Why Rugby?
Great rugby players make great people!
Rugby builds character by developing confidence, courage, and resilience.
Through invigorating games, rugby players develop lifelong skills including creative problem solving, leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.
Rugby encourages active and healthy lifestyles.
Rugby players express their athleticism in diverse ways and that lends itself to be inclusive of many athletes.
Perhaps most importantly of all, rugby is fun!
Rugby Values
In 2009, the World Rugby member unions identified integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect as the defining character-building characteristics of rugby. These are now collectively known as the World Rugby Values and are incorporated within the World Rugby Playing Charter, a guiding document aimed at preserving rugby’s unique character and ethos both on and off the field of play.
Integrity.
Integrity is central to the fabric of the game and is generated through honesty and fair play.
Passion.
Rugby people have a passionate enthusiasm for the game. Rugby generates excitement, emotional attachment and a sense of belonging to the global rugby family
Solidarity.
Rugby provides a unifying spirit that leads to life-long friendships, camaraderie, teamwork and loyalty which transcends cultural, geographic, political and religious differences.
Discipline.
Discipline is an integral part of the game both on and off the field and is reflected through adherence to the laws, the regulations and rugby’s core values.
Respect.
Respect for team-mates, opponents, match officials and those involved in the game is paramount.
Rise of Rugby
Rugby is on the rise!
According to RugbyPass, just prior to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the sport experienced an 11% growth and reached 8.46 million members globally. Of which, over half are youth players.
In June of 2024, USA Rugby celebrated an achievement of over 50,000 youth and high school registrations! This was a 12% growth from the previous year.
Just two months later, the USA Women’s Rugby Team made history by winning the first ever medal in Olympics rugby sevens! [Read more].
Supporting research
Rugby improves self esteem, emotional regulation, and promotes empathy
“Rugby, Self-Perception, and Prosocial Behavior: Evidence from the Italian Rugby Project for Schools” published in 2015 by Miriam Parise, et al. of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy.
Rugby can create better, safer communities.
Rugby provides a safe environment while instilling the core values of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline, and respect. It allows for healthy communication and creates an outlet for self-expression. This safe environment can deter young folks from entering gangs or engaging in criminal activity, and serve as a rehabilitation tool.
“Sport as a vehicle for development: The influence of rugby league in/on the Pacific” published in 2009 by R. Stewart-Withers and M. Brook of Massey University Institute of Development Studies in New Zealand
“Kicking crime into touch: an ethnographic exploration of rugby union as a vehicle for supporting Positive Youth Development in the youth justice system” published in 2023 by Jamie Crowther of Manchester Metropolitan University.