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Growing North American Youth Rugby

Imagine Rugby

Imagine Rugby strives to make rugby available to the youth of North America by working in partnership with schools, recreation departments, nonprofits and MLR teams. Youth players learn leadership development, mentorship and healthy lifestyles through the power of sport.

Imagine Rugby is the 501c3 arm of MLR, working in partnership with USA Rugby and USA Youth & High School Rugby with support from World Rugby.

Imagine Rugby's goal is to increase Youth Rugby participation in North America to 1 million active youth by 2030 in support of the 2031 and 2033 World Cups in the U.S.

Imagine Rugby's Offerings

Imagine Rugby is creating rugby pathways from children first learning about rugby in elementary school through playing professionally and representing their nation in international competitions.  With a focus on providing opportunities for rugby at every level of experience, Imagine Rugby has partnered with USA Rugby and USA Youth and High School Rugby to re-launch Imagine Flag Rugby as an introductory program as well as grow the game at multiple levels.  Imagine is also working with the MLR franchises to develop High School Academy programs to develop elite athletes.

Youth Flag Programs

Introducing rugby to youth with a focus on fun and games

Free to School PE and Recess programs!

Afterschool Programs

Flag League Partnerships

Collegiate

Providing a pathway beyond High School, toward elite play

Focus on Community Colleges

Developing a pathway from High School to College

Coaching / Refereeing curriculum

MLR Academies

Developing elite level skills with MLR coaching

High performance player development

Elite development teams

Gateway into National Team play & World Cup

Imagine Rugby Stakeholders

Y&HS RUGBY

Governing body of youth and high school rugby in the United States

MLR

The highest level of rugby competition in North America
USA Rugby logo

USA RUGBY

Governing body of rugby in the United States

WORLD RUGBY

Governing body for the sport of rugby union

Why Rugby?

Rugby has a proven track record in helping enhance the lives of those who play from a young age.  Data collected by Play Rugby USA show that:

88%

of students report their physical fitness improved as a result of playing rugby

82%

of students report their academic performance improved as a result of playing rugby

86%

of students report that rugby is helping them develop into a person with more good qualities

81%

of students are further along a pathway to happy, healthy lives and made significant gains in their positive youth development score

rookie rugby kids play