FORT LAUDERDALE RUGBY CLUB - Key Persons
Bill Johnstone: Bill took up rugby at the University of Florida when his baseball career and scholarship ended. After two years, he moved to Fort Lauderdale for work, and in the fall of 1976, he began playing in a local softball league, where he met team sponsor Norman Thompson, another former rugby player. They decided to start a rugby club in Fort Lauderdale, with Bill paying for a newspaper ad to attract other players and Norman dishing out for team jerseys. Six guys showed up for the first practice at Holiday Park - and the rest is history! Bill played wing in college but had to adapt to several other positions, including Number 8 and flanker. He eventually settled in as scrumhalf and captained the team in its infancy. He picked up the nickname "Whiteshoes" due to his then flashy white footwear in an era when everyone wore black cleats. He was also instrumental in establishing the team's nickname, "Knights," after the Miller brewing company gave the club flak over its original one "Lites." Bill is still actively involved with the club he helped found and remains an inspiration to us all.
Job Titles:
- President of the Elected Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Elected Board
- Match Secretary
Job Titles:
- Treasurer of the Elected Board
Job Titles:
- Secretary of the Elected Board
Ken Simmons: For nearly two decades, Ken was the heart and soul of the Fort Lauderdale RFC. A utility man, he could play any position on the field. He earned the nickname "Ironman" because he was always up for playing on both the A and B sides and still managed to be among the last men standing at the party. He was also named "President for Life," though he served only 15 years in that role. A student of the game, Ken coached the team to several state championships, an extraordinary achievement considering the oft-defiant nature of his players. He currently lives in the Gainesville area and coaches the University of Florida team.
Matt Rowe: A speedy and strong winger, Matt was the team's first Eastern Rugby Union select side player. On the field, you could always count on him being in the right place at the right time to stop an opponent's charge or score a try. Off the field, he used his superior management skills to help run the club, and he served as chair of the Ruggerfest for several years. Matt still plays as an old boy, filling in at any position, and continues to be an asset to any side he graces with his presence.
Mike Hayden: Mike started playing rugby at Colgate University in 1975 and joined the Fort Lauderdale Knights in 1982. He was the heart and soul of the club in its glory days of the late-'80s and early-'90s, helping to lift team from the cellar to champions in just a few years with basically the same group of players. Mike captained Fort Lauderdale to several state championships. He always led example, demanding the most out of himself and inspiring his teammates. He played scrumhalf but was also like a third wing forward as he had a lust for tackling and no qualms about charging hell-bent into a ruck. He says his fondest memories on the pitch include beating powerhouse Bethlehem to win our own Ruggerfest tournament for the first time in 1988. Another highlight came when the Knights scored four tries in the final seven minutes to overcome a 16-point deficit and defeat arch-rival Boca Raton for one of our state championship titles. From the time he was in college, Mike has also served as a coach. Most recently, he co-coached the Fort Miami Women's Rugby Club, leading them to a final four berth in the D2 Nationals.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Elected Board
- Old Boy Coordinator
Paul Mallon: This young Aussie stud became the captain and spiritual leader of the team at the tender age of 16! A fantastic scrumhalf with a great vision for where to attack, he helped design early backfield plays and drove men twice his age to work harder and run faster at practice. Paul took one of our girls back to Australia with him. Tragically, he lost his life in an accident at an early age, leaving behind three beautiful girls and a son.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of the Elected Board
Sharon Resta: Sharon was brought into the Fort Lauderdale rugby family after she met Littleman at a red light near Holiday Park. She was heading home following a run and he'd just finished rugby practice. Since then, Sharon has been the Knights' biggest fan and cheerleader. Even her wedding included the entire team, and she was a good sport when her new husband led a rousing rendition of "Alouette" in her honor. Sharon took on the task of collecting match fees from players, a job no one else wanted but had to be done. She's also been the team travel agent through the years, including arranging international tours in which she donated her commissions to reduce cost to the players. This alone makes her one of the biggest single contributors to the club. She's survived more than 20 pajama parties at her house and hosted entire teams from France and England. Sharon is truly the matriarch of the Fort Lauderdale Knights.