Chicago Blaze Homecoming was a great tribute to old Clubhouse!

Couldn’t of asked for better conditions to play one of our biggest rival’s the South Side Irish, but the Blaze fell short in our Homecoming match celebrating the old clubhouse. Our queen will be torn down this fall to make room for a $1,000,000 multi-purpose building which will be centered with the main pitch of Thornley Fields. We currently are 1-1 in Chicago Area Rugby Football Union’s Division 2 and will have a chance for revenge at the SSI on November 15 in the last match of the season.

The Chicago Blaze Rugby Club is blazing a trail on and off the Pitch.

The Chicago Blaze, formed in 1982 has a rich and storied history. At a pivotal point in our club’s development, the fire is blazing higher with the building of a new state of the art rugby centric facility on our property.

The new clubhouse will contain both the social area with a bar and kitchen to refresh our selves and locker and training rooms to clean up into our # 1’s. It will be centrally located off our main pitch’s west try zone where we will be able to watch games from balcony, patio or inside on a rainy day.

The Blaze have played our home games on Thornley Fields in Lemont, Il since 1990, purchasing a farm and began converting it 30 years ago in 1984. Currently, Thornley Fields consists of three pitches, all featuring an underground sprinkling system, making them the lushest in the midwest. Two fields are lighted for practice and night matches. Our property also currently contains a clubhouse, locker room, shower room, training room, concession room, picnic shelter and garage. The new facility is a dream that has finally become a reality, as we will break ground this summer, with completion for Grand Opening matches spring 2015.

On the field the Blaze will be competing in USA Rugby Division 2 & 4 and will be starting our High School program spring of ‘15 competing in Illinois Youth Rugby’s Division 3. Our goal entering every fall season is to qualify for both the Midwest and National Championships. Entering his second year of coaching the Blaze, former BYU All American Craig Clark, brings his great knowledge and passion for the game to every training and match.

Trainings are every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm. Match days are usually Saturday at 1pm, with some played under the lights on either Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights. Thornley fields, the home of the Blaze, are easily accessed from anywhere in the South and Western Suburbs just under a mile off I-355 at 127th St.
The camaraderie amongst rugby players is known worldwide and with over 30 years of Blaze brotherhood, ours continues to grow stronger on and off the pitch.

We are proudly sponsored by Athletico Physical Therapy, Argus Brewery, Rhino Rugby USA, Tighthead Brewing Company, Nick’s Tavern, Cobb Team Homes, Cheers Productions, and Stonehouse Pub
We would like to extend our gratitude to the sponsors who get us ready with great equipment to train with Rhino, patch us up Athletico, refreshes our thirst Argus & Tighthead Brewerys, Nick’s and Stonehouse who provide a home away from home and Cheers for supplying the beats at our socials.

There are many opportunities still to sponsor the Chicago Blaze or invest in Blaze Stock for the new facility.

Please contact Norm Smyth Chicago Blaze Alumni Director if interested in sponsoring or investing in the Blaze at:

phone (708)308-8997

normsmyth@yahoo.com

We are also inviting new and experienced rugby players to become brothers in sport and life, for our Men’s and Boys’ HS teams which will begin play in spring of ‘15.
If interested in learning more about Chicago Blaze Rugby Club please contact our Recruitment Chairman Vidal Martinez
phone: (779)225-3647
email: vmarti12@yahoo.com

Blaze Facility address is:
13011 Smith Rd.
Lemont, Il
chicagoblazerugby.com