“We saw a smile and all around happiness when he talked about rugby that we had not seen since football.”
WHO WE ARE
Atlanta Youth Rugby (AYR) builds character and athleticism in over 3000 boys and girls every year. We compete hard and clean, insist on good sportsmanship and individual responsibility, and build the sense of community that we believe is unique in our sport.
Rugby – unlike soccer, football, or almost every other team sport – requires constant reliance on your teammates and continuous ball movement. Everyone carries the ball. Everyone tackles. Everyone passes. Everyone can, and does, score. If you want to win, everyone needs to pull together, for the entire length of the match. From this on-field equity comes rugby’s ability to build community and character.
AYR began in Inman Park, where in 2012 a local dad helped his son and a few friends try something new. Since then our overall 501(c)3 focus has been on scalable growth with measurable community outcomes—while growing an expert stable of rugby coaches, supporting partners and sponsors. In 2015 AYR started our first Community Programs and by 2018 our Competitive Program had grown to almost 200 ruggers and its success was the catalyst for our growth in new neighborhoods like Buckhead, West Cobb and Carver. Now ‘Play Rugby’ signs dot Atlanta's neighborhoods and AYR strives to be a positive force in the community, with over 10% of our players receiving scholarships every year.
“My son’s first season of AYR was a resounding success. The increase in his confidence, sportsmanship, and attention to safety have translated off the field as well. He’s particularly proud of the leadership skills he’s developed. I’ve witnessed him trusting himself and communicating more effectively with others. We’ll definitely be back for more AYR next year!”
If your son or daughter would benefit from a sport that demands physical courage, personal self-discipline, accountability to the group, and true sportsmanship, give us a try. As we say after each match, “We are A-Y-R!”