Youth

OVERVIEW

There are year-round youth rugby programs in Connecticut for boys and girls aged 5-14, including touch (non-contact), flag (non-contact) and tackle (contact).

• Players of all abilities and experience levels are welcome including new players who have never played (or seen!) rugby before.
• Touch and flag rugby are quick and easy to learn, and new players can learn the basics and get started in minutes.
• Tackle rugby players are coached on safe techniques for tackling, rucking and scrums (for forward players) before they play in a game.
• All clubs are required to have USA Rugby certified coaches to participate in tackle rugby.
• All tackle rugby matches are required to have a certified referee and a certified trainer or emergency medical technician (EMT).
• The clubs typically play each other so there is some travel involved but participation is open to everyone (i.e., these are not selective travel programs). Some clubs may also have “house” programs for touch rugby and flag rugby (non-contact).

CLUB PROGRAMS

Here is an overview of the club programs by season. Please contact your nearest club (below) for more information.

Spring 

There are flag and tackle options. The tackle teams play 15s style rugby (15v15) during this season. 

• U8 flag (5v5)
• U10 flag (7v7)
• U12 tackle (15s)
• U14 tackle (15s)

Summer

This is an emerging season for youth rugby in Connecticut.

• Some of the clubs organize and/or participate in Summer 7s tournaments.
• There are also rugby summer camps in the region. Contact Connecticut Rugby for more information.

Fall

There are flag and tackle options. The tackle teams play 7s style rugby (7v7) during this season.

• U8 flag (5v5)
• U10 flag (7v7)
• U12 tackle (7s)
• U14 tackle (7s)

Winter

• Some clubs will run clinics during the winter to recruit new players and to prepare players for the spring season.

Year-Round

• Some clubs have standing weekly touch rugby (non-contact) games that are open to all ages and are an informal way to try the game.

CLUBS

These Connecticut clubs have youth rugby programs:

Aspetuck (Newtown)

https://www.aspetuckrugby.org/

COBRA (Bridgeport)

www.cobrarugby.net

Fairfield

https://www.fairfieldrugby.org

Midstate (Cheshire)

www.midstaterugby.com

OGRCC (Greenwich)

https://www.myogrcc.org/programs/youth/rugby/

Shoreline (Clinton)

shorelinerugby.com

Stamford

stamfordrugby.org

Trumbull

trumbullyouthrugby.org

Westport

http://www.westportpal.org/Page.asp?n=28566&org=WESTPORTPAL%2EORG

REGIONAL / NATIONAL PROGRAMS (Elite pathway programs)

• There are various camps, invitational teams, academies and elite pathway opportunities for youth and high school rugby players from Connecticut to take their rugby skills to the next level. These programs are available to athlete from age 12 and up. Contact Connecticut Rugby for more information.
• National Development Programs – The programs are sanctioned by USA Rugby to provide pathways for players aged 12-23 striving to play elite rugby at the next level, whether that be representing the United States in the U18, U20 and U23 age grade teams or as a professional player in Major League Rugby. These programs often have invitational/select sides at U14, U16 and U18 levels that participate in tournaments and tours, as well as clinics and more. 
• Eagle Impact Rugby Academy
• New England Free Jacks Academy (MA)
• Pacific Northwest Loggers (WA)
• Panther Rugby Academy (TN)
• Rhinos Rugby Academy (CA)
• San Diego Legion Academy (CA)