Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX

Young woman throwing rugby ball

Play Rugby USA was recently featured by ABC News on “Our America: Fifty50,” an ABC Owned Television Stations special commemorating the 50th anniversary of Title IX, hosted by Sofia Carson. Click the link below to view the full video!

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Welcome Thierry Telfort, Program Director

We’re thrilled to welcome Thierry Telfort as Program Director at Play Rugby! He officially joined the team on Tuesday, February 1st! Thierry has significant youth development experience, having worked as a Program Director at Sports & Arts is Schools Foundation (today known as NY Edge) and most recently serving as the Director of Community Development…

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Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month, and to celebrate, we are highlighting black athletes and leaders that have influenced the sport of rugby throughout the world.   Each week our Academy coaches shared the story of one individual, their impact on the sport of rugby, and how they exemplify one of the Play Rugby Values-in-Action. Phaidra Knight – Go Forward Phaidra Knight is a World…

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On the Topic of Motivation

Motivation is understood as a key force which determines our behavior, impacting how we feel, think and interact with others. It is known to be essential in getting individuals to fulfill their potential. At Play Rugby USA, our Academy program helps to develop and inspire youth to become more focused, confident and engaged on and off…

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School Feature: High School of World Cultures

Play Rugby USA is excited to announce the renewal of our partnership with New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) to provide after-school rugby programming at the High School of World Cultures. Funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grant, the 2019-2020 programming starts on Monday, September 9th, 2019. To…

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Academy Students Gain Hands-On Production Experience at Rugby Wrap Up

Many young, entry-level job seekers in the twenty-first century face a catch-22: to get work, you need work experience. 91% of employers prefer to hire new graduates with previous work experience; 65% prefer candidates with relevant work experience; a mere 5% state that work experience in not a factor in hiring decisions. Access to such meaningful, hands-on work experiences is essential for young people’s workplace readiness usually years…

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Play Rugby USA and Engage! Coventry Exchange Knowledge

New York City and Coventry, England are quite different from one another, but they have at least one thing in common: rugby value-based youth development programs that empower young people. Play Rugby USA calls New York City its home while Engage! Coventry, Coventry. Representatives from these two programs spent a week together in June, learning…

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Meet Kevin – Youth Development Mentor

From humble beginnings, Kevin Braithwaite, started off as a player in our Academy program and fell in love with rugby. He joined the Play Rugby staff in 2014 and has been loving every moment of being a Youth Development Mentor. Kevin says he joined as Youth Development Mentor due to, “the impact my coaches had…

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2019 PSAL Rugby Championship

Play Rugby USA hosted the 2019 Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) Rugby Championship on May 31st – a sunny Friday afternoon on Randall’s Island. Since 2010, Play Rugby has partnered with PSAL to host annual rugby tournaments that bring together teams from different boroughs together to play rugby and demonstrate their #GoForward spirit. This year,…

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Meet Denisse – Youth Development Mentor

Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Denisse Zambon did not know a lick of English before she moved to New York when she was 14.  But, by being immersed in rugby and high school she slowly learned and is now completely fluent. Denisse began playing in a Play Rugby program. She’s been playing rugby…

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