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
UPDATED: Payments Currently Due to EPRU
- Does your team owe dues,fines or Fairmount Park permit fees? Prompt payment must be made. Many teams still have outstanding balances due to the dues increase in Feb 2009. Payments after April 1st are subject to a $50 late fee , Go to Payments Page »
ELV Recommendations are NOW in Effect
- On May 17, the International Rugby Board Council ratified recommendations made by the IRB Rugby Committee and approved 10 of the 13 global Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) for adoption into the Laws of the Game. Contact: Christopher Henshall, henshall1@verizon.net, phone: 201-486-1558 , More detail »
YOU Can 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.. , Advertising Details »
Aug 15, `09 - Aug 16, `09
USA Rugby Coaching Certification Courses, Pittsburgh, PA
- get certified before the Fall season - enroll now , More detail »
Jul 31, `09
DEADLINE : Kevin Higgins Scholarship Program Available to High School Seniors
- To honor one of the most prolific players to ever pull on a United States Eagles jersey, the United States Rugby Football Foundation is pleased to announce the second year of the Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Program. , More detail »
Jul 25, `09
North Bay Girls U19 Rugby Fundraiser
, More detail »
Jul 11, `09 - Jul 22, `09
Tryouts for Women's City-Based 7s League Announced
- Philadelphia guaranteed a team - The league kicks off with tryouts July 11-12 in each respective city, followed by at least one practice from July 14-16, camp on July 19, at least one practice from July 21-22, and then the city-based league tournament at Friendship Field in Phoenixville Contact: Sue Parker, sparker@usarugby.org , More detail »
Jul 9, `09 - Jul 12, `09
8th Annual East Stroudsburg Rugby Player Development Camp
- For the eighth year the camp continues a great tradition of promoting the sport of rugby & exposing young rugby athletes to an all-star staff of USA National and International level coaches. Contact: Kevin Castner, castner@live.com, phone: 570-460-2626 , Click here for more info and to register »
Jun 29, `09
Girls HS/U 19 Coaches Meeting - MANDATORY
- at the Holiday Inn Lancaster County, Denver, PA beginning at 7:00 pm - ALL teams MUST be represented ! Contact: Joe Campbell, joecampbell2@verizon.net, phone: 267-337-2332 , More detail »
Jun 18, `09
EPRU U19 Girls Win Tournament in Charlotte, NC
- go undefeated and dominate the Georgia Rugby Union, the Florida Rugby Union and the host North Carolina Rugby Union , More detail »
Jun 15, `09
EPRU Announces Winners of Essay Contest
- Four chosen as winners - will attend camp tuition free , More detail »
Jun 12, `09
2009 EPRU Under 19 Girls All-Stars Chosen
- team to travel to Charlotte, NC for tournament
Contact: Tony DeRemer, aderemer@wcupa.edu, phone: 610-517-6385 , More detail »
Jun 11, `09
USA Rugby Announces Pilot Women’s City-Based Sevens League
- USA Rugby is creating a Women’s Sevens League as part of the development program for sevens players, particularly those who aspire to be Women’s Sevens National Team candidates. , More detail »
May 19, `09
USA Rugby Announces Newest Partnership with Better Rugby Coaching
- The Coach Development Department is excited to announce its partnership with Better Rugby Coaching, an online resource dedicated to the betterment and continuous education of rugby coaches around the world. Contact: Mollie McCarthy, USA Rugby, mmccarthy@usarugby.org , More detail »
May 15, `09 - May 17, `09
USA Boys High School and Boys & Girls U 19 Championships
- at Founders Field, Pittsburgh, PA , Go To The USA Rugby Website »
Making Rugby Safer and Medical Preparedness
- Have you read the EPRU's proactive safety practices "Making Rugby Safer"? If not, please take the time to do so. Is your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in place? Do you have Medical Coverage at your matches?, EPRUsafety@gmail.com, phone: 610-436-2139 , Link to EPRU Safety/Risk Mgmt Program »
Mar 5, `09
Rugby Magazine Launches New High School Rugby Publication
- a free, oversized 8-page newsletter for American teenage rugby players.
, More detail »
Mar 1, `09
USA Rugby Launches Rookie Rugby Club
- USA Rugby is launching a new online club and educational resource for youth rugby supporters. The Rookie Rugby Club is a social-networking website that allows players, coaches, referees and educators to connect and learn about the game Contact: Mark Griffin, USA Rugby Director, Youth and HS, mgriffin@usarugby.org , Learn more about Rookie Rugby »
Feb 24, `09
Your Club and the East Penn Rugby Referees Society
- Everything your clubs needs to know to make a Match Day go smoothly both on and off the field. Contact: David McHugh, David.McHugh@thomsonreuters.com, phone: 973-207-0186 , More details »
Nov 16, `08
High School Rugby Team Breaks Down Barriers
- For members of what is believed to be the nation's first
all-African-American high school rugby team, the sport has opened up new possibilities. , Link to NY Times Articles »
Nov 14, `08
Sebastian River High School Girls' Rugby Team Is Making History
- First-ever HS Varsity Girls Rugby Team is ready to take the field , SHRS Girls Rugby Website »
Oct 24, `08
Rugby: Going Global
- Maori talk about whakapapa - unbreakable bonds - and the best example I know of whakapapa is the global rugby family. , Details »
Oct 22, `08
USA Rugby Launches New Youth and High School Website Format
- Check out the latest info today! , Link to USA Rugby Website »
Oct 18, `08
EPRU HS Player Wins 2008 Kevin Higgins College Scholarship Grant
- Seymira Salamy of State College Girls RFC is selected for grant. , Details »
Oct 13, `08
Ernie Vargas - Making an Important Difference for troubled kids through Rugby
- Ernie Vargas is doing something so positive with a group of kids everyone else had completely written off. , Link to Full Story »
Sep 19, `08
USA Rugby Releases Competitve Structure and Brackets for 2008-09
- Complete national playoff structure is provided. Senior Men D3, Collegiate Men D2 and Collegiate Women D2 expand from 8 to 16 clubs. , Download the 2008-09 Competitive Structure »
Sep 6, `08
USA Rugby CIPP Update - Transfer Forms & Dual Roles
- USAR now accepting electronic request forms for transfers and dual roles. , Details »
Jun 14, `08 - Jun 15, `08
RESULTS: EPRU U 19 Girls Compete in Northeast U-19 Tournament
- defeat Met NY 37-10 , Details »
May 11, `08
State College Girls Win Fifth Straight Division 1 Championship
- defeat Doylestown 26-0 in final , 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.
