PRESS RELEASE

LOUDOUN RUGBY WINS FOUR TITLES AT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT

Player Taylor Downer named MVP for his division

LEESBURG, VA – In spite of heavy rain, Loudoun Rugby took home four titles at the 11th Annual 2018 Rugby Virginia Tag and Tackle State Championship Tournament that took place July 22-23 at James S. Long Regional Park in Haymarket, VA.

Loudoun Rugby won State Championships in several divisions. The Varsity High School boys, combined with Prince William and known as “Legion,” led their team to victory with the leadership of Coach Jorge Arias, along with Coaches Steve Lough and Mike Coyne. The 5th/6th Grade Boys tackle team led by Coach Dave Downer and assisted by Coaches Matt McNamee and Chris Scheuerman also finished undefeated at the tournament,. The 3rd/4th Grade coed tag team, led by Coach Andy Gilbert, went undefeated to win their title. Similarly, the 1st/2nd Grade coed tag team finished undefeated and was led by Coach Joe Decie.

Player Taylor Downer of the 5th/6th Grade boys tackle team was named the tournament Most Valuable Player for his division, selected by the tournament referees.

"I'm so proud of our kids," 5th/6th Grade Coach Dave Downer stated. "We set this goal as a team at the beginning of the season and the kids practiced hard, listened to their coaches, and played well as a team."

Loudoun Youth Rugby is dedicated to the growth and development of boys and girls high school and youth rugby in Virginia, while promoting an atmosphere consistent with the values of the game.

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About Loudoun Rugby

Loudoun Rugby, a member of Rugby Virginia (rugbyva.org) and USA Rugby (usarugby.org), has been active since 2012 and continues to be a premier club in Virginia. Holding numerous state championships along the way at all levels of tag and tackle, Loudoun Rugby prides themselves on coaching their players how to play rugby in a safe manner, thus making the sport more popular in Loudoun and the surrounding areas.

Boys or girls interested in playing tackle rugby (Grades 5 - 12) can contact Steve Lough at slough@loudounrugby.org. Those interested in the tag rugby program (Grades Pre-K - 4) can contact Ken Fraine at kenfraine@gmail.com or visit www.loudounrugby.org.