ACADEMY
OUR MISSION
We are the 501(c) non-profit arm of Old Glory DC dedicated to making the Mid-Atlantic the premier rugby hub in the US simply by creating more opportunities to be involved in organized rugby.
With a focus on youth development, the organization aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for children to learn and play rugby. We also aim to provide high-level player development by integrating professional rugby resources to targeted youth programs and initiatives.
Any donations made to our non-profit are dedicated to support our academy system and allow more kids to participate in rugby.
There is an amazing community of youth, high school, and men’s rugby in the Mid-Atlantic that we are trying to grow and help supplement. Through our efforts, we hope to inspire a new generation of rugby players and foster a lifelong love of the game in the local community for people of all ages.
OUR VISION
With the 2031 Rugby World Cup coming to the United States, today’s high school and college students will be the generation of players who will have the opportunity to represent their country in a home World Cup. We are trying to play part in the development of those players by not only providing them consistent coaching from professional coaches and players, but more importantly, new opportunities to play representative-side rugby outside of their normal school/club schedule.
Young Glory U-18 Academy, playing 15’s in the fall, will create the opportunity for high school students to train in a semi-professional environment for 12 weeks with dedicated coaches who all are involved with Old Glory.
Once players age out of our high-school academy, the hope is they continue to play rugby for either a college or a senior club, but we, again, would like to supplement their rugby schedule by providing them a U-23 academy program. This will largely operate during summer months, when local college students are back from school and not playing any rugby. This program would cross over with the end of our Old Glory season, and give its members the opportunity to train alongside DC’s professionals.
While our hope would be to graduate our U-23 academy players directly into our professional Old Glory side, not every player’s goals or ability align with that idea, so we have partnered with Washington Irish to provide a place for players to play, and put their hand up for selection by Old Glory. This club will be coached by OG community coaches who either currently play or coach for our Old Glory side.
DONATE TO YOUNG GLORY
Contribute to the next generation of rugby players!
Make a tax deductible donation to Young Glory DC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, to benefit the growth of rugby in the DMV area.
wHO WE ARE
BEN CIMA
Academy Pathway Director / Head Coach
ARMINTA GUNKEL
Community Manager / Social Media
OUR PILLARS
Through our academies and community outreach, Young Glory is looking to deliver upon six pillars that we believe create not only technically sound rugby players, but also well-rounded individuals looking to succeed in other areas outside of rugby and into their adult lives.
YOUNG GLORY HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY
As an organization, we see high school boys and girls are the core of the initiatives we trying to complete. A high school academy side, gives youth a tangible goal to strive to be a part of as they enter the right age. It also creates a stream of graduates that will continue to be a part of other Young Glory initiatives, as well as part of the rugby community at large. Single school and club high school champions have been crowned from this region, and we are looking to consolidate the talent under one academy side that will represent Old Glory as well as the whole Mid-Atlantic.
Spring/Summer 2024
Registration to join the extended training squad for u18 Young Glory Academy Spring/Summer 15’s begins in March and the season will run from late May through June. This program will be for high school boys and girls looking to extend their spring season with high level academy play. This initiative will give its players the opportunity to play as the curtain raiser match for Old Glory games as well as represent Young Glory in the Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio. This tournament will include other MLR Academy sides such as New England, Chicago, Toronto, and New York.
Commitments:
- 6 Weeks
- 2 Team Trainings / Week
- 1 Pillar Walk / Week – varied topics
- 4 Games against Rep Sides
YOUNG GLORY SENIOR ACADEMY
When players overseas graduate high school or turn 18, it is common for them to sign contracts with professional or semi-professional clubs. University years are huge development years for players, but that requires consistent high-level training with professional players and coaches. Our U-23 Academy will aim to provide additional rugby opportunities for local University players who strive to put their hand up for Old Glory selection.
Spring/Summer 2024
Registration to join the extended training squad for U-23 Young Glory Academy Spring/Summer 15’s begins in March and will run from late May through June. This program will be for U-23 players looking to extend their spring season with high level academy play. This initiative will give its players the opportunity to play as the curtain raiser match for Old Glory games as well as represent Young Glory in the Buckeye Invitational in Columbus, Ohio. This tournament will include other MLR Academy sides such as New England, Chicago, Toronto, and New York.
Commitments:
- 6 Weeks
- 2 Team Trainings / Week
- 1 Pillar Walk / Week – varied topics
- 4 Games against Rep Sides
WASHINGTON IRISH
We have partnered with a local club to provide rugby players in the DMV of all ages a platform to raise their hand for Old Glory selection. This partnership will serve not only as a final step in the pathway to our first team, but also as the home for Old Glory players who are not selected for MLR matches. This initiative will provide the DMV players the opportunity to play with and against MLR players, as well as be coached by MLR coaches and players.
