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Girls U-19 High School Rugby

Girls U-19/HS Clubs

There are currently five U-19 girls clubs in Virginia.

Northern Conference

• Fairfax Police Youth Club (FPYC)
• Langley/MCLean
• NOVA U-19 NOVA U-19 Girls
• TC Williams HS
• Western Loudoun

In 2009, Western Loudoun won the first Girls HS State Championship.

See also how to Start a Rugby Club

Position Statement on Mixed Gender Contact Rugby
September 2009

See: Rugby Virginia: Position Statement on Mixed Gender Contact Rugby

Girls Rugby Video

View five minute video about girls U-19/HS rugby in the USA.
Girls rugby (NCAA initiative):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM3USXpzH5Y

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USA Rugby Girls' Initiative

With USA Rugby's overall goal of providing its members with the maximum number of rugby opportunities possible, the push for girls varsity high school rugby is imperative.  Creating interscholastic (varsity) girls' rugby not only expands opportunity beyond youth rugby, but also feeds directly into the growth of NCAA women's rugby at the intercollegiate level.

Helping our members distinguish the difference in terminology that exists between the current club participation availability and future opportunities for interscholastic girls and intercollegiate women's rugby is one of USA Rugby's main goals for the integration process.

Currently, while a variety of over 20 different girls sports including women's varsity football, wrestling, bowling, archery, and water polo are included in National Federation of State High School Associations' (NFHSA) state sponsored interscholastic sport list, girls' rugby is not included.

To achieve membership and inclusion as a recognized national interscholastic participation sport, girls rugby must not settle for it's club-only participatory opportunities.

In order for your child or player to receive the same benefits available to female soccer, basketball and softball players in the states' interscholastic systems, a shift in classification of participation is mandatory.

The great thing about expanding opportunity for athletes (both female and male) is that club and varsity athletics do not cancel each other out, but actually provide even MORE chances for athletes of all ages to compete at different levels.  More opportunity leads to greater participation, greater competition, and a more vibrant rugby and athletic community!

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The Language Campaign

In order to better associate our members with USA Rugby's process in the high school initiative, some key terms for parents, players and coaches have been outlined.

Becoming familiar with these terms will further assist you as this language will be echoed consistently throughout the campaign for girls interscholastic rugby.

INTERSCHOLASTIC- word used to identify high school varsity sponsored athletic teams which are operated and governed under the auspices of the states' high school athletic association. The word is used frequently in the language of varsity athletic operations, bylaws and policies

STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION: Organization charged with the governance, structure, standard competition rules, bylaws and operations for all state sponsored interscholastic sports

STUDENT-ATHLETE- student who actively participates in interscholastic competition with academic advancement from a member high school institution in a state sanctioned and governed program

RECRUITED STUDENT-ATHLETE- student who has been solicited by an institutional staff member or by a representative of the institution's athletics' interest (varsity coaching staff or athletics administrator) for the purpose of securing enrollment and ultimate participation in the institution's intercollegiate athletics program.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP STATUS- used to describe states that possess the ability and potential to seek additions of prospective interscholastic programs to their current list of state sponsored varsity sports

CHAMPIONSHIP SPORT- terms defining a sport which possesses a true state high school championship, competition or tournament and is often determined when a specific level of interest for the sport (specific number of teams required) designated by the high school association, has been established and warrants a true state championship

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SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY

Remember, rugby's reputation as a rough sport can serve as an obstacle for USA Rugby if not addressed in the proper fashion.

State high school associations and their bylaws maintain a duty to create safe and positive opportunities for student-athletes. With the additions of girls' interscholastic rugby comes daily practices, access to strength and conditioning regimes as well as athletic trainers and professional medical staff availability. Both are elements proven to decrease potential for injury and increase strength and endurance.

Studies by the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) have revealed rugby's injury rates to be equal to that of women's soccer. These injuries are majority ACL tears which are common in all realms of female athletics.  In the event the notion that rugby is a rough sport is presented to you, be sure to communicate to the inquiring party that rugby is a "running game, which combines the grace of soccer, the power of football and the speed of track."

Repairing rugby's image in the public eye begins with education and YOU.

For any other questions regarding rugby safety please contact USA Rugby.

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