If the standard of rugby in the EPRU, MARFU and USA is to improve, it is vitally important that we introduce our players to the game at an early age. Accordingly, increasing emphasis is being placed on the development of high school and youth rugby programs in our Union. At present the EPRU administers these youth rugby programs: U-19 Boys and Girls, U-15 Boys Contact and U-15 Co-Ed Non-Contact.
The High School Rugby Program is for players enrolled in grades 9 to 12. Matches are played in the spring between teams of 15-a-side on a full-sized pitch. Although most Laws of the senior game apply, there are modifications. (See Under 19 Variations) Teams are organized in divisions and play a round-robin schedule. Division I teams also participate in an EPRU Championship.
The EPRU Girls High School Rugby Program is directed by the Girls High School Coordinator. Besides coordinating the scheduling of matches, tournaments and All-Star play, the Coordinator is a liaison between the participating teams and the EPRU.
The EPRU Girls High School Coordinator is responsible for all facets of the high school program.
Girl's High School Coordinator - Responsibilities
Organize league by geography and talent to assure maximum competitiveness
Organize agenda and annual coaches meeting
Prepare league schedule and communicate to membership
Communicate in a timely fashion to membership re league rules, match reporting procedures, protest procedures
Mediate disputes between members
Interact with Referee Society to maximize use of scarce referee resources
Assist EPRU Secretary with the collection of necessary annual paperwork and dues
Interact with USA Rugby U19 coaches/administrators to assure that EPRU players receive selection consideration
Input match results weekly in a timely fashion
Assure that venues exist for end-of-season playoff matches/tournaments
At the conclusion of league season organize playoff brackets/match-ups
Organize committees as required to manage selected league functions
Organize and oversee an All-Star program
Prepare and monitor an annual budget for EPRU HS-related expenses
Communicate player development camp opportunities to members
Respond to member inquiries/issues in a timely fashion
Provide support and assistance to newly-formed teams
7th Annual East Stroudsburg Player Development Camp - for all male and female high school and collegiate players Contact: Kevin Castner, castner@live.com, phone: 570-460-2626, more details
06/08/08
Boys & Girls Youth Rugby Clinic, Doylestown, PA - for boys and girls ages 6-14 -
9:00am - 3:00pm - Maennerchor Field, Cold Spring Creamery Rd
REGISTER NOW Contact: Stacy Mancuso, smancuso8@yahoo.com, phone: 610-772-0903, more details
05/30/08
- 06/01/08
USA Boys High School and Boys & Girls U 19 Championships - at Founders Field, Pittsburgh, PA (hosted by the Pittsburgh Harlequins), more details
05/30/08
- 06/01/08
USA Rugby Announces High School and Under-19 Championship Schedule - at Pittsburgh's Founders Field Contact: Jennie Alwell, jalwell@usarugby.org, phone: 303-539-0300 x1, more details
05/18/08
EPRU Girls HS/U-19 All Stars: OPEN TRYOUT - West Chester University, 10AM-4PM Contact: Kevin Castner, castner@live.com, phone: 570-460-2626, more details
05/17/08
Delaware Subaru 7's - 7th Annual event at Glasgow High School, Newark, DE
Divisions: U19 Boys/U19 Girls, Men's & Women's Open. Entry fee $175 by May 12, Host Club: Wilmington Men Contact: Jerry Humphrey, wrfc36@aol.com, phone: 302-521-9457, more details
05/11/08
2008 Girls High School Championship - Divs 1 & 2 and Ruck for the Cure - Penndale Middle School, 400 Penn Street at the corner of Hancock & Church Road, Lansdale, PA , Host Club: North Penn Girls Contact: Joe Campbell, joecampbell2@verizon.net, phone: 267-337-2332, more details
05/05/08
WIN a Full Scholarship to Attend the ESU Player Development Camp - July 10-13 - Enter now to win....Deadline for submittal of essay is June 6th., more details
04/27/08
EPRU Medical Coverage Questionnaire for College and High School/U19 Clubs - Completion by ALL Colleges and HS/U19 clubs is due BY May 15. The EPRU Medical Committee has a vision in which all participating members will be cared for appropriately when injured while playing. Contact: Bryan McCloskey, eprufeedback@gmail.com, more details
Reach Thousands of Rugby Players - How? Advertise on the EPRU Website! Tournaments, Fundraisers, Businesses, Club Sponsors, Rugby Suppliers, etc. High hit volume and low prices.. , more details
03/05/08
North Penn Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary & Supports 'Every Try Counts' - a program to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer for every try the Ruckin' Ducks score. Contact: Brian Pickersgill, brianpix@verizon.net, phone: 267-718-6229, more details
03/01/08
- 05/17/08
Spring Rugby in the EPRU - Who's Playing Who - see the complete Master Schedule Contact: Steve Cohen, president@epru.org, phone: 609-714-2203, more details
02/20/08
USA Rugby Membership System Information Update (CIPP) - IMPORTANT - Please read the latest information on CIPP enrollment and other membership items. Contact: Kristin Richeimer, kricheimer@usarugby.org, phone: 303-539-0300 x103, more details
01/22/08
Making Rugby Safer - Obtaining a Trainer - Have you read the EPRU's proactive safety practices "Making Rugby Safer"? If not, please take the time to do so. Do you have an ATC at your matches? Contact: Steve Cohen, president@epru.org, phone: 609-714-2203, more details
01/11/08
North Penn Girls Deliver Holiday Cheers - The North Penn Rugby Football Clubs' Girls High School team recently spent some quality time for the Christmas season with residents of the Lamb Foundation in North Wales. The Lamb Foundation provides affordable housing and support services to senior citizens and adult individuals with mental, physical and developmental disabilities who would otherwise be homeless., more details
12/24/07
USA Rugby Makes Inaugural Appearance at National HS Federation Convention - Catering to more than 2000 attendees, USA Rugby was able to showcase girl’s high school rugby. Contact: Becky Carlson, bcarlson@usarugby.org, more details
12/17/07
To Watch Sportsmanship, Try Youth Rugby - Bernie "Boomer" Martin, our correspondent in the Capital District reports about an article David Farison has written for the Albany Times-Union., more details
11/17/07
USA Rugby Announces Changes to the 2008 High School / U19 National Championships - Date for Boys and Girls Championships Set for May 30 - June 1 Contact: Steve Cohen, president@epru.org, phone: 609-714-2203, more details
07/23/07
6th Annual East Stroudsburg Rugby Player Development - Consistently Providing a Superior Rugby Camp Experience Contact: Kevin Castner, Camp Director, castner@enter.net, phone: 570-460-2626, more details
07/05/06
RUGBY SAFETY: Free Tool Kit on Concussions - The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has made available a valuable and free tool for all rugby coaches, players and parents. More than 300,000 people sustain sports and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries every year in this country., more details
02/26/06
Injury Survey Report Validates Rugby Safety - HS Rugby Tends to Have Lower Injury Rates than Youth Football and Hockey, more details
09/24/05
U.S. Rugby Football Foundation - Youth/High School Grants & HS Start-Up Kits Contact: Brian Vizard, Executive Director, USRFF, bvizard@usrugbyfoundation.com, phone: 619-233-0765, more details
If the standard of rugby in the EPRU, MARFU and USA is to improve, it is vitally important that we introduce our players to the game at an early age. Accordingly, increasing emphasis is being placed on the development of high school and youth rugby programs in our Union. At present the EPRU administers these youth rugby programs: U-19 Boys and Girls, U-15 Boys Contact and U-15 Co-Ed Non-Contact.
