Cam Davidowicz Returns to the New England Free Jacks for Playoff Push

The Free Jacks are thrilled to announce that Cameron (Cam) Davidowicz, the beloved Haverhill, MA native, is returning to the New England Free Jacks ahead of the regular season’s final stretch and the playoff push. The return of this hometown hero will surely be a lift to the team and a cause for celebration among Free Jacks fans who have followed Cam’s journey from his early days with the Free Jacks Academy, to his impactful role in the Major League Rugby squad.

A Hometown Hero Ready to Ride

Cam, who has been playing with Mystic River this spring, enters the fold ready to make an immediate impact in the back row. 

“The Davidowicz family are synonymous with the Free Jacks, and it will give us a huge lift to have Cam back in our team environment. Cam is the ultimate New England competitor; he brings a physical and mental edge that will challenge us to be better at the most important time of the season.” said Tom Kindley, General Manager

Cam’s return comes just before the trade and signing deadline, positioning him to contribute during the final regular-season games and into the playoffs. His familiarity with the Free Jacks’ culture, combined with his hardy style of play, will strengthen an already formidable back row as the team gears up for the crucial end-of-season games.

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Cam’s Journey with the Free Jacks

A product of the Free Jacks Academy pathway, Cam has always been deeply connected to the New England rugby community. His rugby journey began in high school with the Essex County Bulldogs and continued at Plymouth State University, where he earned two NSCRO All-American honors. Cam’s standout performances for Mystic River, particularly in the Premier Summer 7s and Division One 15s competitions, set the stage for his rise to the Free Jacks.

After impressing in the 2020 season with the New England Independents development program; Cam earned a spot as a training squad player with the Free Jacks. His hard work and determination paid off, and he was contracted for the 2022 season. His impressive contributions to the team earned him a two-year contract, and since then, he has been a vital part of the New England back row.

Earlier this season, Cam made the difficult decision to step away from rugby to dedicate himself to his family farm. However, his love for the game and his commitment to his hometown team have brought him back at just the right time.

A Welcome Addition

At 29 years old, Cam’s tenacity and drive make him a perfect fit for the Free Jacks as they look to make a deep playoff run. With his return, the team gains not just a skilled back row player but a true local hero who embodies the spirit of New England rugby.

Cam’s return will undoubtedly fire up the team and the fans, and we look forward to seeing him back in action for the Free Jacks as we make our push for the postseason.

Welcome back, Cam!

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For more opportunities to engage with the Free Jacks community, stay updated on future Free Jacks matches, festivals, and announcements through the Free Jacks’ news page: www.freejacks.com/news

Written By:

Oliver Gilpin

Director of Brand and Creative @ New England Free Jacks

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Quincy, MA — October 14, 2022 — The New England Free Jacks are excited to announce the return of local fan-favorite Cameron Davidowicz for the 2023 season, as he enters the second of an initial two-year deal with the club. 

The 25-year-old Haverhill, MA resident and farmer is a success story of the local rugby development system. Cam picked up the game playing alongside his brother for the Essex County Bulldogs in high school. The pair next moved on to play for Plymouth State and Mystic River Rugby Club. In subsequent years, Davidowicz was regularly involved in Free Jacks development programs and the wider training squad before earning a full contract ahead of the 2022 season. 

After impressive cameos as a reserve early in the 2022 season, Cam was handed his first start in a top of the table clash against Austin in Round 7. The match proved a pivotal one in the trajectory of the Free Jacks season, with Cam demonstrating his ability to contribute to an already highly-talented corps of back row forwards. Upon return to Free Jacks’ home turf at Veterans Memorial for a Round 9 fixture against New Orleans, Cam started his first professional game on home soil with nearly 100 supporters from Haverhill in the stands, traveling down via bus, who would make the trek for each of his subsequent appearances and play a major role in making Veterans Memorial Stadium one of the best atmospheres in the competition.

“Cam is paving the way for home-grown New England rugby players. Coming into 2022 he was on the outside looking in,” commented General Manager Tom Kindley. “This quickly changed as impressive performances during the 2021 American Rugby Premiership, team-leading pre-season testing, and consistency of performance led to Cam making 15 appearances during the 2022 MLR season and becoming an instrumental part of the team’s success. Cam has taken his attention to detail, brutality in contact and physical attributes to another level and we look forward to seeing him challenge for a starting jersey heading into 2023”

“I’m really excited to keep working hard and building my game heading into this season,” commented Davidowicz. “I know I have a lot more to give, and my goal is to help us bring home a title in front of all our supporters.” 

Off the pitch, Cam spends most of his time working on his family’s farm, hunting, and fishing for stripers and tuna out of Gloucester, MA. 

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About New England Free Jacks: The Free Jacks are an aspiring and innovative live events, media, and consumer products organization. The core brand in the portfolio is The New England Free Jacks, the humble hard-working free-spirited professional rugby team competing in the emergent and exhilarating Major League Rugby (MLR), the premier North American professional rugby competition. For more information, please visit www.FreeJacks.com.

About Major League Rugby: Major League Rugby is a professional sports league, entering its fifth season and represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018, to 13 teams in 2021, featuring 12 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2, among other national and local market platforms. Select matches are available to stream live in North America on The Rugby Network, and all matches are available on The Rugby Network for international fans. MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition, while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more information about MLR, visit www.MajorLeague.Rugby

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Last weekend’s 38-29 win over Rugby New York in Hoboken, New Jersey, would have meant plenty to all donning red, white and blue, but to Cam Davidowicz it brought up memories of the Boston-New York sports rivalries that he grew up watching.

Born and raised in Essex County, Massachusetts, to a farming family, the 25-year-olds formative years were spent watching the Red Sox and the Yankees go toe to toe, the Bruins and the Rangers do battle on the ice, and the New England Patriots face off with the New York Giants when the two teams were in their heyday.

Now, the flanker finds himself at the center of the latest professional sports franchise to come to the region, the Mystic River standout signing on with the Free Jacks after two years on the practice squad and has now been involved in every matchday roster so far in the 2022 season.

Davidowicz’s rugby journey began all the way back in 2012 with the Essex County Bulldogs, his older brother, Cody, and his friends encouraging the freshman to give the sport a go, his journey taking him to Plymouth State University.

Several All-Star appearances would follow, as performances for the Division 3 school warranting of the attention. Once his time at college came to an end, Davidowicz returned to New England, the family farm and to play for Mystic River in the American Rugby Premiership.

“I have been very happy with how much playing time I have got,” he said. “It has been awesome. I have got good minutes every game, I wasn’t even sure how long it would take to make a roster, so being on a roster the first four games has been really special.

“It means a lot to get out there, especially with the fifth one [game of the season] being at home. I can’t wait to represent my home team. A few of my family and friends will be out there, so I think I am doing pretty well so start out the season.”

Winning in New Jersey last weekend, the Free Jacks currently sit third in the East Conference, level on points with New York, and one point behind division leaders, Rugby ATL.

For the fifth game of the league season, New England will be welcoming the Toronto Arrows to Veterans Memorial Stadium for the home opener. An intra-conference encounter, the game will also act as a celebration of St Patrick’s Day, with tickets starting from $25.

“I could probably count off 100 people that I know going to the game, to see me play,” Davidowicz said.

“It means a lot to me. I have people reaching out to me from all over the place, telling me they are coming out. It kind of took me aback a little. I have got 30 mates from college coming out to see me.

“That’s what is helping us a lot over here. We have a few local guys, and we bring huge support, especially for the club.

“All my teammates love hearing about the guys coming out to support me, all the guys cheering me on.

“It definitely helps a lot and I think New England are doing it right. The team sold out a couple of games last season, we will be looking to build on that and hopefully this weekend will be a sell-out.”

Under a new coaching team, with Scott Mathie as head coach and Mike Rogers as an assistant coach, the transition from the previous leadership has been almost seamless. On the field, Beaudein Waaka has been earning plenty of plaudits for the way in which he is playing the game, the former All Blacks Sevens player tearing apart opposition defenses at will.

But even with a series of impressive performances under their belt, Davidowicz is convinced that there is still more to come from both himself and his teammates, as they continue to bond and get to know each other even more as the season wears on.

“We are feeling really confident right now,” Davidowicz said. “We know we have still got a lot of things to work on, we are not playing at our full potential, and we know that.

“We just keep building week in, week out, and we know we are nowhere near where we should be.

“We are probably working at 50% of our full potential, and I think we can get there in the next couple of weeks and really put it on these teams coming up.”

With his own section of supporters make their way to Quincy, Davidowicz’s excitement is palpable. A win on Saturday afternoon will maintain pace at the top of the East, a loss opening the door to Toronto, who can make ground on their hosts this weekend.

His association with rugby in New England is long-established, his aim now to grow the game even further by being on a winning team. With that in mind, Davidowicz has a simple message for anyone not having considered purchasing a ticket.

“I’d just say to get excited for this weekend,” he said. “The boys are ready to bring it on. Everyone is eager, comping at the bit to get out there this weekend, so it should be a real exciting game.

“The atmosphere should be great, we are looking forward to it, and although it may be a little rainy, it is going to be one hell of a weekend. I know everyone is excited for it. Every morning I am jumping out of bed. I am counting down the days.”

Not only is Davidowicz the hometown hero this weekend, but he is also the embodiment of everything that makes Boston, and New England, great.

A blue-collar, hard-working individual, who has bided his time in order to get his opportunity, his home debut should be a celebration of such.

For Davidowicz himself, 12 March will forever be known as the day that marks his journey from being a Boston sports fan, to being a Boston sports player, something that the 25-year-old is motivated for, even if he doesn’t know exactly how he feels.

“I don’t know if it has really hit me,” Davidowicz said. “I don’t know if it will hit me until after this weekend, when the game is over. I don’t know. I have played many games at home, but never pro.”

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Originally a development player, the Massachusetts native signs a 2 year contract in the New England Back Row

Boston, MA — December 8, 2021 — The Free Jacks are proud to announce the signing of Cam Davidowicz to a two-year contract. Originally on the training squad, the 6’1”, 225lb back row player looks to make a name for himself within a well established New England forward pack over the coming two seasons.

“It’s an honor to be signed by the New England FreeJacks,” exclaimed Davidowicz. “It means alot to me to play for my home team. Can’t wait to take the pitch in front of my friends and family come springtime.”

Davidowicz first started playing rugby during his freshman year of High School for the Essex County Bulldogs. He went on to attend and play college rugby for the Plymouth State Norseman, earning two NSCRO All-American honors during his time at the program. While in college, Cam represented Mystic River in the Premier Summer 7s competition and has gone on to represent the Boston local team in the Division One 15s competition where he has become a standout.

Davidowicz also represented the New England Independents, the Free Jacks development program, during the 2020 season, earning man of the match in the first matchup with the Free Jacks in January of the year.

Davidowicz continued to lead the way for Mystic River during their 2021 America Rugby Premiership campaign where he played across a multitude of positions against perennial D1 powerhouses such as the New York Athletic Club, Old Blue, and the Life University Men’s Club.

“Cam impressed when he joined the Free Jacks wider squad as a training player this year and proved himself as a loose-forward with Mystic River during the 2021 ARP,” commented Free Jacks Performance Director, Tom Kindley. “He is a good local man, tough as nails, effective in contact, and surprisingly athletic. He has well and truly earned the opportunity to progress to the next level and we look forward to seeing his game develop further within the MLR.”

At 24 years old, the local back rower will look to impress the New England fanbase in his new role with the Free Jacks. Entering a new chapter in his rugby career, Davidowicz will take the pitch along with the rest of the squad in this highly anticipated 2022 MLR season.

About The Free Jacks:  The Free Jacks are an aspiring and innovative live events, media, and consumer products organization. The core brand in the portfolio is The New England Free Jacks, the humble hard-working free-spirited professional rugby team competing in the emergent and exhilarating Major League Rugby (MLR), the premier North American professional rugby competition. For more information please visit www.FreeJacks.com

The post Free Jacks Sign Former American Rugby Premiership Loose Forward, Cam Davidowicz, Through 2023 appeared first on New England Free Jacks.

Cam Joins the Free Jacks from D1 Club Program Mystic River

Boston, MA – June 2, 2021 – This week, the Free Jacks added Cam Davidowicz to the wider training squad for the remainder of the 2021 Major League Rugby Season. Davidowicz joins the Free Jacks as a standout at Mystic River where he has demonstrated his versatility across the backrow, strength over the ball and explosive ball carrying ability.

“Run it, lift it, hit it, shift it. On to the next job,” noted Cam.

Davidowicz first picked up rugby his freshman year of High School, joining the Essex County Bulldogs. Davidowicz went on to attend and play for Plymouth State Norseman, earning two NSCRO All-American honors during his time at the program. While at college, Cam represented Mystic River in the Premier Summer 7s competition and has gone on to represent the Boston local team in the D1 15s competition where he has become a standout.

Davidowicz represented the New England Independents, the Free Jacks development program, during the 2020 season, earning man of the match in the first matchup with the Free Jacks in January of that year.

“The Mystic community are ecstatic for Cam to be called into the Free Jacks playing group,” commented Kayne Bubb, Mystic River Head Coach. “He is a special talent no doubt, and has certainly grown as a man and a player over the last few seasons. He is a real threat both sides of the ball and was outstanding for Mystic during the Spring season, his game is coming together nicely.”

“We look forward to seeing Cam take his game to new heights through spending time within the Free Jacks environment and learning from quality back rowers like Joe Johnston and Wian Conradie. Cam is certainly capable of playing at the next level and we are excited to see where this opportunity leads.”

“We are looking forward to bringing Cam into our daily training environment where he will challenge our back-rowers for a spot on the 23 over the next few weeks,” commented Performance Manager, Tom Kindley. “We have been keenly monitoring Cam’s progress through means of reviewing club footage and speaking to [his] coaches. As soon as the league’s COVID protocols allowed, Cam was the first player we extended an invitation to based on his outstanding club form. A player who has all the physical attributes, time in the saddle could see him become a quality MLR player in years to come.”

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