By: Rachel Priddy

Severn River’s own Aldo Karamoy has recently earned the opportunity to play with Pro Rugby League Club, the DC Cavalry. The Cavalry’s home field is the Revolution Sportsplex in Leesburg, VA. The league is called NARL (North American Rugby League). For its inaugural season, the league includes four US-based teams (DC Cavalry, Atlanta Rhinos , Cleveland Rugby League, NY Rugby League) and one Canada-based team (Toronto Wolfpack).

For those of us not familiar with Rugby League, it is a 80 min full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players, not fifteen like Rugby Union. Rugby League limits possession to six tackles per set. After that, the possession has to switch to the opposing team. Another difference is the defending team must retreat 10 meters after every tackle. In Rugby League, when the ball goes out of play, it typically requires a scrum to restart the game, not a line-out. Scrums are also 6 players per team, not 8. Rugby League scoring is also a bit different: four points (not five) are awarded for a try, two for a conversion, two (not three) for a penalty kick, and one (not three) for a drop goal.

I sat down with Aldo to talk a bit about his journey.

1. How did you get involved with the Professional Rugby League Team, DC Cavalry?

“I got discovered when the DC Cavalry's owner, coach and captains watched the USA Rugby League championship game on Youtube Livestream. I played with the Delaware Blackfoxes, we lost vs Tampa, but they said I "have a great motor and played an amazing defense". They were really interested in watching me in person, so they attended the Capital Selects game. I played really well vs the Philly All-Star team, on both defense and offense. I managed to score two tries in 1 half. They offered me a spot on the roster after that game.”

2. How has your experience been so far?

“The experience has been great and challenging in a good way. I get to play with teammates that have prior professional experiences in MLR, pro competition overseas, and represent the USA Rugby League National team. So, every practice we push each other and compete to be on the travel/starting roster. We had our first home preseason game in May, where I earned the start at #13. We won 74-6. I scored a try and played solid defense. I am very excited to be on this journey. I am getting to play at the pro level with the DC Cavalry, and am also able to represent Severn River Rugby along the way!”

3. How did you get started playing rugby for Severn River?

“When I was at Frostburg State University, all 4 of my roommates/teammates played during summer and grew up playing with Severn River. I heard a lot of great things about the club, so when I moved to Baltimore, I wanted to check it out. Been here ever since, and never looked back!”

4. What do you like most about Severn River as a club?

“I love the family and community feel at the club, both on and off the field. From going on a mountain biking trip with the old boys and rugby trips to Savannah, to just hanging out and talking about each other's feelings with the boys.”

5. How has playing with Severn River helped develop your rugby skills?

“River had a great coaching staff with decades of experience. The love for the club that I and everyone else shares, motivates me to put in extra work outside of practice. That has definitely helped me become a better rugby player.”