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!

If you live in the United States, the main sources for your rugby training gear will be from online, rugby-dedicated stores. We will feature many different rugby stores and products below in this blog post.

The following is a list of essential rugby playing gear, with links to recommended US-based rugby shops and community-favorite products.

Rugby shorts are an essential part of your training and game day performance. Gilbert and Canterbury are some of the most popular and trusted rugby brands in the world, and both are known for making high-quality rugby shorts.

Rugby shorts are specifically designed to withstand tugs from opponents and teammates. Regular athletic shorts are not recommended for rugby games or trainings.

Your rugby shorts should be extremely durable and last multiple seasons. Check with your club to make sure you are purchasing the right team color or suggested style.

​We recommend investing in a quality match pair, as well as a second pair for trainings and emergencies. Keep in mind that some rugby shorts can have large side pockets, smaller inside pockets (to hold mouthguards or jewelry), or no pockets at all. Different players will have different needs and preferences.

​To get a good idea of your buying options, see the linked products and stores below.

Starting September 10th, The Houston Athletic Rugby Club will have both the Men's and Women's training sessions inside the FUN Stadium at Bayland Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Warmups will begin at 8pm. New players are welcome and encouraged to come visit a practice. No rugby experience is required, and those that join us in the beginning of the season (September/October) will have the most success in picking up the game.

Please bring water, cleats (running shoes are fine if you do not own cleats), and a bag to secure your other personal belongings. Players can park in front of the Community Center building and walk over to FUN stadium. Follow us on social media to stay updated on all things #HoustonRugby.

Please visit our calendar page to see our upcoming events, trainings, and games.

GO HARC!

The Houston Athletic Rugby Club will host two Rugby 101 Clinics August 17th and 31st. These clinics are designed with beginners in mind and are run by our certified rugby coaches. If you are interested in playing with us this upcoming 2024/2025 season, or just want to learn more about the sport of rugby and have some fun, this is the event for YOU!

These events will be free to the public, and no rugby experience is required.

Warmups will begin at 9am.

Please bring water and wear comfortable workout clothes.

No RSVP is required. Anyone 18+ can participate. Spectators are also welcome.

Location: 700 E Memorial Loop Dr, Houston, TX 77007

HARC is Houston's local rugby organization. If you are interested in playing club rugby, contact us!

Women's Program 
Head Coach - Martin Chalmers
Martin previously coached the women from 2010-2015, during with the team moved up to D1 and had many playoff runs.
Assistant Coaches - KC Curl, Barbie Curl, Chelsea Peper
Our assistant coaches are all former players for the women's program and have coached with other programs throughout Texas.

Men's Program
Head Coach - Barko Engelbrecht
Barko is from and coached in South Africa, most recently with the Western Province Rugby Academy. 
Assistant Coach - Gerrie Labuschagne
Gerrie is a current player for the Houston Sabercats from South Africa that has played all around the world.