iSportConnect December 20,2011 

Profile of the Week: Mark Griffin-CEO, Play Rugby USA

Mark Griffin is a pioneer in the field of sports-themed youth development. He founded Play Rugby USA in June 2003 as a wellness and prevention resource for America's urban youth with a philosophy of "developing youth through rugby." Read More

NY1.com October 19,2011

City Kids Go Beyond The Scrum, Learn Life Lessons in Rugby

The nonprofit group Up2Us teamed up with Play Rugby USA Wednesday to teach the game to students at Alain L. Locke Magnet School for Environmental Stewardship in Morningside Heights. NY1's Ruschell Boone filed the following reports. Read More

British Consulate July 11,2011

British Consulate Supports Play Rugby USA

Over 1000 spectators watched 64 teams from area schools compete in nearly 180 matches. The standard of competition was high. The British Consulate General supported the event and were delighted to be represented by PS 218 from the Bronx – a great performance won them the Middle School Bowl trophy. Read More

RugbyMag.com June 15,2011

64 Teams Compete in NYC Rugby Cup

Over 1000 people made the journey out to Randall's Island Saturday for the 2011 NYC Rugby Cup, despite inclement weather. 64 teams competed in nearly 180 matches for the coveted City Cup titles. Read More

The Independent June 12, 2011

Pioneering Spirit Keeps American Dream Alive Amid the Reality of Minority Status

Soon after they arrived at their base in Surrey, Eddie O'Sullivan had a decision to make. The (English) RFU, as host union for the Churchill Cup, were picking up the tab for their lodgings. Read More

The Rugby Football Union June 4, 2011

American Rugby Targets Grass Roots

Almost 4 years ago I came to New York to see if I could help wake up "the sleeping giant" of world rugby by joining Play Rugby USA, a nonprofit, wellness and prevention organization with the mission to "Develop Youth Through Rugby." Read More

Bronx News Network May 27, 2011

MS/PS 279 Team Dominating Foreign Game, Improving Grades in the Process

In the concrete courtyard of PS/MS 279 in Morris Heights on a school day afternoon, coach Mike Rosario screamed at the Bronx’s most successful youth rugby team. “You already know!” he yelled. “Yes! Yes!” a varying range of pubescent middle school boys and girls yelled back, as two teams of five lined up for a drill. Read More

Paper & Spanish Coverage

New York Daily News May 2, 2011

PSAL rugby season opens on Randall's Island, defending boys champion Canarsie sweeps opening round

It was fitting the weather was straight out of the East Midlands, the English countryside birthplace of rugby. The skies were flannel gray and the wind shivered like a stiff arm to the solar plexus as throaty grunts emanated from scrum. Read More

BBC News August 14, 2010

University of Glamorgan Helps Harlem Girls Tackle Rugby

A student rugby union coach has described how teenage girls in the New York neighbourhood of Harlem were won over to the game. Read More

New York Daily News December 15, 2009  

Making a Pretty Big Pitch: Organizers Say Demand for Youth Rugby Is on Rise

Brianna Paulino was on the verge of tears. Just moments earlier, the 10-year-old had been beaming after leading her team to the Play Rugby exhibition flag tournament title at the Henry Street Settlement’s Boys & Girls Republic in Manhattan. Read More

Rugby Magazine September 24, 2009

Kids! The Future of American Rugby

Burgeoning youth groups like Play Rugby and the NJ-based American Flag Rugby are introducing the sport to thousands of young athletes and have become the breeding ground for the next generation of ruggers. Read More

Rugby Magazine September, 2009

Championing Rugby

An innovative New York City Education Department Sports Program is incorporating Flag Rugby to teach learning - and physically-disabled middle school students important life lessons and social skills. Read More

Northampton Rugby Football Club April 24, 2009

A Life After the Saints

After two-and-a-half seasons as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at the Saints (and a few more years as an Academy and Wanderers player) I made the difficult decision to leave a dream job in professional rugby. After the 2007 National League One pre-season I decided to take up a completely different role and follow another dream: making a difference to underserved youth in some of the poorest and most dangerous inner city areas in one of the world's greatest cities - New York City. I wanted to give the students there some of the same chances I had growing up playing rugby. Read More

Raggamatrix September 3, 2008

Play Rugby USA CEO and founder Mark Griffin Interviewed by Mr. Bruce McLane

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27 EAST.com July 15, 2008

Play Rugby Introduces Local Sport to Youth

If the scene at the Stephen Hands Path Field in East Hampton on Sunday afternoon was any indication, rugby is gaining in popularity among young athletes on the East End. Read More

The Riverdale Press June 11, 2008

Local Ruggers Fall Hard, but Learn A Lot in City Tourney

Several kids from the Riverdale Community Center — an after-school program housed at MS/HS 141 — laced up their sneakers at Columbia University’s Baker Field on Saturday to take part in the city’s first-ever Mayor’s Cup flag rugby tournament. Read More

National Council of Youth Rugby December 1, 2007

Winner of the 2007 Hershey's STRIVE Award

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Gainline.us July 19, 2006

Youth Nonprofit Gains Ground in New York Schools

A nonprofit is making headway with New York City schools by conducting non- contact programs and designing curricula for gym classes. Play Rugby’s summer camp sessions will reach more than 600 7- to 12-year- olds, many minorities and almost all new to the sport. This fall, about half of the 12 participating institutions are likely to continue with Play Rugby’s after- school programs, according to founder Mark Griffin. Read More