Indiana High School Rugby

Indiana has become one of the premiere states for high school rugby, with the boys' top league, the Super League, crowned the 2014 toughest high school league.[1] Indiana teams have claimed multiple national and regional championships.[2] At the start of the 2016 season, there were approximately fifty boys teams and fifteen girls teams competing in Indiana.[3] The fifty boys teams were organized into four programs in the Super League, eight in Division 1, twelve in Division 2, and one developmental side. In addition to varsity competition, many programs also contest in junior varsity and developmental competitions, allowing programs to put forth multiple teams.

Governance

Unlike most high school sports in Indiana, governed by the Indiana High School Athletic Association, rugby in Indiana is governed by the Indiana Youth Rugby Foundation, Inc., which was formed in 1999[4] to replace the Indiana Youth Rugby Association, Inc. (1990–1999).[5] The foundation operates under the brand Rugby Indiana[6] and is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit corporation that operates outside the governing structure of the Indiana Rugby Football Union.[7] Rugby Indiana's stated vision is:

  • To make rugby a legitimate high school sport opportunity for all athletes by providing a great experience on and off the field, and by gaining recognition in High School, Middle School, and Grade School administrations
  • Stimulate the quality, growth and development of Rugby at the High School and Youth level
  • To raise awareness of, and educate the general public about the sport of Rugby[8]

Top performing teams may also compete in a regional competition governed by the Midwest Rugby Football Union and a national invitational competition. These competitions, unlike Indiana state-level competition, make a distinction between whether teams are composed of players drawn from a single school or a club program open to multiple student bodies.

Play and participation

As Allyn Freeman explained in an article for RugbyToday.com, "America's high schools represented the last place of expansion" for domestic rugby.[9] Although slow to catch on, rugby at the high school level has exploded in growth since the close of the twentieth century. From 2008–2013, rugby participation grew by 81% in the United States, while participation in American football fell 21.1% in the same span.[10] In 2014, participation reached 1.2 million,[11] making rugby the fastest growing sport in the United States.[12] As of 2011, Indiana Rugby boasted 1,227 players at the high school level (902 boys, 325 girls).[13]

Lineout during Fishers v. Avon, 2016 D1 Varsity Boys Final

Unlike senior level clubs, which play two forty-minute halves, youth rugby in the United States is capped below the traditional eighty-minute match. In Indiana, matches are scheduled for two thirty-minute halves, with players not allowed to participate in more than ninety minutes of scheduled match time in a single day. In competitions in which teams compete in multiple matches, the total length of the match is truncated to comport with the ninety-minute daily cap, thus, the matches are contested at two halves each of 22.5 minutes in duration. Matches consist of fifteen players on the field for each team along with eight reserves on the bench (23 total).[8] Matches will end in a draw if level at the end of full-time unless in a championship competition. In a championship competition, if the match is level at full-time, an additional ten-minute sudden death period is played. If the match remains level after sudden death, then the outcome is decided on drop kicks. If multiple matches are to be contested in a single day, the sudden death period is foregone.[8] Coed play at the high school level is not permitted.[8] The coed prohibition was tested in May 2001 by the Mishawaka High School boys squads' attempt to include Nicole Kodba in its playoff lineup. Despite arguments from her coach and a community petition, Kodba was not allowed to compete for the boys team.[14]

Rugby Indiana's season is broken into three different phases: a competitive season from March through June, a select side season (akin to all-star teams) from June through July, and a non-competitive fall season from September through October.[13] Based upon team participation, competition is held across a divisional and conference structure. At the top of the boys' competition is the Super League, comprising four teams. The next tier is Division 1 which divides eight teams among a north and south conference. In addition to the typical varsity competition, both Division 1 and the Super League hold a junior varsity competition that competes for a state championship. Below Division 1 is Division 2, which presently includes twelve teams split into north and south conferences. At times, Rugby Indiana has also conducted a developmental league to aid new programs. When participation is sufficient, the girls competition is broken into two divisions.[13] In 2016, only a single division was used for girls rugby spread across north and south conferences of unequal numbers.[15]

In order for players to compete, they must be registered both with Rugby Indiana and USA Rugby. Players must also not have reached nineteen years of age prior to September 1. Girls in the 8th grade who are at least 14 years of age may, at the head coach's discretion, compete on a high school team. Players must be enrolled in high school, enrolled in a GED program, or meet the standards of Indiana home school requirements. Players are also required to attend at least four practices with coached supervised tackling prior to participation in a sanctioned match. Players are also required to hold amateur status.[13]

Boys Championships

2016 D1 Varsity Boys Award Presentation

Super League

In 2014, four perennial powerhouse teams formed a new top tier, supplanting Division 1 as the highest tier. The original four teams forming the Super League were Brownsburg, the Royal Irish Rugby Club based out Cathedral and Bishop Chatard, Notre Dame de La Salette of Georgetown, Illinois, and Penn. Each team has reached tremendous heights on the national stage: the Royal Irish have claimed four national titles (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017),[16] Brownsburg claimed the 2005 Tier II national championship,[17] and both Penn and La Salette have reached the national finals.[2] After the 2014 season, this prolonged success led Goff Rugby Report to declare the Indiana Super League the toughest high school league in the United States.[1] In 2017, Notre Dame de La Salette began to compete in Illinois, leaving the four-team super league structure missing a fourth team. The Super League was expanded to nine teams split into two divisions. In the North Division were Bishop Dwenger, Carroll, Culver, and Penn. In the South Division were Brownsburg, Fishers, Hamilton Southeast, Royal Irish, and St. Xavier. At seasons end, Royal Irish, fresh off a national championship, would edge Penn for the Super League title.[18] The restructured competition also introduced the Challenge Cup as a consolation competition at the state playoffs.

Varsity State Champion

Season Date Winner Score Loser Site Semifinalists MVP
2014 May 31, 2014 Royal Irish 7–5[19] Penn Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Brownsburg[20]
Notre Dame de La Salette		 Noah Schrader[19]
Royal Irish
2015 May 30, 2015 Penn 33–14[21] Royal Irish Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Brownsburg
Notre Dame de La Salette		 Inoke Moala[22]
Penn
2016 May 30, 2016 Royal Irish (2) 23–19[23] Penn Cyntheanne Park
Fishers, IN		 Brownsburg
Notre Dame de La Salette		 David Hannon[24]
Royal Irish
2017 May 29, 2017 Royal Irish (3) 19–15[25] Penn Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Fishers
Carroll		 Gabe Coleman[26]
Royal Irish

Varsity Challenge Cup Champion

Season Date Winner Score Loser Site Semifinalists MVP
2017 May 29, 2017 Culver 31–12[27] St. Xavier Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Bishop Dwenger
Hamilton Sotheast

Junior Varsity State Champion

Season Date Winner Score Loser Site Semifinalists
2014 May 31, 2014 Notre Dame de La Salette (JV) 29–17[19] Penn (JV) Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Brownsburg (JV)
Royal Irish (JV)[20]
2015 May 30, 2015 Penn (JV) 19–17[28] Royal Irish (JV) Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Brownsburg (JV)
Notre Dame de La Salette (JV)
2016 May 30, 2016 Royal Irish (JV) 29–22[29] Penn (JV) Cyntheanne Park
Fishers, IN		 Brownsburg (JV)
Notre Dame de La Salette (JV)
2017 May 29, 2017 Penn (JV) (2) 29-14[30] Fishers (JV) Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Royal Irish (JV)
Carroll (JV)

Junior Varsity Challenge Cup Champion

Season Date Winner Score Loser Site Semifinalists MVP
2017 May 29, 2017 Hamilton Southeast (JV) 34–19[31] Bishop Dwenger (JV) Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Culver (JV)
St. Xavier (JV)

Division 1


Varsity State Champion

Season Date Winner Score Loser Site Semifinalists MVP
1990 Lawrence Central –[3]

1991 Lawrence Central –[3]

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997 North Central 29–0 Penn Columbus
1998

1999 North Central –[32] Penn

2000 Penn
2001*

2002 Penn 37–8 North Central

2003 Penn

2004 Bishop Dwenger[33] 14–5[34] Pike River Road Park Carmel, IN

2005 May 30, 2005 Penn 20–17 Brownsburg Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Marian
Pike
2006 Cathedral Royal Irish North Central Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Marian
2007 May 28, 2007 North Central 22–3[35] Brownsburg Marian
2008 Cathedral Royal Irish –[36]

2009 May 25, 2009[37] Cathedral Royal Irish –[36] Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN

2010 May 31, 2010 Cathedral Royal Irish –[36] Richard Wigh Fields[38]
Columbus, IN

2011 May 30, 2011 Cathedral Royal Irish 15–10[36] Penn Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Brownsburg
2012 May 28, 2012 Cathedral Royal Irish 38–12 Penn
Columbus, IN		 Carmel
2013 May 27, 2013 Cathedral Royal Irish 26–21[39] Penn
Max Schroeder[39]
Cathedral Royal Irish
2014 May 31, 2014 North Central 29–22[40] Fishers Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Culver
Hamilton Southeastern		 Trevor Shirley
North Central
2015 May 30, 2016 Hamilton Southeastern 7–5[41] Fishers Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Bishop Dwenger
Avon		 Tyler Janney[22]
Hamilton Southeastern
2016 May 30, 2016 Fishers 76–3[42] Avon Cyntheanne, Park
Fishers, IN		 Bishop Dwenger
North Central		 Trent Nielson
Fishers
2017 May 29, 2017 Carmel 21-10[43] Avon Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Leo
Trinity

* – Penn did not compete in state tournament due to conflict with national championship tournament schedule.

Varsity Challenge Cup

Season Date Winner Score Loser Site Semifinalists MVP
2017 May 29, 2017 North Central 27-22[44] Warsaw Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Columbus
Zionsville

Junior Varsity


Season Date Winner Score Loser Site Semifinalists MVP
2012 May 28, 2012 –
Columbus, IN		 Carmel (JV)
2013 May 27, 2013 Penn (JV) –[39] Notre Dame de La Salette (JV)
Cory Christman[39]
Penn (JV)
2014 May 31, 2014 Hamilton Southeastern (JV) 13–12[45] Fishers (JV) Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Culver (JV)
North Central (JV)
2015 May 30, 2015 Bishop Dwenger (JV) 18–0[46] Hamilton Southeastern (JV) Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Fishers (JV)
 Charlie Perez
Bishop Dwenger
2016 May 30, 2016 Fishers (JV) 63–0[46] Hamilton Southeastern (JV) Cyntheanne Park
Fishers, IN		 Bishop Dwenger (JV)
 Mason Miller
Fishers

Division 2


Season Date Winner Score Loser Site Semifinalists MVP
1997 Carmel –[47] Lawrence

1998 –

1999 Carmel –[48]

2000 Marian –[49]

2001 –

2002 –

2003 –

2004 Hamilton Southeastern –[3]

2005 Columbus –[50] Bloomington Penn (JV)
2006 Royal Irish (JV) – Penn JV Lawrence

warsaw
2007 Noblesville 12–7[35] Columbus

2008 Hamilton Southeastern –[32]

2009 May 25, 2009[37] – Hamilton Southeastern[32] Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN

2010 May 31, 2010 Zionsville –[51] Columbus Richard Wigh Fields[38]
Columbus, IN		 Penn (JV) (3rd)
Noblesville (4th)
Columbus, IN
2011 May 30, 2011 Penn (JV) 12–5[13] Bloomington Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Lawrence

Zionsville
2012 Columbus –[50]
Columbus, IN

2013 May 27, 2013 Arsenal Tech –[39] Carroll
Shawn Nevers[39]
Arsenal Tech
2014 May 31, 2014 Warsaw 29–10[52] Pike Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Angola
Bloomington (Dev)		 Jason Taylor[19]
Warsaw
2015 May 30, 2015 Carroll 15–7[53] Pike Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Angola
Arsenal Tech		 Derek Longenberger[22]
Carroll
2016 May 30, 2016 Carroll 52–10[54] Pike Cyntheanne Park
Fishers, IN		 Homestead
Arsenal Tech		 JP Anzini
Carroll
No Division 2 Boys Competition in 2017

Girls Championships


Division 1

Season Date Winner Score Loser Site Semifinalists MVP
2000 Carmel –[48] Bloomington

2001 Carmel (2) –[55] Bloomington

2002 North Central –[55] Carmel

2003 Penn –[55] North Central

2004 Penn (2) –[55]

2005 Warsaw –[55] North Central

2006 North Central (2) –[55] Clay

2007 North Central (3) –[55] Brownsburg

2008 Noblesville –[55] North Central

2009 May 25, 2009[37] North Central (4) –[55] South Bend Mercenaries Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN[56]

2010 May 22, 2010 North Central (5) –[55] Carmel McCullough's Run Park[38]
Columbus, IN

2011 May 21, 2011[57] North Central (6) –[55] Columbus Richard Wigh Fields[57]
Columbus, IN

2012 May 19, 2012 North Central (7) –[55] South Bend Mercenaries
Bianca McManus
South Bend Mercenaries
2013 North Central (8) –[55] Warsaw

2014 May 31, 2014 North Central (9) 34–24[58] Warsaw Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Penn[20]
Brownsburg		 Pre Smiley[19]
North Central
2015 May 30, 2015 North Central (10) 32–17[59] Penn Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Warsaw
Arsenal Tech		 Yami Hernandez[22]
North Central
2016 May 30, 2016 Warsaw (2) 34–12[60] Arsenal Tech Cyntheanne Park
Fishers, IN		 Penn
Pike		 Whitney Boren
Warsaw
2017 May 29, 2017 Penn (3) 34–22[61] North Central Moose Rugby Grounds
Elkhart, IN		 Pike
Warsaw

Division 2

Season Date Winner Score Loser Site Semifinalists MVP
2011 May 22, 2011 Bishop Dwenger –[13] North Central (B) Richard Wigh Fields[57]
Columbus, IN
Brie Rahrig
Bishop Dwenger

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "2014 Toughest HS League". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  2. 1 2 Alex Goff (2014-12-31). "Boys HS Historical US Champions". Goff Rugby Report. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  3. 1 2 3 4
  4. ↑ "INBiz: Your one-stop source for your business". Bsd.sos.in.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  5. ↑ "INBiz: Your one-stop source for your business". Bsd.sos.in.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  6. ↑ "INBiz: Your one-stop source for your business". Bsd.sos.in.gov. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  7. ↑ "Indiana Youth Rugby Association". Indianarugby.org. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Rugby Indiana Coaching Guidelines" (PDF). Assets.ngin.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  9. ↑ Freeman, Allyn. "Down Memory Lane: Xavier High School 1979". Rugby Today. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  10. ↑ "Football Participation Fell 21% From 2008-13; Rugby, Lacrosse Up". Bloomberg. 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  11. ↑ "Rugby continues to be America's fastest growing sport". Thespectrum.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  12. ↑ "Why rugby's growth in the US could change the global game". SportsPro Media. 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rugby Indiana 2011 season highlights.mov". YouTube. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  14. ↑ "State Says No to Kodba," South Bend Tribune (May 9, 2001); Nick Johnson, "Taking hits from the boys," South Bend Tribune (May 2, 2001)
  15. ↑ "High School Girls Division I Varsity". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  16. ↑ Royal Irish Rugby Society. "Team Home for Royal Irish Rugby Society on TeamSnap". Royalirishrugby.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  17. ↑ "Home". Brownsburgrugby.net. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  18. ↑ "Royal Irish capped off a torrid few weeks with a 19-15 defeat of Penn to win the Indiana state championship". Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "2014 State Champions Crowned". Rugbyindiana.com. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  20. 1 2 3 "2014 Semi State Follow Up: 34 Matches...18 Teams...1500 Fans...One Location". Rugbyindiana.com. 2014-05-27. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  21. ↑ "HS Boys Super League - Spring 2015 2015 State Tournament JV - Brackets". Rugbyindiana.com. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "2015 State Finals Wrap Up - Classic Games All Around!". Rugbyindiana.com. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  23. ↑ "Penn HS Varsity Boys at Royal Irish HS Varsity Boys - Spring 2016 2016 State Tournament". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  24. ↑ "2016 Spring Season Championship Results" (PDF). Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  25. ↑ "Royal Irish capped off a torrid few weeks with a 19-15 defeat of Penn to win the Indiana state championship". Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  26. ↑ "Royal Irish capped off a torrid few weeks with a 19-15 defeat of Penn to win the Indiana state championship". Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  27. ↑ "2017 Spring Season Championship Results". Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  28. ↑ "HS Boys Super League - Spring 2015 2015 State Tournament - Brackets". Rugbyindiana.com. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  29. ↑ "Penn High School JV Boys at Royal Irish HS JV Boys - Spring 2016 2016 JV State Tournament". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  30. ↑ "Penn High School JV Boys vs Fishers HS JV Boys - Spring 2017 2017 JV State Tournament". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  31. ↑ "2017 Spring Season Championship Results". Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  32. 1 2 3 "HSE Royals Boys Rugby Club Coaches and Contact Information". Hse.k12.in.us. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  33. ↑ "Dwenger rugby team crowned Division 1 junior varsity state champions « Today's Catholic News". Todayscatholicnews.org. 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  34. ↑ "Bishop Dwenger Rugby 2004 State Final Highlights". YouTube. 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  35. 1 2 "The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana on May 29, 2007 · Page D1". Newspapers.com. 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  36. 1 2 3 4 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-08-13. Retrieved 2016-05-31.
  37. 1 2 3 Name (2009-05-25). "Indiana Rugby Photos: High School Rugby State Champs". CGM Photography. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  38. 1 2 3 "Rugby Indiana April Newsletter". Archive.constantcontact.com. 2010-03-13. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Cathedral Wins the State Rugby Championship - Cathedral High School Sports, Indianapolis, IN". Gocathedralathletics.com. 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  40. ↑ "High School Boys Division I Varsity - Spring 2014 2014 State Finals - Brackets". Rugbyindiana.com. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  41. ↑ "High School Boys Division I Varsity". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  42. ↑ "High School Boys Division I". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  43. ↑ "2017 State Tournament". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  44. ↑ "2017 State Tournament". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-05-31.
  45. ↑ "High School Boys Division I JV - Spring 2014 2014 State Finals - Brackets". Rugbyindiana.com. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  46. 1 2 "Fishers HS JV Boys at HSE Royals HS JV Boys - Spring 2016 2016 DI Boys JV playoffs". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  47. ↑ "Carmel Rugby Club - HOME". Carmelrugby.net. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  48. 1 2 "Carmel Rugby Club - HOME". Carmelrugby.net. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  49. ↑ "2011-2012 Sports Media Guide" (PDF). Mariahs.org. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  50. 1 2 "Columbus Rugby Football Club - About". Facebook. 1997-03-01. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  51. ↑ "2010 - Indiana High School Rugby - Zionsville v Columbus 2nd Half". YouTube. 2012-05-28. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  52. ↑ "High School Boys Division II". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  53. ↑ "High School Boys Division II - 2015 Spring Season 2015 State Tournament - Brackets". Rugbyindiana.com. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  54. ↑ "SportsEngine". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  55. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "High School Girls". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  56. ↑ "Rugby Indiana : Volume. 1" (PDF). Indianapolisrugbyclub.com. April 1, 2009. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  57. 1 2 3 "Rugby Indiana April 2011 Newsletter". Archive.constantcontact.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  58. ↑ "Warsaw Area HS Girls at North Central Panthers High School Girls - Spring 2014 2014 State Finals". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  59. ↑ "Penn Rugby High School Girls at North Central Panthers High School Girls - 2015 Spring Season 2015 DI Girls Playoffs". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  60. ↑ "Warsaw Area HS Girls at Arsenal Tech Titans High School Girls - Spring 2016 2016 HS Girls State Playoffs". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  61. ↑ "Warsaw Area HS Girls at Arsenal Tech Titans High School Girls - Spring 2016 2016 HS Girls State Playoffs". Rugbyindiana.com. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
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