NAPLES, a city in the Gulf Of Mexico in Florida, will host a season-opening Nines tournament on May 14.
The event is to be held at a new stadium, the 5000-capacity Paradise Coast Sports Complex, and will include open age men, open age women, under 19s and youth divisions.
The hosts are USA Rugby League side Copperheads and they say Carolina League Academy, Roots Rugby and Jamaica Hurricanes have already agreed to enter a total of five teams.
In addition, the Tampa Mayhem, winners of last year’s USARL competition, and South Florida RLFC men’s team have also entered according the to the national governing body.
The previously little-known Illinois Raptors would enter men’s and women’s teams, according to the USARL’s social media accounts.
Nines tournaments have previously be held in Carolina and Florida. The game in the United States is currently undergoing an administrative review due to the existence of multiple governing bodies.
