Varsity High School Program

Please read the entirety of this form to ensure correct registration.

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. (Insurance coverage must be provided by your school)

To qualify, a club/team must

• Be a compliant member of a registered State Youth Rugby Organization (SYRO) for the current year/season of application.
• Provide suitable insurance coverage for players and members of the team.
• Be ready to submit appropriate payment through PayPal invoices ($200 per team).
• Provide proof of insurance by submitting a PDF letter on school letterhead confirming coverage. (COI not required)

PLEASE NOTE: This is a per-team membership, not for individual players. The membership per team is $200 (team of 23 = 15 players + subs), payable when the team registers to the program through USA Youth and High School Rugby’s membership registration system.

If your school has more than one team (1 team is 15 players + subs = 23) 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).

Varsity Initiative Membership Tier FAQ:

Each player must still register with their team through USA Youth and High School Rugby’s membership registration platform Rugby Xplorer, 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 club 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 different team, a club side/select side/travel team, that player will need to upgrade their membership to a full membership not associated with the Varsity Initiative program, but associated with their chosen club.

Each rugby coach (in any capacity where the individual is providing technical or tactical instruction to players, including “Assistant Coaches”) must meet the following requirements (as per USA YHS participation policy)

1. Be a registered member in the coaching role at the correct club under the current season.
2. SafeSport Compliant and current.
3. Have completed and passed a Background Check every other year.
4. Complete Rugby Safety Basics.
5. Have the appropriate World Rugby Certifications (WR L1, L2 or L3).

All admins must: 

1. Be a registered member in the admin role at the correct club under the current season.
2. SafeSport Compliant and current.
3. Have completed and passed a Background Check every other year.

All clubs, club administrators, players, and coaches must follow all USA YHS and USA Rugby Eligibility Policies and Regulations, as well as all applicable SYRO or regulations and procedures.

Varsity Initiative Membership does not include insurance of any 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:

1. Complete this application including a letter of support from your school and/or district.
   NOTE: The PDF letter must list the school name and number of teams participating in the Varsity program, along with clear confirmation that insurance coverage will be provided by the parent school.
   
2. Submit payment by PayPal invoice (Payment due upon receipt - $200 per team listed on the application) and email sarah.dunbar@usayhsrugby.org to confirm payment.
   
3. Once all the information is verified, the application and supporting documents submitted and payment processed,  USA Youth and High School Rugby will review and issue it's approval, request for further information or denial via email within twenty-one (21) days of submission.
   
4. If approved, the registration category "Varsity Initiative" will be applied to the RX Club admin portal for players to register at $0 for National fees.

If approved the documents will be submitted to USA Rugby for their records.

State Youth Rugby Organizations (SYRO) retain the right to apply individual player and/or team fees at their discretion.