Connecticut Wildcats

For the soccer team, see Connecticut Yankees (soccer).

Connecticut Wildcats

Club information
Full name	Connecticut Wildcats Rugby League Football Club
Website	www.ctwildcats.com
Colours	Orange, black and white
Founded	2003
Current details
Ground(s)	Andrews Field
Competition	American National Rugby League
2011	AMNRL, 7th

The Connecticut Wildcats are an American semi-professional rugby league football team based in Norwalk, Connecticut. They currently compete in the American National Rugby League (AMNRL).

The Wildcats, along with the Washington D.C. Slayers, joined the AMNRL as expansion teams for the 2003 season. Since joining the league they have been one of the most successful teams on the field. They have made a total of seven playoff appearances, advancing to the Grand Final five times, and winning the title in 2003, 2006, and 2007.

History

The team was founded in 2003. Along with the Washington D.C. Slayers, they joined the American National Rugby League that season, increasing the number of teams to eight.^[1] Their inaugural roster consisted primarily of experienced players who formerly played for the New York Knights and other AMNRL teams, giving them an early advantage.^[1] They went on to win the Grand Final in their inaugural season, defeating perennial champions the Glen Mills Bulls. They met the Bulls in the Grand Final four more times from 2004–2007, winning in the 2006 and 2007 seasons. In doing so they were the first AMNRL team to go undefeated and win titles in two consecutive years. In 2006 they were coached by former National Rugby League (NRL) player Nathan Hollingsworth and in 2007 by Tim Gee and Mathew Pitman.

Since 2008 the club has worked on building a new image and new attitude under the leadership efforts of CEO and Current USA Tomahawk co-captain Curtis Cunz. They advanced to playoffs in the 2008 and 2010 season.

Logo and colors

The Connecticut Wildcats have a team partnership with the Wests Tigers of Australia's National Rugby League (AMNRL), and with its two feeder teams, the Western Suburbs Magpies and Balmain Tigers.

Their home stadium is Andrews Field near Norwalk High School.

Records

• 2007, 2006, and 2003 AMNRL premiers
• Mothers' Day Sevens winners

Current roster

• Dan Issac
• Steven Annunziato
• Sebastian Berdichevsky
• Christopher Bristol
• Ian Taylor
• Curt Christian Cunz
• Ted Cacciolat
• Ehson Shafie
• James Everett
• luke Barron
• William Garcia
• Christopher Giaccino
• Gareth Gibbs
• Pete Mannion
• Doug Fraser
• Mike Pitassi
• Joe Kowakczyk
• Dan Stuart
• Darragh Lynch
• John Nugent
• George Magdalinos
• Daniel Schipul
• Mike Schacter
• Phill Shacter
• Rory Parcel
• Rich Baron
• Simon Hawkins
• John Tublin
• Matt Walsh
• Nick Vornle
• Carl Yacoub
• Waylon Jaques
• Mike Phillips
• Joe Judge
• Mike Thompson
• Charlie Rizzo
• Drew Duggan
• Alex Atkinson

See also

• AMNRL Championship: 2003
• 2006 AMNRL season
• 2007 AMNRL season
• Connecticut Yankees RFC club team at Andrews Field

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Steven Birchall (May 21, 2003). "AMNRL 2003 Team Predictions". rleague.com. http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=16493. Retrieved April 6, 2011. 

External links

• [http://www.ctwildcats.com/ Official website
• Connecticut Wildcats at amnrl.com

Coordinates: 41°07′21″N 73°23′46″W / 41.1225°N 73.396°W / 41.1225; -73.396