RugbyPA Launches Emerging Girls Rugby Initiative

02.07.2024

RugbyPA is celebrating National Girls and Women in Sports Daywith the launching of their emerging Girls Rugby program.

Emerging Girls Rugby is designed to promote and develop girls rugby in high schools across Pennsylvania with the goal of establishing rugby clubs in 25 schools throughout the state.

Once they reach 25 school, Rugby PA plans to apply for emerging sport status with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).

PIAA policy states that a sport will be consider fully sponsored when the number of member senior high schools with programs reaches 100. The new emerging sport classification will require only 25 schools per gender to sponsor the sport, including varsity, club, and co-op based programs. Rugby PA is in the process of getting 25 school based programs, to commit to participating in a new Scholastic Sevens Season in the spring of 2025.

The initiative will focus on fostering the growth and development of high school girls' rugby programs, providing them with the resources, guidance, and support necessary to establish successful teams. Rugby Pennsylvania will work closely with schools, community partners, and interested individuals to ensure the smooth implementation of rugby programs in high schools throughout the state.

Currently Rugby PA has nine girls teams in schools: Conestoga HS, Cristo Rey HS, Cumberland Valley, Hollidaysburg Area HS, Moon Area HS, Mt. Lebanon HS, State College Area HS, Walter B. Saul HS, and West Allegheny HS.

For more about the program go to: rugbypa.org/girlsrugby