About:
The Raleigh RedHawks, established in 2010, is a youth and adult rugby organization that competes in the North Carolina Rugby and Carolina Geographic Union. It is the only team in the Triangle area competing at the national level. In 2021, the Raleigh RedHawks were ranked 12th in the nation, following a previous national ranking of 3rd. Our high school boys' team has achieved victories over teams from Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia at RCT events. The RedHawks Rugby Club has built a history of success on and off the pitch. We aim to grow the sport of rugby in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Durham, and throughout North Carolina while continuing to build upon our rich history. The Raleigh RedHawks always recruit active players, coaches, and volunteers. We currently have co-ed teams at U8 and U10, boys' teams at U12, U14, U16, and high school levels, and middle and high school girls' programs. Why Choose Raleigh RedHawks Rugby? Raleigh RedHawks has direct access to USA Rugby High-Performance Pathway programs due to our National Development Status (NDS). Our club is the only National Development Program in North Carolina. We have valuable connections to colleges, clubs, and careers, Major League Rugby (Nate Roeback, High School All-American), and other elite programs such as Panthers, EIRA, and Atlantis. Several of our coaches are selectors and coaches within these programs. The Raleigh RedHawks club has emerged in the Triangle as a formidable, player-focused developmental, educational, and leadership program. We partner with other elite academies and serve as a conduit for athletes to represent these programs. Over 60 players (both boys and girls) have received scholarships to play rugby or football in college. Two players have studied overseas to pursue college studies and rugby. Additionally, we have a total of seven players starting as freshmen in D1 college football programs. RedHawks Partnership Academies:
Panthers Rugby Academy: www.pantherrugbyacademy.com (formerly USA Rugby South)
Eagle Impact Rugby Academy: www.eirarugby.org
History & Culture:
Since its formation in 2010, the RedHawks have been the premier rugby club in North Carolina. The club has won the state title 30 times and has made it to the high school boys' national stage multiple times. The girls' high school program, as well as the middle school and youth teams, have also won multiple state championships. We have had multiple All-Americans come through our program to represent the USA National Team. The RedHawks are setting a foundation to keep their traditions and core values going for many years to come. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a vision to promote rugby among the youth. What is Rugby? Rugby is a sport that combines teamwork, speed, skill, power, and sportsmanship. It is a truly international sport, played in over 100 countries, and is the world’s fourth largest sport. Rugby has never been as popular as it is today. In 2021, rugby was brought back to the Olympics for the second time. The USA won the gold for rugby in the last two Olympics where the sport appeared, in 1920 and 1924. Rugby sevens, a modified version of the game featuring seven players a side instead of the traditional 15, was featured in Rio 2016. Rugby has become more well-known to the American public in the last 15 years, with its popularity surging. There are now more than 100,000 active rugby players in the US across professional, men’s league, collegiate, high school, and youth teams. With rugby making a triumphant return to the Olympics, the sport’s popularity will continue to grow in the years to come.
