The 2021 Boys Rugby National Championships will be held June 17-18-19, at Swope Soccer Village - Sporting Fields + Athletics in Kansas City, Mo.

The event has been moved from its traditional May date because of obstacles and complications created by the COVID-19 pandemic. After surveying the teams who had competed at the Nationals in the past few years, it became clear that more teams would be ready and able to compete in June than in May this year. Salt Lake City was slated to host the 2021 Nationals, but because of the date change and conflicts within the facility and with COVID-19 adjustments, the local organizers could not find an appropriate venue for the event.

“I would like to thank Utah Youth Rugby and specifically Larry Wilson for hours upon hours of effort to host this event. In the end it just didn’t fit, but it wasn’t from any lack of effort," said BHSRNC event director Bart Bottorff. "Salt Lake City is a great location and a great rugby community, and we look forward to bringing the tournament back to the area in years to come on our next West/Pacific rotation.”

The Kansas City Jr. Blues and Swope Soccer Village - Sporting Fields + Athletics will host this year in order to keep the event in a West location. They previously hosted the Nationals in 2017 and 2018.

Teams should complete the application found in the link below as soon as able. Teams will have until February 28 to complete their application. In early March, selections will be made and teams will be notified of their status.

Event deposits and hotel bookings will be due later this Spring with exact details passed to selected teams. Understanding the unpredictable nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and state and local regulations, the tournament committee will allow as much flexibility as possible for changes and refunds if a team’s plans must change due to COVID-19. Interested and selected teams are urged to research refundable travel and travel insurance options before they apply in case the event has to be changed or canceled due to circumstances beyond the team’s or tournament’s control.

“In the end, we will do all we can to host this great annual event in a safe and friendly rugby atmosphere,” said Bottorff. “Thanks again to Salt Lake City for trying so hard to make it happen, and kudos to Kansas City Jr. Blues for stepping in to allow the tournament to go forward. We know this year is going to be different for all of us , but we will do all we can to make the Nationals happen in 2021,” he added.

Applications can be found here at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc6xaOHM57084yhtPIl_OgQr4XIUf8nSFF_rA9fk32jnAJv-g/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&gxids=7628