Exiles RFC Juniors

Alpharetta Phoenix Becomes Exiles RFC Juniors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alpharetta Phoenix Become the Exiles RFC Juniors – Georgia’s First Full U8-to-Senior Rugby Club

Alpharetta, GA – July 30, 2025 – The Exiles Rugby Football Club is proud to announce that the Alpharetta Phoenix has officially become the Exiles RFC Juniors, marking a historic moment for rugby in Georgia.

With this transition, the Exiles RFC now becomes the state’s first and only full rugby club offering a complete pathway from Under-8 minis through senior men’s and women’s rugby – all under one club, one culture, and one vision.

“This is a huge step forward for our players, families, and the growth of the sport,” said Steve Mace, President of Exiles RFC. “From a kid’s first rugby ball to competing at the senior level, every player can now develop within a single club, surrounded by a supportive community, consistent coaching, and our shared values. And wherever our players go – be it college, off to play regionally, abroad, or even reaching the national side – they always have their club to come home to, for the rest of their lives. The way club rugby is supposed to be.”

The newly integrated juniors program will compete wearing the Exiles’ iconic green and gold, training alongside the senior sides and benefiting from shared facilities, mentorship opportunities, and a unified club identity.

By creating a true U8-to-Senior pathway, the Exiles RFC sets a new standard for rugby development in Georgia – one that is inclusive, sustainable, and built on club culture rather than fragmented systems.

One Club. One Pathway. One Family. — Unus ex nobis (One of us)

Junior & High School Rugby

GET READY TO BUILD THE FUTURE!

Exiles RFC Junior & High School Rugby

Building the Future of Rugby in Our Community

At Exiles RFC, we believe that the heart of any strong rugby community begins with opportunity—starting at the middle and high school levels.

That’s why we’ve launched the Exiles RFC Junior & High School Rugby Initiative: a grassroots effort to reintroduce and grow in-school, club-based rugby across our region. Our mission is to not only grow the game but to reconnect it with its most important source of long-term sustainability—our youth.

This initiative is more than just fielding teams. We’re laying the foundation to support sustainable, locally rooted rugby programs by:

Partnering with schools and districts to bring rugby back into their extracurricular and athletic landscapes
Providing coaching, infrastructure, and support to remove barriers to entry and ensure safe, quality programs
Educating school administrators, faculty, and parents on the benefits of club rugby—not only as a sport but as an avenue to teach camaraderie, leadership, and values for life. Rugby is also safer than many collision sports, with a strong emphasis on technique, player welfare, and injury prevention
Offering mentorship and guidance through our senior club members—many of whom are former high school players themselves
Organizing leagues, competitions, and inter-club collaboration under the Georgia Rugby Union umbrella

By reconnecting junior and high school rugby with established senior clubs, we help end the fractured pathways that have left too many players behind. This model strengthens the entire rugby ecosystem—creating a true pathway from youth to adult rugby, where players stay engaged and grow with the game.

Most importantly, it ends the cycle of cost-prohibitive, exclusionary, travel baseball-style tournament-only competition. Our goal is to build accessible, sustainable rugby opportunities that are rooted in community—not pay-to-play exclusivity.

We want to see every GRU senior club take the same step in their own town, school district, or county. Exiles RFC is committed to sharing what we build, offering guidance, and collaborating with clubs across Georgia to bring school-based rugby home.

Together, we can rebuild the pathway from youth to senior rugby—right here, where we live.

Interested in starting a team at your school or bringing youth rugby to your area?
📩 Reach out today: join@exilesrugby.org

YOU CAN ALSO DONATE TO OUR JUNIORS & HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY INITIATIVE BY CLICKING BELOW

Donate to Youth Rugby

About {Sports Club}

Start A Rugby Club At Your School

How to Start a Rugby Club at Your High School or Middle School And How the Exiles RFC Can Help You

Step 1: Talk to Your School

Ask your athletic director, PE teacher, or principal about starting a rugby club.
Rugby is a club sport, not a varsity sport, so approval is often easier than you think.
Many schools allow rugby to begin as an “interest club” before expanding into a full athletic club.

Step 2: Gather Interested Students

You don’t need 30 kids to start—6–10 players is enough to get going.
Friends, classmates, siblings—rugby is for all shapes, sizes, and skill levels.
Begin with touch or flag rugby, then grow into contact rugby when ready.

Step 3: Connect With the Exiles RFC

The Exiles Rugby Club of Alpharetta runs full programs from U8 through U18, and has strong senior men’s and women’s sides—giving players a complete pathway from childhood through adulthood.

We provide:

World Rugby certified, background-checked, and SafeSport credentialed coaches.
Equipment (balls, cones, pads, starter kits).
Field and facilities guidance for safe practices.
Competition pathways (local festivals, matches, and leagues).
Mentorship from experienced players and senior athletes.

Step 4: Promote & Grow

Exiles RFC can help with flyers, social media, and announcements.
Invite parents to an info session so they understand rugby’s safe, inclusive, and fun culture.
Start with a short season of practices and games—grow step by step.

Step 5: Join the Rugby Family

Rugby is more than a sport—it’s a community and lifelong network.
By starting a school rugby club, you create opportunities for future students.
The Exiles RFC will support you all the way.

Parents & Guardians Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Exiles RFC Juniors – Parents & Guardians Code of Conduct

At Exiles RFC, we believe that rugby is more than just a game — it’s a community built on respect, integrity, passion, discipline, and solidarity.
As a parent or guardian, you play an essential role in modeling these values for our young players.

By registering your child to play for Exiles Juniors, you agree to abide by the following Code of Conduct:

1. Support the Spirit of the Game

Encourage fair play, teamwork, and good sportsmanship at all times.
Teach players that doing their best and enjoying the game are more important than winning.

2. Respect for All

Treat all players, coaches, referees, opponents, and spectators with respect — regardless of ability, background, or team.
Do not engage in criticism of players, coaches, or officials during or after games.

3. Positive Sideline Behavior

Cheer for effort and good play from both teams.
Avoid coaching from the sidelines — let the coaches coach.
Never use offensive language or gestures.

4. Commitment to the Club

Ensure your player attends practices, games, and club events on time and ready to participate.
Communicate promptly with coaches about absences or injuries.
Support club fundraising and volunteer efforts whenever possible.

5. Safety First

Make sure your player is properly equipped and fit to play.
Support and respect injury protocols and return-to-play guidelines.

6. Role as a Rugby Ambassador

Promote rugby’s values within your community and school.
Encourage your child to respect referees’ decisions — even when you may disagree.

Breaches of the Code

Failure to follow this Code of Conduct may result in:

A verbal or written warning from the Club.
Removal from a game or practice.
Suspension of sideline privileges.
In severe cases, removal of your player from the program