A Proposal to Sanction a Varsity Sport
Bringing Varsity Rugby to Montana High Schools
A two-year sanctioning pilot to bring the world's fastest-growing sport to Montana high schools — beginning Spring 2028.
USA Rugby Member Club
About the Initiative
Our Ask
Demand Already Exists
Montana athletes want to play, with nowhere sanctioned to do it.
Low Cost to Schools
Shared fields, minimal equipment, a spring season that avoids conflicts.
Fully Supported
Backed by USA Rugby standards, insurance, and an active club network.
The Varsity Rugby Initiative proposes a two-year sanctioning pilot with the Montana High School Association — bringing sanctioned rugby to Montana high schools starting Spring 2028. Montana is the fastest-growing rugby state in the country.
National Momentum
A Sport on the Rise
The NCAA recognizes women's rugby as an Emerging Sport, giving Montana's girls' programs a real path to college competition.
More than 50 colleges field varsity men's rugby programs under USA Rugby, opening the same college pathway for Montana's boys' programs.
Rugby Sevens has been an Olympic sport since 2016.
The Rugby World Cup comes to the United States in 2031 — putting the sport in front of its biggest American audience yet.
Already Underway
A Foundation Already in Place
Rugby is not starting from zero in Montana. 8 active programs, 200 certified coaches, 50+ certified referees, and 1,100 player registrations are already in place statewide — a ready-made foundation for a varsity pathway from day one.
Hover or tap a city to see its ~50-mile reach.
Easy to Start
How Easy It Is to Play
Rugby asks less of a school than almost any other varsity sport — a fraction of the cost, with no new facility required. A spring season lets it share football and soccer fields without competing for space or athletes in the fall and winter.
What Rugby Needs
- Balls, cones & mouthguards
- Any existing field — soccer, lacrosse, or football all work
- A USA Rugby–certified coach
- USA Rugby player insurance
What It Doesn't
- No helmets or pads
- No dedicated stadium
- No major capital outlay
Program Details
How the Pilot Would Work
Format
A spring season of 7-on-7 to start — with the ability to scale to 15-on-15.
Governance
Sanctioned by MHSA and administered to USA Rugby and World Rugby standards, with national-body insurance.
Coaching & Safety
All coaches USA Rugby–certified, with mandatory concussion and safe-contact training.
Participation
Open to all classifications, with separate girls' and boys' divisions.
Proposed Timeline
A Measured, Reversible Path
- 2026–27 Board approval & joint exploratory committee
- 2027–28 Coach certification & school onboarding
- Spring 2028 Pilot Year 1 launches
- 2029–30 Pilot Year 2 & data collection
- 2030 Review & full-sanctioning decision
Get Involved
The Ask
We're asking the MHSA to approve a two-year sanctioning pilot for high school rugby, beginning Spring 2028 — starting with a joint exploratory committee, then finalized safety standards, then confirmed participating schools ahead of launch.