrasound-guided procedures, PRP/stem cell injections, and community sports coverage.
He has experience covering high-level athletics at both the Division I University and professional level. He has worked as a team physician for the Detroit Red Wings and the Michigan Bucks PDL soccer team. He currently covers multiple community sports, including the Milford high schools, Lakeland High School, Hartland High School, the Detroit Rugby Club, and the Detroit Roller Derby Girls. He also is active in event coverage, including marathons, Tough Mudder obstacle course races, Crossfit competitions, and the Michigan Pro Soccer Combine.
He enjoys getting to know his patients and is passionate about establishing strong doctor-patient relationships. He believes that focusing on treating the person and not just the diagnosis, can significantly impact outcomes.
He is married with 3 children. He enjoys Crossfit, basketball, and playing the drums.
2018 Officers
