The Portland Rugby Club, incorporated in 1969, is the oldest rugby club in the state of Maine. Since its inception, the Portland RFC has provided continuous leadership in the further development of the game in Maine. Many of its players have become involved in coaching and refereeing at both the club and college levels.

The Portland Rugby Club was originally located in Brunswick, Maine, about 25 miles north of Portland. Although all the organizational meetings took place in Portland, the Brunswick area was chosen for the match locale for two very important reasons: fields and players. Bowdoin College in Brunswick allowed the club access to its athletic facilities including practice and game fields, locker rooms and training rooms, and the Brunswick Naval Air Station was the home to many military personnel with rugby experience. With these resources, the club was in an excellent position to grow and prosper.

Throughout the Bowdoin years (1969-1974) the club was able to keep the interest high in Brunswick as well as draw players from the surrounding area, especially Portland. All went well until so many players from Portland began to question the need to travel to Brunswick, three and sometimes four times a week for training and games. It was soon decided that although Brunswick was originally home, Portland loomed more attractive to the needs of the ever-expanding club.

Plans were made and in 1974 the city of Portland was indeed the new home of the Portland Rugby Club. Playing on any fields that were available and enjoying the postgame festivities in a number of different establishments throughout the city, the ruggers became accepted in their hometown. Local interest grew and the number of players and fans soared. Many people observing the game for the first time were either instantly hooked on its wild, wide open style or intrigued by its gentlemanly, if somewhat barbaric flair.

The Portland RFC entered the New England Rugby Football Union's first division in 1978, winning the league championship in 1979. Portland RFC sides have won the Sullivan League title, NERFU's second division championship, in 1983, 1985 and 1986, as well as winning the Eastern Rugby Union's (now Rugby East) Division II championship in 1987. The Portland Rugby Club presently plays in the second division and fields three sides-PRFC's Firsts, PRFC's Seconds and the Ancient Mariners (over 35s).

The club has toured Ireland in 1978, 1982, 1989 and 1994, and England and Wales in 1985. Portland has hosted many touring sides including Tullamore, Bangor, Dublin Wanderers, University of Ulster at Coleraine, Drogheda, NIFC and Collegians from Ireland, Hertford, Imber Court and Saracens from England, Ayr, Jordanhill and Dundee University from Scotland, and St. Albans, Kenfig Hill and Glamorgan Wanderers from Wales. We're looking forward to renewing old friendships in Portadown, as well as making new friends in Ennis and Omagh on our 25th Anniversary tour to Ireland.

In recent years Portland Rugby has been expanding in new and exciting directions. Thanks to the efforts of a former PRFC player and local teacher, Rocky Frenzelli, high school rugby is now firmly established in the Portland area. The team has enjoyed unprecedented interest and now competes with other school and youth teams throughout New England.

Finally, after several false starts in previous years, women’s rugby now seems here to stay, thanks to the efforts of its committed executive team. Early recruitment efforts have illustrated the high level of interest and experience in the area, which the team is eager to convert in to a competitive Division II season in 2006.