Welcome

1. Does rugby have to be a varsity sport at my school for my team to compete in TIRA?

   • No.  Rugby is still developing in most schools.  Most teams are supported by the formation of a student initiated rugby club at their school.

2. When is the competitive season?

   • At the high school level, female teams play during the fall semester and male teams play during the spring semester.  Both seasons are approximately 10 to 12 weeks.

3. What version of rugby is played?

   • The version of play depends on your Tier level.  Our goal is to be adaptive enough to encourage team development at the most schools as possible.

   • Most teams play 7- or 10-a-side in Tier-2.  New / developing female teams may play 5- or 6-a-side in Tier-3.  As more schools develop consistency in roster sizes, TIRA will open up Tier-1 to play 12- or 15-a-side.

4. What if we don't have a coach?

   • TIRA will work with the faculty-advisor of your school's rugby club or your principal to find a coach from your community and/or provide training and mentoring for a teacher willing to learn.  Many schools already have a teacher or athletic coach that plays or has played rugby.  We have found that wrestling coaches also make great rugby coaches as well as football coaches.  Really it's just a matter of interest and willingness. 

5. What does it cost?

   • TIRA is a volunteer based organization dedicated to growing rugby in Texas schools.  Our fees are a lot less than other rugby associations.  So, teams can focus on securing uniforms, balls, and other essential items.  As a general rule, plan on $50 to $100 per player to get started.  A fraction of the cost of most club sports that are not funded through the athletic department.

   • For a varsity rugby team the costs are similar in costs to supporting a varsity soccer team.  

   • Whether you're a club or varsity team, consider doing fundraising activities as well as any pursue assistance from the athletic booster club and/or school administration to help offset your operational costs.

Youth across the nation and Texas are joining community club teams.  Many are starting to from school-based club teams to play interscholastic competitions and broaden their high school athletic experience.  

Beyond the youth and high school levels, rugby is played on over 250 colleges/universities in the United States, from Ivy League colleges to major public university to HBCUs.  A growing number of these schools offer it as a varsity (scholarship) sport for males and females.  Sevens Rugby (7-a-side) has been a Summer Olympic Sport since 2016 and is now a professional sport in the USA for both men and women (Premier Rugby Sevens, Major League Rugby, Women's Elite Rugby).  Alumni of Interscholastic Rugby have gone onto play rugby in college and then the MLR.

The World Rugby Club for the traditional version of rugby (15-a-side) is globally one the most popular sporting events in the world, after the FIFA / Soccer World Cup, the Olympics and Cricket World Cup.  The United States will host the 2031 (men) and 2033 (women) Rugby World Cups.  The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex will undoubtedly host a number of matches and is a strong contender to host the champion finals.