South Florida Speed is perfect for Rugby League

South Florida Speed is the latest club to join the Southern Conference of the USARL and they are ambitious. Ryan Forston is the Founder of the club and he explained how they came into existence.

“The club was started with the primary goal to bring rugby league to urban South Florida communities. There are too many athletes here not to capitalize on. South Florida is an NFL breeding ground and football players can make some very exciting rugby players.

“The name embodies all of South Florida. When people come here most of the time they just think of Miami. There are three large counties (Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade) that make up our home. We wanted to create a team that everyone could lean on and support.

“The response that we have had locally and from around the world has been great. The international rugby league community is more closely knit and inviting than rugby union. That surprised me. As soon as we released some fan gear, people from all over the globe started to buy. I didn’t know we were being watched by anyone outside of the States.

“Rugby League is a good fit for this community because it is closer to the rules of American football. American football dominates here so with the rules being so close it makes the transition into rugby easier.

“Our goal is to go all the way whilst some of the USARL have depleted teams. We have the athletic ability to do so. We are working on our understanding of the sport now what you might call our IQ for the sport.”

The Speed started their season on the road at the South-West Florida Copperheads and came up against a tough opponent who beat them 40 – 6. There is an immediate chance for revenge however with the reverse fixture and the Speed’s first home game, this Saturday at their Miami Gardens ground.