I am a rugby player
Become a tennis student-athlete in the US or Canada.
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Discover rugby scholarships and the possibility to play rugby alongside college studies in the US or Canada!
RUGBY
RUGBY
Keystone Sports is the powerhouse of eight top college sports placement agencies. We specialize in helping international students getting recruited and secure sports scholarships in the US and Canada. Are you dreaming of playing rugby and study abroad on a rugby scholarship? At Keystone Sports, we are experts in guiding players like you to achieve your rugby dreams in America! Â
Application
Fill out the form and get a free evaluation of your chances by our experts
Signing
Contract with Keystone Sports and a customized college action plan
Preparation
Test prep and grade evaluation, college admission profile, choosing college and division
Planning
Visa, travel arrangements, and assistance with the application process
Support
Ongoing college support and assistance
See our step-by-step guide of the process, from the first free assessment to enrolled student-athlete.
Rugby scholarships:
play college rugby and study in the US
Rugby scholarships in the USA offer an incredible opportunity for international students with rugby aspirations. Whether you aspire to go professional or simply want to combine your love for rugby with studying abroad, playing college rugby in the US is a fantastic way to grow both as a player and as a student. Â
Top 5 of our players studying in the US:
Luke Ingle
University of  Notre Dame
Henry Thomson
Siena College
James Holland
Wheeling University
Hugo taylor-Jones
Belmont Abbey College
Aston Gradwick Light
University of Arizona
What is College Rugby?
College rugby is a sport played at colleges and universities in the U.S. As a sport, it shares many similarities with American football. The main differences between the sports are the ball’s shape, protective gear, and the number of players on the field. Â
By being a rugby student-athlete means you will practice and compete for your school’s team. The teams compete against other schools in various leagues and championships specifically for college rugby.Â
As a college rugby athlete, you benefit from the guidance of college coaches and staff to grow and develop as a rugby player and student. There are college rugby programs and colleges with rugby scholarships throughout the United States.Â
What Does a Rugby Scholarship Cover?
A rugby scholarship can help cover the costs of studying at college. Rugby scholarships can be either partial or full-ride scholarships:Â
Full ride scholarships cover all major expenses for the student-athlete, including tuition, room and board, books, supplies, travel, and equipment. These scholarships are awarded to top players. Full rides are competitive but achievable with the right combination of talent and dedication.Â
Partial scholarships typically cover between 40-70% of the cost of attendence (COA). They can be combined with other forms of financial aid to help reduce overall expenses.Â
Men’s & Women’s Rugby Scholarships
Men’s rugby scholarships are more common, but women’s rugby scholarships are also available and increasing. While men’s rugby programs generally have a higher number of scholarships, the growth in women’s rugby has led to more opportunities and recognition for female players. Â
The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) are the two largest governing bodies for college rugby in the U.S. They play a key role in deciding the number of rugby scholarships available per team, which can vary based on the level of competition and the institution’s resources.Â
Women’s Rugby Scholarships
Women’s rugby scholarships are growing in availability as the sport gains more recognition. On average, NCAA women’s college rugby teams offer 6 to 10 scholarships per team. In the NAIA, teams typically provide 6 to 8 rugby scholarships per team.Â
Men’s Rugby Scholarships
Men’s rugby scholarships are more common because the sport is well-established as a college sport. On average, NCAA men’s college rugby teams offer 8 to 12 scholarships per team. In NAIA, men’s teams typically offer 6 to 10 scholarships per team.Â
5 Pro Rugby Players who are Former College Athletes
College rugby has a level for everyone, thanks to the various divisions, levels, and schools. As a rugby student-athlete, you have the power and opportunity to shape your path.
If you’re aiming to go pro, college rugby provides an outstanding foundation and preparation for a professional career. Many successful professional rugby players were once student-athletes, including:Â
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Madison Hughes
Dartmouth College
Carlin Isles
Ashland University
Nate Ebner
Ohio State University
Thretton Palamo
University of Utah
Danny Barrett
University of California, Berkeley
Whether you’re aspiring to be a pro rugby player or simply enjoy practicing college rugby while earning a recognized university degree: college rugby offers incredible opportunities. It not only provides the experience of studying and competing abroad but also helps you develop essential life skills. You will build your teamwork, leadership, and time-management skills, which will benefit you both on and off the field!Â
Thanks to college rugby scholarships you get the financial support to cover the costs of studying as well as the expenses of practicing and competing.Â
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A Day in Life as a Student on a Rugby Scholarship  
It can be hard for rugby players outside America to imagine what daily life could look like as a student-athlete at college. Take a look at a typical day for a college rugby player, where practice, schoolwork, and spending time with other students fill the schedule.
7:00 AMÂ
After breakfast, you head to the rugby field or gym for your morning practice. As a college rugby player, your mornings will start early to avoid schedule clashes.Â
9:00 AM – 3:00 PMÂ
After practice, you attend your scheduled classes like any other college student. Depending on your schedule, you will spend most of the day on campus. You might have lunch with your teammates in the cafeteria, attend more classes throughout the day, and dedicate time to studies and group projects.Â
3:00 PM – 5:00 PMÂ
Once the school day is over, it’s time to return to the field or gym for another practice session. This session might focus on team strategies or preparing for upcoming matches. Afterward, you engage in recovery activities such as stretching or ice baths, followed by a nutritious meal to help with muscle repair and overall recovery.Â
6:00 PM – 8:00 PMÂ
You have dinner with teammates or friends, often discussing the day’s training and upcoming matches, and unwind from the day’s activities.Â
8:00 PM – 10:00 PMÂ
Catch up on any remaining assignments or study for upcoming exams. If your academic work is complete, you might relax by spending time with friends or teammates. Then, get ready for bed to make sure you get enough rest to recover from the day’s activities and be ready for the next day!Â
Your weekends often mean match days. On game days, you might need to travel with the college team to a different city or even another state, play matches, and participate in post-game analysis with your teammates and coach. If there are no games, you might use the weekend for extra practice, recovery, catching up on studies, or meeting with teammates and friends.Â
Name Surname
Name Surname
ATTENDED UNIVERSITY
Field of studies
ATTENDED UNIVERSITY
Field of studies
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FAQ: About College Rugby and College Rugby Scholarships
A: Yes, rugby is a college sport played at many colleges and universities across the U.S., with both men’s and women’s teams. Rugby has a long history in American colleges, and over the past few decades, it has gained more recognition and support. This growth has led to the development of more formal college rugby programs and competitions.
Yes, colleges offer rugby scholarships for international students. Scholarships can be found at schools with established college rugby programs. The amount and availability can vary by institution and level of competition, and they also depend on whether the school is governed by the NCAA or NAIA.
Yes, several colleges offer women’s rugby scholarships. Men’s rugby is still a bigger college sport, but women’s rugby is gaining more popularity and recognition. You will find scholarships for female rugby players, especially at schools with established programs.
Imagine combining your passion for rugby with studying at college and meeting students from around the globe. Make it happen with Keystone Sports! Fill out Keystone Sports assessment form to receive a free expert evaluation of your chances to get a rugby scholarship in the USA! Â
I'm a college coach
Find out more about Keystone Sports and our student athlete recruiting service that allows young athletes to combine education with sports.
COACH
COACH
Lewis McKissick
RUGBY placement expert
Curious about college sports, studying in the US and what it’s like being a student-athlete? Learn more in the articles below:
