Past Announcements

Lady Mudturtle Fundraiser

Our Lady's are on a roll again and moving on to to compete for the National Title in 2025. Since this involves travel and overnight costs they are having a Pop-Up Popcorn fundraiser to offset costs. See link below to help support the Lady Mudturltes, thanks.

Pop Up Popcorn Sale

Youth Tackle Sponsorship Opportunities

Good morning, As we prepare for the 5th Annual Bob Scheurer Memorial Winter Classic on December 15th, and the broader Tackle season this Spring, we wanted to make an ask of all Mudturtles. The Youth Tackle program does everything it can to run at the lowest cost possible to our players. We want to expand opportunities for the kids in our area, and sometimes that means operating at a loss. Sponsorships are a big help to the organization in managing our operating costs while keeping season dues low. The Youth Tackle program as a whole is always seeking sponsorships, and has the ability to accept sponsorship funding through a non-profit corporation account, which makes any sponsorship a tax deductible donation. If anyone within the club owns a business, or knows someone with a business, that would be interested in becoming a sponsor of the Youth Tackle program, please have them reach out to John McElroy, Youth Tackle Director, at elroy65@msn.com Thank you all for your time, consideration, and willingness to help us continue to grow our Youth Tackle program. Ryan 'Tree' Murphy, M.S., Rutgers YSRC Clinician, CYSA President, Union County Rugby Football Club Corporation Head Coach, Union County High School Boys Varsity Rugby

Mudturtle 50th Day Saturday October 12 at Unami

Remember this Saturday October 12 at Unami Park will be "50th DAY" to celebrate 50 years of Union County rugby. Last Saturday saw a big crowd come out to cheer on the Mudturtles, first the ladies who posted a 38-5 win over Long Island rugby. The men followed with a 24-5 win over Central Jersey Rugby. With these victories both the men and ladies continued their Fall season unbeaten streaks. This weekend the day starts at 11:00 with a Myths versus Legends flag match, open to any and all former players, fans, and family of Mudturtle rugby. Dust off your boots and show us you still have moves. Kegs will be tapped at noon. The men's A side will kick off at 1:00 against Bayonne, followed by a 3:00 kickoff of the B side also against Bayonne. After the matches there will be Hall of Fame Inductions inductees are as follows: Mike Sadowski, Jim Brady, Pat Burke, Curtis Noel, Billy Maclaney, and Will Galway. Drink up will follow. Don't miss out on a great day to get together with old friends at Unami.

50TH GALA PHOTOS

Thank you so much to each and every one of you who came out to make the 50th Anniversary Celebration a night to remember. We were honored to give the early members of our club a celebration for all of the hard work and dedication to the Mudturtle family, and to look forward to the future of rugby at home and in the USA at large. Thank you again for your patience as we corralled everyone for photos. As promised, please check out the link below. We hope the album offers you some treasured keepsakes. Note that any photos that you download will not have the image watermark. Simply enter you email address to view albums. Let us continue to keep Union traditions strong and keep growing as both a rugby club and a part of the Union County community at large - Here's to another 50 years!

50th GALA PHOTS

Flag referees

Anyone interested in refereeing for our flag season please TEXT Dorella Sullivan at 917 299 2505. Requirements are, must be in High School, Played Flag Rugby for us or Played Tackle for more than one season. Training session coming soon so get your name in.

Level 1 Coaching Course

Good morning, The club is hosting a Level 1 Coaching Course in Clark on 7/14/24. This is the minimum requirement to be a certified Head Coach of a tackle program. If you are interested in becoming a certified coach, please consider registering as this is the closest course you will find. You can register here: https://usarugby.docebosaas.com/learn/course/internal/view/classroom/43/level-1-coach-course-formerly-l200 You will need a Rugby Xplorer account prior to registering for the course. Any club member (including parents of current or former players) who attends the course will be reimbursed for the cost of their certification by the club. If you register, please contact Tree for information on how to obtain your reimbursement on completion of the course. Please direct any questions on the process to him as well. You can get in touch with him via email: ryanjmurphy19@gmail.com

Coaching Course Registration

Mudturtle Golf outing June 7th

Apologizes to those who tried to sign up for golf and may have gotten a sold out message seems we had a bug in the programming. This has been corrected spots are still open click the link below and register. Thank you.

Mudturtle Golf Outing

June 7th Mudturtle Golf Outing

Don't miss out!! Click on the link below to register for the June 7 Mudturtle Golf outing. Do note website is used for purchase of Golf & Lunch, Lunch only, and club/gear rental. To be a Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze Sponsor which includes a foursome contact Mike "OG" Rotella (908) 578-4774 or Brian "Cyborg" Ludlum (908) 578-8746 direct. Also contact them if you wish to sponsor a hole or know a business that wants to sponsor a hole. This event is limited to 25 foursomes so register today before all slots fill up.

Mudturtle Golf Outing 2024

Mudturtles say Hello Ball

Don't miss out on what is surely to be one of the best golf outing you will ever attend!!! Register now to join the Mudturtles as they take over the course at Ashbrook on June 7. See link below, once on page scroll down for details and to purchase tickets. Not a golfer purchase a lunch ticket and join in on the fun!! Current players, old boys, ancients, parent in flag or youth program, fans, and friends all are welcome to attend.

Mudturtle Golf Outing

Mudturtle Day at Unami Park Saturday April 13

Good things happened for the Mudturtles this past weekend. The men went to South Jersey posting a 44-19 win. The women went to and secured their first ever victory over Morris!!! This weekend Saturday April 13 is a full day at Unami with the Ladies B side playing Montclair U at 11:00, followed by the Men D3 kicking off against Brooklyn at 1:00 and D4 kicking off against Bayonne at 3:00. We encourage all Mudturtles to come out and support lets fill up Unami Park!! Also do not forget to first drop by the Mudturtle car wash that is being run by our youth tackle program. Location is at Brad-Pak 124 South Avenue Garwood, NJ.

MARCH OF THE MUDTURTLES

Save the date March 9 2024, the Mudturtles will be marching in the Union County St. Patrick's Day Parade. All flag, youth tackle, adult players, old boys, and ancients along with parents, spouses, friends and fans are welcome. Details to follow shortly, thanks.

SIX NATIONS RUGBY

The Six Nations rugby competition is underway and being broadcast on the Peacock Network. This is a good opportunity to tune in and be a student of the game. Watch some high level rugby study how they play and become a better player.

FREE GIRLS RUGBY CLINIC

Players from our womens team will be hosting a Free GIRLS RUGBY Clinic for girls grades 5- 12 , on Saturday 11/4 @ Unami Park ( back pitch by circle) from 11:30-1. Please bring water and a mouthguard , cleats are strongly recommended.

Jersey fundraiser

The women's team is auctioning off our retired Blue Jersey set as a fundraiser. If you are interested in a jersey, please see the form below for the list of available numbers and corresponding sizes and to place a bid. The auction will end after our home game on October 7th (11am KO if you want to come support!) See link below.

Jersey Bids

Rugby at Union County Celtic Fest Saturday Sept 9, 2023

Saturday, September 9th is the First Annual Union County Celtic Festival, hosted at Oak Ridge Park in Clark (136 Oak Ridge Road Clark, NJ 07066). The Festival will be featuring rugby games during the day and the Mudturtles will be involved in ALL of them. This is the the schedule of games: 10:00am - High School Boys 7s 11:00am - Women vs Long Island 1:00pm - Youth Flag 2:00pm - D3 Men vs Morris 4:30pm - D4 Men vs Princeton While players will be admitted to the festival free of charge, there will be a fee for all others. Friends and family can use the following link to get discounted tickets to the festival for $10 rather than $25 at the gate. https://fevogm.com/event/UnionCountyCelticFestivalPiper The code is good through Wednesday, 9/6 at midnight. For $10 the event will be well worth it. There is a lot on the festival grounds but it may be better to operate under the assumption that it will be full. Everyone should expect to park in the overflow area or additional offsite lot so allow a little extra time to arrive. A shuttle will bring us to the game and it isn’t far away. That this is an unfortunate, unavoidable downside to an otherwise awesome event.

RUGBY FAMILY CELTIC DISCOUNT LINK

Saturday July 22 Myths VS. Legends flag game

It's that time of year Mudturtle Rugby Flag Fest is this Saturday July 22, kids games kick off at 9:00. Location is Madison Ave Park in Rahway, 1300 Madison Ave (behind hospital) Following the kids games we will be having our annual Myths VS Legends Flag game open to all adult Mudturtles which include current and former players from all programs, friends, fans, and anyone else who purchases a Myths VS. Legends shirt for the low low price of $15. Myths kickoff to Legends around noonish. The Mudturtle beer garden will be open during and after the game.

Youth Tackle Board AGM - Monday, June 6th 7:30 pm @ Brad-Pak

We will be having our Youth Tackle Board AGM on Monday, June 6th 7:30 pm at Brad-Pak, 124 South Ave Garwood. The board will be going over several items parents and coaches are welcome to attend. Agenda Recap of the year for 7s, U12/U14 , U16 U18 teams. Budget present/ future. Plan for next year ( 7s, Winter Classic, fundraising, recruitment, and our plan for next year) Bylaws Coaching If there are any other items that should be added to the agenda please email me unionflagrugby@gmail.com See you there, Coach John

Correction: Youth Tackle Board AGM - Monday, June 12th 7:30 pm @ Brad-Pak

Correction: We will be holding our Youth Tackle Board AGM on Monday, June 12th 7:30 pm at Brad-Pak, 124 South Ave in Garwood. Please update your calendar. Apologies for the mistake. Thank you, Coach John

Mudturtle 50th Anniversary Gear Sale Ends May 15th!

Monday, May 15th is the last day to place your orders on the Mudturtle Club Store for our 50th Anniversary gear. Don't miss out! Get your orders in now. For those who have made purchases, we thank you for your patience as we did extend the sale.

Shop 50th Anniversary Gear

Sean MacLaney

Sean MacLaney has been playing rugby for 16 years since he started in First grade with the Westfield Owls. This upcoming weekend, he is playing in the Division1A National Championship game - Navy vs. Cal on May 6, 2023, which can be watch on therugbynetwork at 7:30 pm. During the playoffs, he was voted the "Man of the Match" in Navy's win over Army when Sean lead his team with their opening try of the game.

Watch On The Rugby Network

Car Wash April 29th Cancelled

Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate yet again. We are cancelling the car wash for tomorrow, Saturday the 29th, but will try to reschedule for a later date. If you have purchased tickets, please hold onto them. Thank you.

Car Wash April 29th 9am-2pm

Get your car washed and help support our Youth Tackle program this Saturday, April 29th from 9am - 2pm at Brad-Pak, 124 South Avenue, Garwood, NJ. A fun fundraiser for all! Don't miss out.