Dan Benedict has a passion for the sport of rugby. The Lafayette College head coach is also a prominent figure in the Lehigh Valley’s formation of the sport, bringing athletes from Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton to form what is known today as Allentown Blues Rugby Football Club.

The organization is a nonprofit corporation, founded in 1967, representing high school and men’s summer 7’s, and youth and high school 15-a-side rugby teams. The Blues’ main purpose is to promote the game of rugby in Eastern Pennsylvania. The Blues are full members of USA Rugby and Rugby Pennsylvania.

“We’ve been around for a while, and I think the sport is growing,” said Benedict. “We are always looking for more players to join, and we are expanding our teams.”

The Blues are adding an Under 15 team and a Women’s team this year for the first time.

There are sign ups every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Iron Run Fitness at West End Youth Center in Allentown. There will be a big sign up and introduction to the sport of rugby on Saturday, January 7 at Iron Lakes Sports Club in Orefield.

Benedict has been a part of the organization for 17 years. He has been the head coach at Lafayette for the past seven years, and his team has played against Division I competition, including Lehigh, every year. The Mountain Hawks had their first rugby club in 1963, along with Moravian College.

The Allentown Blues were formed to play an exhibition match with Lehigh in 1966, while the first year of USA Rugby was not until 1975. The first full season with Allentown Blues was in 1967.

“We’ve been around for a long time, and it is really something special,” said Benedict. “Rugby has a great history in the Lehigh Valley, and we are trying to keep that going.”

The 2017 schedule begins on March 17. The boys division features teams from Blackthorn, North Philadelphia, the Hibernians, North East Raiders, Allentown, Saucon Valley and Coventry.

The Shanty on 19th Street Restaurant, along with Iron Run Orthopedics with Dr. Patrick M. Sewards, and West End Youth Center are major sponsors for the organization, but the Blues still find themselves behind the eight ball when it comes to their competition.

“It is tough competing with the Philly teams because of finances they have whereas we don’t have that,” said Benedict. “They all have nice uniforms and facilities, and it shows on the field in competition.”

Practices are at the West End Youth Center, and home games are played at Scheresville Field and Wehr’s Damn. More information can be found at www.rugbyblues.org.