Varsity Initiative Program - USA Youth and High School Rugby

USA Youth and High School Rugby and USA Rugby have a strong commitment to developing Varsity Initiative Rugby Teams throughout the United States and its outlying Territories. To this end, there is a membership tier for schools that have adopted rugby as a school sponsored sport. This tier of membership is designed to make it easier and more effective for schools to add a rugby team(s) to their school’s athletic department. Most importantly, this tier of membership allows for these teams to play traditional rugby club programs without conflict of insurance and liabilities.

Varsity Initiative Membership Tier FAQ:

This is a per team membership, not for individual players. The membership per team is $200, payable when the team registers through USA Youth and High School Rugby’s membership registration system. If your school has more than one team submitted to compete in the SYRO’s sanctioned rugby events (i.e. a Varsity Side and a JV Side and/or Varsity Girls side and a Varsity Boys side), then each team qualifies as a separate team (ex. 2 teams will each have to pay $200 for a total of $400).
Each player must register with their team through USA Youth and High School Rugby’s membership registration platform at no charge (However State and Club fees may be added, at the discretion of those organizations). Players will have a unique member identification number however, they will not be a full member of USA Youth and High School and/or USA Rugby.
This membership is active only for the designated team within the membership cycle from September 1st – August 31st. It applies to all USA Youth and High School and USA Rugby sanctioned rugby activities, including but not limited to training sessions, friendly matches, league matches, playoffs, state, regional, national championships and tournaments.
If a player wants to play with a select side/travel team, that player will need to upgrade their membership to an at-large member within their state.
All coaches and admins for the team must register through USA Youth and High School’s membership registration platform and pay applicable membership fees.
All coaches must be a minimum current World Rugby/USA Rugby Certified Level 1 Coach.
Membership does not include insurance of and kind, including General Liability. Schools must cover their players, coaches and administration under their General Liability and for players only, either provide additional supplemental accident/injury insurance for players or collect player’s primary health insurance as part of this status.

Varsity Initiative Team Application Process:

Varsity Initiative Teams are encouraged to apply beginning July 1st for the next registration cycle that begin September 1st of every year.
Complete this application including a letter of support from you school and/or district.
Once all the information is verified, the application and supporting documents submitted, USA Youth and High School Rugby Board of Directors will review and issue it’s approval, request for further information or denial via email within twenty-one (21) days of submission.
If approved the documents will be submitted to USA Rugby for their records.
State Youth Rugby Organizations retain the right to apply individual player and/or team fees at their discretion.

Varsity Initiative Application Form