OWRFC Wins USA National Div 2 Championship
Atlanta Old White Rugby Football Club Captures First National Championship
Historic Victory Coincides with Club’s 50th Anniversary Season
Atlanta, GA – May 23, 2025 — In a physical, hard-fought battle that embodied the spirit of championship rugby, Atlanta Old White Rugby Football Club (AOWRFC) earned its first-ever USA Club Rugby Division II National Championship, defeating Boise United 39–8 in a bruising contest at Kuntz Park in Indianapolis.
The win marks a watershed moment for Atlanta Old White, one of the Southeast’s oldest rugby clubs, as it celebrates its 50th year since its founding in 1974. The final was only the third national title appearance in club history, following runner-up finishes in 2005 and 2019.
“This match was a war of attrition,” said Head Coach Francesco Balsas. “Both sides brought incredible physicality, but our composure, fitness, and discipline made the difference when it counted.”
The first half was a true defensive slugfest, with neither side giving an inch. AOWRFC led just 10–0 at halftime, with both teams locked in relentless contact at the breakdown and in open play. Boise United, a formidable and equally hard-hitting opponent, kept the pressure high through the opening 40 minutes.
“We had to earn every meter,” said Team Captain Zachary McAfee, who led the team from the front. “They hit hard, we hit back, and we stayed focused. This win is for every generation of Old White that laid the foundation for us today.”
In the second half, AOWRFC found another gear, breaking through Boise’s defenses with a mix of power carries, clinical set pieces, and unshakable defensive pressure. The final scoreline, 39–8, reflected not only the team’s second-half dominance but the cumulative toll of a game played at high intensity from the first whistle.
The victory capped off a stellar postseason run, signaling Atlanta Old White’s arrival at the top of the national Division II ranks after decades of building a sustainable, competitive, and community-driven program.
About Atlanta Old White Rugby Football Club
Founded in 1974, Atlanta Old White Rugby Football Club is one of the premier and most historic rugby organizations in the Southeastern United States. The club fields competitive sides in both USA Club Rugby Division II and Division III, and in 2024 proudly launched its first-ever women’s team. AOWRFC is committed to high-level competition, inclusivity, and the long-term growth of rugby through youth development, community outreach, and player-led leadership. The club is based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Media Contact:
Mike Annis
President
Atlanta Old White Rugby Football Club
president@atlantarugby.com