The University of Rio Grande Rugby
College Rugby in the USA is presently experiencing a period of exponential growth.
You don’t have to look far to see the investment already paying off for institutions looking to get in on the action, and there’s no better case study to analyze than at The University of Rio Grande, Ohio.
With one of the very best fully funded Varsity programs in the division and having recently gone 10-1 in their inaugural 15s season as a competitive program, Rio offers international rugby players the opportunity to experience life as a student-athlete in the USA, working towards a valuable education and continuing to pursue greatness on the field.
With a clearly defined directive of establishing itself as one of the dominant forces within the collegiate rugby landscape, Rio Grande has expanded their offering to include both Men’s Rugby 15s in the Fall, and Men’s Rugby 7s in the Spring, with a hopeful objective that the introduction of a Women’s Rugby program will follow suit in the not-so-distant future.
Rio’s full-speed-ahead approach to not only advancing their ruby offering but embracing the culture and growing interest amongst fans, perfectly mirrors the wider Rugby landscape within US college sports – which now boasts over 32,000 registered players across the country.
Academic and Sporting Preparation
Targeting University Programmes
Connecting with College Coaches
Ongoing Pastoral Care
To date, we've sent over 35,000 young men and women to the US. Securing over $400 million in scholarship awards and finding a place for every single qualifying applicant.
Every year, thousands of student-athletes and their families come face-to-face with the difficult challenge of securing a scholarship to an American university. What they often discover is that navigating university options is stressful enough, and adding sports into the mix brings it to a whole new level.
Even for those who do a little recruiting homework, they are often left with more questions, very few simple answers and an uneasy feeling they are somehow falling behind.
At FirstPoint, we understand what you’re going through. Many of us have experienced first-hand what the scholarship recruiting experience is like—as players and as coaches. And that experience, combined with our advanced online technology, expansive college coach network and proven recruiting methods, helps thousands of student-athletes and their families take control of their recruiting experience.
Whether you are a first-year high school student or a national ranked athlete, FirstPoint helps take the stress of uncertainty out of your scholarship journey by putting a plan in place to help you find your best university options in the USA.
HOW TO GET A SPORTS Scholarship
Testimonials
Honestly, it was the best decision of my life. I am so happy I took that leap of faith. FirstPoint USA were amazing at guiding me through the whole process of becoming a student athlete in the states.
Zack Beazley
From the start of the process through to the end, FirstPoint USA’s service was first class and I’m so grateful for the work they did in securing me a place at Wisconsin, one of the leading teams in the country. The team are so knowledgeable, and the Talent Management team did a brilliant job in connecting me with some great coaches. They watched me play, they’re very proactive and it felt very personalised to what I needed.
Julian Kuhr
In a very short space of time he’s had his first offer of interest. FirstPoint USA have been brilliant - no waffle, straight talking about the reality of what happens and quick to act when we’ve had any queries.
Hilary Bolton
Frequently Asked Questions
By earning a Rugby Scholarship, you obtain a financial package that goes towards your tuition fees, accommodation and any maintenance costs you may have.
Athletes supported by a sports scholarship are expected to study during their time at university. A USA rugby scholarship will help to provide you with a platform to future success whether you choose a course that enhances the skills needed for a professional sporting career or even choose a course from an entirely different field.
Athletes hoping to be considered for a Rugby Scholarship in the US must meet the University’s entry requirements and are expected to maintain a good standard throughout the duration of their course.
Training and playing regularly will let you develop your sporting ability whilst also studying towards internationally recognised academic qualifications of your choice
At FirstPoint USA we're able to place athletes in Rugby Scholarships across the United States and we will help you to complete the necessary entrance tests (both sporting and academic) and support you to make the right choice of university. We can also help with funding sources if you need them.
We’ve been helping potential rugby stars of the future gain places in rugby scholarships at American Universities for many years now. Our consultants will help you to understand how to apply, what tests you need to complete (academic and physical).
In order to get the most opportunities and receive the best scholarship offers, it’s important to keep practicing and to do as well as you possible can in your exams.
Coaches then look at the athlete and their potential within their university or college. With the training methods used by coaches, even moderately good athlete’s performances can be boosted. With the help of FirstPoint USA, recruitment coaches will look at the athlete’s videos, performances and will consult us regarding your ability.
If you are successful in receiving your rugby scholarship, you will be expected to practice with your team for up to 3-5 hours daily, ï¬ve days a week. Training includes drills, strength and conditioning exercises. For an international scholarship holder, training has said to be tough at times because of the physicality of the training and intensity of the conditioning, but don’t fear, we are sure you will acclimatise with no problems.e
By pursuing a rugby scholarship, you have the opportunity to unlock your full potential with the possibility of playing sport with the balance of receiving a top-quality degree. i.e. a healthy balance of athletics and academics.
Sport in the USA is at a very competitive level, with billions being pumped into college athletics. Players of excellence can climb through ranks at the fastest pace with the prospect of turning professional following scholarship experience.
Facilities at college level rugby are at an incredible standard. Training pitches, indoor gyms and athletics venues are all at a high level, not to mention stadiums that can hold a capacity of thousands.
Meeting other student-athletes in the same position as you will certainly give you motivation to work and train hard, as rugby being a team sport it is true that you all want to play for each other. These relationships will develop throughout your college experience into strong friendships that hopefully will continue following completion of your rugby scholarship.
There is high demand for talented and skilled rugby players, both male and female, in the States as rugby is a growing collegiate sport. Coaches look to recruit student-athlete prospects based on criteria. Does the candidate have a strong understanding of rugby? Does the candidate have a collection of playing experience that can be used to their advantage in future matches and events?
