Please join us in congratulating the recipients of the 2026 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship! The Pittsburgh Forge wishes Taylor, James, Logan, and Ava good luck and we are looking forward to seeing how their rugby journeys unfold.

Taylor Bradley | 2026 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Taylor is a graduate of Moon Area High School where she was named Captain this year. She has also played for West Pitt Foxes, Aviators Rugby Academy and the Allegheny Rugby Union. She plans to attend Ohio University in the fall to continue her rugby and academic career.

James Curran | 2026 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

James is a graduate of Pine Richland High School and began playing rugby with North Pitt United just over one year ago. He will be attending Slippery Rock University to study Safety Management in the fall.

Logan Slovick | 2026 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Logan is a graduate of West Allegheny High School. In addition to playing for West Allegheny, Logan also played for the West Pitt Foxes. Logan will be attending the University of Pittsburgh in the fall.

Ava Thayer | 2026 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Ava is a graduate of North Allegheny High School. She began her rugby journey in 8^th grade with North Pitt United. She has also played for the West Pitt Foxes, Midwest Thunderbirds, Ohio Aviators, Celtic Barbarians and Atlantis. She will be studying Psychology and Criminal Justice at Sacred Heart University in the fall.

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While many began their weeks reeling from the clocks ‘springing forward’ to Daylight Savings Time, members of the Pittsburgh Forge Rugby Club chose to counter the biannual clock change with an even more powerful phenomenon: transatlantic jetlag. 

The Forge, Pittsburgh’s oldest and largest rugby club, traveled across the Atlantic for an unforgettable 9-day tour through London, Oxford, and Edinburgh to kick off their Spring 2026 season!  The touring group consisted of both men’s and women’s teams, along with a strong group of supporters, all of whom ensured the trip was great mix of competitive rugby, sightseeing, and team bonding. 

The tour began Saturday in London where the group stepped off the plane and right into rugby history with an afternoon tour of Twickenham Stadium, the Home of England Rugby.  Walking through the hallowed stadium grounds, down the players’ tunnel, and through the World Rugby Museum gave everyone a true appreciation for the scale and tradition of the sport in rugby’s largest cathedral. 

_{Allianz Stadium Twickenham, The Home of England Rugby.  The touring party visited Twickenham shortly after arriving in London, taking a tour of the premises which culminated in a visit to the historic and hallowed pitch.}

_{Tour players gather for a photo outside of Allianz Stadium Twickenham.  The statue depicting a lineout is inscribed at its base with the core values of rugby: Teamwork – Respect – Enjoyment – Discipline – Sportsmanship.}

Over the next few days in London, the group immersed themselves in all the sights and sounds on offer throughout the historic city.  In addition to taking in the must-see London attractions, our 60+ person crew spread out across town, hitting up Camden + Borough Markets, West End shows, museums, countless pubs, and an Arsenal match. Many G’s were split (albeit with far more attempts than successes), countless sausage rolls consumed, and a great deal of fun was had by all. 

Leaving the capital city on Tuesday morning, The Forge traveled north into the English countryside, exploring a few iconic sites before settling in Oxford, where the following day they would lace up their boots for the first matches of the tour!  The first stop was a pilgrimage to the town of Rugby, the birthplace of our sport, where the group toured the Webb Ellis Museum and gathered for a photo with the statue of William Webb Ellis, who in 1823 first created rugby! The Forge also paid a visit to Warwick Castle, walking through one of the country’s most impressive medieval castles and marveling at the nearly 1000 year old landmark!  

On Wednesday evening, following a laidback day exploring Oxford, it was time to take to the pitch against the men of the Gosford All Blacks and women of the Didcot Valkyries.  Both clubs brought great energy to the field for a fantastic evening of rugby under the lights at Stratfield Brake Sports Ground. The Forge men secured an impressive 42-12 victory, setting a strong tone for the rest of the trip. The Forge women played a hard-fought match and came up just short, losing a tight one-score contest by a score of 17-22.  After followed a great social hosted at Gosford’s clubhouse, with delicious food and great atmosphere. Approximately 400 small foam Gosford rugby balls were chucked around the room (mostly harmlessly), as we celebrated the Men + Women of the Match awards.  A few enterprising youngin’s headed into central Oxford for some English college town revelry, while the rest of the crew kept the Hampton’s bar staff working, enjoying well won beverages in the lobby.

The alarms came early Thursday for an undoubtedly sore tour party, as they were on the road north to Scotland a mere 12 hours after the final whistles blew!  It was on to Edinburgh, where on just two days’ rest, the Forge would boot up again to face the Corstorphine Cougars in a Saturday morning clash!  Friday was spent exploring Edinburgh and its Old Town, and taking care of serious business (Kangaroo Court), all precursors to the main event.  Saturday brought an action packed itinerary for the final day of the tour.  In their morning matches against Corstorphine, the Forge men notched their second tour win by a score of 38-30, finishing their UK campaign undefeated!  The Forge women delivered a spectacle for their supporters in a high-scoring second match! With injuries befalling both sides, the sides agreed to play 10s, and after initially falling behind by 21 points, the Forge women battled their way back with dominating performances by several players, scoring on the final play of the game to secure an incredible draw at 41-41. 

After a quick post-match turnaround thanks to Corstorphine’s changing facilities, it was off to perhaps the biggest highlight of the trip: attending the Men’s Six Nations match between Scotland and France, each of which was still vying for the 2026 title in the penultimate week of the competition. The atmosphere was unforgettable, as a bagpipe rendition of “Flower of Scotland” kicked off the event accompanied by a sea of acapella Scots! The Forge were sat a mere 8 rows from the pitch, and were up close and personal for an action-packed match!  As the clock struck 80-minutes, it was Scotland who emerged victorious by a 50-40 margin, and a few members of the group were even lucky enough to meet Scottish international star Huw Jones after the match

_{The Forge attended the Scotland vs. France Six Nations match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, seated up close and personal to the action packed match that saw Scotland emerge victorious 50-40 over the French.}

_{Forge players gather pitch-side alongside Huw Jones, Scotland and British and Irish Lions centre, following Scotland’s thrilling 50-40 victory over France in the Six Nations matchup.}

One final evening in Edinburgh followed, with the city abuzz following the electric Scottish victory! Sunday morning the group boarded their flights back to the US, with a lifetime of memories to show! 

The tour was an incredible experience, blending exciting competition on the field, classic rugby shenanigans off of it, and plenty of unique exploration in between!  Whether it be the club karaoke at the hostel, singing rugby songs together on the bus post-match, several spirited chugging competitions, a women’s gift exchange, or a men’s team bonding session, everyone arrived home with countless unforgettable memories! 

Such opportunities to experience rugby culture in some of the sport’s most historic places are rare, and the players and supporters who took part in this trip are forever cemented in Forge history! 

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As a family-run practice rooted in the Pittsburgh community, The Blackwell Law Firm shares the club’s values of commitment, integrity, and support for local organizations. Their partnership will help strengthen and grow the Forge both on and off the field.

Blackwell Law Firm emphasizes personal attention, accessibility, and clear guidance through complex legal matters, providing practical legal services to individuals, families, and businesses throughout the region. The firm represents clients in key practice areas including family law — such as divorce, custody, and support, estate planning and administration, criminal defense, civil litigation and corporate and business law.

Whether helping families plan for the future, defending individuals facing criminal charges, or advising businesses on legal and organizational issues, The Blackwell Law Firm is committed to delivering reliable counsel and practical solutions tailored to each client’s needs.

Please reach out to Denny, Kate, Michael, or Nicolette at 412-391-5299 for all your legal needs.

The Blackwell Law Firm
Benedum Trees Building, 9th Floor
223 Fourth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-391-5299

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• Men’s – Division I, Division III, Division IV
• Women’s – Division I, Division II

Both the Men’s and Women’s sides are seeking Assistant Coaches, beginning in the Fall 2025
season! An Assistant Coach is expected to make a commitment of time, energy, and effort toward the development
of our Club. Each of the Club’s sides participate in Midwest league competition during the Fall season, with USAR
playoffs occurring the following Spring, if a berth is achieved. Due to this seasonality of our competitive region,
Spring seasons consist of a mixture of friendly matches, tours, tournaments, select side competition and, if a USAR
Playoff berth is earned, qualifying matches. The Club participates in competitive and social 7’s competitions
throughout the Summer.

PFRC practices twice per week in the evenings during the Spring and Fall seasons, which run from March-May and
August-November, respectively. During the Fall league season, each side typically plays in an average of 6 – 10
league matches per season, depending on the division in which they participate. Locations of away fixtures during
league seasons can vary per side, with higher divisions typically being required to undergo more distant travel
throughout the Midwest. Friendly matches, tournaments, and playoffs have taken the Club to destinations including
but not limited to Tennessee, Wisconsin, Florida and Canada.

Assistant Coaches will be expected to help lead the team in providing development to all of the Club’s players,
regardless of level and skill. Furthermore, Assistant Coaches must work with each division level within their
respective side to implement the same game strategy for all players in the Club.

Expectations of an Assistant Coach include:

• Level 1 (formerly L200) required; Level 2 (formerly L300) preferred.
• Work within (and be able to aid in the development of) the scheme developed by each respective side’s Head Coach, and duly administer the game plan and tactics to players
• Ability to create game strategies and develop players of all skill levels
• Must be able to function independently as a game manager for lower sides when the match times and/or locations are in conflict with those of the higher sides
• Must be able to coach both forwards and backs
• Regular attendance at games and training is required
• Must have strong leadership and communication skills

What we have to offer to you:

• Seasonal stipend commensurate with experience
• 12 month contract
• Atmosphere of competitive players willing to constantly learn
• Large alumni network for professional connections (see “Note” below)
• Professionally administered club with an active Board of Directors

If interested, please provide the following to club@pghrugby.com:

• Short introduction and specification of which team you are applying for.
• Professional Resume
• Rugby Resume
• One (1) rugby reference
• Explanation of coaching style, strategy, and anything information you deem necessary to share.

We will be accepting coaching applications through the end of August 2025. Once all applications have been
received and reviewed, we will be in touch to schedule interviews. We thank you in advance for your interest in
coaching our club and look forward to learning about what you can bring to our organization.

Sincerely,

PFRC Coaching Committee
club@pghrugby.com

Note: We understand that coaching is a serious commitment and other factors affect your ability to coach. We
are ready to supply access to our rugby network in and around the City of Pittsburgh if necessary for job
placement. Please inform us of what assistance, if any, you would be looking for from the club.

The post Seeking Assistant Coaches for Men’s and Women’s Rugby Teams appeared first on Pittsburgh Forge Rugby Club.

Please join us in congratulating the recipients of the 2025 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship! The Pittsburgh Forge wishes Jackson, Maggie, Jayden, and Kyran good luck and we are looking forward to seeing how their rugby journeys unfold.

Jackson Danzik | 2025 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Jackson is a graduate of West Allegheny High School. He began playing rugby his sophomore year, and was elected President of the club his senior year. He plans to continue playing at Slippery Rock University where he will major in Special Education.

Maggie Egenlauf | 2025 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Maggie graduated from Hopewell High School and has been a member of the North Pitt United Rugby Club for three years. Maggie has played nearly every position in her 3 years playing rugby. She will attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the fall to study Family and Consumer Sciences, with the goal of becoming a high school teacher.

Jayden Powers | 2025 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Jayden is a graduate of Doddridge County High School. She was a founding member of the West Virginia Warhounds. During her four years playing for the Warhounds, she served as captain and helped launch their rookie rugby program. Jayden will continue her rugby career at Frostburg State University.

Kyran Rautenbach | 2025 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Kyran is a graduate of North Allegheny High School. Kyran began playing rugby with Grove RFC in England when he was three years old. Most recently, he has played for North Pitt United for four years, Atlantis Rugby Academy for four years and the Ohio Aviators for two years. Kyran will continue his rugby journey next year at Penn State University.

The post Scholarship Recipients for 2025 Announced by Pittsburgh Forge appeared first on Pittsburgh Forge Rugby Club.

The Pittsburgh Forge Women’s rugby team made waves at the USA Rugby Club National Championships in Austin, Texas! With dedication, resilience, and a lot of skill, they powered their way to the final four, marking a significant achievement and showing off their growth and potential on the Division 1 stage.

The Journey to Austin

The road to Austin was full of hard-fought victories and relentless training. A big highlight was their win against local rivals, the Columbus Squirrels, at the Midwest finals in Chicago, Illinois, last November. This victory not only showcased their exceptional teamwork and strategy but also secured their spot in the Women’s Division 1 final four.

Spring Season Prep

The Forge Women spent the entire spring season gearing up for Nationals. They played in a tournament in DC and had a rematch with Midwest rivals, the Metropolis Valkyries. This prep period allowed them to fine-tune a new defensive structure and refine their offensive game, getting them ready for the big stage in Austin.

The Semifinal Showdown

In the semifinals, the Forge faced off against the formidable Lady Vipers from Utah, a powerhouse team known for their strength and size. It was a nail-biting match full of grit and determination. Despite being down at halftime, the Forge women came roaring back, finishing the game with a score of 22-31. Even though they didn’t come out on top, their performance left spectators in awe, both in Austin and back home in Pittsburgh at Ruggers Pub.

Eyes on the Future

The loss was tough, but it only fueled the Forge’s determination to come back stronger next year. The team, an impressive mix of veterans and young talent, is already planning their strategy for the 2024-2025 season. With the lessons learned from this year’s nationals, they’re more motivated than ever to make another run for the title.

The Pittsburgh Forge Women’s rugby team’s journey to the final four at the 2024 USA Rugby Club National Championships is a story of perseverance, teamwork, and ambition. Their experience against the Lady Vipers has only strengthened their resolve. As they look ahead to 2025, the Forge are determined to become national champions. The team is excited to hit the field again, ready to start their journey back to Nationals with even more drive and determination.

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Jillian Orseno | 2024 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Jillian graduated from Deer Lakes High School and has been a member of the North Pitt United Rugby Club for 4 years. She has also played for the West Pittsburgh Foxes and the ARU U-19 program. She will attend Emory & Henry University to study biology in the fall. Jillian’s leadership and dedication to rugby made her an ideal choice for this award.

Mason Steed | 2024 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Mason is a graduate of Moon Area High School. He began playing rugby in 6th grade with the West Pittsburgh flag program and was captain of the Moon rugby team during his junior and senior years. He plans to continue playing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he will major in Safety Science. His commitment to rugby and leadership skills make him a clear choice for this year’s Brendel Scholarship award.

Philip Storti | 2024 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Philip is a graduate of Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, where he discovered rugby during his freshman year. He has played both second row and prop as a starter for Central Catholic. Philip thrived playing rugby and he will attend Fairfield University in the fall to continue his journey. He will major in both mechanical and electrical engineering.

Please join us in congratulating the recipients of the 2024 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship! The Pittsburgh Forge wishes Jillian, Mason and Philip good luck and we are looking forward to seeing how their rugby journeys unfold.

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[PITTSBURGH, PA] — The Pittsburgh Forge Rugby Club is excited to announce that Seth Erwin has been appointed Head Coach of the Men’s Qualifying 7s side for the Summer 2024 season.

Seth is the current Head Coach of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Men’s Program and widely considered one of the best rugby coaches in Western Pennsylvania. He has led his team to two NCR Division II 7s National Championships (2022, 2023) as well as an XVs National Championship in 2023. Prior to his success at IUP, Seth directed and coached the Kiski Valley Titans U-19 program where he won two Pennsylvania State Championships in 2016 and 2019. Seth brings a wealth of knowledge in both the XVs and 7s codes as well as a history of developing young players into high performing athletes.

This year’s Men’s 7s program looks to build off the tremendous success of last summer where a young Forge squad competed well in the Midwest 7s Series, considered one of the best competitions in the country. In 2024, under the direction of Seth, and with inclusion from great area 7s programs like Wheeling University (2024 Premier National Champions), Slippery Rock University (2024 Small College National Champions) and of course, IUP (2022 and 2023 National Champions, 3rd Place in 2024), the Forge strives to raise their level of success and compete at USA Club Rugby Nationals.

This year, the Midwest 7s Series will feature the following stops:

• Round 1: Saturday, June 15, 2024 – Cin City 7s in Cincinnati, OH
• Round 2: Saturday, June 29, 2024 – Midwest Crossover Event in Lemont, IL
• Round 3: Saturday, July 13, 2024 – Mid-Michigan 7s in Lansing, MI
• Round 4: Saturday, July 27, 2024 – Midwest 7s Championship in Elkhart, IN
• USA Club Rugby National Championship – Saturday, August 10 – Sunday, August 11, 2024, in Madison, WI

Training will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning on June 3, 2024. Practice will be held at Phillip Murray Field located at 725 Mountain Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15210 near Pittsburgh’s historic Southside. Training will be from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM each day and will not conflict with the Forge’s popular Summer Touch Program on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Interested players should plan to attend a practice.

Please feel free to submit your information on our online registration form here.

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For the fall season, which runs from mid-August through mid-November, the Club is expecting to operate five (5) sides, four (4) of which play a competitive league schedule within the Midwest Rugby Union. Our competitive sides include Men’s Divisions 1, 3, and 4. Our teams typically train twice per week during the evening with our top sides playing an eight-game schedule and our men’s lower-division sides play approximately 5- 8 matches depending on league playoffs. Locations for matches are typically in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Some trips to Chicago are not out of the question.

In the spring, which runs from mid-March through mid-May, our teams continue to train twice per week but usually books a more social or developmental schedule consisting of matches and tournaments against opponents not seen during league play. If a team or side earns a bid to USA Club Rugby Playoffs/ Nationals, those matches would also be held in the spring.

Assistant Coaching Role
Assistant Coaches are expected to assist in leading a team and provide development to all players, regardless of level or skill. Additionally, Assistant Coaches must work with each side within their respective team to implement the same game strategy across all divisions.

Assistant Coach Requirements:

• World Rugby Level 1 Coach (formerly L200) Certification is required; World Rugby Level 2 Coach (formerly L300) is preferred.
• Work within, and be able to aid in the development of, the scheme designed by each team’s respective Head Coach, and duly administer the game plan and tactics to players.
• Ability to develop players at all skill levels and create match strategies.
• Must be able to function independently as a game manager in the absence of the Head Coach when a lower-side match is time or location differs from the higher side or sides.
• Must be able to coach both forward and backline players.
• Must attend training and matches on a regular basis.
• Must have strong leadership and effective communication skills.

Club offerings for Assistant Coaches:

• A seasonal stipend commensurate with experience.
• An atmosphere of competitive players willing to constantly learn and develop.
• An opportunity to work renowned and professional Head Coaches.
• A large alumni network for professional connections. *
• A professionally administrated club with an active Board of Directors.

If interested, applicants are asked to submit the following information via email to club@pghrugby.com:

• In your email, please provide a brief introduction of yourself.
• Rugby resume.
• Professional resume.
• At least one (1) rugby-related reference.
• Explanation of coaching style, preferred strategies, and any additional information you deem necessary to share.

The Club is actively accepting applications. Qualified applicants can submit a resume and cover letter to club@pghrugby.com.

We will reach out to qualified applicants to schedule interviews. The PRFC thanks you in advance for your interest in coaching our teams and look forward to learning about what you can bring to our Club.

Sincerely,

PFRC Coaching Committee
club@pghrugby.com

* Coaching is a commitment and other factors affect your ability to honor that obligation. PRFC can supply access to our professional network to assist in job placement if necessary. Please inform us if you require such assistance to be able to coach a team for the Forge. The need for outside employment will not be considered as a basis to be hired as an Assistant Coach.

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Gabby Holtz, Lukas Maasikas and Callie Rautenbach have been selected as the awardees of the Neal R. Brendel Scholarship. Additionally, Alec Harbison has been selected as the recipient of the Mark W. Davis Scholarship for West Allegheny students.

Gabby Holtz | 2023 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Gabby graduated from West Allegheny High School and is one of the founding members of the West A Girls Rugby program. She has participated in both the ARU and Midwest U-19 programs. Gabby’s initiative and leadership skills make her an ideal choice for this scholarship award. She will attend Ohio State University in the fall as a pre-med major.

Lukas Maasikas | 2023 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Lukas is a graduate of West Allegheny High School where he earned first team starting roles in most, if not all, of his time with the team. Lukas served as a role model for his teammates in his play and dedication. He earned the role of Vice Captain in his junior year, and Captain in his senior year as voted on by his teammates. He plans to continue playing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the fall. His commitment and dedication make him a clear choice for this year’s Brendel Scholarship award.

Callie Rautenbach | 2023 Neal R. Brendel Scholarship

Callie is a graduate of North Allegheny High School. Callie began playing rugby at a young age in the UK prior to her family moving to Pittsburgh. She led North Pitt United to the RugbyPA D2 Western Championship this spring. Callie has played and held the role of captain for North Pitt United, West Pitt, Hawkeyes and Celtic Barbarians. She has played across the country and internationally. She plans to continue playing at Penn State University in the fall. Callie’s dedication to rugby and leadership skills make her an excellent choice for this award.

Alec Harbison | Mark W. Davis Scholarship Recipient

Alec graduated from West Allegheny High School and was their starting #8 during the team’s 2023 season. Alec is a role model for his peers and leads by example. His behavior on and off the field consistently aligned with West Allegheny’s club code of conduct – “Class & Dignity” making him an excellent choice for this year’s Davis Scholarship.  Alec will continue his academic and rugby career this fall at Slippery Rock University.

Please join us in congratulating the recipients of the 2023 Neal R. Brendel and Mark W. Davis Scholarships! The Pittsburgh Forge wishes Gabby, Lukas, Callie and Alec the best and we eagerly await to see how their rugby journeys unfold.

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