We are always recruiting and welcome all experience levels. Come to a practice for a great workout and an excellent sports adventure! Check out our FAQs for information on what to expect or contact us with any questions.
Spring Practice
Tuesdays and Thursdays
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Starting January 3, 2017
Rillito Regional Park
4205 N 1st Ave
Tucson, AZ 85718
Look for the field with the lights and the uprights
Click image for directions
Recent Lightning News
All of our teams are now practicing every Tuesday and Thursday at Rillito Park (this Tuesday cancelled due to Halloween):
High School Girls Thunder: 5:00-6:30pm
Women Lightning: 6:30-8:30pm
High School Boys Lions: 6:30-8:00pm
Men Lions: 7:00-9:00pm
OPRFC is hosting Rugby Sundays every third Sunday of the month at Rillito Park from 9:00-10:30. This will include instruction, drills and games for kids ages 6-18.
We still need more support from current OPRFC members. For more information, contact Matt Schmidt at Mschimidt@azinjurylaw.com or check out our web page.
The women are having a percentage night fundraiser tomorrow at La Cocina. Stop by for lunch or dinner and 10% of the proceeds will go to support the Lightning!
The Lightning won two games and tied a game at the Arizona Rugby Festival last weekend. Their regular season schedule is all set:
| Sat Jan 20 | - |
@ Fullerton |
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| Sat Jan 27 | - |
San Fernando Valley |
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| Sat Feb 10 | - |
Ventura |
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| Sat Feb 24 | - |
@ Pasadena |
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| Sat Mar 10 | - |
@ Tempe |
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| Sat Mar 17 | - |
San Luis Obispo |
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| Sat Mar 24 | - |
Las Vegas Slots |
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| Sat Apr 7 | - |
@ Santa Barbara |
Check out the calendar for more or contact Alison Miller at alisonjoymiller@gmail.com
The men lost two and won one at the Arizona Rugby Festival last Saturday and will head to Bisbee this Saturday for the second annual Bisbee Cup against Scottsdale. The squad also welcomes Justin and Chad from New Zealand.
The men's regular season schedule is out:
Jan 13: @Las Vegas
Jan. 20: @Phoenix
Jan. 27: @ Camelback
Feb. 3: Bye
Feb. 10: Camelback
Feb. 17: Scottsdale
Feb. 24: @Tucson
Mar. 3: Bye (Vegas 7s)
Mar 10: Las Vegas
Ma. 17: Phoenix
March 24: Tucson Cup (hosting)
March 31: Bye
April 7: @Scottsdale
For more information, contact Luis at llizarraga1991@gmail.com
The brand new High School Thunder (girls) have started practice. You can reach Angela for more information at angajreporter@yahoo.com
The High School Lions (boys) have also started. We are happy to announce our new head coach, Camden McGregor, who comes from Colorado with lots of coaching experience. You can contact him at camdenmcgregor@email.arizona.edu or Kyle Knutson at kyle.knutson@designmodulars.com for more information.
Don't forget to grab some OPRFC merch to kick off the season right. These make amazing holiday gifts!
Sponsor of the Month
Over the years, Schmidt, Sethi and Akmajian have provided the club with financial support needed to put out a solid rugby program that now provides rugby to men and women ages 6 and up. If anyone ever needs legal help, don't hesitate to call SSA for assistance.
All of our teams are now practicing every Tuesday and Thursday at Rillito Park (this Tuesday cancelled due to Halloween):
High School Girls Thunder: 5:00-6:30pm
Women Lightning: 6:30-8:30pm
High School Boys Lions: 6:30-8:00pm
Men Lions: 7:00-9:00pm
Engage had over 60 kids at our clinic and over 30 kids at all five league days. The program has been a big enough of a success that the kids and parents/mentors want more. As a result, we will be hosting Rugby Sundays every third Sunday of the month at Rillito Park from 9:00-10:30. This will include instruction, drills and games.
We still need more support from current OPRFC members. For more information, contact Matt Schmidt at Mschimidt@azinjurylaw.com
The Women's Premier League (WPL) Championships are being held in Tucson at the Kino Sports Complex on Friday, November 10th and Sunday, November 12th. OP Lightning is coordinating volunteers for those two days. Anyone who signs up for a shift during the day (aka not solely set-up or take-down) will get put on the list for free admission the day they volunteer. Sign up now to secure your spot!
Lightning is hosting the Sonoran Series on November 11th at Estevan Park. It will be a full day of women's rugby with a round robin between the San Diego Surfers B-side, Tempe Ninjas, NMSU and OP Lightning. We'll also hold a motley crew game for any other women's rugby players who are in town and want to play. Come hang out and watch some rugby! The plan is to have food and beer options throughout the day. RSVP to the Facebook event to make sure you get the latest info.
Check out the calendar for more or contact Alison Miller at alisonjoymiller@gmail.com
The men just wrapped up their biggest fundraiser of the year. A huge thanks to Daryl Edson of Starboard Financial as the main sponsor, Randolph Golf Course for hosting, Mark Bell for organizing, Dragoon Brewing, Dillinger Brewing, Button Brewing and Copper Mine Brewing, the Lightning for volunteering and to all other sponsors, supporters, golfers and volunteers.
The men are currently prepping for the Arizona Rugby Festival and the Bisbee Cup on December 2 and December 9, respectively.
The brand new High School Thunder (girls) have started practice. You can reach Angela for more information at angajreporter@yahoo.com
The High School Lions (boys) will begin practice this Thursday. We are happy to announce our new head coach, Camden McGregor, who comes from Colorado with lots of coaching experience. You can contact him at camdenmcgregor@email.arizona.edu or Kyle Knutson at kyle.knutson@designmodulars.com for more information.
Don't forget to grab some OPRFC merch to kick off the season right.
Sponsor of the Month
A big shout out the The Shop, who helped us provide approximately 40 kids with a pair of cleats as a part of our charitable program Engage.
To receive our monthly newsletters and other important club info, you must register with us. To play rugby, you must register with USA Rugby.
Our charitable Youth Program has been a huge success. Over 65 kids showed up at our clinic from all over the place, including the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tucson, The Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind, the military and more. Each kid received a bag with a rugby ball, bag, water bottle and T-shirt. Approximately 45 kids decided to continue with our Thunder Cubs Youth Flag Rugby League, which will take place every Sunday in October at Rillito Park from 9-11am. Kids who do not have cleats have been given their own pair with help from The Shop.
For more information, contact Matt Schmidt at Mschimidt@azinjurylaw.com
The women start practice this week and will go every Tuesday and Thursday at Rillito Park from 6:30-8:30pm.
Their new and awesome jerseys are also for sale, so get them while they last.
The women have a lot in store this Fall, inlcuding Flagstaff 10's, Las Vegas and the Arizona Rugby Festival. They are also hosting their very own tournament this November: The Sonoran Series.
Check out the calendar for more or contact Alison Miller at alisonjoymiller@gmail.com
The men will begin practice at Rillito soon. In the meantime, they will prep this Fall for Flagstaff 10's, Las Vegas and the Bisbee Cup, to name a few matches. For more information, contact Luis Lizarraga at llizarraga1991@gmail.com.
The men are also gearing up for their biggest fundraiser of the year, the Nauglehead Golf Tournament at Randolph on October 28th. The Tournament will include a costume contest, craft beer from local breweries, golf, a raffle and more! For more information about how to sign up or sponsor, contact Mark Bell at Mark.L.Bell@ehi.com
The brand new High School Thunder (girls) will begin their practice at Rillito Park on October 17, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5-6:30. You can reach Angela for more information at angajreporter@yahoo.com
The High School Lions (boys) will begin their practice on November 1 at Rillito Park, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-7:30pm. We are happy to announce our new head coach, Camden McGregor, who comes from Colorado with lots of coaching experience. You can contact him at camdenmcgregor@email.arizona.edu or Kyle Knutson at kyle.knutson@designmodulars.com for more information.
Don't forget to grab some OPRFC merch to kick off the season right.
Sponsor of the Month
A big shout out the The Underestimated City, who created all of the shirts and jerseys for the Engage Youth Program. In addition to making great rugby merch for OPRFC, check out their Beat Cancer shirts on sale this month.
Season Recap: Women finish top four in USA
- By OP Lightning 07/12/2017, 2:30pm MST
OPRFC's "Engage" Moving Forward
- By Matt Schmidt 06/21/2017, 10:30am MST
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