Old Glory DC Names The St. James as Official Performance Training Partner
Washington Area Professional Rugby Team to Train in Springfield, Virginia
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 21, 2020) – Old Glory DC, Greater Washington’s professional rugby team, has established The St. James, the area’s premier sports, wellness and entertainment complex located in Springfield, Virginia, as its official Performance Training Partner for the 2021 Major League Rugby season.
This partnership will elevate Old Glory’s Major League Rugby (MLR) program, giving players and coaches use of the top-quality indoor complex, which includes a 110,000 sq. ft field house for rugby field sessions and a high-performance training center for strength and conditioning work, among many other features such as an Olympic-size swimming pool, two NHL-sized ice rink, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Old Glory will hold its preseason camp, in-season training, and strength and conditioning sessions therebetween February and August. Additionally, The St. James will play host to two much-anticipated Old Glory pre-season competitions with the U.S. Naval Academy and MLR’s New England Free Jacks.
“There’s not a better training set-up anywhere in MLR than Old Glory will have with The St. James,” said Old Glory chairman Chris Dunlavey. “The facility, the ownership, and the staff of The St. James are all first class, and it shows in their programs and operation. Now our coaches will have the optimal conditions to prepare our team for competition, even throughout the hard winter months of MLR’s pre-season.”
“From a rugby point of view, establishing The St. James as our performance training partner allows us to intensify our program,” notes Head Coach Andrew Douglas. “Previously, we had to travel a lot between our strength and conditioning sessions to our field sessions, whereas now we have everything we need under one roof. This training facility is second to none.”
“We’re excited to welcome Old Glory DC back to The St. James in an official partnership. They’re a top-notch club with a dedicated fan base that is responsible for the rapid growth of rugby as a sport in the Greater Washington area,” says Kendrick Ashton, co-owner and co-CEO of The St. James. “The incredible athletes are inspiring to our entire The St. James community, especially young athletes.”
In January 2020, the 450,000-square-foot indoor sports, entertainment, and wellness complex hosted two Old Glory preseason games, against Navy Rugby and MLR’s Rugby ATL, drawing 1,200 fans to the Field House per match. Old Glory DC will welcome back the Naval Academy on Friday, February 26, 2021, and face for the first time the New England Free Jacks on Friday, March 5.
“It was a great atmosphere in the Field House last season, and we hope to recreate that energy in 2021. I thought it was a great crowd, and the players certainly enjoyed it,” said Coach Douglas. “January and February are tough months in D.C., weatherwise so to be able to not worry about that sort of pressure and enjoy a game of rugby indoors was great. At this point in the preseason, it’s vital to focus on a game plan without having to worry about weather conditions.”
“The mood in the Complex on Old Glory game night is absolutely electric,” added Ashton. “Our members and guests love to come watch competitive play in a comfortable indoor arena.”
Old Glory DC 2021 season ticket holders will have exclusive access to preseason games under anticipated social distancing guidelines in 2021. Find all ticket options here.
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Old Glory DC
Old Glory is the first and only professional rugby team in the nation’s capital, Washington, DC. Established in 2018, Old Glory DC competes in Major League Rugby (MLR), a North American league that includes teams in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Toronto, Houston, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Austin, Seattle, Los Angeles and Dallas. The team was founded by life-long DC area residents, business leaders, and rugby players Chris Dunlavey and Paul Sheehy. In 2019, the Scottish Rugby Union joined the partnership, committing both financial investment and operational support to the organization. The 2021 Major League Rugby season kicks off on March 20th, 2021.
About The St. James
The St. James is the premier sports, wellness and entertainment destination in the country. Our mission is to maximize human potential by designing, developing and operating sports, wellness, entertainment and hospitality programs, services and experiences that engage, inspire and empower people to pursue their passions and be their best at play, at work and in life. The St. James aims to serve as the center of the universe in every community where it is located by delivering the most comprehensive combination of best-in-class sports and wellness venues, developmental and elite coaching, training and competition, five-star lifestyle experiences and family centered active fun all in an environment that engages, inspires and delights everyone that comes through our doors. For more information, please visit thestjames.com.
For Old Glory DC
Hope Allen
hopeallen@oldglorydc.com | 703-626-7023
For The St. James
Annie Johnson
