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Vol. 2026 • Iss. 1 • Apr 27, 2026
GA RUGBY RADAR
A ball's eye view from the scrum. 🏉 Your weekly Georgia rugby intel.
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WELCOME TO THE RADAR
Georgia has an incredible rugby community. Youth clubs, high school programs, college powerhouses, men's and women's clubs, 7s tournaments, coaching courses, and a whole lot of heart spread across the state. But until now, there hasn't been one place to find it all.
We saw that gap, so we're filling it.
The Georgia Rugby Radar is a free weekly newsletter covering rugby across Georgia: every age group, every level, every corner of the state. Boys programs, girls programs, youth to adult, Columbus to Helen and everywhere in between. Tournament news, certification courses, club results, and yes, a few whispers from the touchline. Every Tuesday evening in your inbox.
We're Rebels Rugby GA, a youth club in north Georgia. But this newsletter isn't about us. It's about all of us. Every club, every player, every family that's part of Georgia rugby.
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Get the Radar
Subscribe to the Georgia Rugby Radar
Free. Every Tuesday evening. Every club, every level, every age across Georgia.
SUBSCRIBE →
Tap the button to send a one-line email. We'll add you to the list and you'll get Issue 2 next Tuesday.
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Georgia rugby is moving. Here's what you need to know this week.
Life University's men just played in the D1A national semifinals at Navy in Annapolis this weekend.
There's a ref course this Saturday that could change your kid's entire relationship with the game.
And Hotlanta 7s registration is live if your U16/U18 crew wants to run it in July.
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College Rugby • Last Weekend
LIFE UNIVERSITY: D1A NATIONAL SEMIFINALS
The Running Eagles are one of the best college rugby programs in the country, and they're based right here in Marietta.
The men's team traveled to Annapolis to take on Navy in the D1A national semifinal on Friday. Life knocked off #2 seed Lindenwood 31-24 in the quarterfinals to get there.
The women's team? They already won the 2026 D1 National Championship. Beat Stanford 125-7 in the semis. That's your backyard. Take your kids to see what's possible.
Men's Schedule →
Women's Schedule →
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⚠ Happening Now • Through Mid-June
LIFE U YOUTH RUGBY CAMP: EVERY WEDNESDAY
Wednesdays, 6-8 PM, through mid-June at Life University (Marietta).
Official registration is closed, but the fields are open and the rugby is good.
If your crew wants to get some touches in, Wednesday evenings in Marietta are the place to be.
Flag and tag rugby, all ages welcome. You didn't hear it from us.
Life U Athletics →
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Club Rugby • This Weekend
ATLANTA OLD WHITE: SUPER REGIONALS IN AUSTIN
Old White RFC is in Austin, Texas this weekend for Super Regionals. Atlanta's oldest club, est. 1974, representing Georgia on the national stage.
Old White Schedule →
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Youth Rugby • Through April
EXILES JUNIOR ACADEMY: SPRING SEASON WRAPS
Exiles Juniors (U8-U18) in Alpharetta finish their Jan-April season this week. If your kids trained there this spring, ask about summer plans.
Practice: Tue/Thu 6PM, North Park in Alpharetta, Field 2.
Contact Exiles →
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Coming Up
NEXT FEW WEEKS
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⚠ One Week Away
L1 REFEREE COURSE: SAT MAY 2
Atlanta Rugby Grounds, 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM. $85.
Parents AND players 13+ can get referee certified. Georgia Youth Rugby reimburses the cost for active referees.
Complete the free online prerequisites on World Rugby Passport first.
Second chance: May 23 at Life University (same time, same price).
Register via Rugby Xplorer →
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Coaching • Summer 2026
L1 COACH COURSES: JUNE & JULY
June 25 & July 23, Atlanta, GA. $125.
Thinking about coaching in the fall? This is how you get certified. GA Youth Rugby reimburses the cost for active coaches.
L2 Coach (2-day): July 23-24 for those ready to level up.
Find Courses →
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Women's Rugby • Summer
ATLANTA HARLEQUINS: SUMMER 7S COMING SOON
The only D1 women's rugby team in the Southeast. Their 15s season wrapped, but summer 7s is on the horizon.
If you have girls in your program who want to see what women's rugby looks like at the top level, follow them.
IG: @ahwrfc • Download Team App for schedule updates
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🏆 Tournament Watch
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Youth & High School
| Tournament |
Date |
Status |
Greer Christmas 7s
Greer, SC • HS Boys (Gold/Silver), HS Girls, 12U Coed, Collegiate
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Dec 7-8, 2026 |
Watching
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Carolina Ruggerfest
Matthews, NC • U10, U12, U14, U16, U19. Largest youth 15s in the US (~90 teams)
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~Mar 2027 |
2027
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NashBash (Youth)
Nashville, TN • U19 and youth divisions
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~Mar 2027 |
2027
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Tropical 7s
Tampa, FL • U12, U14, U16, U18 divisions. 200+ teams, international
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Mar 26-27, 2027 |
2027
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Adult & Open
| Tournament |
Date |
Status |
Hotlanta 7s
Atlanta, GA • HS, College, Men's Social, Women's Social
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Jul 25, 2026 |
Reg Open
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Halloween 7s
Location TBD • Details not yet announced
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Fall 2026 |
Watching
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NashBash (Adult)
Nashville, TN • Men's, Women's (social + competitive). 100+ teams
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~Mar 2027 |
2027
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Tropical 7s
Tampa, FL • U23/University, Senior divisions. $895/team
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Mar 26-27, 2027 |
2027
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Hotlanta 7s is the big one on the near horizon. USA Rugby sanctioned, athletic trainer on-site. All players need current CIPP.
Contact: hotlanta@atlantarugby.com
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🎓 College Corner
GEORGIA COLLEGE RUGBY
Your kid's rugby doesn't end at 18. Here's what's happening at the college level in Georgia, and where today's youth players could end up tomorrow.
LIFE UNIVERSITY (MARIETTA)
Men: D1A national semifinalist. Just played Navy in Annapolis. Perennial powerhouse.
Women: 2026 D1 National Champions. The standard for women's college rugby.
Men's Schedule •
Women's Schedule • Your backyard. Take your kids.
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GEORGIA TECH (ATLANTA)
Club team, open to all GT students. Mon/Wed 6-8 PM at Stamps Field. SCRC D2.
IG: @gtrugby
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KENNESAW STATE (KENNESAW)
Men's and women's club teams. Close to north Atlanta families.
IG: @ksuowlsrugby (men) •
@ksuwrfc (women)
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UGA (ATHENS)
Club rugby. SCRC conference. For high schoolers eyeing Athens, rugby is there.
ugarugby.com
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NORTH GEORGIA (DAHLONEGA)
Men: Nighthawks practice Tue/Thu 5-6:30 PM at Yahoola Creek Park.
Women: North Georgia Women's Rugby Club is active on campus. Great option for north Georgia families.
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💬 Whispers from the Touchline
Lady Trydown
The anonymous dispatch on Georgia rugby. All rumor, all hearsay, all in good fun.
Dearest Reader,
It has come to this Author's attention that a certain men's club in the greater Atlanta area has been seen
practicing at three different parks in two weeks, each time telling players a different field was "the new permanent home."
One suspects the term "permanent" is doing rather a lot of heavy lifting.
Meanwhile, whispers from the coaching carousel suggest that at least two youth programs in north Georgia are quietly
courting the same Level 200 coach. The bidding war, we are told, involves promises of "real goals" and "a dedicated team manager."
This Author can only marvel at the lengths clubs will go to for a coach who owns a tackle bag.
And speaking of territory: a reliable source reports that a popular southeast 7s tournament once held in Tennessee
ceased operations some years ago when the grounds were sold. The land, Dear Reader, is now a clothing-optional resort.
One imagines the phrase "strip it and rip it" has taken on an entirely new meaning.
On the road: this Author can confirm that Atlanta's oldest club has sent a squad to Austin, Texas for Super Regionals.
One trusts they are representing Georgia with the usual mix of grit, questionable hydration choices, and at least one player who "tweaked something at practice but will be fine."
Godspeed, gentlemen.
And finally, a little bird tells us that a certain intown youth program is planning its annual year-end celebration.
Those who have attended before know the affair is, shall we say, elevated. Rumor has it the silent auction alone could fund a small rugby tour.
One expects formal-ish attire, an open bar, and at least one tearful parent speech about "what this sport has meant to our family."
We'll need photos, darlings.
Until next week. Play nicely.
xo, Lady Trydown
Need to get something off your chest? Whisper it to Lady Trydown: LadyTrydown@rebelsrugbyga.com
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@LadyTrydown on Instagram.
All sources remain anonymous. Obviously.
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🎓 Get Certified
UPCOMING COURSES IN GEORGIA
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May 2 • L1 Referee • Atlanta Rugby Grounds • $85
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May 23 • L1 Referee • Life University • $85
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Jun 25 • L1 Coach • Atlanta, GA • $125
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Jul 23 • L1 Coach • Atlanta, GA • $125
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Jul 23-24 • L2 Coach (2-day) • Atlanta, GA
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GA Youth Rugby reimburses certification costs for active coaches and referees. Register through your
USA Rugby Learning Center (Rugby Xplorer).
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📣 Open Call
EXILES U18: HOTLANTA 7S TEAM FORMING
Exiles Rugby has registered a U18 team for Hotlanta 7s (July 25). Practices start in two weeks. Any eligible player interested in running with them can reach out directly.
Contact Exiles →
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🏉 New to Rugby?
FIND A YOUTH CLUB
Rugby is one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the country, for boys AND girls. Every one of these clubs welcomes beginners. No experience needed. (Looking for girls-only? Atlanta Valkyries is listed below.)
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🏉 Still Playing After 18?
FIND AN ADULT CLUB
Georgia has men's and women's clubs across the state. Whether you played in college, played as a kid, or never touched a ball. There's a squad for you. Women's teams are marked below.
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Atlanta Old White RFC
• Atlanta • Men D2/D3, Women, 7s
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Atlanta Harlequins Women's RFC
• Atlanta • Women's D1 • Only D1 women's team in the Southeast
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Atlanta Renegades RFC
• Atlanta • Men's
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Gwinnett Lions RFC
• Lilburn • Men, Women • Adding youth/HS
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Alpharetta Exiles RFC
• Alpharetta • Senior men's
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Atlanta Bucks RFC
• Atlanta • Men's inclusive club
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High Country RFC
• North Georgia • Men's D3 • Est. 1975
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Savannah Shamrocks RFC
• Savannah • Men's, Women's
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Full GRU member club list: georgiarugby.org/clubs
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Featured Club Listing
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First TRY Discount
PUT YOUR CLUB ON THE RADAR
A card like the one above. Your logo, your website, your schedule link, your socials. In front of every rugby family in Georgia, every single week.
$100 through December 31, 2026. First come first served.
Claim Your Spot →
Limited spots. Once this section fills up, it fills up.
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🏉 Summer Touch
TOUCH TUESDAYS
No contact. No kit required. Just rugby. Georgia's summer touch scene is the lowest-barrier way to get your player on a field, try the sport for the first time, or keep your skills sharp between seasons. Boys, girls, all ages, all levels.
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One More Thing
Don't miss next Tuesday's issue
Free. Every Tuesday evening. Every club, every level, every age across Georgia.
SUBSCRIBE →
Tap the button to send a one-line email. We'll add you to the list and you'll get Issue 2 next Tuesday.
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GOT A TIP? HOSTING AN EVENT?
Send us your events, corrections, news, and tips. Tournament results, club updates, coaching announcements, alumni news. If it's rugby in Georgia, we want to hear it.
Email the Radar →
radar@rebelsrugbyga.com
Need to get something off your chest? Whisper it to Lady Trydown.
LadyTrydown@rebelsrugbyga.com
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This week's Radar brought to you by
[YOUR SPONSOR HERE]
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Get in touch.
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Community Partners
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AYR
Exiles
Falcons
Valkyries
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Want your club logo here? Email us.
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REBELS RUGBY GA
Every kid belongs on the pitch.
rebelsrugbyga.com
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radar@rebelsrugbyga.com • LadyTrydown@rebelsrugbyga.com
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© 2026 Rebels Rugby GA. All rights reserved.
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