Sports should belong to everyone. At Hoosiers United Rugby Club (HURC), we believe a child’s zip code or family bank account should never determine their access to high-quality athletics. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization built on a simple premise: rugby is a game for every body type, every background, and every community.
Across the rolling hills and rural landscapes of Southern Indiana, many families face a growing challenge. Traditional youth sports have become increasingly expensive, exclusive, and travel heavy. We are here to change that narrative. Our mission is to provide a safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environment for youth throughout seven key counties: Monroe, Lawrence, Owen, Brown, Jackson, Morgan, and Greene.
If you have been searching for youth rugby in Indiana or a rugby club for kids that prioritizes character over profit, you have found your team.
Our Mission: Accessibility Over Everything
We operate differently because our goals are different. As a nonprofit, our priority is access, not equity for shareholders. We exist to serve the community, specifically focusing on those who might feel left out of the current “pay-to-play” sports model.
Southern Indiana is home to vibrant rural communities where youth sports options are often limited to a few traditional choices. We are filling that gap. Whether you live in the heart of Bloomington or in the quieter corners of Greene or Jackson counties, we want to bring the spirit of the game to your front door.
Why Rugby? The Low-Cost Advantage
One of the most significant barriers to youth sports today is the hidden cost of equipment. Between specialized pads, high-tech helmets, and multiple seasonal uniforms, the price of entry can easily exceed $1,000.
Rugby for kids is different. The barrier to entry is intentionally low.
- Minimal Gear: A pair of cleats, a mouthguard, and a resilient spirit are all a player needs to get started.
- Simple Uniforms: We provide the primary kit, keeping costs manageable for families.
- Scholarships Available: Because of our 501(c)(3) status, we offer financial assistance and full scholarships to ensure that no child is ever turned away due to financial need.
Strategic Partnerships: Meeting Kids Where They Are
We know that to serve underserved youth effectively, we cannot wait for them to come to us. We must go to them. This is why we have established vital partnerships with local cornerstones of youth development.
We are proud to collaborate with the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington. These partnerships allow us to introduce the sport to children who may never have seen a rugby ball before. By hosting programs at the Lincoln Street Club, we are integrating rugby into the daily lives of South-Central Indiana youth.
These collaborations ensure that children in public, private, and homeschool settings all have a seat at our table. We are building a community where a child from a rural farm and a student from a suburban neighborhood can find common ground on the pitch.
A Sport for “Every Body” and Every Skill Level
Have you ever felt your child didn’t “fit the mold” for traditional sports? In many games, if you aren’t the fastest or the tallest, you’re sidelined.
Rugby is the ultimate inclusive sport. It is a game that literally requires a variety of body types to succeed. We need the strong, the fast, the agile, and the sturdy. We serve both male and female participants from grades 2nd through 12th.
- Grades 2-4: Focus on non-contact “tag” rugby, building coordination and fun.
- Grades 5-6 & Middle School: Introduction to technical skills and structured teamwork.
- High School: Competitive play that emphasizes leadership and discipline.
No experience is ever needed to join. We take pride in teaching the game from the ground up, ensuring every player feels confident and capable from their very first practice.
Beyond the Game: Fostering Core Values
While we love the physical fitness rugby provides, we are even more passionate about the humans our players become. Our curriculum is designed around six core pillars:
- Sportsmanship: Respecting the opponent and the official, regardless of the scoreboard.
- Teamwork: Understanding that the collective is always stronger than the individual.
- Leadership: Empowering youth to take initiative on and off the pitch.
- Discipline: Learning that progress comes through consistent effort and focus.
- Respect: Valuing teammates, coaches, and the history of the game.
- Physical Fitness: Developing lifelong habits of health and movement.
For kids who may feel lost in larger sports organizations, rugby offers a sense of belonging. The “spirit of the game” is a real, tangible thing in rugby. It’s the tradition of the “Third Half,” where opposing teams share a meal after the match. It’s the handshake that starts and ends every encounter. These moments build lasting personal and community growth.
Meet the Board: Committed to Our Community
Hoosiers United Rugby Club was founded by a group of individuals who believe in the transformative power of this sport. Our leadership team brings decades of experience, not just in rugby, but in service and leadership.
- Chris Snell (Founder/Board President): A former rugby forward for Bloomington South from 2001-2003, a Special Operations veteran and the driving force behind HURC, dedicated to bringing the game he loves back to the community where he played while in high school.
- Phil Bryant (Founder/Treasurer): A legendary figure in Indiana rugby since 1963, Phil has founded dozens of businesses, wrote a publication called “The Bryant Model”: How to start a High School Rugby Program that will survive your term of leadership“. Phil founded and coached the first high school rugby teams in Indiana (Lawrence Central High School, Bloomington South and Bloomington North) in the 1990’s.
- Elias Laborin (Founder/Secretary): A passionate coach and financial expert who ensures our operations stay on track to serve as many families as possible.
- Luke Gross (Founding Member): A USA Rugby Hall of Fame inductee, current IU Rugby Men’s Head Coach. Luke has built a career developing teams from every level of play from USA Rugby, Major League Rugby, College, and Youth settings. Luke brings world-class expertise to our youth pathways.
- Lauren Hubbard (Founding Member): A former IU Women’s rugby player and key founding member committed to ensuring our programs are safe, inclusive, and community focused.
Together, this team is working to make HURC the premier youth rugby club near you: one that reflects the heart and grit of South-Central Indiana.
Ready to Join the Team?
We are building something great, and we want you to be a part of it. Whether you are a parent looking for a new outlet for your child, or a community member looking to volunteer or coach, there is a place for you at Hoosiers United Rugby Club.
Join the movement today. Help us prove that Southern Indiana is a place where every kid can play, every kid can lead, and every kid can belong.
- Discover Our Programs: Visit hoosiersunitedrugby.com to find out more.
- Support the Mission: As a nonprofit, your donations go directly toward equipment and scholarships.
- Lend Your Time: We are always looking for passionate volunteers to help us grow across our seven-county reach.
One Team. One Heart. No Fear. We’ll see you on the pitch.
Hoosiers United Rugby Club is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 41-3654916. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. We serve the residents of Monroe, Lawrence, Owen, Brown, Jackson, Morgan, and Greene counties.