- Niagara Lightning
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Niagara Lightning Union Rugby Canada
Niagara Rugby UnionNickname(s) Lightning Founded 2004 Location Burlington, Ontario Chairman David Burnett
Coach(es) 1st kit2nd kitOfficial website niagarathunderrugby.org The Niagara Lightning (formerly Niagara Thunder) are a Canadian rugby union team based in southern Ontario. The team plays in the Rugby Canada National Junior Championship and draws most of its players from the Niagara Rugby Union.
The Lightning play their "home" games in Hamilton (Mohawk Sports Park) and nearby Burlington, Oakville (Crusader Park), and Brantford.
History
In 1998, Rugby Canada and the provincial unions agreed to form the Rugby Canada Super League. Fourteen unions and sub-unions were invited to compete in the new semi-professional league. However, the NRU (along with the Toronto Rugby Union and the Eastern Ontario Rugby Union) decided not to participate. Both Toronto and Eastern Ontario joined the league the following year, leaving Niagara as the only invited union not to join.
The Niagara Rugby Union finally decided to field a team in time for the 2004 RCSL season. The new club was named the Niagara Thunder.
Grounds Key Personnel Chairman: David Burnett • Head Coach:
Championships MacTier Cup
Appearances (1)2007Eastern championships (1) Seasons RCSL seasons (5) 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008
Rugby Canada National Junior Championship Current League
AffiliationsLeague: Rugby Canada National Junior Championship • Division: CentralRugby Canada Super League Western Conference Calgary Mavericks · Edmonton Gold · Fraser Valley Venom · Manitoba Buffalo · Saskatchewan Prairie Fire · Vancouver Wave · Vancouver Island Crimson TideEastern Conference Seasons Championship MacTier CupRugby union in Canada Governing body Provincial unions Alberta · British Columbia · Manitoba · New Brunswick · Newfoundland · Nova Scotia · Ontario · Prince Edward Island · Quebec · SaskatchewanNational teams Competitions International: Canada at the Rugby World Cup · Americas Rugby Championship
National: Rugby Canada National Junior Championship · National Women's League · Canadian Rugby ChampionshipFormer competitions Related articles International playersCategories:- Sport in Hamilton, Ontario
- Rugby union teams in Ontario
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