| Teamname: | Rochester Aardvarks |
| Fullname: | Rochester Aardvarks Rugby Football Club |
| Union: | Empire Geographical Union |
| Founded: | [1] |
| Ground: | Aardvark Park |
| President: | John Vakiener |
| Coach: | John VakienerShaun Anderson |
| Captain: | Colton Kells (forwards captain)Sebastian Nartey (backs captain) |
| Url: | https://aardvarkrfc.com/ |
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| Shorts1: | 0A3F07 |
| Socks1: | 0A3F07 |
The Rochester Aardvarks Rugby Football Club is an American men’s senior rugby union club that competes in division II and division III of the Empire Geographical Union. The team represents Rochester, New York and is based in Henrietta, New York, a town that is considered to be a suburb of Rochester. The team practices and plays its home games at Aardvark Park in Henrietta.[2]
The Rochester Aardvarks were established in 1966 as the Rochester Rugby Football Club, born from the vision of Phil Grannan, a University of Notre Dame graduate and rugby player. After moving to Rochester to pursue his MBA at the University of Rochester, Phil sought to form a rugby team. His idea gained momentum after a local newspaper article highlighted his plans, prompting Mike Hunt, Neil Barker, Hudson Fowler, and Phil to come together and start the club.
The first players to join the team included individuals who had played rugby in England and South Africa and were also students at the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of Dentistry. Although some of the original founders were not with the team for long, the foundation was set for the club's future. The early years saw the "RRFC" competing against teams from the Northern U.S. (including Buffalo, Cleveland, and Syracuse) as well as Canadian clubs in Toronto and Windsor.
Throughout its history, the Aardvarks have toured internationally, visiting England, Ireland, and The Bahamas. Rochester Aardvarks players have been selected for various all-star teams, represented the U.S.A. in international competitions, and participated in territory championships, Empire State Games, and the National 7s tournament.[3]
The Rochester Aardvarks are the sole owner of Aardvark Park, one of the only privately owned rugby facilities in both New York State, and the entire United States. The facility currently has restrooms, a permanent building primarily used for equipment storage, an entertainment pavilion, non-potable water, gas, and electric. The two fields have irrigation and permanent uprights and measure 144m x 70m and 120m x 60m.[4]
The Rochester Renegades Women’s Rugby Club also often practices and plays at Aardvark Park.[5]