&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:US_Rugby_Super_League_Logo.png){kind=logo} | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1996 |
| First season | 1997 |
| Ceased | 2012 |
| No. of teams | 8 |
| Country | United States |
| Last champion(s) | New York Athletic Club (2012) |
| Official website | Premier-Rugby.com |
The USA Rugby Super League, usually known as the Super League or RSL, was a national rugby union competition which ran from 1997 to 2012, contested by nine clubs in the United States by its last year. In the 2013 season, it was replaced by the USA Rugby Elite Cup.
USA Rugby, the sport's national governing body sanctioned the Super League competition. It was the premier level of rugby union in the country until its reformation into the Elite Cup.[1][2]
RSL was developed in 1996 due to the increased demand for greater visibility and a higher competitive structure for rugby union in the United States.[3] The management structures of the 14 best rugby organizations in the United States, created RSL and regular competition started in 1997.[3] In 2007 and 2008 the total number of competing RSL clubs peaked at 18. In the 2011 season, the 11 teams competing were divided into two conferences, Red and Blue. The league's 2012 season and final season saw 9 teams, again divided into Red and Blue conferences. Following the 2012 season most of the remaining Super League teams entered the USA Rugby Elite Cup competition.
- ^ "About Rugby Super League". usarugbysuperleague.com. Retrieved 31 August 2006.
- ^ Thisisamercanrugby.com. "Rugby Super League President Discusses Elite Cup". Thisisamercanrugby.com.
- ^ a b "USA Rugby SuperLeague - Overview". US Rugby Super League. Retrieved 13 September 2024.