Club History

For over fifty years, the Harlequins have been one of the top clubs in the United States, having earned their way to the “Final Four” of the National Rugby Championships six times. In 1983, the Club reached the Championship finals in Chicago, and in 1984, the Harlequins won the National Club Championship in Hartford, Connecticut, defeating the Los Angeles Rugby Club by 31 points to 12. Since that time, the Harlequins have finished third in the National Championships four times: 1986, 1991, 1992, and 1995. In 1997, the Harlequins contributed to founding the Rugby Super League, the highest level of club rugby in the USA at the time. During the Super League’s tenure, the Harlequins made the RSL playoffs in 2003, 2004, 2007, and 2009. More recently, the Dallas Harlequin Womxn made 7s nationals in 2024 and 2025. The Men joined them in 2025. Of the more than 2500 rugby clubs in the United States, few have matched the Harlequins’ success at the national level.

The Harlequins became the first Texas RFU club to defeat a visiting team from outside the United States when they defeated the Baillou Club of Nassau, Bahamas in 1972. The Club has also hosted visiting international sides from Argentina, Kenya, South Africa, England, New Zealand, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, Australia, and the Cayman Islands. Our most recent match came in 2025, against Marlow RFC out of Great Britain. In 1983, the Dallas Harlequins RFC became the only Western Hemisphere club to affiliate with the team for whom they were named: the prestigious Harlequin FC of London, England. We’ve maintained that association since, and were also affiliated with the Dallas Jackals MLR team during its existence. In 2023, we started reconnecting with the 40+ Harlequin clubs from around the world. Many great things have happened as a result, including an exchange with the Future Hope Harlequins out of Kolkata India, part of Khelo Rugby. In partnership with them, we brought Akash Balmiki to the U.S. for a year. He became an integral part of our success during his stay. Akash has represented India & West Bengal countless times, including as a Captain. Most recently, he also captained the Mumbai Dreamers in the Indian Rugby Premier League – featuring countless international superstars.

The Building Blocks of Success

Our storied club history includes more than just senior rugby! Our Harlequin Colts program has helped develop many incredible players who have represented the club at age-grade levels and beyond. Of course, we have to recognize historic Quins Jason and Keegan Engelbrecht, as well as Quin legends like Blake Rodgers, Taylor Mokate, and Justin Boyd. In 2014 and 2018, the Quin Colts won the Texas State High School Championships.

In 2023, after a brief hiatus, we re-established the Quin Youth under the leadership of Josh Cash. In their first year, they didn’t lose a game! Many of the players are multi-sport athletes dominating at Football and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as well.

The Club’s roster has included members with international credentials as well, including: Kenneth Dalgleish (Scotland), Barry Bresnihan (Ireland and the British Lions), Gawie Visagie and Naas Botha (South Africa), Sang Shin (Korea), Fernando Albieri (Brazil), Dirk Laurence (Trinidad and Tobago) and Sione Tu’uta (Tonga). More recently, it has also included Takudza ‘Zee’ Ngwenya (USA), Veramu Dikidikilati (Fiji), Dmontae Noble (USA), Corey Jones (USA), Darius Law (USA), and Reese Francis (Mexico).

In 1997, the Dallas Harlequins became one of the founding members of the USA Premier Rugby Super League. The Super League was formed to promote competition among the strongest clubs across the country on an annual basis.  It was the predecessor to pro rugby in America, and a direct influence on the Premiership conferences. The Harlequins played other perennial national rugby powerhouses – such as San Francisco Golden Gate, New York Athletic Club, Life University, and the Denver Barbarians. We competed in the conference until its end.

The Dallas Harlequins Rugby Football Club currently fields Premier (D1) mens and womxns sides, as well as a D3 men’s side. We also compete in 35+ tournaments with our seniors, and offer rugby for youth from U8-U18. During the summer, we compete nationally at the Premier 7s level, as well as locally for the TOLA championship. A club with a varied membership, the Harlequins range in age from 6 to early 40’s and include: teachers and coaches, business executives and professionals, lawyers, construction workers and craftsmen. While many players are native Texans, the roster has featured many players from other states with additional flavor coming from Great Britain, Ireland, France, Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Trinidad, Mexico, Belize, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Tonga, Kenya, Jamaica, Korea, Japan, India, the Bahamas, and Canada. Visiting and resident “ruggers”, whether active or former players, administrators or coaches, are always welcome at the pitch and in the pub. The Harlequins train each Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Glencoe Park in Dallas just east of North Central Expressway at McCommas. All home matches are also played at Glencoe Park.