Unified Rugby in Indiana: Second Season, Bigger Stage, Growing Future
In late May, at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis, Unified Rugby in Indiana closed its second season on a big stage – playing its final match as part of the Rugby Indiana State Finals. Westside Rugby and Noblesville Rugby took the field in a flag rugby format, with athletes of different abilities playing side by side and sharing the spotlight with traditional championship fixtures.
Unified Rugby is a non-contact, inclusive version of the game that allows players with and without disabilities to compete together, emphasizing participation, safety, and fun. In Indiana, that emphasis has translated into a focus on inclusion and opportunity by giving young people who might not otherwise have a pathway into rugby the chance to experience the sport’s unique blend of teamwork, movement, and community.
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The Unified program in Indiana was created through collaboration between the leadership of Westside Rugby and Rugby Indiana, with Noblesville Rugby stepping forward as a champion and early adopter for the model. Program leaders describe a shared excitement about what Unified Rugby brings to their communities as they watch athletes laugh, compete, and celebrate together on the same field.
On May 25, 2026, that collaboration was on full display at Kuntz Stadium, as Westside and Noblesville’s Unified teams played their final match of the season as part of the State Finals schedule. The game, played under Unified Rugby laws, focused on inclusion and participation rather than results, creating an environment where every player could contribute and where both sidelines cheered for moments of effort and joy as much as scoring plays.
For Rugby Indiana, Unified Rugby is also a tangible expression of rugby’s core values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline, and respect, which are central to the organization’s youth mission. Athletes are encouraged to support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and model respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, and referees in ways that extend beyond the field. Program leaders say Unified Rugby gives them a powerful way to demonstrate to players and families that rugby is truly a sport for everyone.
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Looking ahead, Rugby Indiana is already working on the next phase of Unified Rugby growth. Six new programs have expressed interest in Unified Rugby are in early planning stages, with hopes of joining the Unified schedule as soon as Spring 2027. These emerging efforts aim to build on the foundation laid by Westside and Noblesville, expanding access to more communities and inviting additional clubs and schools to explore how Unified Rugby can fit their local context.
Rugby Indiana leaders view this expansion as part of a broader commitment to inclusion across youth and high school rugby in the state. By giving Unified Rugby a visible platform at events like the State Finals and by investing in program development, they hope to show families, educators, and administrators that rugby can open doors for athletes of all abilities, not just those on traditional competitive pathways. The goal is simple, making the sport more welcoming, more accessible, and more reflective of the communities it serves.
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