Rugby Montana Store Officially Open!
We are excited to announce that our Rugby Montana store is officially open! We are excited to be working locally with Universal Athletics to bring you top quality apparel throughout the year. The store will run in 2 week cycles and new items will be added as they become available!
Pick up the Whistle!!
Are you ready to take your understanding of the game to the next level?
Are you ready to stop watching from the sidelines?
Do you want to get paid for being part of the game you love?
Register today for the spring Referee Clinic on March 17th!
Click here to be taken to registration!
2018 National Development Summit
Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge!
Open to all rugby levels: Coaches, administrators, referees, players, etc.
This event has something for everyone. Looking to take a group?
Contact us at [email protected] for possible discounts before you register!
Training with the Eagles!
Rugby Montana is excited to work with USA Rugby and Atavus for the USA Rugby Academy Training Camp on September 9th and 10th. The camp provides opportunities for both players and coaches to increase their game knowledge and enhance their skills. All players age 14 and up are welcome to spend the weekend learning from some of the best in the country. 
Montana favorite Martin Iosefo will be joined by fellow USA Rugby Eagle Shalom Suniula, and USA College All American Coaches JD Stephenson (Men’s) and Martha Daines (Women’s).
Rookie Rugby and Shape Montana!
‘Tis that time of year to start gearing up for Back to School! Rugby Montana had the privilege of sharing the benefits of Rookie Rugby with the participants of Shape Montana. We look forward to new programs in P.E. classes across the state!
For participants of the Shape Montana conference make sure to get signed up in August to register to win one of TWO full Rookie Rugby Start up Kits! The Kits include 2 rugby balls, instructional manuals and lesson plans, skill cards, and a set of 20 flags! Everything you need to hit the ground running this fall with your own rugby program! Sign up below to get registered!
For those of you who were unable to attend or who are interested in learning more about the Rookie Rugby program and how it could benefit your school or community, sign up today for more information!
Rookie Rugby is designed to give young players a fun, safe, and enjoyable sporting experience. The rules are simple, the game is easy to learn and minimal equipment is needed! Check out more information at www.RookieRugby.com and get signed up with Rugby Montana today for one on one help starting your own program, discounted pricing on equipment, possible grant funding, and more!
SIGN ME UP FOR ROOKIE RUGBY INFORMATION
Rookie Rugby can be found in:
- Physical Education Classes
- After-School Programs
- Recreational Leagues
- Community Based Programs
- Camps, Clinics, Showcases
- Summer Camps
What is Rookie Rugby?
- Rookie Rugby is the non-contact version of rugby developed for schools and communities
- Flags or two hand touch may be used
- All players will run, pass, and score
- For boys and girls of all ages
- Play is free-flowing and continuous
Rookie Rugby vs. Rugby
Similarities–
- Object is to score a ‘try’
- Active and aerobic
- Basic skills, running, passing, catching, and evasion
Differences –
- Non-contact
- Focused on teaching basics
- No kicking
- Played on any surface or field size
Playing Rookie Rugby
- Rookie Rugby can be played in any indoor or outdoor open space
- Age and ability determines field size and duration of playing time
- Rookie Rugby is played between two teams of equal size, generally between five and ten players to a team
- Boys and girls play by the same rules
- Game can use flags or tags so little to no contact is made between players
Why Rookie Rugby?
Athlete Benefits
- Emphasis on continuous activity
- Promotes health and wellness
- Teaches respect for self and others
- Enhances motor skill development
- All ages and genders can participate
- Encourages good sportsmanship
- Unique, easy to learn, and safe
- Fun!
Why Rookie Rugby?
Program Benefits
- Extremely low cost
- Easy to implement
- Minimal equipment needs
- Instructional support available
- Game can be tailored to meet
program needs - Creates connections to a global
community
2017 Year to Date Recap & Upcoming Opportunities
As our 2017 Spring season has come to a close, I wanted to say Thank You to all of our players and parents for an amazing season. None of this would be possible without your support and dedication!
We have come a long way this year as an organization. While mother nature provided a challenge to kick off the season, we got things moving as the snow melted and had a fantastic spring season. While we will continue to have growing pains, we have seen great successes along the way!
- 133 new high school players
- 36 new middle school players
- 10 new coaches
- 3 new referees
- Montana’s first USA Rugby Level 300 coaching clinic
- New programs starting in Bozeman
- New programs starting in Lincoln County
- Expanded area to include Spokane, Washington in addition to our clubs in Post Falls, Idaho
- 3 successful spring tournaments – Jack Riekena Memorial 7’s, State, & MYRA Fest
- Team Montana traveled again to Oregon for the GNC, while it was a boys only show this year, the players did fantastic. The Varsity Boys went 1-2-1, JV Boys 1-3, and Middle School 2-2
Administratively we made huge leaps for the long term benefit of our organization.
- Rugby Montana created as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
- Updated Website and increased social media presence
- Rugby Montana YouTube page
- Sports Engine Online Registration
Upcoming Opportunities:
- Big Sky State Games 7’s Rugby Tournament for Middle School & High School, July 15th in Missoula. Teams can register at bigskygames.org and individual players should notify their coaches or contact Misty at to get signed up. The fee is $15 per player or $150 per team of 10.
- Referee clinics will be held in late summer/early fall for any interested parents or players. (this is a great opportunity to expand your game knowledge and earn a few $$ spending money). Sign up for more information at – https://form.jotform.us/71778432912159
- Atavus Training Academy September 9-10 at Montana State University. Information available at https://rugby.atavus.com/shop/usa-rugby-academy-training-camp-montana/
- Fall 7’s league for interested programs will start September 23rd with 3-4 tournaments throughout the State.
For those continuing onto the next journey, good luck and stay in touch. For those returning families and players we will see you very soon!
Sincerely,
Misty Zahn, Rugby Montana Administrator
Montana Players off to the Regional Challenge Tournament
Representative players from clubs across Montana, Northern Idaho and the Spokane Valley will be traveling west to Corvallis, Oregon to compete in the Great Northwest Challenge. The Regio
nal Challenge Tournament (RCT) is one of 5 tournaments nationally that showcase the top players from each region for college recruiters, USA Rugby High School All-American (HSAA) selectors, and is the beginning path to the Youth Olympic Games.
Players have been meeting for weekend practices since May getting ready for this opportunity. Recent years have seen players getting selected for college rugby programs and the HSAA program.
Teams in the tournament travel from Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, California, Montana & Oregon to compete.
We wish all of our players, coaches, volunteers, and referees the best of luck this weekend!
A huge thank you to all the coaches who helped prepare the players for the weekend and parents for their support throughout the season!
Flathead’s Gash-Gilder Signs with Endicott College
May 16, 2017 (Kalispell, Montana) – Rugby Montana and the Flathead Valley Youth Rugby Club are pleased to announce that Senior Matthew Gash-Gilder has signed with Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. Matthew was able to make it official on Saturday in Kalispell as Endicott College Head Coach Dave Kenkel was in town to check out the state tournament. Kenkel is a former coach for the Flathead Valley Youth Rugby Club.
Matthew has been accepted into the art program and has additional interests to pursue journalism.
Matthew has been a leader for the Black & Blue for the last three years, helping bring his team to back to back State Championships in 2016 and 2017. Additionally, Matthew has been an integral team member for the Montana Selects team. We wish him the best of luck and look forward to following his future achievements on and off the rugby pitch.