The 34th Annual Kickoff Tournament starts up Jan 27-28, with over 130 teams at high school level down to under 10.

The event, held in Sacramento, is California-heavy but also features teams from Washington and Hawaii. Played on nine fields over two days, the tournament requires the assistance of 74 referees, 14 of them coming in from Canada.

"It is grand development on a grand scale," said longtime tournament organizer Ray Schwartz.

The tournament continues to grow, mostly at the younger levels, as parents look for new sports for their kids that are exciting, but perhaps safer than other options.

"It started as a boys high school tournament," said Schwartz. "And then it expanded to girls, middle school, and now under-ten. We are getting more teams from the outskirts and some smaller towns. Elk Grove, Chico, and Gridley didn't really have much a few years ago and now they're fielding six sides!."

While the tournament has grown and has brought in more and more players from other sports, Schwartz said it is important to stick with what makes rugby great.

"It’s critical that we stay true to our values," he said. "Treat everyone with respect. We can’t devolve into talking back to referees."

The 34th annual KOT (as it has been affectionately nicknamed) will be held for the 6th consecutive year at Cordova High School.  The size of the facility has enabled the KOT to grow to cover seven pitches (which counts as nine when two are split for youth games). The tournament will feature over 200 games.

This year, expect schools such as multiple time National Champion Jesuit of Sacramento to enter as many as four sides to compete at different levels. Clubs like Sierra Foothills (Roseville/Rocklin), Granite Bay, Mother Lode (El Dorado Hills), Solo (Solano/Yolo), Lamorinda, Pleasanton, and Danville, are all bringing multiple sides. Kahuku girls are coming from Hawaii. Liberty Boys from Washington will compete, as well.

The KOT has become the harbinger of the Northern California youth and high school rugby season to come.  The winner of the boys Varsity Gold competition, held on Saturday, is often found still standing at the High School National Championship final each May. The KOT has proven to be an outstanding structure in our reoccurring Rugby NorCal calendar, one that challenges all comers equally with the outstanding opportunity for Club, Squad, Coach, Administration and even Referee Development.