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Summer 2008 - Rugby League
The Fairfax Eagles Rugby League Club was formed in 2007 and is part of the American National Rugby League (AMNRL). The Eagles are based in Fairfax, and play in the summer, between the union spring and fall seasons. The Eagles and Irish became affiliated in 2008 when player and coaching sharing agreements were set-up between the two clubs. Currently, the Eagles solicit players from several clubs in the Washington DC and northern Virginia areas including Washington Irish, Western Suburbs, Quantico, NOVA, Mason, West Potomac, Warrenton, Winchester, and West End Old Boys. The Eagles also import international players from Australia and Europe.
Rugby league is a full-contact, fast, and exciting form of rugby based on codes and rules slightly different from rugby union. Rugby league has been played throughout the world since 1895, and has recently found its way to the USA . The game is played by two teams of 13 players, and fits somewhere in-between traditional 15's rugby and 7's. The main differences between league and union are no line-outs or rucks, and each team has 6 attempts to score on each possession (similar to downs in football) before conceding possession and kicking to the other team. Hitting, running, passing, back-line play, forward play, etc. are generally the same.
The Eagles begin practicing in early May, and the season kicks-off on June 7. The team will play 8 regular season games this summer (schedule below), which are followed by playoffs and a grand final in Jacksonville, Florida . Practices will be held in Centerville and Chantilly , and home games will be in Herndon, Virginia.
For more information on the Eagles, the game of rugby league, and/or practice times and locations please visit www.faifaxeagles.com or contact Steve at fairfaxeagles@hotmail.com.
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