Rugby

About 60 universities in America offer scholarships for rugby athletes who want to combine rugby with their studies. College rugby is the way to become a better rugby athlete, both physically and mentally, to build a network of international friends, and to maximize personal development. Additionally, you earn a recognized diploma that forms the foundation for a successful career.

How does college rugby work?

College rugby is different from the ‘normal’ rugby you are used to in the Netherlands, both in organization and atmosphere. In America, you don’t play for a club team but for a school or university. In America, this is the highest achievable competition for youth players.

On average, a team consists of about 32 people, and you train together every day. With your team, you compete against other universities in the conference. The ultimate goal? To become the national champion!

The biggest difference is the atmosphere during the matches. Teammates and fans make a lot of noise, encourage each other, and often shout supportive messages to one another. So, don’t be surprised if there’s suddenly shouting in the middle of the game, and thousands of fans and students are watching; the energy level is very high!

College rugby fun & facts

Did you know…

• There has been a 350% increase in the number of rugby student-athletes since 2010?
• Both 7-a-side and 15-a-side rugby are played?
• Most colleges offering rugby scholarships on the West Coast?

The college rugby system is divided into three associations, and the significant difference from other sports is that the NCAA is not the largest. The NCAA only has women’s teams active. The most prominent associations are the National Collegiate Rugby and USA Rugby. Within these associations, there are different divisions with various levels of athletes. The highest and therefore best division is Division I-A. The level difference between the highest and lowest division is significant, and at the lower levels, the focus will be more on the academic aspect of your adventure.

Academic Requirements

To play college rugby, you need to have completed high school. For Dutch student-athletes, you must have obtained a HAVO or VWO diploma. Two completed years of an MBO (secondary vocational education) program also meet the requirements.

American universities offer a wide range of programs at various levels. As long as you meet the requirements, we ensure that the perfect match with a university is made for you!

Not sure if you meet the requirements? Feel free to contact us!

Scholarships

Studying at an American university can cost up to $75,000 per year! An amount that is unrealistic for many Dutch students. Therefore, various universities with college rugby teams offer the opportunity to obtain both an athletic and academic scholarship.

Slamstox helps you find a scholarship so that your college rugby experience becomes affordable. Some student-athletes receive a “full” scholarship, allowing you to play and study in America for four years at no cost. Other student-athletes receive a partial scholarship, covering a (large) part of the study costs. The amount of your scholarship is determined based on your sports level, academic level, and your preferences and ambitions.

Read more about scholarships here!

Slamstox guides you and your parents through the entire process of becoming a college rugby player. Additionally, we assist you in finding a suitable scholarship at a university that fits your needs.

We create a complete online profile for you and use our extensive network to find a suitable university that aligns with both your sports level and academic preferences.

Furthermore, we produce your recruitment video, organize clinics, and ensure that rugby coaches know who you are!

Career Opportunities after College Rugby

After four years of playing rugby and studying at the university, there are guaranteed unique opportunities for you, both on and off the field.

Did you know that Slamstox can also help you find a job after your studies in America?

Do you want to know more about Slamstox and what we do? Click here.