Give Rugby a Try

Why RUGBY?

Rugby is more than just a sport—it's a community built on teamwork, respect, and resilience. As an emerging sport in the U.S., over 60% of rugby players first pick up the ball in college. Starting a college rugby team brings students together in a fast-paced, inclusive environment that fosters leadership, camaraderie, and physical fitness.

With its global reach and growing presence in the U.S., rugby offers players of all backgrounds a chance to be part of something bigger than themselves. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned athlete, rugby can transform your college experience on and off the field. 

How To START A TEAM

1
Recruit a few friends.
You don’t need a full roster to start a team, but recruit a few dedicated members to serve as leaders and help recruit. 
2
Contact your university’s campus recreation department.
You’ll need to apply to start a recognized club sport. They can also connect you with resources like funding, field space, and more. Most applications require a club constitution and a board handbook. We’ve provided recommended templates for your use.
3
Find a faculty advisor.
Your faculty advisor does not need to know rugby (although it helps if they do), but instead acts as a mentor to your team and can advocate for your program to the university.
4
Find a coach.
You may register a student player coach to be eligible for competition. However, we recommend finding someone with rugby experience in your local area to volunteer. You can find these people by contacting local adult rugby clubs, or posting in a community social media page.
5
Apply for an Emerging Teams Grant.
As a new club, you may be eligible for the Emerging Teams Grant, this grant provides a 50% discount for player and club dues, reducing the financial burden of registration.
6
Register with National Collegiate Rugby
Contact our competitions directors through the form below and they will help you begin the registration process, as well as find nearby competition and join a conference. You’ll need to register all your players as well as a coach.
7
Find a field.
Your office of campus recreation may be able to provide you with a facility. Publicize your practice times and stick to them. Consistency is the key to recruitment.
8
Recruit!
Get a booth at your school’s activities fair, start a social media page, hang flyers and chalk sidewalks to promote practices, organize friendly informational sessions, and build your roster!

case STUDy

Baldwin Wallace Women’s Rugby – From Startup to National Stage
Your campus could be next. Start with students, lead with passion, and build something bigger. Give Rugby a Try.
From a team with no coach and no direction to finishing as DIII National 7s Runner-Up in 2025, their journey shows exactly what’s possible when students lead and campus support follows.
In 2019, two students approached the new club sports advisor with a vision to restart women’s rugby. They spent the fall organizing, updating the club charter, and recruiting a volunteer coach. Practices began in January 2020 with about 15 players. Then COVID shut everything down.
By spring 2021, BW returned to competition, sweeping their local 7s series and earning a spot at CRC’s May Madness in New Orleans. Competing with a roster of mostly rookies, they won the Bowl bracket—and sparked something special.
Their rise was fueled by a student executive board that runs like a startup—meeting weekly, managing operations, recruiting relentlessly, and maintaining a strong social and media presence. A club manual developed in 2021 brought structure and has since been used by other club sports on campus.
In spring 2025, just five years after their formal relaunch, BW finished second in the nation at DIII National 7s, capping off a remarkable climb from a startup club to a national contender.

READY TO START? cONTACT US

Contact our competitions directors to get started!
Please include your name, contact information, and what university you are starting a team at.
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