California Cup set for launch

The effects of PRO Rugby’s arrival are being keenly felt across the United States, perhaps nowhere more-so than California. Rumors of the Pacific Rugby Premiership’s demise began circulating shortly after the conclusion of the PRO season, and confirmation has now come that while the league is not yet dead, the 2017 season has been postponed indefinitely with talks in the spring to determine its future. A move to fall rugby has been mooted, with the primary motivation a desire to avoid conflicts with the PRO season, and in doing so retaining access to the best possible player pool.

In its place has emerged a new competition – the California Cup. The six week competition will have six teams – three Bay Area clubs in SFGG, Olympic, and Life West; OMBAC and Old Aztecs from San Diego; and Long Beach residents Belmont Shore. Expected to feature are a number of high caliber players including US Eagles, PRO roster players, and a few overseas additions to boost the standards.

Jason Wood, President and Head Coach of OMBAC, says that other PRP members were approached to join the new competition.

“With the clubs deciding to postpone the next PRP competition due to conflicts with the Americas Rugby Championship and PRO competitions, four of the California-based PRP teams helped organize a December and January competition. That time frame did not work for Glendale (Raptors), Denver (Barbarians), and Santa Monica, so we sought out Life West and Old Aztecs to join this competition.”

Olympic Club Commissioner Andrew King believes the timing is ideal.

“Following the 2016 season, it became clear that the Winter and Spring were overcrowded with competitions for our elite level players. The California Cup aims to cure that by holding a short elite amateur competition prior to the ARC, that still allows the clubs to compete in their local competitions following the conclusion of the California Cup.”

With PRO Rugby’s Season Two pre-season set to begin in mid-February, the competition also proves an ideal opportunity for established PRO players to get high level amateur game time ahead of the professional competition. It also puts fringe players in the shop window with the California-based franchises expected to lean heavily on California Cup players.

The competition will begin and end with triple-header fixtures at SFGG’s Ray Sheeran Field on Treasure Island. More information can be found on the newly created official website.

2016-17 CALIFORNIA CUP FIXTURES