named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Lion Cubs Youth Rugby
Youth program introducing children to rugby with an emphasis on safety, inclusion, skill development, and fun.
Lion Kings
35-and-over "Old Boys" team providing veteran players with continued participation through competitive and social matches.
Men's 15s
Competitive men's rugby team currently playing in Empire Geographic Union Division 3, offering opportunities for players of all levels and backgrounds.
Men's Sevens
Men's 7s program competing in the Northeast Sevens Championship Series, serving as a high-performance platform for advanced athletes.
Women's+ 15s
Women's competitive rugby team participating in the Empire GU D1/D2 Hybrid League, with a history of national championship appearances.
Women's+ Sevens
Women's 7s team that won the 2019 Empire GU Championship Series title and participates in regional tournaments.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Youth and Amateur Rugby Development 3 activities
- Operate women's+ 15s rugby programHas operated a women's+ rugby program for 25 years, fielding competitive teams with achievements including multiple championships such as the DII Northeast title in 2011 and 2015, National Final Four appearance in 2015, and participation in national championship series.
- Operate women's+ sevens rugby programLaunched a Women's+ 7s rugby program in 2016, winning the Empire GU Sevens Series title in 2019, and regularly fields both competitive and social teams during the summer tournament season.
- Operate youth rugby program (Lion Cubs)Runs a youth rugby initiative called Lion Cubs launched in the fall to introduce children across New York City to rugby, providing a safe and inclusive environment for skill development, social connection, and confidence building.
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Amateur Sports Competition Programming 1 activity
- Conduct domestic and international rugby toursOrganizes and participates in domestic and international rugby tours, including trips to Louisiana, Amsterdam/Copenhagen/Stockholm, Italy, England/Ireland, Argentina, Portugal/Spain, and participation in events across the U.S., fostering cultural exchange and competitive engagement.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Host Hall of Fame celebration and recognition eventsHosts a Hall of Fame celebration to honor the 25-year legacy of the women's+ program and will induct three individuals during the club’s 35th Anniversary Celebration in New York, NY, recognizing long-term contributions to the club.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Provide club governance and operational support structuresProvides formal governance through club by-laws and player handbooks, offers incident reporting mechanisms, and supports administrative functions to ensure safe and organized club operations.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Operate competitive men's 15s rugby programFields a competitive men's 15s rugby team currently participating in Empire Geographic Union Division 3, with a history of championships including the Met NY third division title in 1991 and the DII title in 1992, and qualification for the DII National Championship from 2002 to 2008, winning the national title in 2002.
- Operate men's sevens rugby programRuns a high-performance Men's Sevens program that serves as a testing ground for advanced strategies, recognized as one of the fastest-rising teams in the Northeast region, and regularly participates in tournaments such as the Las Vegas 7s and Savannah St. Paddy’s Day Tournament.
- Operate veteran rugby program (Lion Kings)Established the Lion Kings in 2001 for veteran players with limited availability due to work and family commitments, developing it into a structured squad with regular spring and fall competition, deep roster, and rivalries with teams like the Connecticut Greys and Gentlemen of New York, while maintaining an inclusive, socially focused culture welcoming players from diverse countries.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$37K
Contributions & grants$31K84%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$36K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$7K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$7K
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +20.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 1
- RICH GALLINA — Director
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- 5 Iron Golf Partner — Planned host venue for the Lions’ Golf Outing during the 35th Anniversary Celebration.
- Boston’s Middlesex club Partner — Defeated in the 2010 Northeast Championship with a score of 39-13.
- Bourbon & Branch Partner — Venue hosting the Village Lions Women's+ 25th Anniversary and Hall of Fame Celebration event.
- Bronx Brewery East Village Partner — Host venue for the Recovery Brunch during the 35th Anniversary Celebration.
- Connecticut Greys Partner — Competitive rivalry with the Lion Kings as part of regular match play.
- Connecticut Greys Partner — Rival team of the 35-and-over Old Boys (Lion Kings) team.
- Detroit Tradesmen Partner — Opponent in the National Championship quarterfinals, defeating the Lions in overtime.
- Doylestown (PA) Partner — Opponent in the National Sweet 16, defeating the Lions 35-33.
- Empire GU Partner — Competes in the Empire GU Sevens Series.
- Empire Geographic Union Partner — Competitive league in which the Men's 15s team participates at the Division 3 level.
- Gentlemen of New York Partner — Competitive rivalry with the Lion Kings as part of regular match play.
- Gentlemen of New York Partner — Rival team of the 35-and-over Old Boys (Lion Kings) team.
- Houston Sabercats Academy Partner — Professional rugby academy with which Head Coach Eli Billips was affiliated prior to coaching.
- Life University Partner — Alma mater and collegiate rugby program where Head Coach Eli Billips played and made an impact on a nationally ranked team.
- Lycée Français Partner — Professional affiliation in New York where Laurent Malen works
- Mystic Barbarians Partner — Competed against in the Atlantic North title match during the National Championship playoffs.
- New York Rugby Club Partner — Coaching collaboration through the Women's Premier League
- Play Rugby USA Partner — Development pathway for Head Coach Eli Billips, who grew up in the game through this organization.
- Red Lion Pub Partner — Founding location and namesake partner where the club originated; owned by founder Alan Whelan.
- The District Bar & Restaurant Partner — Host venue for the 35th Anniversary Dinner & Hall of Fame Induction.
- Village Lions Rugby Football Club Partner — Lion Cubs Youth Rugby is the official youth program of the Village Lions Rugby Football Club.
- Wilmington Partner — Opponent in the National Sweet 16 match during the National Championship series.
- World Rugby Shop Partner — Hosts the team store for Village Lions RFC merchandise
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Global Talent Integration Through Employmentmethodology: talent-recruitment-through-employmentBy linking player recruitment with employment opportunities in affiliated businesses, the club attracts international talent and strengthens team performance, because employment integration removes structural barriers to participation for non-local athletes.
- Grassroots Youth Development Through Rugbymethodology: grassroots youth developmentBy introducing rugby to children of all backgrounds through age-appropriate training, the club builds early engagement and lifelong participation in the sport, because early exposure combined with character development fosters personal growth and sustained involvement.
- High-Performance Rugby as a Development Platformmethodology: high-performance athlete developmentBy using the Men's Sevens program to test advanced strategies and train elite athletes, the club advances overall team capability, because concentrated high-performance environments accelerate skill development and tactical innovation.
- Inclusive Competitive Environment for Player Developmentmethodology: inclusive_competitive_rugbyBy maintaining a competitive on-field structure while fostering an inclusive off-field culture, the club attracts and retains players of all skill levels, because this dual focus enables high-performance development and broad community participation simultaneously.
- Social-First Model for Sustained Veteran Participationmethodology: social-first engagementBy prioritizing camaraderie and post-match social engagement over strict athletic performance, the club sustains long-term involvement among veteran players, because a socially-focused model strengthens retention through community belonging and personal connections.