New Varsity Program Ave Maria Latest Signup for Next Phase Rugby App
New Varsity Program Ave Maria Latest Signup for Next Phase Rugby App
Ave Maria University in Florida has started a varsity collegiate rugby program.
The men's team will start competition in the 2023-2024 season and they have hired Tom Dockery as Head Coach.
"The Athletic Department is thrilled to bring rugby under the umbrella of AMU Athletics," University Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Patterson said when the move was announced. "We are excited for the future of the program."
To kick off their recruiting, Ave Maria has already signed up with Next Phase Rugby, the app that connects college rugby programs with high school student athletes, with clear controls to protect young high-schoolers from unwanted contact. This app was developed with the consultation and advise of Goff Rugby Report.
To download the app, as a player or a college team, go to nextphaserugby.com.
A D2 college program in Florida, Ave Maria competes alongside club teams from Eckerd, FGCU, and Miami, while seven other Florida schools compete in Division I. Fellow Sun Conference member St. Thomas added varsity rugby this year.
"The elevation of men's rugby to a varsity sport at AMU is a long-awaited triumph, not only for the current players or the players yet to come, but also in a very special way for all the players and leaders who came before," said rugby club president Anthony Audino. "We have reached new heights as a team in large part because we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and left the club better than they found it, and we look forward to making AMU Rugby a powerhouse for generations to come."
"As a club sport, Ave Maria rugby has established a strong reputation, including winning a collegiate championship, so the program will build from a very strong base, added Dockery. "This move to varsity will ensure additional resources are available for the recruitment of high-quality student-athletes and will allow investment in coaching, training, and travel as the program expands and plays a more competitive collegiate schedule."
