Rugby United New York signed Trevor Cassidy for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. The 31-year-old lock is 6’4″ and 245 lbs.
Trevor is from Rutland, Vermont and attended Rutland Senior High School. He began playing rugby at age 14 with Rutland Rugby Club and has played on the Under-19s and the Men’s Club sides. At age 19, Trevor moved to New York City and played with New York Rugby Club. He then went to Australia and played with the West Brisbane Bulldogs and to Cape Town, South Africa in 2012 to play with Villager RFC. He then returned to New York and resumed playing rugby.
In 2013 Trevor was selected to play in the Americas Rugby Championship in British Columbia with the USA Selects. He switched his New York allegiance to Old Blue and has continued with the team ever since. While with Old Blue, the team advanced to the USA Rugby Club Nationals quarterfinals in 2014, he has played on the American Rugby Premiership side and won the 2018 Elite Cup, after an undefeated ARP campaign.
Trevor rise through the rugby ranks is interesting as he never played age-grade or college rugby, and he did not appear for RUNY during the exhibition season in 2018. His ties to Mike Tolkin, who coached the USA Selects and after a strong fall campaign with Old Blue, resulted in his signing with RUNY for 2019.
Trevor is a fitness trainer for Crunch Fitness in New York.
Rugby United New York Comments
“Cassidy is a physical lock who loves being in the trenches doing the gritty work for the team. He is always sure to be getting his fair share of contact, whether that be on defense or running with the ball.”
Having seen various rugby cultures during his time overseas, Cassidy is beyond excited to help grow the game in his second home of New York. He states: “I was thrilled to see a professional competition within the US that the rugby community rallied behind. I know there’s a huge market for rugby in the States and all that it needs is exposure. I expect that this season RUNY and rugby as a whole, will win over plenty of new fans and maybe even some kids who are the leagues next superstars.”
“His physicality, presence and worldwide experience are huge additions to the RUNY squad and the coaches, players and ownership are stoked to have him on board.”
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