View source for Philadelphia Fight

{{short description|US semi-professional rugby league club, based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania}}
{{For|the AIDS service organization|Philadelphia FIGHT}} 
{{Infobox rugby league club
  | clubname   = Philadelphia Fight
  | image      = [[Image:Philadelphia Fight 2010.jpg|150px]] <!-- an image is optional -->
  | fullname   = Philadelphia Fight <br />Rugby League Football Club
  | nickname   = Philly, The Fight
  | shortname  = Fight
  | colours    = {{color box|Green}} Green<br />{{color box|Red}} Red
  | founded    = {{start date and years ago|1998}}
  | ground     = [[Garthwaite Stadium]]<br />[[Conshohocken, Pennsylvania]]
  | capacity   = 3,000
  | ceo        =
  | coach      = 
  | captain    = 
  | league     = [[USA Rugby League]]
  | season     = [[2018 USARL season|2018]]
  | position   = 
  | homejersey = 
  | awayjersey =

  | pattern_la2     = _green_hoops
  | pattern_b2      = _greenhoops
  | pattern_ra2     = _green_hoops
  | pattern_sh2     =
  | pattern_so2     = _hoops_green
  | leftarm2        = FF0000
  | body2           = FF0000
  | rightarm2       = FF0000

  | premierships          = 4 ([[USARL]])
  | premiershipyears      = [[2011 USARL season|2011]], [[2013 USARL season|2013]], [[2014 USARL season|2014]], [[2016 USARL season|2016]]
  
  | runnerups             = 2 ([[American National Rugby League|AMNRL]])
  | runnerupyears         = [[1998 AMNRL season|1998]], [[2000 AMNRL season|2000]]
  | minorpremierships     = 4 ([[USARL]])
  | minorpremiershipyears = [[2013 USARL season|2013]], [[2014 USARL season|2014]], [[2016 USARL season|2016]] (Undefeated Season)
  | spoons                = 
}}
The '''Philadelphia Fight''' are a semi professional [[rugby league]] team based in the [[Delaware Valley|Philadelphia metropolitan area]]. They currently compete in the [[USA Rugby League]], having formerly competed in the now defunct [[American National Rugby League|AMNRL]]. They play their home games at A. A. Garthwaite Stadium in [[Conshohocken, Pennsylvania]].

Originally known as the '''Philadelphia Bulldogs''', the team began play in 1998 as a charter member of the [[American National Rugby League]] (AMNRL). In 2007 the Fight reorganized, merging with another AMNRL team in the Philadelphia area, the [[Delaware Valley Mantarays]], in hopes of establishing a more competitive franchise for the future. During their run they made a total of six playoff appearances, advancing to the Grand Final in 1998 and 2000. In 2011 the Fight became one of seven teams to depart the AMRNL to form the USA Rugby League. They went on to win the league's inaugural Grand Final on August 27, 2011, also the 2013 and 2014 USARL Championship. The 2014 season, the Philadelphia Fight went undefeated winning all seven regular season and three playoff matches. Rhys Bowdich was named the 2014 National Championships MVP.

==History==
The Fight were founded in 1998 by Jeff Preston, and were originally known as the Philadelphia Bulldogs.<ref name=War>{{cite web |url= http://www.amnrl.com/news/07102007tenthbirthday.html|title= War at the Shore Turns Ten!|year= 2007|work= American National Rugby League News|publisher= amnrl.com|access-date=January 19, 2011}}</ref> That year they became a charter franchise in [[Super League America]], the predecessor to the modern [[American National Rugby League]]. One of several teams to have been based in the [[Philadelphia]] area, they participated in the first ever War at the Shore event, an early attempt to introduce rugby league to the United States.<ref name=War/> They experienced significant success in the league's early years, going to the playoffs in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2002, and advancing to the Grand Final in 1998 and 2000. They further won the 2002 Mother's Day Sevens Championship. However, their on-field prominence declined through the 2000s as the AMNRL continued to expand. In 2007 the Fight and another team in suburban Philadelphia, the [[Delaware Valley Mantarays]], announced they would be merging in order to build a more competitive franchise for the future.<ref name=merge>{{cite web |url= http://www.amnrl.com/news/03132007fightmantarysmerge.html|title= Fight and Mantarays Merge to Form a Formidable Combination in Philadelphia|date= March 24, 2007|work= American National Rugby League News|publisher= amnrl.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218034826/http://www.amnrl.com/news/03132007fightmantarysmerge.html |archive-date= February 18, 2009| access-date=April 28, 2011}}</ref> The merged franchise was restructured with a constitution and recognized Board of Directors and CEO, forming a Limited Liability Company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightrugby.com/profile_listing.php?profile_id=89 |title=Jeff Preston &#124;&#124; Profiles &#124;&#124; Philadelphia Fight Rugby |access-date=2010-07-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711001640/http://www.fightrugby.com/profile_listing.php?profile_id=89 |archive-date=2011-07-11 }}</ref> They made further playoff runs in the [[2009 AMNRL season|2009]] and [[2010 AMNRL season|2010 seasons]].

On January 12, 2011, the Philadelphia Fight were one of seven teams to leave the AMNRL to form the new [[USA Rugby League]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=38212|title= Discord 2011: Edition 2|last1= Mascord|first1= Steve|date= January 12, 2011|work= rleague.com|access-date= January 14, 2011|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110222174256/http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=38212|archive-date= February 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbymag.com/news/clubs/mensclubs/new-rugby-league-competition-announced.aspx|title=New Rugby League Competition Announced|date=January 12, 2011|work=rugbymag.com|publisher=Rugby Magazine|access-date=January 14, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122061503/http://www.rugbymag.com/news/clubs/mensclubs/new-rugby-league-competition-announced.aspx|archive-date=January 22, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Code13>{{cite web|url=http://www.code13rugbyleague.com/2011/01/12/breakaway-league-launched-in-the-us/|title=Breakaway league launched in the US|date=January 12, 2011|work=code13rugbyleague.com|access-date=January 14, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116021032/http://www.code13rugbyleague.com/2011/01/12/breakaway-league-launched-in-the-us/|archive-date=January 16, 2011}}</ref> On January 13, 2011, the league announced that Philadelphia Fight chairman Peter Illfield would be the league's first Chairman.<ref name=chair>{{cite web|url= http://www.fightrugby.com/news/395/usa-rugby-league-name-chairmanthe-fights-own-peter-illfield|title= USA Rugby League name a Chairman-the Fight's own Peter Illfield|date= January 13, 2011|work= Philadelphia Fight Rugby News and Press|publisher= fightrugby.com|access-date= January 13, 2011|archive-date= January 16, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110116045048/http://fightrugby.com/news/395/usa-rugby-league-name-chairmanthe-fights-own-peter-illfield|url-status= dead}}</ref>

The Fight finished third over all in the 2011 regular season. After defeating the [[Washington D.C. Slayers]] in the semi-finals, they hosted the [[New Haven Warriors]] in the inaugural Grand Final. Philadelphia won the game 28-26, taking home their first ever national championship.<ref name=Andruczyk>{{cite web |url= http://www.rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com/index.php/2011/08/its-hard-to-keep-a-game-of-rugby-league-down/|title= It's Hard to Keep a Game of Rugby League Down |author= Daniel Andruczyk|date= August 28, 2011|work= rugbyleagueinternationalscores.com |access-date=August 30, 2011}}</ref>

The Philadelphia Fight currently play their home games at A. A. Garthwaite Stadium in [[Conshohocken, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="fightrugby.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.fightrugby.com/d.php |title=:: Philadelphia Fight Rugby |access-date=2010-07-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722062650/http://www.fightrugby.com/d.php |archive-date=2010-07-22 }}</ref> The local Valley Tavern in the Valley Forge Casino resort serves as their official clubhouse.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.fightrugby.com/cause_listing.php?profile_id=64 |title=Kildare's Irish Pub &#124;&#124; Causes & Sponsors &#124;&#124; Philadelphia Fight Rugby |access-date=2010-07-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713140626/http://fightrugby.com/cause_listing.php?profile_id=64 |archive-date=2010-07-13 }}</ref> Thirteen players have represented the US in International matches playing for the Tomahawks, the [[United States national rugby league team]]. The Fight has a strong charity involvement with the ALS Association of  the Greater Philadelphia Area, to help fight Lou Gehrig's disease.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightrugby.com/cause_listing.php?profile_id=59 |title=ALS Association of Greater Philadelphia &#124;&#124; Causes & Sponsors &#124;&#124; Philadelphia Fight Rugby |access-date=2010-07-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815021637/http://fightrugby.com/cause_listing.php?profile_id=59 |archive-date=2010-08-15 }}</ref>

==USARL season summaries==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%" style="font-size:90%"
|+ C=Champions, R=Runners-up, F=Finished first, P=Playoff Appearance, L=Finished Last<br /> (Brackets Represent Playoff Games)
! Competition !! Games<br />Played !! Games<br />Won !! Games<br />Drawn !! Games<br />Lost !! Ladder<br />Position !! width="2%"|C !! width="2%"|R !! width="2%"|F !! width="2%"|P !! width="2%"|L !! Coach!! Captain!! Notes
|-
| <div style="text-align: center;">[[2011 USARL season]]</div> ||8 (2)||6 (2)||0||2 (0)||3/8|| <div style="text-align: center;">C</div>  || ||  || <div style="text-align: center;">P</div> ||  || rowspan="3" | <div style="text-align: center;">Peter Illfield</div> || rowspan="1" | <div style="text-align: center;">Ryan Douglas</div> ||<div style="text-align: center;">''' '''</div>
|-
| <div style="text-align: center;">[[2012 USARL season]]</div> ||8 (1)||6 (0)||0||2 (1)||2/8|| || ||  || <div style="text-align: center;">P</div> || || rowspan="1" | <div style="text-align: center;">Ryan Douglas</div> ||<div style="text-align: center;">''' '''</div>
|-
| <div style="text-align: center;">[[2013 USARL season]]</div> ||8 (2)||7 (2)||0||1 (0)||1/8|| C
| ||  F
| <div style="text-align: center;">P</div> || || rowspan="1" | <div style="text-align: center;">Joel Weeks</div> ||<div style="text-align: center;">''' '''</div>
|-
| <div style="text-align: center;">[[2014 USARL season]]</div> ||8 (2)||8 (2)||0||0 (0)||1/8|| <div style="text-align: center;">C</div>  || ||  F
| <div style="text-align: center;">P</div> ||  || rowspan="4" | <div style="text-align: center;">Rich Henson</div> || rowspan="1" | <div style="text-align: center;">Rhys Bowdich</div> ||<div style="text-align: center;">''' '''</div>
|-
| <div style="text-align: center;">[[2015 USARL season]]</div> ||8 (2)||8 (1)||0||0 (1)||1/8|| || ||  F
| <div style="text-align: center;">P</div> || || rowspan="1" | <div style="text-align: center;">Rhys Bowdich</div> ||<div style="text-align: center;">''' '''</div>
|-
| <div style="text-align: center;">[[2016 USARL season]]</div> ||8 (3)||8 (3)||0||0 (0)||1/8|| C
| ||  F
| <div style="text-align: center;">P</div> || || rowspan="1" | <div style="text-align: center;">Rhys Bowdich</div> ||<div style="text-align: center;">''' '''</div>
|-
|2017 USARL season
|8 (0)
|3 (0)
|0
|5 (0)
|7/8
|
|
|
|
|
|Rich Henson
|
|}

==Logo and colors==
[[File:Philadelphia Fight.png|right|thumb|100px|Team badge used until 2010]]
For the 2009 season the club adopted a similar uniform to that of the Australian [[National Rugby League]] team the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]; that being the colors of [[Red]] and [[Green]] hoops.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Team photo | url=http://www.amnrl.com/graphx/fight1.jpg | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225956/http://www.amnrl.com/graphx/fight1.jpg | archive-date=2007-09-27}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.amnrl.com/teams/fight.html AMNRL – American National Rugby League<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Until 2010 the club's badge used the Rabbitoh's colors as well as featuring a stylized [[Liberty Bell]] as the design on a ring worn by a clenched fist. Behind the fist trailed a representation of the [[Delaware River]]. In 2010, the club, along with other AMNRL teams, adopted a new badge that retained the fist of the earlier design.

==Stadium==
The Philadelphia Fight currently play their home games at A. A. Garthwaite Stadium, 11th and Harry Streets, [[Conshohocken, Pennsylvania]].<ref name="fightrugby.com"/> The local [[Kildare's Irish Pub]] in [[Manayunk, Pennsylvania|Manayunk]] serves as their official clubhouse.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

==Honors==
*'''[[American National Rugby League|AMNRL Championship titles]]: 0'''
::  1998, 2000 Grand Finalists

*'''[[USA Rugby League|USARL]]''': 
::'''Winners (4)''': 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016,

==International caps==
{{div col|colwidth=35em|small=yes}}
* [[Jeff Preston]] {{rl|United States}}
* Brian Warren {{rl|United States}}
* [[Vea Ofa]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Conway Maraki]] {{rl|New Zealand}}
* [[Mo Tuifua]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Ryan McGough]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Alan Chmielewski]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[David Bowe (rugby league)|David Bowe]] {{rl|New Zealand}}
* [[Keith Cassidy]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Chris Vely]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Jared Frymoyer]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Larry Madden]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Marlon Steele]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Stephen Siano]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Louis Tulio]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Patrick Kelly (rugby league)|Patrick Kelly]] {{rl|United States}}
* [[Fraser Stirling]] {{rl|Scotland}}
{{div col end}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Philadelphia|Pennsylvania}}
*[[Sports in Philadelphia]]
*[[Rugby league in the United States]]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
;Official websites
*[http://www.fightrugby.com] Fightrugby.com
*[http://www.philadelphiafight.com] Philadelphiafight.com
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130527205619/http://fightrugbyleague.com/] Fightrugbyleague.com

{{Rugby League in the USA}}
{{Philadelphia Sports}}
{{Pennsylvania Sports}}

[[Category:American National Rugby League teams]]
[[Category:USA Rugby League teams]]
[[Category:Rugby clubs established in 1998]]
[[Category:Sports in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Sports clubs and teams in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Rugby league in Pennsylvania]]