Through Rugby's global footprint and unique culture, Play Rugby USA is able to offer participants a window into the wider world they live in beyond the United States. In addition, their inclusion in the program allows for the reinforcement of values key to experiencing the sport at any level. Participants learn of the camaraderie, trust, and communication that is essential on the rugby pitch. Some of these aspects of our program include:

• Designed and developed to deepen the appreciation of the participant for the game and culture of rugby and reinforce their rugger identity through fraternity and recognition.
• Provides participants with continuous opportunities to experience the camaraderie of rugby.
• Provides participants the venue to exercise social skills and values as a member of a team as opposed to individual participants.
• Provides coach/leader/facilitator/coordinator the process for planning, organizing and maintaining:
  • Club Charters
  • Permission slips
  • Location
  • Member requirements
  • Emergency Action Plans
  • Budget considerations
  • Volunteer needs
  • Reward and recognition

The highlight of these efforts is our annual NYC Rugby Cup, a culminating tournament for all of our NYC programs. In 2011, this one day tournament featured 64 teams and 750+ players competing in two age divisions (Elementary and Middle School). Accompanying this event is an enculturation piece where each team works within a theme to learn more about the rugby world. In the past, the themes have been country based. Each team adopts a different rugby playing nation and must complete a project pack before the tournament. The project packs require the students to research their chosen country and answer questions about their government, history, and rugby teams. On the day of the tournament, the schools get to wear jerseys styled after their chosen country.