The Twin City Tornados High School Boys' Rugby Club was established in 2010. We had another successful season last year, making it to the Illinois Iowa Rugby League (IIRL) State Championship game.
We are currently recruiting high school males of all ages to join the Twin Cities' first and only high school rugby team! For more information, please click here.Players come from several area high schools (ranging from, but not limited to): Bloomington High School, Normal Community, Normal West, University High School, Bloomington Central Catholic, and Pontiac High School.
Our job as coaches is to teach young players the fundamentals, skills, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and camaraderie that coincides with rugby. We ask two things of all of our players - to learn the game and to have fun.
ABOUT THE COACHES
Head Coach Rory O'Rourke - Having played rugby since the late '70's, Coach O'Rourke has a unique insight into not only how to play and coach the game, but also the enjoyment and benefit it provides to players and supporters alike. Coach O'Rourke has already assisted in getting Peoria area High School Rugby started, and has enjoyed doing the same in the Bloomington-Normal area. Rory is married and has a daughter who is 14 and a son who is 12.
Forwards Coach Hailey White - Coach White played for the Illinois State University Women’s Rugby Club where she served as the Pack Captain for two years. Coach White also played for the Midwest Rugby Territorial All Stars in 2005. Coach White graduated from Illinois State University in 2007 with a degree in International Business and Spanish. She currently resides in Bloomington and works in Normal.
Backs Coach Christy McFarland – Coach McFarland, formerly Stelzer, played for the Illinois State University Women’s Rugby Club, where she served as the club’s President and Captain. Coach McFarland also played on the Illinois Rugby Union All Star Team from 2004 through 2008, and also on the Midwest Territorial All Star Team in 2005. She was named the USA Rugby Women’s Rugby Player of the Year in 2008. Coach McFarland graduated from Illinois State University in 2008 with a Journalism/Communications degree. She currently works and resides in Bloomington with her husband Chris.
Forwards Coach Pat Roan – Coach Roan has more than twelve years of rugby experience including playing for the original Twin City Tornados Men’s Rugby Club and the Peoria Pigs Rugby Club. He has participated in past rugby tours to Ireland, Wales, and England. Coach Roan graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1996 with a Degree in Accounting and is currently taking part in the Corporate MBA program at Illinois State University. Coach Roan lives and works in Bloomington.
