WESTWOOD, CALIFORNIA & GLASGOW, UK — FirstPoint USA, the world’s leading international sports recruitment agency, has today announced an exciting new collaboration with one of the world’s most iconic academic institutions to become the Official Sports Recruiting Agency of UCLA Rugby.
The innovative new agreement will connect UCLA with elite global rugby talent from FirstPoint’s international athlete network, while further enhancing the Bruins reputation as one of the most sought-after rugby programs in the United States.
The collaboration will give UCLA Rugby direct access to FirstPoint’s extensive global rugby network, spanning top-tier schools, elite academies, and major events, including the Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s—the world’s largest school rugby tournament.
Led by Scottish international rugby centurion Sean Lamont, who was appointed Director of Rugby earlier this year, FirstPoint is leading the way in US collegiate recruitment and admissions, while investing in the growth of the game in the States. Having become Official Partners of National Collegiate Rugby this year, FirstPoint are also supporting the new Scholars Cup tournament, which featured UCLA playing alongside Brown University, Dartmouth College and Notre Dame this season.
UCLA Rugby stands as one of the most prestigious collegiate rugby programs in the United States. Spanning nearly a century, the Bruins are a national-championship winning program and a pipeline for American rugby talent, consistently competing at the top level of the college game in 15s and 7s. Combining tradition with state-of-the-art facilities in Los Angeles, UCLA maintains an elite standing as a powerhouse of collegiate athletics.
Harry Bennett, Director of Rugby & Head Coach at UCLA Rugby, said:
“UCLA Rugby committed to pursuing excellence at the highest level of the collegiate game while proudly upholding the university’s legendary tradition of athletic and academic success. As one of the leading academic institutions in the world, UCLA offers an unmatched intellectual environment where student-athletes are held to elite standards.
“We want to use the power of rugby to create academic, athletic and life-changing opportunities for talented student-athletes across the US and internationally, and working with FirstPoint USA helps us deliver those opportunities to more prospective candidates all over the world.
“We are dedicated to maintaining one of the strongest college rugby programs in the United States, creating an environment where athletes push each other to grow both on the field and in the classroom. By engaging with FirstPoint’s network, we can ensure that we get the best fit student-athletes to grow the UCLA Rugby family and continue our proud rugby traditions.”
Andrew Kean, CEO and Founder at FirstPoint USA, added:
"UCLA is one of the most iconic brands in all of college sport. It represents the pinnacle of what prospective international student-athletes dream of when exploring opportunities to compete and study in the United States.
"With its legendary athletic history, unparalleled Olympic heritage, elite facilities, and prestigious academic profile, playing rugby at UCLA offers a truly life-changing platform. This collaboration marks a momentous milestone for FirstPoint USA in our 25th anniversary year. It reflects our growth, our commitment to excellence, and our ability to build forward-thinking models alongside elite academic institutions.
"Having already supported UCLA Rugby through their summer camps and involvement in the inaugural FirstPoint USA Scholars Cup, we are excited to strengthen our relationship further to elevate their global rugby footprint while creating clear, direct pathways for world-class student-athletes to fulfil their potential.”
About UCLA
Located in Los Angeles, California, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a top-15 ranked national university and the #1 public university in the United States. An NCAA Division I school, the UCLA Bruins are an unmatched athletic powerhouse, boasting 123 NCAA team national championships—the second-most in nation—with legendary success across basketball, volleyball, water polo, and soccer.
