Northern Virginia Eagles

{{short description|US semi-professional rugby league club, based in Manassas, Virginia}}

{{Infobox rugby league club

| clubname = Northern Virginia Eagles

| image = 150px

| fullname = Northern Virginia Eagles

| nickname = Eagles

| shortname =

| colours = {{color box|maroon}} Maroon
{{color box|White}} White

| founded = {{start date and years ago|2007}}

| ground = Grizzly Sports Complex, Nokesville, Virginia

| mgrtitle =

| manager = Phuc Vong

| coach = Joseph Reichert

| assistant coach =

| league = USA Rugby League

| season = 2018

| position =

}}

The Northern Virginia Eagles were a rugby league team based in Manassas, Virginia, U.S. The club currently plays in the USA Rugby League (USARL). From 2007 to 2011 they were known as the Fairfax Eagles and were based in nearby Fairfax, Virginia.

The Fairfax Eagles were founded in 2007 as an expansion team of the American National Rugby League (AMNRL), but did not begin play until the 2008 season. They competed in the AMNRL for three years, making playoff appearances in 2009 and 2010. In January 2011 the Eagles became one of seven teams to depart from the AMNRL to form the new USA Rugby League (USARL), but the team ceased operations before the season. In 2012, new ownership announced the team, reorganized as the Northern Virginia Eagles, would return to the AMNRL for the 2012 season.

In 2014, the Northern Virginia Eagles joined the USA Rugby League (USARL). They suspended operations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

History

The team was founded in 2007 by Steven Grant, who was club president. Based in Fairfax, Virginia, they were the AMNRL's second team to be based in the Washington, D.C. area, after the Washington, D.C. Slayers. The Eagles were originally scheduled to join the AMNRL for the 2007 season, but financial issues prevented them from competing.{{cite web|url= http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=13901|title= American NRL kicks off 10th season this weekend|author= David Niu|author-link= David Niu|date= May 31, 2007|work= League Unlimited|publisher= leagueunlimited.com|access-date= January 19, 2011|archive-date= 8 March 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120308165853/http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=13901|url-status= dead}}{{cite web |url= http://www.amnrl.com/news/622008season11kickoff.html|title= AMNRL Season Kicks Off|date= 2008|work= American National Rugby League News|publisher= amnrl.com |access-date=January 19, 2011}}

The Eagles joined the AMNRL for the 2008 season. That year they ended the season with a 3-5 record, finishing 6th overall and missing the playoffs on point differential. In the 2009 season they went 5-3 and advanced to the playoffs, but were defeated by the Aston Bulls in the first round. That year they also played the New England Rugby League representative side in the 2009 Winter Exhibition, winning by a score of 50-10. In the 2010 season they went 2–4 but qualified for the playoffs, losing to the New Haven Warriors in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Champs_Get_Big_Scare.shtml|title=Champs Get Big Scare|author=Brian Lowe|date=Aug 14, 2010|work=American Rugby News|access-date=April 12, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100816234058/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Champs_Get_Big_Scare.shtml|archive-date=August 16, 2010}} After the season they joined with the Washington D.C. Slayers to form the DC Internationals representative side for the War at the Shore event in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. The Internationals went on to win the War at the Shore tournament, defeating the New York Knights in the final 10-0.{{cite web|url= http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/War_at_the_Shore_Success.shtml|title= War at the Shore Success|author= Brian Lowe|date= Aug 1, 2010|work= American Rugby News|access-date= April 12, 2011|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100804044218/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/War_at_the_Shore_Success.shtml|archive-date= August 4, 2010}}

On January 12, 2011, the Eagles became one of seven teams to leave the AMNRL to form the new USA Rugby League.{{cite web|url= http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=38212|title= Discord 2011: Edition 2|last1= Mascord|first1= Steve|date= January 12, 2011|work= rleague.com|access-date= January 19, 2011|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110222174256/http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=38212|archive-date= February 22, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbymag.com/news/clubs/mensclubs/new-rugby-league-competition-announced.aspx|title=New Rugby League Competition Announced|date=January 12, 2011|work=rugbymag.com|publisher=Rugby Magazine|access-date=January 19, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122061503/http://www.rugbymag.com/news/clubs/mensclubs/new-rugby-league-competition-announced.aspx|archive-date=January 22, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.code13rugbyleague.com/2011/01/12/breakaway-league-launched-in-the-us/|title=Breakaway league launched in the US|date=January 12, 2011|work=code13rugbyleague.com|access-date=January 19, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116021032/http://www.code13rugbyleague.com/2011/01/12/breakaway-league-launched-in-the-us/|archive-date=January 16, 2011}} Prior to the start of the season, however, club president Steven Grant relocated due to work. The team attempted to develop a plan to continue in the USARL, but was unable to find a solution. The club announced it was ceasing operations in April 2011.{{cite web |url= http://www.fairfaxeagles.com/page.cfm?p=042CF539 |title= Eagles Cease Operations |date= April 12, 2011|work= fairfaxeagles.com|access-date=December 13, 2011}}{{cite web |url= http://www.usarugbyleague.com/2011/02/usarl-constitution-teams-entry-qualifications-announced/ |title= USARL Constitution & Teams announced |date= February 18, 2011 |work= usarl.com |publisher= USA Rugby League |access-date= April 12, 2011 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110513210426/https://www.usarugbyleague.com/2011/02/usarl-constitution-teams-entry-qualifications-announced/ |archive-date= May 13, 2011 }}

The Eagles played most home games at Stratton Woods Park in Herndon in Fairfax County, Virginia.{{cite web|url= http://www.fairfaxeagles.com/page.cfm?p=1DBC02FF|title= Eagles Home Field|date= 2010|work= fairfaxeagles.com|access-date= January 19, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} They finished with an all-time record of 11 wins, 19 losses, and 1 draw.

On November 26, 2011, the AMNRL announced that the team, reformed as the Northern Virginia Eagles, would compete in the 2012 season.{{cite web |url= http://www.amnrl.com/news/nova-eagles-have-landed|title= NOVA Eagles Have Landed!|date= November 26, 2011 |work= amnrl.com |publisher= American National Rugby League |access-date=December 6, 2011}} The team is scheduled to play in Manassas, Virginia and will focus on recruiting new players.{{cite web |url= http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/RLP/Articles/2012/A-fresh-start-for-the-AMNRLs-Nova-Eagles-250512.htm |title= A fresh start for the AMNRL's Nova Eagles |last1= Munro |first1= Tony |date= May 25, 2012 |work= rugbyleagueplanet.com |access-date=May 29, 2012}}

On February 28, 2014, the USA Rugby League announced that the Northern Virginia Eagles would be joining the USARL as a member club.{{cite web |url= http://www.usarl.com/2014/02/usarl-welcomes-the-northern-virginia-eagles-rlfc/ |title= USARL welcomes the Northern Virginia Eagles RLFC |date= February 28, 2014 |work= usarl.com |publisher= USA Rugby League |access-date= February 28, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141016024629/http://www.usarl.com/2014/02/usarl-welcomes-the-northern-virginia-eagles-rlfc/ |archive-date= 16 October 2014 |url-status= dead }}

Seasons

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
rowspan="2" scope="col"\|Season !colspan="7" scope="col"\|League !rowspan="2" scope="col"\|Play-offs !rowspan="2" scope="col"\|Ref.
scope="col"\|Division !scope="col"\|{{abbr\|P\|Played}} !scope="col"\|{{abbr\|W\|Won}} !scope="col"\|{{abbr\|T\|Tied}} !scope="col"\|{{abbr\|L\|Lost}} !scope="col"\|{{abbr\|Pts\|Points}} !scope="col"\|{{abbr\|Pos\|Position}}
scope="row"\|2008 \|AMNRL \|8\|\|3\|\|0\|\|5\|\|? \|6th \|{{N/a}} \|{{cite web\|url=https://www.usarl.org/rugby-league-clubs/northern-virginia-eagles/ \|title=North Virginia Eagles \|website=USARL \|access-date=9 April 2025}}
scope="row"\|2009 \|AMNRL \|8\|\|5\|\|0\|\|3\|\|25 \|4th \|{{abbr\|R1\|Round 1}} (withdrew) \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Playoff_teams_set.shtml \|title=Playoff teams set \|website=American Rugby News \|date=8 August 2009 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810162945/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Playoff_teams_set.shtml \|archive-date=10 August 2009}}{{cite web\|url=http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Game_of_the_Week_Guru_tips.shtml \|title=Game of the Week : Guru tips \|website=American Rugby News \|date=13 August 2009 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822232011/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Game_of_the_Week_Guru_tips.shtml \|archive-date=22 August 2009}}
scope="row"\|2010 \|AMNRL \|6\|\|2\|\|0\|\|4\|\|12 \|8th \|Quarter-finals \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Playoff_Teams_Set_i.shtml \|title=Playoff Teams Set \|website=American Rugby News \|date=25 July 2010 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728092122/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Playoff_Teams_Set_i.shtml \|archive-date=28 July 2010}}
scope="row"\|2011 \|colspan="9" {{N/A}}
scope="row"\|2012 \|AMNRL Atlantic \|7\|\|0\|\|0\|\|7\|\|1 \|6th \|{{N/a}} \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.amnrl.com/American-national-rugby-league-standings \|title=Standings \|website=AMNRL \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828134947/http://www.amnrl.com/American-national-rugby-league-standings \|archive-date=28 August 2012}}
scope="row"\|2013 \|AMNRL \|6\|\|3\|\|0\|\|3\|\|16 \|4th \|Semi-finals \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.amnrl.org/ \|title=AMNRL Live! \|website=AMNRL \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901205655/http://www.amnrl.org/ \|archive-date=1 September 2013}}
scope="row"\|2014 \|USARL North Atlantic \|7\|\|2\|\|0\|\|5\|\|4 \|3rd \|{{N/a}} \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.usarl.com/standings/ \|title=Results \|website=USARL \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027181954/http://www.usarl.com/standings/ \|archive-date=27 October 2014}}
scope="row"\|2015 \|USARL Mid-Atlantic \|8\|\|6\|\|0\|\|2\|\|12 \|2nd \|Division final \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.usarl.com/standings/ \|title=Results \|website=USARL \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307201441/http://www.usarl.com/standings/ \|archive-date=7 March 2016}}
scope="row"\|2016 \|USARL Mid-Atlantic \|8\|\|4\|\|0\|\|4\|\|8 \|3rd \|Round 1 \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.usarl.com/standings/ \|title=Results \|website=USARL \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112054606/http://www.usarl.com/standings/ \|archive-date=12 November 2016}}
scope="row"\|2017 \|USARL North East \|8\|\|4\|\|0\|\|4\|\|8 \|4th \|Round 1 \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.usarl.org/news/2017/knights-and-kings-collide-for-all-new-york-north-conference-final/ \|title=Knights and Kings collide for all New York NORTH Conference Final \|website=USARL \|date=10 August 2017 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816164905/http://www.usarl.org/news/2017/knights-and-kings-collide-for-all-new-york-north-conference-final/ \|archive-date=16 August 2017}}
scope="row"\|2018 \|USARL North \|6\|\|1\|\|1\|\|4\|\|0 \|7th \|{{N/a}} \|{{cite web\|url=http://www.usarl.org/standings/?division=xiiis-north-conference \|title=XIIIs North Conference Standings: 2018 \|website=USARL \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007040303/http://www.usarl.org/standings/?division=xiiis-north-conference \|archive-date=7 October 2018}}
scope="row"\|2019 \|USARL North \| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|\| \|4th \|R1 (forfeited) \|{{cite web\|url=https://rugbyleagueplanet.com/2019/08/06/heavyweights-one-win-away-from-usa-grand-final-replay/ \|title=Heavyweights one win away from USA Grand Final replay \|website=Rugby League Planet \|date=6 August 2019 \|access-date=9 April 2025}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

rowspan="2" scope="col"|Season

!colspan="7" scope="col"|League

!rowspan="2" scope="col"|Play-offs

!rowspan="2" scope="col"|Ref.

scope="col"|Division

!scope="col"|{{abbr|P|Played}}

!scope="col"|{{abbr|W|Won}}

!scope="col"|{{abbr|T|Tied}}

!scope="col"|{{abbr|L|Lost}}

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Pts|Points}}

!scope="col"|{{abbr|Pos|Position}}

scope="row"|2008

|AMNRL

|8||3||0||5||?

|6th

|{{N/a}}

|{{cite web|url=https://www.usarl.org/rugby-league-clubs/northern-virginia-eagles/ |title=North Virginia Eagles |website=USARL |access-date=9 April 2025}}

scope="row"|2009

|AMNRL

|8||5||0||3||25

|4th

|{{abbr|R1|Round 1}} (withdrew)

|{{cite web|url=http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Playoff_teams_set.shtml |title=Playoff teams set |website=American Rugby News |date=8 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810162945/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Playoff_teams_set.shtml |archive-date=10 August 2009}}{{cite web|url=http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Game_of_the_Week_Guru_tips.shtml |title=Game of the Week : Guru tips |website=American Rugby News |date=13 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822232011/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Game_of_the_Week_Guru_tips.shtml |archive-date=22 August 2009}}

scope="row"|2010

|AMNRL

|6||2||0||4||12

|8th

|Quarter-finals

|{{cite web|url=http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Playoff_Teams_Set_i.shtml |title=Playoff Teams Set |website=American Rugby News |date=25 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100728092122/http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/rugby_league/Playoff_Teams_Set_i.shtml |archive-date=28 July 2010}}

scope="row"|2011

|colspan="9" {{N/A}}

scope="row"|2012

|AMNRL Atlantic

|7||0||0||7||1

|6th

|{{N/a}}

|{{cite web|url=http://www.amnrl.com/American-national-rugby-league-standings |title=Standings |website=AMNRL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828134947/http://www.amnrl.com/American-national-rugby-league-standings |archive-date=28 August 2012}}

scope="row"|2013

|AMNRL

|6||3||0||3||16

|4th

|Semi-finals

|{{cite web|url=http://www.amnrl.org/ |title=AMNRL Live! |website=AMNRL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901205655/http://www.amnrl.org/ |archive-date=1 September 2013}}

scope="row"|2014

|USARL North Atlantic

|7||2||0||5||4

|3rd

|{{N/a}}

|{{cite web|url=http://www.usarl.com/standings/ |title=Results |website=USARL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027181954/http://www.usarl.com/standings/ |archive-date=27 October 2014}}

scope="row"|2015

|USARL Mid-Atlantic

|8||6||0||2||12

|2nd

|Division final

|{{cite web|url=http://www.usarl.com/standings/ |title=Results |website=USARL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307201441/http://www.usarl.com/standings/ |archive-date=7 March 2016}}

scope="row"|2016

|USARL Mid-Atlantic

|8||4||0||4||8

|3rd

|Round 1

|{{cite web|url=http://www.usarl.com/standings/ |title=Results |website=USARL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112054606/http://www.usarl.com/standings/ |archive-date=12 November 2016}}

scope="row"|2017

|USARL North East

|8||4||0||4||8

|4th

|Round 1

|{{cite web|url=http://www.usarl.org/news/2017/knights-and-kings-collide-for-all-new-york-north-conference-final/ |title=Knights and Kings collide for all New York NORTH Conference Final |website=USARL |date=10 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816164905/http://www.usarl.org/news/2017/knights-and-kings-collide-for-all-new-york-north-conference-final/ |archive-date=16 August 2017}}

scope="row"|2018

|USARL North

|6||1||1||4||0

|7th

|{{N/a}}

|{{cite web|url=http://www.usarl.org/standings/?division=xiiis-north-conference |title=XIIIs North Conference Standings: 2018 |website=USARL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007040303/http://www.usarl.org/standings/?division=xiiis-north-conference |archive-date=7 October 2018}}

scope="row"|2019

|USARL North

| || || || ||

|4th

|R1 (forfeited)

|{{cite web|url=https://rugbyleagueplanet.com/2019/08/06/heavyweights-one-win-away-from-usa-grand-final-replay/ |title=Heavyweights one win away from USA Grand Final replay |website=Rugby League Planet |date=6 August 2019 |access-date=9 April 2025}}