When you think about sports in Houston, the Astros, Texans, and Rockets probably come to mind.

But rugby has also been part of Houston’s sports culture for decades, with strong adult competition and growing youth and high school programs across the city.

This September, the Houston Athletic Rugby Club is inviting Houstonians to give the sport a try with two free Rugby 101 clinics at Memorial Park.

Rugby 101s
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Saturday, September 19, 2026
10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Memorial Park
700 E Memorial Loop Drive
Houston, TX 77007

Both clinics are free, non-contact, and open to men and women 18+ with zero or little rugby experience. Register here. 
Rugby 101 is designed to make trying the sport easy. HARC coaches and experienced players will walk participants through basic skills, movement, passing, positioning, and how the game works. You do not need to know the rules beforehand, and you do not have to commit to joining the club.

Your Athletic Skills Can Translate to Rugby
Most rugby players are introduced to the sport later in life after previously competing in football, soccer, wrestling, basketball, track, lacrosse, volleyball, and other sports. For former high school and college athletes, club rugby can provide a new opportunity to continue competing while learning a different game.
Rugby is not built around one type of athlete. Different positions call for different combinations of size, speed, strength, skill, and decision-making. HARC will help you find your position.

Growing Up Doesn’t Mean Giving Up Sports
Some players pick up rugby because they miss competition. Others are looking for a new challenge, a social community, or simply something more exciting than a gym routine. Club rugby gives adults a way to build fitness while being part of a team. Whether you played sports growing up or are looking to become more active now, it is never too late to pick up a new sport and make exercise a part of your life again.

About HARC
HARC currently fields two Senior Men’s teams and two Senior Women’s teams. The club competes in both 15s and 7s rugby throughout the year. HARC welcomes anyone interested in the sport, whether they want to play, support a family member, or simply become part of the rugby community.

Rugby Has Deep Roots in Houston
Houston’s rugby community has been around for generations.
The Houston Athletic Rugby Club officially formed in 1998 when the Houston Herricanes, Houston Rugby Football Club, and Houston Old Boys Rugby Football Club came together under one organization.
Those clubs brought years of history with them, including Houston rugby organizations dating back to the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Since then, HARC has continued competing throughout Texas and nationally while helping grow rugby locally.
The club has won regional championships, made national playoff runs, produced international talent, and introduced new athletes to the game.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, HARC works to develop and promote rugby throughout the Greater Houston area.
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Visit a Practice
Miss both clinics? You can still come to training and get into rugby.
HARC Training – All Teams
Tuesdays & Thursdays
8:00 PM–10:00 PM
FUN Football Stadium at Bayland Park
6400 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77074

 Stay in Touch
 Learn more about HARC, upcoming events, practices, and ways to get involved at www.houston.rugby.
Follow @HoustonRugby on social media to stay updated on all things Rugby.

For the first time in 9 years, Houston Athletic Rugby Club will field a Men's D1 side. The HARC men now join the SHARCS in the 2025-2026 Red River Premiership, the highest level of club rugby competition in Texas.

"The boys have been working very hard." says head coach Justin Basson "We are looking at bigger challenges this year, and we're excited for what's ahead."

HARC now fields Men's D1 and Men's D3 sides, an upgrade from last year's D2 and D4 status.

"There is rugby to play for everyone. We have opportunities for the serious athlete and space for the casual player."

If you are interested in learning how to play rugby, please come out to next recruiting events:

Rugby 101 (Men and Women)
Saturday August 30th at Memorial Park
700 E Memorial Loop Dr
Warm-up at 10 AM

Rugby 101 (Men's Only Camp)
Saturday September 6th at Memorial Park
700 E Memorial Loop Dr
Warm-up at 6 PM
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Players should bring water, wear athletic clothing, as well as cleats or running shoes. More event details on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1306554004379616/

New players can also view the the New Player FAQ page.

The Texas Rugby Union hosted their 8th annual Mary Graham All-Stars Rugby Tournament, a regional rugby tournament featuring the best of American women's club rugby players on December 7-8th, 2024 in Grand Prairie, Texas. By pooling the best players, coaches, and referees from across Texas, this tournament serves to develop talent and produce high-quality rugby beyond regular club season play.

The "Texas Toast" named 10 sHARCs in their 2024 squad, as listed below:

Michaela Adams
Abby Albrecht
Ari Gieseck
Michelle Marsh
Amanda Martinez
Sydney Mukavetz
Emmaculate Owiro
Leslie Schroeder
Nadira Smith
Mary Waller

The Texas Toast also named HARC's Chelsea Peper as forwards coach.

After a grueling first half without scores from either side, Texas breaks ice in the second half with back to back scores, including a 60-meter breakaway from Houston's Nadira Smith. Texas Toast went on to secure the win, awarding them another trip to the Championship final against back-to-back champions, Midwest Selects.

​Final score: Texas Toast 19 - 5 USA Rugby South.

A long night of showers coated the pitches, resulting in the cancellation of other lower-tier and consolidation matches to help preserve the fields for the Championship final.

​The Texas Toast returned to a soggy pitch on Sunday, but nevertheless fought hard against reigning champions, Midwest. You can see HARC's Sydney Mukavetz make a strong carry through Midwest players and several inches of mud in the photo above. Despite their efforts, the Texas Toast failed to upset the back-to-back champions, awarding the cup to 3-peaters Midwest Green.

The Texas toast has made it to the Championship final matches in the past two years, but hasn't lifted the cup since 2019. Will the Texas Toast find success in 2025?

Final score: Texas Toast 5 - 27 Midwest Green

​Several HARC players were invited to CW39's studio to discuss the rise of women's rugby in the Houston area! HARC was featured on October 21, 2024 on Maggie Flecknoe's morning show, Houston Happens.

Maggie Flecknoe is a longtime rugby fan, and has attended several games in the Houston area. As a mother of a 2-year-old girl, she was interested in featuring the women's program. She has been with CW39 for over 10 years, covering Houston news and stories.

Click the image above to watch the whole show, or watch the five minute segment below on CW39's YouTube channel:

The Houston Athletic Rugby Club is the premier club rugby organization and community in Texas. Whether looking to play, spectate, coach, of referee, HARC will help you start your rugby journey! Please see our events page to learn more about our upcoming our training sessions, matches, and other events!

GO HARC!