Red Eyes win their first Gulf Coast Super Regional D3 title and a spot in the Final Four in Chicago
Fresh off securing their third consecutive Florida Rugby Union Division 3 title earlier this month, the Red Eyes, coached by Mike (Kiwi) Nevin, carried that momentum into regionals—and elevated their game when it mattered most to win their first Gulf Coast Super Regional D3 title and a spot in the Final Four in Chicago, May 16 and 17.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – The Brevard Old Red Eye Rugby Club continues its dominant 2026 campaign, capturing the Gulf Coast Super Regional D3 Championship in Austin with back-to-back statement victories.
Fresh off securing their third consecutive Florida Rugby Union Division 3 title earlier this month, the Red Eyes, coached by Mike (Kiwi) Nevin, carried that momentum into regionals—and elevated their game when it mattered most to win their first Gulf Coast Super Regional D3 title and a spot in the Final Four in Chicago, May 16 and 17.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Brevard Old Red Eye Rugby Club Mike “Kiwi” Nevin, Red Eye President Corkey Newman, and Red Eye Team physician Dr. David Williams with the Gulf Coast Super Regional D3 title trophy. The Red Eyes captured the Gulf Coast Super Regional D3 Championship in Austin, Texas, with back-to-back statement victories. “This latest achievement marks a defining moment in the club’s resurgence—proving that their recent state dominance is no fluke, but part of a sustained climb toward national contention,” said Newman.
On Saturday, the Red Eyes, led by two tries from winger Dewayne Parks and New Zealand-born flyhalf, Koby Deacon, delivered a powerful performance against the hometown Austin Blacks, earning a decisive 46–34 victory in a high-scoring battle that showcased their depth, pace, and attacking precision.
This avenged a four-point loss to the Blacks in the GCSR Final two years ago.
The Blacks went on to easily win the National Championship that year.
They followed it up on Sunday with an incredible second-half performance, spurred on by Man of the Match and team captain, Brock Roper, coming back from a 24-0 halftime deficit to defeat a strong New Orleans side 26-24 to secure the Super Regional title and punch their ticket for the national playoff picture.
Last year, the Red Eyes lost the GCSR Final in 2OT to the eventual National Champion, Columbia, SC, and the Red Eyes look to continue the trend of the last nine D3 National Champions coming out of the GCSR.
Founded on a culture that blends physical, hard-nosed rugby with a strong sense of camaraderie, the Red Eyes, who last year celebrated their 50-year anniversary, have built one of the most resilient and tight-knit programs in Division 3, consistently competing for the Florida Rugby Union D3 Championship.
With a strong Space Coast, national, and even international following, and a roster spanning generations of players and a history that includes championship runs and international touring, the club continues to embody both competitive excellence and community spirit.
Red Eyes team captain Brock Roper, who plays in honor of his father Steve Roper, a great player who passed away last year in a tragic boating accident in the Bahamas, hoists the championship trophy. Founded on a culture that blends physical, hard-nosed rugby with a strong sense of camaraderie, the Red Eyes, who last year celebrated their 50-year anniversary, have built one of the most resilient and tight-knit programs in Division 3, consistently competing for the Florida Rugby Union D3 Championship.
“This latest achievement marks a defining moment in the club’s resurgence—proving that their recent state dominance is no fluke, but part of a sustained climb toward national contention,” said Corkey Newman, former player, long-time club President, and assistant coach.
With confidence surging and momentum firmly on their side, the Red Eyes now set their sights on the next stage—carrying the pride of Florida and the Gulf Coast into the national spotlight as the #1 seed in Chicago.
The Red Eyes would like to thank their amazing sponsors, MedFast Urgent Care, CMR Constructors, Dog N Bone British Pub, Three Bridges Planning, Island Direct Primary Care, Roper Plumbing, EZ Pack n Ship, Pig & Whistle British Pub, Swist Family Real Estate LLC, G&B Wealth Management, and Cocoa Village Tattoo Gallery, who have made this accomplishment possible.
They would also like to thank their former players (Old Boys) and supporters who cheer them on wherever the match may be, and continue to support the club financially.
The Red Eyes, a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, would greatly appreciate the community’s support for travel, lodging, and meals in Chicago through tax-deductible donations by clicking the Donate button at BrevardRugby.com.
