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NEWS & NOTES

Inaugural Season for Rugby Northeast to start in Fall 2011.

Rugby Northeast is the first Division II collegiate rugby conference in the United States. It was formed in February of 2011 in concert with USA Rugby’s college restructuring plan under Todd Bell. It serves small schools in New England who play NCAA competition in the Northeast-10 as well as some schools who carry rivalry with that group through participation in Hockey East.

The goal of this conference is to create stronger programs through traditional college rivalries and heightened awareness on campuses. The inaugural competition will be held in the Fall of 2011, with possibilities for a sevens and womens competition to be added very soon.

The official website of St. Michael's College Rugby

Rugby at Saint Michael’s College

Saint Michael’s College Rugby Club competes in the Rugby Northeast, the first Division II Collegiate Rugby Conference in the United States. The newly formed conference (2011) includes American International College, Bentley University, Merrimack College, Providence College, Saint Anselm College, Saint Michael’s College, Stonehill College and The University of Massachusetts – Lowell.

Over the last several years, the program has undergone significant growth. The men’s team formerly competed in the collegiate Division II of the New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU), one of the strongest unions in the U.S., while the women’s team formerly competed at the Division III level.

The women’s team has advanced to the playoffs three out of five years and continues to perform as a top contender. They were undefeated during the regular 2010 season and advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated. The men’s team won the Plate Competition (the playoff consolation bracket) during the 2006 and 2008 seasons.

The Rugby Program at SMC is unique in its scope and organization as compared to other U.S. collegiate programs. The teams are maintained internally as a club sport, yet managed with the same level of commitment as a varsity sport. Our own student players administer the program and all players are expected to conform to the same standards of conduct and play as other varsity sports.

We have our own game pitch centrally located on the SMC Main campus, our own practice pitch at the North campus, our own equipment room and our own athletic trainers and training schedule.

Our goal is to develop the skills necessary to become great rugby players. The program emphasizes integrity and self-respect through commitment, dedication, self-discipline and self-sacrifice for achieving that higher goal.