January 4th, 2021

Rugby Pennsylvania is excited to announce its plan for the Spring 2021 season. Rugby PA teams will compete in a 6 round season beginning on April 11th, 2021, applicable State regulations permitting.

“We continue to be very sensitive to the potential public health risks around youth sports, but several factors are beginning to indicate a high probability that competitive rugby may be possible in the late Spring of 2021.  With all of the changes at higher levels of governance in 2020, it is going to be crucial that our teams have as much time as possible to prepare for their return to play in just a few short months.”

Teams who wish to participate in the spring 2021 season must complete their Team Registration through the Rugby PA website by January 15th, 2021. A schedule will then be created of those teams, with a target release date of January 29th, 2021. Any team who registers, but is ultimately unable to participate will have its team registration fee refunded.

Player registration is now available through USA Rugby. Players will now register directly with USA Rugby, with all fees being collected at once. The registration costs will remain the same at $100 for High School players, and $60 for youth. Teams who wish to participate in the 15s divisions must have 15 players registered by Friday, March 12th. This will provide one month to make and changes to the league schedule. Those who do not meet this requirement will be allowed to participate in the Development Divisions.

The following structure will be used for the 2021 Spring Season:

• The combining of the High School Boys Club and Single School competitions for both regular season and state tournament. This is being done to provide stability in the competition. 

• Creating a Development Division for both the High School Boys and High School Girls who will compete in sevens competitions. There will be 3 official tournaments for these teams, and will allow them to schedule friendlies (7s, 10s, 15s) on open dates. These development divisions are for new clubs, and those low in numbers.

• High School Girls will have one division of 15s competition (Division 1) and one division of 7s (Development). 

• The season will be 5 rounds of league play, from April 11th to May 9th with a State Championship the weekend of May 15th and 16th. The competitive season has been shortened to allow teams more time to recruit and register players. Should we be in stage 5 of the Return to Play Guidelines, teams are still eligible to schedule scrimmages and friendlies on the weekends of March 14th, 21st, and 28th. Rugby PA will cover the referee costs for any matches on those weekends

Proposed 2021 Spring Schedule

We will be closely monitoring the State restrictions leading up to the season. We will be following the Return to Play Guidelines. Team in person activities should not commence until we are in Stage 3. Rugby PA will continue to communicate all changes in the return to play stages.