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02.22.2021HS Boys, HS Girls
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What's the status of high school rugby around the country? We're here to give you an answer.

Every state rugby organization has different issues to deal with. Some states have had a rougher time with COVID than others. Some have had more data-drive responses than others.


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As an example, some states (notably Washington) continue to list outdoor rugby as one of the highest-risk sports, while saying that basketball (a "non-contact" sport that is actually high-contact) is lower risk. Yet other states (notably, and somewhat surprisingly, California) have seen that playing outdoors is inherently safer than playing indoors, and as a result put outdoor rugby as not as high a risk as indoor basketball.

So everyone has different rules, different fears and concerns, and different problems.

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Below we've taken a closer look at the states that have rugby organizations, and can give you an overview of where they are in terms of playing high school rugby.

In addition, keep in mind that many private schools have a bit more freedom to do what they want. Many are already insured, and other HS clubs are also finding that they can get insurance and just go out and play (note, this-party insurance doesn't cover COVID issues, it just covers other stuff like injuries or a ball hitting a spectator in the face). So while we make generalizations about what's going on in a state, there may be self-insured clubs or school teams that do their own thing irrespective of if a state league is operational.

Rock Rugby in Texas kept practicing through much of the fall. The Eastside Lions in Washington are practicing. A compilation team from Southern California traveled to South Carolina to play earlier this month.

So having said all that, here goes:

 


Return-To-Play Status in HS Rubgy As Of Feb 22, 2021
StateNotes on Status
ArizonaPlaying now
ArkansasOne team, which has a schedule set (but could use more games)
ColoradoPlans to start in March
Colorado Varsity League (CIRA)Girls first then boys. Timeline finalizing
ConnecticutMore information coming
DCMore information coming
FloridaPlaying now
GeorgiaExpected to play soon, with some teams reduced to 10s or 7s.
IdahoSlated to start in late March
IllinoisContact practices have started. Need more good news from the state.
IndianaReady to go. Games coming in March, probably
IowaStarting early April for Girls and Boys
KansasWill play, kicking off in March
LouisianaPlaying now
MarylandWorking to make it happen
MassachusettsNo specifics yet for MYR or MIAA, but should know soon.
MichiganMeeting in March to decide. Possibly just touch or flag rugby
MinnesotaComing back April or early May. Girls maybe a bit later
MissouriSchedule set starting mid-March
MontanaMore information coming
NebraskaMore information coming
New JerseyWorking to make it happen
New MexicoMore information coming
New YorkPiecemeal with various regions able to play. WNY looking good. Capitol and West Chester likely. NYC more to do.
NorCalMeeting Feb 23 to discuss but things are hopeful
North CarolinaThere has been some rugby, but a league season still is questionable
OhioSchedule set
OklahomaApril
OregonPossible. They are waiting on some state information but sounding more optimistic
PennsylvaniaBack to contact - League play to start April 11
SCIRFApril
SoCalPlanned for April
South Carolina 
TennesseeWill be back, schedule unsure
TexasPlaying now
Utah 
WashingtonState coming out of things very slowly. Right now not looking good
Hawaii 
KentuckySmall amount of teams. Should be OK
Rhode IslandMore information coming
VermontMore information coming
NevadaMore information coming
New HampshireMore information coming
DelawareSmall number of teams, most private schools. They should find a way.
WisconsinDelayed until May, but they're playing.

 

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