In the spring of 2001, two members of the Morris Rugby Club Men’s program, Kurt Murrell and John Sutherland, discussed the possibility of forming a high school rugby team, thereby affording their sons the opportunity to participate in the sport that they themselves had been involved in for many years.  With the backing of the Morris Rugby Club, Kurt and John initiated a 4-week “camp” in May of 2001, which was attended by their sons and a few other enthusiastic athletes.  Kurt shouldered most of the training responsibilities that May, teaching fundamentals and playing touch, but not scheduling any matches, as the turnout was less than needed for a full team.  In spite of the low turnout, they were buoyed by the response and decided to make an effort to field a full team in the spring of 2002.  Smiles and excitement abounded as the foundation for the new high school team, the Morris Lions, was laid.

Joining forces with Bob Karetsky, who had a solid background coaching rugby and other youth sports and volunteering to take the role of head coach, Kurt, John and Bob kicked-off the Morris Lions first full season.  After a series of recruiting efforts in January and February, the inaugural season got underway in March of 2002 with a meeting in Morristown at the Police and Fire Academy.  There were just over 25 boys that first season, as John took on the roll of team manager and scrambled to schedule matches with any and all takers.  The team’s first match of the year was against another first year program in Philadelphia, Archbishop Ryan HS, from the Eastern Penn Rugby Union, EPRU, losing 0-22.  The Lions did a lot more losing than winning in 2002, but in a grueling match at the Jersey Cup, the season ending tournament hosted by Morris Rugby Club, they managed a respectable second in the New Jersey State High School Rugby Championships in their very first year! (There were only 2 teams in the state.)

The Lions second season, 2003, proved to be a bit more successful both in terms of participation and on-field play. The NY Met Rugby Union, the local rugby governing body, formed a second division of high school teams to accommodate the new programs started in Sayville, Long Island, St. Peter's Prep HS of Jersey City, and East Islip, Long Island.  Membership increased to just over 40 registered players.  The Lions earned 1^st Place in NY Met Union D2 league play, but lost a physical and grueling qualifier with the last place team of D1, New Rochelle HS.  In spite of the qualifier loss, because of the established club numbers and the team’s ability to field a B-Side for every match, the Lions were rewarded for their efforts by qualifying for promotion into Div. 1 for 2004 league play.  Additionally, the team toured for the first time to Washington DC and returned to Philadelphia for a match against another EPRU team.  Just like the year before, the Lions competed in the season ending state rugby championships, this time avenging our 2002 loss, becoming the new NJ High School Rugby champions.  (This time, there were 3 teams in the state!)  In 2 short years, the Morris Lions had established itself as a viable program, playing a consistent and sportsmanlike style of rugby.  Opposing players and their coaches praised the efforts of the players and coaching staff for developing a solid program in such a short period of time.

2004 saw continued success with team participation growing to over 50 members.  Div. I league play saw us competing against some of the top high school teams in the Northeast, with some success. Though not as successful in the win/loss column as in 2003, the Lions made a very respectable showing for a club competing in the top division in its 3^rd year of existence.  Highlights of the 2004 season included winning the High School Div. of the 2004 Long Island Tournament and the NJ High School Rugby Championships for the 2^nd consecutive year, played at the Jersey Cup.  Additionally, the Lions hosted a team from Cardiff, Wales for a match and social banquet and played in a benefit match for the New York Police and Fire Widows and Children’s Fund, held at VanCorlandt Park in the Bronx.

Sadly, the departure of Bob Karetsky brought about changes in coaching for the 2005 season.  A new coach was brought on board to replace Bob, Richard Dyer, from Brisbane, Australia.  Richard brought with him many years of coaching experience at the collegiate and club level, having coached some of the top clubs in the US.  Through his guidance, the Lions continued to raise the standard of play from previous years.  A U-15 side was formed, with their own team jerseys, due in part as a result of a generous sponsor.  Paid membership was the highest level of any previous year.  The Lions were even able to gain their first league win!!  Other league matches were close, but inconsistency was the team downfall.  We traveled to an early season tournament in Charlotte, NC, during which new players were able to gain a good understanding of the fundamentals of the game.  In May, the Lions traveled to Naples, Fla. and played against a high school team founded by Steve Young, the father of a former Morris Lion.  A politically correct draw was achieved with our hosts, but the boys vowed to return and give the hosts another go!!  Finally, 4 boys from the Lions were chosen to play for the Met. Union U-19 Select Side.  All four boys played vital parts in the success of the team as it played in 2 tournaments in June, winning the tournament in Baltimore and in the other tournament, placing 6^th out of 16 other Select Side teams from around the country.

New for 2006, The Lions have expanded to include a U-15 program in addition to the U-19 effort.  Players are drawn from over a dozen Morris, Essex, Sussex and Warren County community high schools and middle schools, both public and private.  In addition to homegrown talent, the Lions now have players that played in their native countries of England, Ireland, Wales, New Zealand, South Africa and Paraguay, countries where rugby is considered a national sport.

High School rugby is strictly a spring sport in the USA, hence the season starts in early-January when indoor training commences, and continues until mid-June.  The home ground for the Morris Lions is in front of Mennen Arena, on E. Hanover Ave. in Morristown, NJ.  The Lions complete their season by competing in the NJ State High School Rugby Championships, which are held as part of the Morris Rugby sponsored Jersey Cup Rugby Tournament.

The Morris Lions are associated with the Morris Rugby Football Club, which was founded in 1977.  Membership is open to all boys ages 12 to 19 interested in playing this contact sport, a sport that is played in most of the countries around the world.  Information about the Morris Lions, including contacts and our season schedule, can be found on the Morris Rugby website, www.morrisrugby.org.

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