Connecticut Wildcats

The Connecticut Wildcats were an American rugby league football team based in South Norwalk, Connecticut that played from 2003 until 2015. The Wildcats, along with the Washington D.C. Slayers, joined the American National Rugby League (AMNRL) as expansion teams for the 2003 season. The Wildcats were founded by Greg Stelluti, Richard Portale, Danny Bull and Mick Mulvehill. They remained in the league until it folded in 2014. They joined the USA Rugby League the following year, but folded after the season. In the AMNRL they won the league championship four times, in 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2013.

Connecticut Wildcats
Club information
Full nameConnecticut Wildcats Rugby League Football Club
ColoursOrange, black and white
Founded2003
Exited2015
Websitewww.ctwildcats.com
Former details
Ground(s)
  • Andrews Field
CompetitionUSARL

History

The team was founded in 2003. Along with the Washington D.C. Slayers, they joined the American National Rugby League that season, increasing the number of teams to eight.[1] Their inaugural roster consisted primarily of experienced players who formerly played for the New York Knights and other AMNRL teams, giving them an early advantage.[1] They went on to win the Grand Final in their inaugural season, defeating perennial champions the Glen Mills Bulls. They met the Bulls in the Grand Final four more times from 2004–2007, winning in the 2006 and 2007 seasons. In doing so they were the first AMNRL team to go undefeated and win titles in two consecutive years. In 2006 they were coached by former National Rugby League (NRL) player Nathan Hollingsworth and in 2007 they went through the season undefeated under the guidance of Captain/Coach Tim Gee.

In 2008 the club began worked on building a new image and new attitude under the leadership efforts of CEO and Current USA Tomahawk co-captain Curtis Cunz. They advanced to playoffs in the 2008 and 2010 season.

The Wildcats competed in the AMNRL until it folded in 2014. The following year they joined the USA Rugby League, along with other surviving AMNRL clubs.[2] They folded after the 2015 season; some members joined the new White Plains Wombats.[3]

Logo and colors
Andrews Field, April 22, 2012

The Connecticut Wildcats had a team partnership with the Wests Tigers of Australia's National Rugby League (AMNRL), and with its two feeder teams, the Western Suburbs Magpies and Balmain Tigers.

Their home stadium was Andrews Field near Norwalk High School.

Records
  • 2007, 2006, and 2003 AMNRL premiers
  • Mothers' Day Sevens winners

Current roster
  • Kristian Freed
  • Sebastian Berdichevsky
  • Ian Taylor
  • Curtis Cunz
  • Mark Offerdahl
  • James Everett
  • Luke Barron
  • William Garcia
  • Gareth Gibbs
  • Mike Pitassi
  • Darragh Lynch
  • Theodore Cacciola
  • John Nugent
  • Mike Schacter
  • Phill Shacter
  • Matt Walsh
  • Charlie Rizzo

See also

References
  1. Steven Birchall (May 21, 2003). "AMNRL 2003 Team Predictions". rleague.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2011.
  2. "USA Rugby League Season V announced with 14 teams". www.usarl.com. USA Rugby League. January 23, 2015. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  3. "Wombats ride Hawks Success". www.usarl.com. USA Rugby League. February 15, 2016. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2016.

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