NorthShore Rugby is excited to launch our inaugural Middle School Rugby Program for the 2026 season! We are recruiting players of all experience levels, body types, and athletic backgrounds—no rugby experience required.

Who Can Play

5th–6th Grade: Coed

7th–8th Grade: Separate boys and girls teams

Planned teams for 2026*:

5–6th Coed

Duluth / Superior

7–8th Boys

7–8th Girls

Two Harbors / Silver Bay

7–8th Boys

7–8th Girls

*Team availability is subject to registration numbers. If minimums are not met, participants may be offered a combined team option or a full refund.

No Experience Needed
Players do not need to know anything about rugby to participate. The season begins with fundamentals and skill development, gradually building toward competition in a supportive, age-appropriate environment.

Season Overview
March–April: Introduction to rugby, skill development, team building, and intra-club scrimmages

May: Saturday 7s tournaments across Minnesota

June 6: Minnesota Youth Rugby State Championship Tournament

The MNYR Junior High season includes traveling 7s tournaments hosted by clubs throughout Minnesota, eastern North Dakota, and western Wisconsin.

NorthShore plans to host at least one local tournament in the Duluth/Superior area and may also host a Duluth/Superior vs. Two Harbors/Silver Bay match.

Coaching and Safety

All NorthShore coaches are:

SafeSport certified

Rugby Ready & Rugby Safety certified

Concussion Management certified

Background checked through USA Rugby / U.S. Olympic standards

All contact rugby coaches are World Rugby Level 1 accredited, ensuring athletes learn proper technique with Olympic-level safety standards.


Practice Schedule:
- Duluth/Superior Teams:
March: Thursdays, 6:00-7:00pm. Elite Sports Complex; 4510 W 1st St, Duluth, MN 55807
April until the End of Season: Tuesday at 6:30-8:00pm, indoors: Myer Willins; 1027 N 8th Ave E, Duluth, MN 55805 and Thursdays at 6:30-8:00pm, outdoors: Susen’s Field; 3903 N 18th St, Superior, WI 54880


- Two Harbors/ Silver Bay Teams:
March: Tuesdays, 6:00–7:00 pm

Minnehaha Elementary Gym

421 7th St, Two Harbors, MN

April – End of Season

Tuesday & Thursdays, 5:30–7:00 pm Two Harbors High School Practice Field

1640 County Hwy 2, Two Harbors, MN

*Schedule or location changes will be announced via the NorthShore Discord and Twin Ports RFC Facebook page.

Equipment Needed:

Practices:
-Athletic clothing

-Weather-appropriate layers

-Mouthguard

-Running shoes

-Cleats allowed only for outdoor practices

Competitions:
-Rugby shorts

-Rugby socks & cleats

-Mouthguard

-Weather-appropriate warm-ups

*Jersey provided

Registration: Register Here!

Registration Fee: $80

This fee covers:

NorthShore Rugby registration

Minnesota Youth Rugby

USA Rugby membership

Each participant must be registered separately to ensure accurate records, though all registrations can be checked out together.

All players must be registered with USA Rugby’s Rugby Xplorer to participate. A free registration link will be sent in February.

We work with local grants, donors, and sponsors to keep costs as low as possible. If you’re interested in supporting youth rugby in the Twin Ports area, please visit our Donation Page!