Tournaments will include contact and non-contact categories in the form of 5-on-5 competition
- USA Rugby today announced the launch of USA Beach Rugby with six summer tournaments on deck for 2019. Host cities include Chicago, IL; Pensacola, FL; Cleveland, OH; Wildwood, NJ; Seaside, OR; and Virginia Beach, VA.
- Tournaments will include contact and non-contact categories in the form of 5-on-5 competition.
- Beach events will look to activate entertaining and electric rugby environment with inviting atmosphere for rugby fans, new and old.
- Registration available for teams and individuals looking to join a team.
LAFAYETTE, CO – USA Rugby today announced the activation of six USA Beach Rugby events as part of the inaugural Beach Rugby Tour scheduled for 2019. Spanning a variety of shore-side locations, each event will bring a new and entertaining form of the game to vibrant beach atmospheres coast to coast. With the growing exposure of the sport, USA Rugby and Rugby Americas North (RAN) look to provide an inviting opportunity for rugby fans to get involved. The initial beach rugby tour stops will feature tournaments in Chicago, IL; Pensacola, FL; Cleveland, OH; Wildwood, NJ; Seaside, OR and Virginia Beach, VA. RAN will additionally organize the previously hosted tournament in Hollywood, FL come January 2020.For those interested in hosting their own event or affiliating an existing event to the USA Beach Rugby Tour, applications and registrations are now open at beach.usarugby.org.“We could not be more excited to bring rugby to the sandy beaches of the United States,” said Kurt Weaver, USA Rugby VP of Rugby Operations “At its core, rugby is meant to be fun. We want to expand on that environment while also offering a sociable setting for new rugby fans.”Tournaments will feature 5-on-5 competition with contact and non-contact categories. Similar to rugby sevens, tournament structure will feature pool play to a knock-out round. Divisions currently include Men’s and Women’s, High School and co-ed touch rugby.2019 USA Beach Rugby CalendarJuly 6 | Montrose Beach | Chicago, ILJuly 20 | Edgewater Beach | Cleveland, OHJuly 27 | Casino Beach | Pensacola, FLAug 3 | Jersey Shore | Wildwood, NJAug 17 | Seaside Beach | Seaside, ORAug 24 | Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach, VAAncillary to the six confirmed venues, cities and organizations have the option to submit bids toward additional events in 2019 and beyond. Further information on bidding and requirements can be found at beach.usarugby.orgTeam and player registration are also open for each location where full squads and individuals looking to join a squad can secure participation. With verification of USA Rugby membership, “free agent” players have the opportunity to join registered teams in need of additional players. Therefore, any interested party - tied to a team or not - has the opportunity to participate. USA Rugby Training and Education courses will also be organized alongside each event with coaching and referee development open to attendees.Beach Rugby Event Organizer, Frank Palumbo noted, "I very much would like to thank the local clubs, SROs, Geographical Unions, RAN and city organizations for their support in bringing these unique events to life."
