Youth rugby is one of the fastest growing kid’s sports. In the Maryland area it has grown from a few teams to over a dozen teams. If you have heard of rugby you probably know about the rigorous adult sport. The youth program is the same game but the rules have been modified for their age, size, & strength. It has been referred to as the “kinder, gentler” rugby. There is no tackling.

Since youth rugby is non-tackle there is no advantage to being large or small, male or female. Small kids can play successfully with big kids, and girls can play successfully with and against boys.
Youth Touch Rugby involves running, passing, kicking, offense, defense, and lots of scoring. Everyone on the team has a chance to score! It is soccer and football wrapped into one fast exciting game!

Marauder’s Rugby Program

The New Windsor Marauder’s Program began in 1995. The program’s founders were retired and current adult rugby players who felt a youth program would benefit the youth of Carroll County. Since then the program has grown to include over 100 youth players per season ranging from 6—18 years old. The club is divided into eight general areas: a Spring Boys High School 15s team, a Spring Girls High School 15s team, a Spring Boys Middle School Team, a Spring Middle School Girls team, a Summer Boys High School 7s team, a Summer Girls High School 7s team, a Fall Girls High School 7s team and a Youth Summer Non-Tackle Program.

The Marauders Rugby Club is sponsored by the West Carroll Recreation Council and the Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks. The Club is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Union, under the direction of and governed by a division of USA Rugby.

Rugby Sevens debuted as an Olympic sport at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to include the sport at the IOC Congress on October 9, 2009.

Most notably, a surge in youth participation took place as pre-high school membership grew by 20% overall, and Rookie Rugby jumped an astonishing 60% for the 2016-17 season.

Why Youth Rugby?

There are many advantages to playing youth rugby:
1. It is FUN!
2. It is a great way to stay in shape & maintain fitness level.
3. Enhanced hand eye coordination.
4. Increased endurance.
5. Promotes teamwork.
6. It is FUN!