Ohio Aviators (rugby)


The Ohio Aviators were a professional American rugby union team that played in the short lived PRO Rugby competition. They were based in the Columbus, Ohio metropolitan area, and played their home games at Memorial Park in Obetz, Ohio.

History

PRO Rugby announced on February 9, 2016 the addition of Columbus, Ohio as the league's third team. 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. Ohio's inaugural season home opener was played on May 1, 2016. PRO Rugby revealed the team's nickname — the Ohio Aviators — on June 6, 2016, a reference to the Wright brothers who were from Ohio.

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.

Current players and staff

Current roster

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.
The squad for the 2016 PRO Rugby season:

Current coaching staff

Season summaries

Leading players

Coaches