When Major League Rugby arrived in North Texas, the Dallas Harlequins were fully committed to supporting the development of professional pathways.
As the Dallas Jackals prepared to launch, the Harlequins established an official affiliate relationship with the franchise, creating a pathway that connected grassroots rugby, elite amateur competition, player development, and the professional game. Over the following years, that partnership would see players, coaches, administrators, analysts, and rugby leaders move between the two organizations, helping strengthen rugby throughout the region.
More Than an Affiliate
Many clubs can claim to have produced professional players; even more have seen them come in and out of their proverbial doors.
Few can say they were active in launching the organization itself.
The connection between the Harlequins and the Jackals extended far beyond the playing roster. As the franchise established its identity, numerous members of the Harlequins community became integral parts of the Jackals operation.
Elaine Vassie, a former Harlequins Director of Rugby, joined the Jackals organization and became a key figure in Major League Rugby. She served as General Manager and helped steer the franchise through its difficult start. Initially hired as an Assistant GM and the first woman to hold a managerial role in MLR, Elaine took on multiple responsibilities, including head coach, during the team’s challenging launch period.
Former Harlequins President John Conmee played an important role behind the scenes as the relationship between the organizations developed and professional rugby took root in North Texas.
Quins Suite @ Choctaw Stadium Supporting the Dallas Jackals
The club’s influence could also be found throughout the rugby department. Texas Rugby Hall of Famer Michael Engelbrecht served as Head Coach of the Jackals Academy, helping identify and develop the next generation of professional players. Terance Hargest became a key figure in the organization as Director of Community Engagement and Academy Director, helping grow the game throughout the region while building development pathways for aspiring athletes. Several players (and coaches) involved with the Jackals Academy also became Quins as a result.
Behind the scenes, UNT grad and Quin, Seth Heldman, contributed to the professional environment through analytics and film review, bringing modern performance analysis to the organization.
From executive leadership to player development and performance operations, Harlequins were helping shape the Jackals at nearly every level.
The Pathway to Professional Rugby
The affiliate relationship also provided opportunities for Harlequins players to pursue professional rugby without leaving home.
Several Quins earned contracts or development opportunities with the Jackals as the franchise assembled its roster. Among them were Sweeper Knox, Dylan Carrion, Matt Frings, Romain “Frenchie” Gadeaux, Jarek Szopinski, and Veramu Dikidikilati.
Matt Frings became part of Jackals history when he scored the first home try in franchise history, a milestone that remains one of the most memorable moments from the club’s early years.
Frenchie went on to become a regular contributor for the Jackals, while numerous former Quins continued to test themselves at the professional level as the franchise grew.
The pathway also included players such as Danny Carlton, who had previously represented and coached the Harlequins before earning opportunities with the Jackals. Maikeli Naromaitoga, who played for Dallas in 2019, likewise continued his rugby journey through Major League Rugby and other high-level programs across North America.
For aspiring rugby players in North Texas, the message was clear: the route from club rugby to the professional game was real, visible, and achievable.
A Two-Way Street
The relationship benefited both organizations.
While Harlequins players advanced into the professional ranks, numerous Jackals players also found a home within the Harlequins community. Whether returning from injury, seeking additional game time, or simply becoming part of the local rugby scene, Jackals players regularly pulled on the famous Harlequin jersey.
Players who represented both organizations included Luke Rizzo, Ryheem Powell, JP Aguirre, Evan Conlon, Jason Tidwell, Jalen Tatum, Asa Carter, and many others.
The result was a uniquely interconnected rugby environment. Young players training with the Harlequins were able to learn from professional athletes, while Jackals players became active contributors to the broader rugby community in North Texas.
A Shared Mission
The Dallas Jackals era represented a significant milestone in the growth of rugby across Texas. For the first time, local players could realistically aspire to progress from youth rugby to club rugby and ultimately to the professional game without leaving the region.
The Dallas Harlequins played an important role in making that vision a reality.
Through an official affiliate partnership, the club supplied players, coaches, analysts, administrators, academy staff, and community leaders. Just as importantly, the relationship created opportunities for countless athletes to develop their skills and pursue rugby at the highest level available in North America.
The partnership demonstrated what can happen when a historic club and a professional franchise work toward a common goal.
While players came and went, the impact of that relationship remains visible today in the coaches developed, careers launched, and pathways created for the next generation of rugby players in North Texas.
While we miss the Dallas Jackals, we look forward to what comes next, and will continue to help pioneer the growth of rugby in the DFW, in Texas, and beyond!
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