Oregon Sports Union (ORSU) Rugby

The Oregon Sports Union ( ORSU ) is a Portland, Oregon area senior rugby club. The Jesters Rugby Club was founded in 1974 and incorporated into ORSU in August 1989. The ORSU women's rugby team debuted in 1994, and remains the only Division 1 women's rugby club in Oregon. ORSU is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  

In 1989, the club founders located 6 acres of property twenty minutes south of downtown Portland in suburban West Linn, which was purchased as a future base.  Nicknamed Fuller's Farm or "The Farm," the property has been developed through volunteer labor and ambitious fundraising into a full size rugby field with a clubhouse and parking lot. This is the only facility of its type in our region and is a source of pride for all who have contributed to its development. 

ORSU is a member of USA Rugby (USARFU), and competes in the Pacific Northwest Rugby Union (PNRFU) league of the Pacific Coast Rugby Football Union (PCRFU) territory. We field two senior men's sides, two women's sides and an Old Boys squad. ORSU draws its players from the entire Portland metropolitan area, and has a  current club roster of over 100 members. We also actively support the Oregon Youth Rugby program to encourage the development of rugby's next generation. 

The Pacific Northwest men's league season runs from August through November, restarts in February, and finishes in May with playoffs. Most recently, the Men's DII team finished in the 9th -12th place bracket at 2012 National Playoffs. ORSU finished the 2011-2012 season with the best record DII in PNRFU, and went all the way to the National Sweet 16. ORSU competed in both the PNRFU and PCRFU playoffs in 2011 and 2010 as well.

The women's league schedule is in the fall, with playoffs in November, while the spring season focuses on developmental/friendly play. The women's team were undefeated in league play, earning the 2011 CR1 League Championship (USA Rugby Competitive Region 1, which includes all D1 teams on the West coast, from SoCal and Arizona through NorCal, Oregon, and Washington). The ORSU women were also the 2006, 2007, and 2008 PNRFU D1 champions, and in 2009-2010 competed in the USA Rugby Women's Premier League (WPL) which is a national competition comprised of the top eight teams in the US. In Spring 2011, the ORSU Women decided to move back to Division 1, allowing for rebuilding of team resources while still facing excellent opponents along the Pacific Coast.

ORSU players continue to represent in local-area, territorial, and national select sides. We are committed to advancing our program through travel to top level competition, achievement at post-season playoffs, and attracting foreign competition, such as past tours by teams from Auckland, New Zealand and the University of Western Australia in Perth. We welcome international players and can assist with accommodations and employment.

Players of any level of experience and fans, knowledgeable and novice alike, are welcome to join us in enjoying the greatest game on Earth.

Jesters Founders List - Lifetime Members