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GLENDALE, CO — USA Rugby and the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA) today announced a strategic partnership designed to support the long-term growth, alignment and sustainability of collegiate rugby in the United States. With the upcoming season set to see CRAA schools return to play in September, this partnership will inject the resources and connection needed for 2026-27 to become a turning point in college rugby. [lead photo: Oscar Lopez @Oshulo]
Through this initiative, USA Rugby will expand its leadership role within the collegiate game by investing funds and resources into CRAA to strengthen the following areas of impact:
● Key full-time staffing
● Operational support
● Technology
● Financial oversight
● Marketing & communications
● Program grants
● Training & education
● National Team Pathway alignment
Increased funding will come through union investment and not require a member dues increase.
USA Rugby will work alongside CRAA, whose leadership, institutional relationships, competition expertise and volunteer community will remain central to overseeing collegiate rugby as sanctioned by USA Rugby. Rather than replacing existing structures that are positively serving CRAA membership, the renewed partnership brings together strengths of both organizations; and importantly additional investment to better serve student-athletes, coaches and athletic departments.
DII champ San Jose State / Rowena Wood Photography @rowenawoodphotos
Given the substantial opportunities upcoming with the LA28 Olympics, Men’s Rugby World Cup 2031 and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2033; this partnership is a key step towards the overall goals of:
● Increased participation and collegiate programs
● Raising high performance and safety standards
● Aligning rugby pathways of which college is central
In addition to the realignment with CRAA, USA Rugby will look ahead to similar boosted efforts on the Women’s NCAA Emerging Sport project, accelerating the current efforts to meet the threshold of 40 varsity programs and beyond, along with expansion in further US regions.
“The foundation of collegiate rugby today is the result of decades of dedication and leadership from conference administrators, coaches, and volunteers,” said Bill Goren, Chief Executive Officer of USA Rugby. “Through countless hours of often unseen and thankless work, CRAA have built a vibrant collegiate rugby community that has served generations of student-athletes. USA Rugby is deeply grateful for those contributions, and we are committed to building upon that foundation by investing additional resources while continuing to rely on the expertise and infrastructure of the CRAA community.”
Harvard loose forward & USA U20 player Gemma Ogoke / Photo: Jackie Finlan
USA Rugby believes collegiate rugby occupies a unique and essential place within the American rugby ecosystem, connecting youth and high school participation with club rugby, professional opportunities, national pathways, and international competition. By strengthening the operational resources of CRAA, the organizations aim to create greater opportunities for participation, player development, coach and referee education and lifelong engagement in rugby.
“College rugby is one of the most important pillars of our sport,” Goren added. “This partnership is an investment in its future. By combining USA Rugby’s national resources with CRAA’s experience and leadership, we can create a stronger, more connected collegiate system that benefits every level of the game, from youth rugby to our national teams.”
USA Rugby General Manager of High Performance, Tamara Sheppard added, “The bolstered partnership between USA Rugby and the college game is a critical step in building a stronger national pathway for student-athletes. By better resourcing the collegiate development system, we can create improved opportunities for athletes to progress to the highest levels of the game, and ultimately represent the United States in the Olympic Games and Rugby World Cup. This investment is instrumental in developing more Men’s and Women’s Eagles, it’s an exciting moment for student-athletes and the national team programs alike.”
Life University’s Leila Opeti / Mianyas Photography @mianyaphotos
The integration will be implemented strategically and deliberately to ensure continuity for conferences, member institutions, and student-athletes. CRAA and USA Rugby leadership will guide the process together, maintaining consistency in leadership, operations, and decision-making.
“This partnership gives collegiate rugby access to necessary resources while preserving the experience and community that have made CRAA successful,” said Paul Keeler, Executive Director of CRAA. “Together, we are building a stronger foundation for the future of the college game.”
The initiative also supports the long-term strategic partnership between USA Rugby and World Rugby, by aligning domestic priorities with the broader vision for rugby across the United States. With the shared goals of growing participation and high performance standards in the collegiate game, both governing bodies are proud to invest from 2026 on through to the 2031 Men’s and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cups in the USA. For World Rugby, this initiative is a clear expression of its wider U.S. Growth Markets Development Plan: a deliberate, long-term strategy to unlock rugby’s potential in the world’s biggest sports market by partnering with national unions to bring premium international content to strategically important cities, build addressable audiences and invest where it can deliver the greatest impact for the game.
Arizona State / Photo: Jeff Dalton @jeffd2u
World Rugby Chief Executive Officer, Alan Gilpin said, “Collegiate sports in the United States are unlike any other in the world. Unlocking the opportunity that exists for college rugby is essential to the long-term growth of the game in the US, encouraging schools and universities to elevate or adopt rugby into their sports infrastructure, creating a meaningful entry point and pathway for aspiring athletes. Alignment between USA Rugby and CRAA is a key step towards realizing that goal, and sits at the heart of our dedicated growth strategy aimed at unlocking the full potential of rugby in the U.S on the road to Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031, 2033 and beyond.”
The partnership will focus on expanding participation, strengthening competitions, supporting conferences and institutions, improving the student-athlete experience, increasing commercial investment, and creating a sustainable model for the continued growth of collegiate rugby.