Assembly Resolution No. 1571

BY: M. of A. Palmesano

COMMEMORATING the 10th Anniversary of Corning
Rugby Club

WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical
development of the residents of this State, instilling in them the value
of teamwork, encouraging a standard of healthy living, imparting a
desire for success, and developing a sense of fair play and competition;
and

WHEREAS, Corning Rugby Club was founded in February 2016, by
Corning-Painted Post High School student Jack Kahabka, Head Coach Robert
McGee, and a host of volunteer coaches and supporters as the first youth
rugby program in the Southern Tier of New York; and

WHEREAS, Corning Rugby Club operates as a nonprofit organization and
is supported entirely through member dues, fundraising efforts, and
community support; and

WHEREAS, Beginning as a single boys high school team competing in
RugbyNY Division II, Corning Rugby Club was built around the mission of
providing local student-athletes with opportunities to participate in
the sport while emphasizing teamwork, leadership, discipline, respect,
accountability, and service to the community, and has since grown to
include a girls high school team; and

WHEREAS, Through hard work, unwavering commitment, and strong
spirit, the inaugural boys team quickly established itself as a
competitive force in New York State rugby, earning a berth in the
RugbyNY Division II State Playoffs - an impressive accomplishment for a
first-year club; and

WHEREAS, Corning Rugby Club has continued to be a competitive force
over its 10 seasons, with its high school boys team qualifying for the
RugbyNY state playoffs in every season-the only team in Upstate New York
to accomplish that feat during the time period; and

WHEREAS, With the addition of a girls team in 2017, Corning Rugby
Club created the first opportunities in the region for female student
athletes to compete in the sport; the program has grown rapidly in
popularity, becoming one of the premier programs in New York State and
the East Coast; and

WHEREAS, Corning Rugby has engaged nearly 300 student athletes
across its boys, girls, and middle school programs during its first
decade, providing meaningful athletic opportunities, skill development,
and leadership experiences to youth throughout the Southern Tier; and

WHEREAS, The Corning Rugby Club's girls program captured the RugbyNY
High School Girls State Championship in 2023 and 2025, and the boys
program earned third-place finishes at the RugbyNY State Championships
in 2017, 2019, 2022; this tradition of success is a testament to the
club's commitment to high-level athletic performance; and

WHEREAS, The Corning Rugby Girls program was invited to join the
prestigious Elite Girls Rugby League (EGRL), providing student athletes
with opportunities to compete against many of the top girls rugby
programs on the East Coast; and

WHEREAS, Corning Rugby alumni have earned selection to prestigious
national development programs, including representation of the United
States as members of the USA U-20 Women's National Team and
participation in the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy, part of the official
USA Rugby national development pathway; and

WHEREAS, The athletes involved with Corning Rugby Club have had
invaluable opportunities to train and compete at national and
international levels, and participate in the tradition of touring,
organizing and competing in out-of-state matches across the United
States; and

WHEREAS, In addition to high school rugby, the Corning Rugby Club
has continued expanding opportunities for younger athletes through
middle school and youth development programming; in 2026, the club
launched a free youth non-contact rugby program for boys and girls ages
7-15 in an effort to continue growing participation and introducing the
sport to the next generation of athletes; and

WHEREAS, Corning Rugby has brought together student-athletes from
more than 10 school districts throughout the Southern Tier region,
creating a unique community-based athletic program that unites players
from diverse backgrounds through teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership,
and shared commitment to the values of rugby, and deserves the just
recognition and applause of the citizens of this great State; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Corning Rugby Club; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jack Kahabka and Robert McGee, founders of Corning Rugby
Club.