USA Youth and High School Rugby Sponsors 4th Annual Urban Rugby Championship in New Orleans

Washington, DC – [March 3rd, 2025] – USA Youth and High School Rugby (USA YHS) is proud to announce its sponsorship of the 4th Annual Urban Rugby Championship, taking place in New Orleans, March 20th-22nd, 2025. This landmark event will bring together youth rugby teams from across the country to celebrate the sport's growth, inclusivity, and the positive impact it has on urban communities. USA YHS together with MLR, USA Rugby, US Rugby Foundation, and the United States Women’s Rugby Foundation is powering this crucial tournament. 

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The Urban Rugby Championship highlights the transformative power of rugby, providing young athletes from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to showcase their skills, foster community, and build lifelong connections. Beyond the competition, the championship will feature community engagement initiatives, including school visits and cultural explorations of New Orleans. This multi-faceted approach highlights rugby’s ability to inspire, educate, and create lasting bonds.

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“We are thrilled to support the 4th Annual Urban Rugby Championship,” said David Pool, President of USA Youth and High School Rugby. “This event aligns perfectly with our mission to expand access to rugby for all youth. Rugby is more than just a game – it’s a vehicle for personal growth, leadership, and community building.”

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Shane Young, Co - Founder of Memphis Inner City Rugby, commented “Urban Rugby America (URA) is working hard in its volunteer-driven capacity to leverage sport to disrupt youth poverty. Despite the affordability of rugby, America’s low-income youth have missed out on the game while American rugby has missed out on them. With rising income disparity, academic deficits, opportunity gaps, social-emotional health deficits in our inner cities- we must use rugby to uplift our most vulnerable neighbors by positioning the game as a tool to close these gaps and level the playing field. We are so proud of each URA program for overcoming incredible obstacles to merely exist - let alone make the trip to New Orleans for this unifying event.”

Returning to the pitch will be standout programs such as ICEF Rugby (Los Angeles), Memphis Inner City Rugby, Chicago Lions Youth Rugby, Play Rugby USA, and Washington DC Youth Rugby, all eager to battle for the coveted URC title.  Cincinnati, Dallas, North Philly, Nashville, New Orleans, and Patterson (NJ) have all signaled their intent on traveling to compete in the 4th annual championship.

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About Urban Rugby America:

Founded in 2022, Urban Rugby America exists to unite, empower, and advance youth rugby initiatives serving under- resourced communities throughout the country. Their events, including the Urban Rugby Championship, aim to redefine the future of American rugby by prioritizing diversity, equity, and access to the sport.

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About USA Youth and High School Rugby

USA Youth & High School Rugby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, an affiliate of USA Rugby, and the Sanctioned Governing Body for all youth rugby in the United States. Catered towards players aged 5-18, USA Youth & High School Rugby’s key initiatives are to: provide a fun and safe environment for the advancement of rugby in the United States, develop well-rounded rugby community members both on and off the pitch, and be the conduit to connect the game at all levels to promote a lifelong love of the sport of rugby.

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