Santa Clara, Calif.—The California Conference has announced a significant expansion for the 2022-23 competitive cycle.
Teams from both the University of California Santa Cruz and Long Beach State University will join the D1A competition. Additionally, Stanford University, Chico State University, San Jose State University, Sacramento State University, Fresno State University and University of Nevada, Reno will join the California Conference as a D1AA division.
The realignment of collegiate rugby in California provides a strong framework for growing rugby. It also provides opportunities for promotion and relegation matches, which will begin following the 2023-24 campaign.
“We are thrilled to be joined by the 49ers and the Banana Slugs, two programs that have been steadily building over the last 5 or 6 years. We believe the collaborative ethos of the California Conference will enable both clubs to continue to develop into elite D1A sides,” said Marty Storti, California Conference Commissioner.
“The creation of a new D1AA division within the Conference provides additional opportunities for ambitious teams to build towards D1A and provides a pathway for D1AA players to high performance representative sides," Storti added. "There is already considerable parity within the former Pacific Western Rugby Conference and the California Conference. Bringing promotion and relegation into the mix will enable the fluid movement of teams between the competition as their talent pools ebb and flow."
