The Lehigh Valley Rugby Football Club is a non-profit corporation. The LVRFC, founded in 1998, represents men's and women's rugby in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas. Both our men's and women's teams are currently Full Members of the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU), our local area union. The LVRFC teams are also members in good standing territorially through the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) and nationally through USA Rugby. As such, each team is eligible to compete in all National Qualifying matches.

Our club history is a bit complicated (how can that be as our founding date is 1998?), but rugby in the Lehigh Valley dates back to 1966. The LVRFC is actually the result of a merger of two long-standing men's clubs - the Allentown Blues and the Bethlehem RFC (the  Hooligans and the South-Side clubs were precursors to the Bethlehem RFC). The women's team, aka Maulie Maguires, joined the LVRFC in 1999 but the team itself dates back to  1976. What's important to understand is that through our history and experience, members  of both teams bring a wealth of rugby knowledge and skill to the game.

We realize that people come out for rugby with different individual goals - some are competitive, some are developmental, some are social. Fortunately, we are a club that  has a place for everyone, regardless of your goals, your experience or talent - even  regardless of your being able to commit full-time or part-time to the team. Overall, you will  find that rugby is a good way to get some exercise, develop new skills and challenge  yourself physically and mentally. In addition, it's a great sport that offers numerous  opportunities to meet new people and have a bit of fun!

LEHIGH VALLEY MEN RECOGNIZES NEW LIFE MEMBERS

Lehigh Valley Rugby Football Club opened a new page in the Club's history when it awarded two life memberships on Saturday evening.

The club's new Board was looking for a way to thank some members who had essentially kept the club going for many years and this seemed like the perfect way to do it. Coach Al Harris says that in New Zealand to receive a Life Member award is a big deal. It is the highest honor a club can bestow on an individual and it recognizes their enormous input over many years.

At the end of season banquet last week, Life Member jackets were presented to Reno Pesaresi and Sue Martinko. Both Reno and Sue have had many roles in the club over many years from coach to president, treasurer and everything in between and both will continue to have ongoing involvement. President Jeff Tyber says "We're not letting them get away yet, we've got plenty more work for them to do! Sue is our 7s tournament organizer and Reno is still coaching and working with the development squad. We're delighted with this new tradition and will continue to award life memberships on an ad hoc basis. We also see it as a good way to keep our 'old boys and girls' involved with the club. Their input is invaluable in so many areas including being a guiding hand for the new members we are attracting to the Club”.

Photo Sue Martinko and Reno Pesaresi in their new Lehigh Valley Life Member jackets.