About us

washington RENEGADES

ABOUT US

For over 25 years,

the Washington Renegades Rugby Football club

has promoted equality and inclusivity - on and off the pitch.

 

Founded in 1998, The Washington Renegades is the first LGBTQ+ inclusive men's rugby club in North America. In leading the charge of inclusivity and diversity, the Renegades are a proud member of the Capital Rugby Union (CRU), USA Rugby (USAR) and a founding member of International Gay Rugby (IGR). We field competitive sides in the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) of USAR in Division III and Division IV and participate in the IGR Championship — the Mark Bingham Cup — every two years.

 

We are a diverse mix of people from the D.C. Metropolitan area, welcoming players regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or income. Players of any skill level are welcome to join, including those that have never played rugby. The club is also involved in the local community both socially and philanthropically and we welcome everyone to participate.

 

Come join us to learn, play,

and excel at the greatest sport on earth!

TEAM HISTORY

Established on October 24, 1998 in Washington, D.C., by Mark Hertzog, the Washington Renegades was the first men's rugby club in the United States to actively recruit gay men.


In October 1999, the club played its first 15s match against the Roanoke Rugby Football Club. In July 2000, the team competed in a sevens tournament held in London, England against teams from London and Manchester. In May 2001, the club held the inaugural International Gay Rugby Invitational, which included teams from San Francisco, Manchester, England and Buenos Aires. Also attending were individual players from Chicago, London and Melbourne.


Since 2002 the club has participated in the IGR Mark Bingham Cup, named after former UC Berkley and SF Fog rugby player Mark Bingham, who died on Sept. 11, 2001 on United Flight 93.


The Bingham Cup is now the worlds largest LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby tournament and is held every 2 years; hosting 83 clubs, 148 teams from 20 countries.


Since forming, the Renegades have maintained a twice-a-week practice schedule and played a competitive match schedule each spring, summer and fall. The club always welcomes new players to the sport by offering formal and informal instruction on an ongoing basis.


Coaching Staff


Board of Directors

  • President: John Mains
  • Treasurer/Director: Matt McCurdy
  • Secretary/Director: Steve Schwarzer
  • Director: Matt Houle
  • Director: Von Allena
  • Director: Haroon Chang
  • Director: Kai Walther


AWARDS

Bingham Shield champions 2024

Hoagland Cup Tankard champions 2024

Hoagland Shield champions 2022

Bingham Shield champions 2022

Bingham Bowl Champions / 2018

IGR North America East Champions / 2017

Bingham Shield Champions / 2016

USAR Mid-Atlantic D4 Champions / 2016-2019 (4)

USAR Mid-Atlantic D3 Champions / 2013-2014

USAR Mid-Atlantic D3 Central Champions / 2013-2016 (3)

Rites of Spring Champions / 2009


RENEGADES

GIVE BACK

Learn More

Cardozo High School

Renegades Honor FLIGHT 93

Food & Friends

Christmas Toy Drive

DCPS Community

Good Neighbors of Capitol Hill

D.C. Food Project

Wreaths Across America

The Renegades

Rugby Coat Of Arms

The team's coat of arms consists of nods to our nations capital, rugby players and history of establishment with the teams colors: royal blue, black and red.


Through three red stars and stripes and an American Bald Eagle; our crest pays homage to Washington D.C.’s flag.


The two red stripes were seen as representing the Senate and House of Representatives where DC residents were not represented, while the three stars represented the three commissioners who ruled over the city with accountability to the people who were innocent and represented in white.

The American Bald Eagle not only represents our nations bird but also seen as a symbol for strength, courage, freedom and immortality.


A seal of leaves holding a rugby ball with the roman numerals “XV” represents the 15 players on the on the pitch held together in strength.

Lastly, the ribbon at the bottom titles the team name “The Washington Renegades RFC” (RFC=Rugby Football Club) with the roman numerals “MCMXCVII” translating to 1998, the year the our team was established.