USA Rugby and CRAA Unite to Strengthen College Game

American college rugby just got a major boost as USA Rugby and the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) announced a strategic partnership that promises to transform opportunities for student athletes across the country.

The collaboration injects critical resources into collegiate rugby just as schools prepare to return to play this September. USA Rugby will expand staffing, provide technology upgrades, improve safety standards, and create clearer pathways for college players to reach national teams competing in the Olympics and World Cup.

The timing couldn't be better. With Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympics and the United States welcoming both the Men's Rugby World Cup in 2031 and Women's Rugby World Cup in 2033, this partnership sets the stage for American players to compete at the highest levels on home soil.

Here's what makes this partnership different: it builds on decades of volunteer work rather than replacing it. CRAA's conference administrators, coaches, and community leaders will continue guiding the sport they've nurtured for years, but now with professional support and national resources backing them up.

The funding boost comes from union investment, not student pockets. Member dues won't increase even as programs gain access to full-time staff, operational support, financial oversight, and program grants that previously weren't available.

"College rugby is one of the most important pillars of our sport," said Bill Goren, USA Rugby's Chief Executive Officer. His organization recognizes that collegiate programs connect youth leagues with professional opportunities and international competition, creating a complete ecosystem for the sport's growth.

The Ripple Effect

The impact extends beyond current college players. By strengthening collegiate programs, USA Rugby creates a pipeline that starts with youth leagues and flows through high school, college, club teams, professional opportunities, and ultimately national team selection.

Tamara Sheppard, USA Rugby's General Manager of High Performance, highlighted the national team connection. Better college programs mean more athletes developing the skills needed to become Eagles, representing the United States in Olympic and World Cup competition.

The partnership also accelerates efforts to establish women's rugby as an NCAA Emerging Sport, working toward the threshold of 40 varsity programs and expanding into new regions across America.

Paul Keeler, CRAA's Executive Director, emphasized that the collaboration preserves what works while adding what's needed. The community, expertise, and relationships that made college rugby successful remain intact, now reinforced with resources to reach the next level.

The initiative reflects a shared vision between USA Rugby and World Rugby to grow American participation and elevate performance standards from now through the 2033 Women's World Cup. For student athletes choosing colleges this year, the game they love just became more connected, better supported, and filled with bigger dreams than ever before.