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Okapi Wanderers Rugby Football Club
Okapi Wanderers Rugby Football Club is an amateur club based in Weston, Florida established on 2014 that competes under Florida Youth Rugby Union and Florida Rugby Union. The history of Okapi Wanderers Rugby Club is as unusual as its name. The club was founded in October 2014, with 32 youngsters and a few parents. The pitch consisted of half a soccer field in a Weston Florida, at the Weston Regional Park. Okapi Wanderers Rugby FC founders Matthew Hayden, Leandro Gallo, Mariana Gallo, and Gavin McLeavy wanted do more than just start a rugby team; they wanted to bring the energy and culture of the rugby clubs that they remembered from their native countries of Argentina and England. Okapi Wanderers Rugby FC have grown from 32 players on October 2014 to become one of the largest clubs in the United States with more than 200 players for the 2017 season. The name Okapi Wanderers was chosen by the players who felt that an Okapi (A member of the giraffe family) was a suitable symbol to reflect the diversity of nationalities within the newly-formed club. The name said about the team that, “It’s a mix of different things, and we’re all different.” The “Wanderers” came from the fact that, in the club’s infancy, it had no fields on which to practice. Rugby Union is a true team-game with opportunities for players of all shapes, strengths, abilities and sizes, and is currently, the fastest-growing steam sport in the United States. Rugby was a newly-appointed Olympic entry in Rio 2016. Rugby in America is going from strength to strength. The vision of the founding members of Okapi Wanderers Rugby FC was to create, not just winning teams, but rather to build a supportive community environment around this great sport.With that idea in mind, it created a club structure designed to support the growth and development of the youngest U6 player to most senior of the Old Boys. The club is registered as a 501 (c)(3) Florida not for profit organization. Okapi Wanderers Rugby FC it's run by a dedicated and hard-working team of volunteers with the full support from the City of Weston. This partnership has allowed the club to have its own home-field at Tequesta Trace Park with lights and equipment. Okapi Wanderers RFC field eight divisions for the 2018 season: U9, U11, U13, U15, U17, U19, Men’s Florida D II and Old Boys. They have achieved success in their 2016 and 2017 season with teams clinching Florida championships. These winners were honored by the Mayor of the City of Weston, Daniel J. Stermer at City Hall in recognition of their achievements. The club was also excited as it's youth teams were selected to play an exhibition game during halftime of the Chile vs. USA ARC 2016 game to showcase the growth of rugby in the USA. Many of the club’s youth players have enjoyed high-level recognition with selection to represent the Florida select sides at Regional Cup Tournaments since it foundation with increasing numbers year after year, there they are seen by college recruiters and national scouts. Members have been invited to attend at USA Selection camps in as well as Florida South Panthers Camps. Okapi Wanderers Rugby FC continue to promote the growth of the sport.