Announcing the The Stewart Shield competition. 

 The competition will consist of the current top four Super League teams in the East. New York Athletic Club, Boston Irish Wolfhounds and the Potomac Athletic Club will all be joining Old Blue in this home/away match series. 

 "All of the East Coast RSL clubs were invited, but not all were prepared to be included; fortunately those who have been the most successful recently have agreed," said Old Blue head coach Paul Keeler.

"The purpose of Stewart Shield is to try and increase the level of competition that our players experience. Many of the RSL clubs in the East are of the opinion that the current eligibility rules and local area unions, by seeking to limit who can play based on previous RSL selection, restrict competition. This group of friendly matches seeks to provide a much needed increase in competition."

 The Stewart Shield is named for former Old Blue Michael Stewart who represented the Old Blue RFC on the pitch from 1981 to 1989. He excelled at flanker, in the best tradition of outstanding Old Blue forwards and their renowned reputation for a relentless style of play. He was twice selected captain of the Old Blue's 1st XV, serving consecutively in the

1983/84 and 1984/85 seasons.  An exceptionally gentle and soft-spoken man off the field, Michael displayed extreme fitness to provide Old Blue with great pressure and support from the rear row, and was an unerring tackler.  He was exceptional in open play, particularly in the rucking game, and offered constant support in the attack.

 Born in turbulent Belfast, Ireland and a graduate of Stirling University in Scotland, where he played for the Scottish Universities, Michael first visited the United States in 1980.  He earned an MBA at California's Pepperdine University, and his U.S. citizenship in 1990.

Michael was, at 42 years of age, working as a Vice President of Carr Futures in the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11,

2001 when he lost his life, along with thousands of other Americans, in the infamous attack.

 The Old Blue RFC are privileged to have to known Michael, and to have been able to count him as one of their most devoted own.  He exemplified the best in the Old Blue RFC on the pitch and, foremost, in life as a man.

Schedule will be posted on the fixtures page shortly.