HAWAII HARLEQUINS

RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

 

ABOUT US

The Hawaii Harlequins In the beginning... Although there is evidence of sporadic games in Hawaii as early as 1884, Hawaii rugby was really established in 1964, when Dr. Jack Keenan (An Irish ex-pat) and two buddies, Bob Hampton and Brian ONeil, created the Hawaii Harlequins Rugby Football Club. Games were mostly limited to playing visiting naval ships, although as time passed, word spread that there was rugby in Hawaii, mainly thanks to these gentlemen and subsequent club presidents such as Dixon Smith & Ralph Martinson. So followed many visiting teams, using any excuse to visit Hawaii for a tour. In 1975 the Harlequins initiated the first tour to Australia, & New Zealand. This obviously helped with public relations, and as a result the following year saw 77 touring side games in Hawaii, in addition to league play. The early 80s were again touring years for the Hawaii Harlequins, and the 1983 Pan-Am tour of Australia & New Zealand provided wins against a number of teams including Sydney teams, Manly, Auckland Grammar, and Gisborne. By 1989 the Harlequins had shown their strength, by sending their A and B sides to the finals. By the 90s they had solidified their success during the Monterey Tournament, by beating OMBAC (Old Mission Beach Athletic Club), regarded by many as Americas Team. Also, 1999 showed a good result by the Harlequins beating the U.S. Marine team 76-3. New Zealand returned to the Harlequins international tournament in 2000. This was a time of growth for the Harlequins, who had been running largely without a coach until 2002, when Kevin Sturm took the reins as a player/coach and Mitchel Hoots West took over as the President. They toured Maui and in 2003 and 2004 and they played in the Missoula Maggotfest in Montana. Kevin Sturm returned to the mainland, and coaching was taken over by Tim Taylor who created a very positive approach to training sessions, helping the Harlequins improve their performance, developing both game skills and team playing pattern. The Harlequins had successful tournaments in 2008 and 2009, and another is scheduled for 2011! Vintage Rugby is scheduled to have their carnival with the Harlequins in 2012, with over 1500 participants on 5 pitches attending. Famous Harlequins! Nicky Allen - NZ Chris Butcher - England Mark Deaton - USA Gary Forth - NZ (Colts) Steven James - Australia Michael Jones - NZ Danny Kaleopa - Manu Samoa Moi Ma Feleo - Tonga Hugh McCardy - Scotland Murray Mexted - NZ Cormac OCarroll - Ireland Tony Ridnell - USA Colin Scotts - Australia (U21) Richard Scotts - Australia (U21) Doug Straehly - USA David Tolomu - USA Stu Wilson - NZ John Wilbur - USA, NFL All Pro Julian Wood - NZ (U21) Peter Barlow - NZ

Chris Butcher

Stu Wilson

John Wilbur

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• CONTACTScontacts.html
• ABOUT US
• CALENDARschedules.html
• QUINS STOREStore_Front.html
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• LOCATIONlocation.html
• JOINjoin.html
• OTHER STUFF/FUNfunarea.html
• LIBRARYlibrary.html
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Mens & Womens Rugby Union, Rugby League, 15’s, 10’s & 7’s

• TOURNAMENTStournaments.html