Hartpury College, the high school school, is today a three year co-ed boarding school with 2,500 students – about 1700 boys and 800 girls – ranging in age from 16 to 18. Over 20% of the College students play rugby – 380 boys and 160 girls. The school year is divided into three Terms – Term 1 runs from September to December; Term 2 runs from January to March; and Term 3 runs from April to June. In July and August, prior to the start of Term 1, the higher level rugby players arrive at the school to participate in an elite pre-season rugby training curriculum.
The XVs rugby season (both girls and boys) runs from September to the last week in March. The 7s rugby season runs from April to June and culminates with The Rosslyn Park National Seasons Sevens – the world’s largest school rugby tournament held annually in London. Hartpury College’s 160 girl rugby players are grouped into four 40-player “training squads” with the 1st Training Squad comprised of the most elite players. Games are played on Wednesday.
On March 19, 2026, Hartpury College secured, for the fifth time in the past six years, the RFU Academic Colleges & Education (ACE) Girls League Title, winning the final at Twickenham Stadium 43-5. The video of that game is below.
Hartpury Women’s Rugby Academy: The academy creates a women’s rugby environment that rivals the professionalism of top-tier clubs. There is a track record of honing player skills while equipping them for a future beyond the rugby field. The coaches are deeply committed to supporting young women in achieving excellence in both their academic pursuits and their rugby career. The program has nurtured over 40 England u20’s and countless senior England internationals. Of the 23 player squad that won the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, 15 came through the Hartpury College Rugby Academy. Many players have secured coveted full-time contracts in both 7s and XV rugby.
The Scholarship
The scholarship is for a 9-10 month stay at Hartpury College from early-September 2026 to early-June 2027, which coincides with the start of the Hartpury College girls’ XV rugby training and runs through the end of the Hartpury College 7s rugby season.
The US Rugby Foundation will announce the scholarship award winner(s) by the end of June, 2026.
Eligibility
The USRF is accepting applications from US sophomore and junior high school female rugby players who are in good standing with their rugby team and their school.
Applicants would typically be 16-18 years old
The Hartpury College coaching staff is looking for players who “are mature, are coachable with a positive attitude, have a strong work ethic, and are resilient under pressure.”
What the Scholarship Covers
The scholarship covers the cost of attending Hartpury College, including tuition; boarding either at the school in an all-girls dormitory block or in a homestay; travel and medical insurance; extracurricular activities; and English government and administrative fees. Airfare and transfers for the student to and from Hartpury is also included.
Application Requirements
Each application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the applicant’s rugby coach(es), her high school transcript and other relevant information explained in the on-line application. Finalists will be interviewed virtually by the Hartpury College Scholarship Committee.
Completed applications and all recommendations are due by Friday, May 30th, 2026.
To apply go here>>
