Ohio Aviators
Full nameOhio Aviators
UnionUSA Rugby
Founded2016
LocationObetz, Ohio, U.S.
Ground(s)Fortress Obetz (Capacity: 6,500)
Coach(es)Paule 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

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.

History

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

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

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

For player movements before and during the 2016 season, see 2016 PRO Rugby season § Ohio.

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

Position Name
Head coach England Paule Barford
Assistant coach South Africa Paul Holmes
Assistant coach Ireland Eamonn Hogan

Current players and staff

Current roster

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

Ohio roster

Forwards

Backs

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

Current coaching staff

Position Name
Head coach Taylor Howden
Assistant coach Kane Thompson
Manager Zach Stryffeler
Medical Director Richard Quincy
Director Tom Rooney

[14]

World Tens Series

2020

Bermuda

Date Opponent Venue Result
October 25, 2020 Phoenix Bermuda National Stadium Won, 26-0
October 25, 2020 United States Rhinos Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 0-12
October 25, 2020 England London Royals Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 10-11
October 26, 2020 Singapore Asia Pacific Dragons Bermuda National Stadium Won, 11–10
October 26, 2020 United States Miami Sun Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 10–11
November 2, 2020 United States Rhinos Bermuda National Stadium Won, 11–10
November 2, 2020 Phoenix Bermuda National Stadium Won, 22–0
November 2, 2020 Singapore Asia Pacific Dragons Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 16–20
November 3, 2020 England London Royals Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 12–13
November 3, 2020 United States Miami Sun Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 17–17
November 3, 2020 South Africa SX10 Bermuda National Stadium Won, 14–10
November 7, 2020
Quarterfinal		 United States Miami Sun Bermuda National Stadium Won, 26–5
November 7, 2020
Semifinal		 England London Royals Bermuda National Stadium Won, 12–7
November 7, 2020
Final		 South Africa SX10 Bermuda National Stadium Lost, 14–21

Season summaries

C=Champions, R=Runners-up, W=Wooden Spoons
Competition Games
Played		 Games
Won		 Games
Drawn		 Games
Lost		 Ladder
Position		 C R W Coach Details
2016 PRO Rugby season 12 9 0 3 2 / 5 Paule Barford 2016 Ohio Aviators season

Leading players

Season Captain Most tries Most points
2016 Jamie Mackintosh Spike Davis (14) Shaun Davies (84)

Coaches

Coach Tenure Matches Won Drawn Lost Winning Percentage
Paule Barford 2016 12 9 0 3 75%
Taylor Howden 2020–present 14 7 0 7 50%

See also

References

  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", This Is American Rugby, June 6, 2016.
  5. ^ [1], Ohio Aviators Instagram, September 9, 2020.
  6. ^ "Ohio Aviators trying to grow regional fan base", 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
  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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