Why Every Football Coach Should Want Their Players Playing Rugby
Before diving in, we'd like to recognize Hal Morgan and Tempe Rugby Club for inspiring this conversation. Hal's original letter to football coaches asked a simple but powerful question: "Why?" Why aren't more football coaches encouraging their athletes to play rugby during the offseason? It was an idea worth sharing, and with Hal's permission, we've adapted that concept to reflect the opportunities available here in the Kansas City metro. Thank you to Hal and Tempe Rugby Club for their leadership in growing the game and developing young athletes.
Every offseason, football coaches across Missouri and Kansas look for ways to make their athletes bigger, faster, stronger, and more confident before the next Friday night lights.
The weight room helps. Speed training helps. Summer camps help. But one of the most effective athletic development opportunities is still largely overlooked.
Rugby.
Within our foundation and all rugby clubs, we don't see rugby as competition for football. We see it as one of football's greatest partners.
Why Rugby?
Football and rugby demand many of the same qualities—physicality, discipline, toughness, teamwork, communication, and decision-making under pressure. The difference is that rugby asks every player to develop every one of those skills.
Every player tackles.
Every player carries the ball.
Every player passes.
Every player supports teammates.
Every player makes decisions in open space.
That creates more complete athletes.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Football players who compete in rugby during the spring often return to their teams with:
Safer and more effective tackling technique
Better conditioning and endurance
Greater physical and mental toughness
Improved open-field vision and awareness
Better hands and ball skills
Increased confidence and athleticism
These aren't just rugby skills. They're football skills. Across the country, football coaches regularly ask athletes what they did during the offseason because they return noticeably more prepared to compete.
Building Better Athletes for Kansas City
The Greater Kansas City Metro Rugby Foundation exists to grow opportunities for young athletes throughout both Kansas and Missouri in the metro. We're committed to helping existing rugby clubs grow, introducing new athletes to the game, supporting coaches and referees, and creating partnerships with schools throughout the Kansas City metro.
Success isn't measured by taking athletes away from football. Success is measured by helping football programs develop stronger, healthier, and more complete athletes while exposing young people to a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime.
When football and rugby work together, everyone wins.
Kansas City wins. Our athletes win. Our schools win. Our community wins.
Sample Letter to High School Football Coaches
Adapted with appreciation from the original outreach developed by Hal Morgan and Tempe Rugby Club, and customized for the Greater Kansas City Metro Rugby Foundation. Share this letter. Copy it. Plagiarize it. Get it in front of people.
Dear High School Football Coaches,
I hope you're doing well and preparing for another great football season.
I'm reaching out on behalf of the (insert club name or our foundation), a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the sport of rugby throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area. Every year, we work with football athletes from schools throughout the metro, and we've seen the same result time and time again:
Football players who compete in rugby during the offseason become better football players.
Rugby develops qualities that translate directly to success on the football field, including:
Safer and more effective tackling technique
Superior conditioning and endurance
Increased mental and physical toughness
Better open-field vision and decision-making
Improved hands, ball movement, and overall athleticism
Parents frequently tell us their athletes return to football stronger, more confident, and in better shape than ever before. Coaches often notice the difference immediately.
Our mission isn't to compete with football; it's to help develop athletes who can make an even bigger impact on Friday nights. We would welcome the opportunity to connect with your coaching staff, host a rugby introduction or tackling clinic, or simply discuss how rugby can complement your football program. Together, we can provide more opportunities for student-athletes while helping them become tougher, healthier, and more complete competitors.
Thank you for everything you do for young athletes throughout our community. We look forward to working together.
Sincerely,
Greater Kansas City Metro Rugby Foundation (or insert your name)
www.kansascitymetrorugby.org
