NEWS

Major League Rugby and USA Youth & High School Rugby Strategically Align

Agreement to establish programs and initiatives to further develop youth and high school rugby.

DALLAS & WASHINGTON D.C. (October 14, 2021) – Major League Rugby (MLR) and USA Youth & High School Rugby (YHS) announced a wide ranging collaboration that will establish programs and initiatives to grow youth and high school rugby. The collaboration includes a streaming partnership with The Rugby Network to stream key high school games across the country, a school-based flag rugby program, inner city and after school rugby programs and a coaching app to include MLR content, along with other initiatives.

George Killebrew, Commissioner of MLR commented, “Youth and High School Rugby are a natural fit for MLR – the more we grow grassroots rugby with greater community involvement the stronger up and coming domestic base for future players we’ll have, along with growing fans across North America.”

David Pool, President of YHS added “Our role is to facilitate resources to assist our members, the State Youth Rugby Organizations and individual clubs across the country to grow rugby to be the fun exciting sport we believe in. MLR is an ideal partner to assist our members in growing rugby in the true spirit of the game.”

“It is a real achievement to see the Professional game, MLR, partnering with our Youth and High School affiliate in an exciting ongoing partnership to support growth at the grassroots level,” USA Rugby CEO, Ross Young noted, “Collaborations such as these within the USA Rugby community are exactly the unified vision we’re excited to get behind as an organization. We look forward to seeing the benefits of this partnership as it drives further growth of youth and high school rugby.”

Specific details of initiatives will be announced over the coming season as they are finalized.

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 1 and 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.

About USA Youth & High School Rugby

USA Youth and High School Rugby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organized in Washington, D.C. and affiliate of USA Rugby. YHS are the sole Sanctioned Governing Body for all youth rugby in the United States which includes community and school based programs for players ages 5 – 18. To learn more about USA Youth & High School Rugby, go to https://usayhsrugby.org/ and follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.