North Carolina Youth Rugby: Building Competition, Community, and Opportunity for All

North Carolina Youth Rugby (NCYRU) provides a year-round rugby experience designed to be welcoming, competitive, and enjoyable for players of all backgrounds and ability levels. With an estimated 2,000 youth athletes participating across clubs and school teams statewide, NCYRU’s focus is simple: create consistent opportunities for young people to play rugby, build community, and enjoy the game.

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A Statewide Calendar Built for Access and Participation

The NCYRU season begins in the fall with High School Fall 7s, kicking off each October. In 2025, the competition included 26 boys teams and 14 girls teams across the U16 and U19 age grades. To make participation accessible across the state, the season was hosted over three Sundays at three different locations, utilizing four fields. This distributed model reduces travel demands while ensuring meaningful competition for all teams.

In November, NCYRU hosts the Old North State Tournament, now in its third year. The event brings together boys and girls teams at the U16 and U19 levels for two days of play, offering a fun, festival-style environment that emphasizes participation, development, and camaraderie as much as results.

December marks the start of the Winter Single-School High School season. This year features eight boys teams competing in Tier 1 and seven teams in Tier 2, with finals held in early February. The winter season gives student-athletes the chance to represent their schools, compete locally, and stay engaged during the colder months, while still leaving room to transition smoothly into the spring club season.

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Carolina Ruggerfest: A Celebration of Youth Rugby

The centerpiece of the NCYRU calendar is Carolina Ruggerfest, a tournament with more than 20 years of history and a reputation for being one of the most enjoyable youth rugby events in the country. Hosted at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex, Ruggerfest operates across seven competition fields with two warm-up fields, creating a true festival atmosphere.

In 2026, nearly 90 teams are expected to attend, making Ruggerfest the largest youth 15s event in the United States. The tournament includes U10, U12, U14, U16, and U19 divisions, with approximately 16 Girls U19 teams and 24 Boys U19 teams, ensuring opportunities for players at every age and stage of their rugby journey.

The weekend experience extends beyond matches. Friday night opens with a high school game, followed by a skills clinic led by USA Rugby coaches, a referee clinic, and a college match. Saturday features a full slate of games from early morning through the evening, while Sunday concludes earlier to allow out-of-state teams time to travel home. In 2026, teams will attend from 13 states and the Cayman Islands, reinforcing Ruggerfest’s role as both a competitive and social highlight of the youth rugby calendar.

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Spring Play and Shared Experiences

Following Ruggerfest, NCYRU transitions into its Spring season. Seven youth jamborees are held across the state on Sundays, bringing all clubs together to play multiple matches. High school competitions take place on Saturdays, giving players consistent opportunities to play while strengthening connections between clubs, schools, and families.

After a short break for Easter, the season concludes with finals in early May. The structure of the spring calendar prioritizes player enjoyment, reasonable travel, and shared experiences over rigid scheduling.

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Growing the Game Through Schools and Community

NCYRU is also focused on introducing rugby to new audiences and lowering barriers to entry. Under the leadership of Union President Connie Colson, the union is driving initiatives to increase girls’ participation through school visibility and awareness. Working alongside Anthem Rugby Club and USA Youth & High School, NCYRU is expanding access to the game at younger ages.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg middle schools have joined a pilot program integrating flag rugby into physical education curricula, with plans to expand into Raleigh and surrounding counties. This approach introduces rugby in a fun, non-contact format and helps build familiarity with the sport. 

To further support grassroots growth, NCYRU encourages adult clubs to establish youth divisions and provides equipment kits to new teams. At the same time, the union is committed to developing youth referees and coaches, ensuring that matches are well-officiated, safely coached, and grounded in the positive culture that defines rugby in North Carolina.

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A Year-Round Commitment to Enjoyment and Community

After a brief summer pause, the cycle begins again, reinforcing NCYRU’s commitment to consistent, enjoyable rugby opportunities throughout the year. By focusing on inclusive competition, thoughtful scheduling, and community connection, North Carolina Youth Rugby continues to create an environment where players, families, volunteers, and supporters can all share in the game.

At its core, NCYRU is about giving young people the chance to play rugby, make friends, and be part of something bigger—on and off the field.