The Georgia HS Rugby Association has come out in opposition of the proposed merger between the Phoenix Alpharetta and Roswell HS programs.

According to multiple sources, the merger announcement came just a days after the Georgia HS programs voted against creating large super-clubs and instead concentrate on single-school teams (to remain intact “as is” with no restructuring of the league’s format or executive committee). According to GHSRA President Daniel Pretorius, both Alpharetta and Roswell supported that move (the motion) only to make a surprise announcement on Thursday.

Alphareta Phoenix president Niall Fenton countered by saying that the league as it is currently in existance is almost entirely a club league, and the merger was brought about in order to maintain consistency and strength in the HS game, and is within the associations rules.   

The GHSRA has enjoyed making strides in recent years, with their select side winning the South Regional Cup in Charlotte, NC this summer. Official recognition from USA Rugby as a State-Based Organization is pending. To get that designation the GHSRA certainly needs a single voice, and certainly now the Pretorius and others are upset that Phoenix and Roswell made a big move on their own. Fenton countered that the merger provides stability.

"Georgia started with four high school teams, and now we have seven, but in the interveneing years we've seen 26 clubs come and go," said Fenton. "We're not ready for a single-school system yet, and we want to build some strength and consistency into it."

The new merged Phoenix club, if it in fact moves ahead, will face some obstacles. Pretorius said the merged club would be considered a new club and would have to apply for entry into the Georgia league. Considering that Roswell and Alpharetta appear to have gone against the wishes of the league, they may not get that approval.