Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to have rugby experience to play?

Nope! We welcome players of all experience levels. We have two teams that compete in different divisions, one in the DI Mid-Atlantic Conference and the other in the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union DIII. Both teams practice together, so you can find the best fit! We are happy to help develop any skill level, even if you have never played before!

What gear do I need to play?

You'll need a mouth guard and cleats (soccer cleats are fine). For matches, you will need to buy our custom maroon rugby shorts ($30) and maroon rugby socks ($12). Coordinate with us, so we can bring the correct sizes to your first match. Once you buy the shorts and socks, they are yours for life!

How is the season and league structured?

Our league matches are broken up between the Fall season (September - early November) and Spring season (March - early May). League matches are determined by MAC (Mid-Atlantic Conference) and EPRU (Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union). The Spring season may be extended by the Championship season (May) if we qualify. Each team typically plays 5-7 matches per season.

The DI team competes with five other teams (Charlotte, Northern Virginia, DC Furies, Atlanta, and Raleigh). Philly DI plays each team once during regular season. The season may also include friendly matches with high Women’s DII teams or elite college teams to round out our match schedule.

Philly DIII competes in the EPRU DIII Division and plays each team twice in league play before the Spring season culminates in the Atlantic Super Regional Championship, which declares a winner over the entire region. Philly DIII competes against Lehigh Valley, South Jersey, Wilmington, Reading, Brandywine, and York/Lancaster in regular season play. The season also includes friendlies and tournament travel.

How much are dues?

For new players (and current students), dues are $100 per season. The Fall and Spring are separate seasons. For returning players, dues are $125. Dues do not cover registering with USA Rugby (CIPP) which is an additional $76.50. Dues are typically due by your first match of the season. However, we are flexible and allow payment plans that may extend throughout the season if you communicate with our treasurer. We believe finances should never keep a player out of the game!

What is CIPP?

CIPP means to be registered with USA Rugby. CIPPing also provides a secondary medical coverage in the event of rugby related injury. USA Rugby requires that every player CIPP with their rugby club before their first match. CIPP is an annual membership that expires at the end of every August, so all players must renew their CIPP at the beginning of the Fall season.

How do I CIPP?

CIPP as a Senior Club Player with Philadelphia Rugby Football Club.

As part of the Eastern Pennsylvania Geographic Union, the yearly CIPP cost for a Philly player is $76.50 and must be renewed each year prior to the Fall season. If you need assistance in paying this CIPP fee upfront, we encourage you to talk to our treasurer about setting up a payment plan.

How much does it cost to play rugby with PRFC?

A new player will spend a total of $219 ($100 for dues, $42 socks and shorts, $77 for CIPP) in their first season. If that player joined in the Fall, then the cost of the next season (spring) will only be $125 (for dues). If that player joined in the Spring, then cost of the next season (fall) will be $200 (for CIPP and dues).

We do our best to keep the cost of playing rugby a low as possible, which is why we have an additional requirement that players contribute some of their time toward administrative and fundraising efforts. Read about the Points System and the Linc for more information.

What is the "Points System"?

In order to keep the cost of dues low, players are expected to contribute their time toward the administrative and fundraising tasks that sustain our club such as working “the Linc”. We use a point system to ensure that the burden of these tasks is fairly distributed to all players. Points are given for almost any task a player does on behalf of the club off the field. The "points system" is enforced at the end of spring season, when players that earned below average points (contributed less) may barter and exchange points with players that earned above average points (contributed more) before those players are fined for their delinquent points. Rookies earn double points in their first season. Because the time-commitment expectations are different between DI players and DIII players, the average season points are calculated on a per team basis. DI players are accountable to other DI players, and DIII players are accountable to other DIII players.

What is "the Linc"?

"The Linc" refers to Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles. We have a contract with Aramark as an Non-Profit Organization (NPO) to run a concession stand at the Linc during summer concerts (May-August) and home Eagles football games (August-January). Due to our strict contract with the Linc, we require every active (fall season) player to attend Linc training and sign up for events to earn points. DI players must work a minimum of three events during the season (the minimum may change year to year based on roster size) and DIII are required to work at least one event. In the past, Linc shifts have contributed to about half of the points given out over the entire year.

Who are the governing organizations?

The Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU) is our local Geographic Union (GU). The EPRU is sometimes referred to at the East Penn Geographic Union (EPGU).

The Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) helps to coordinate competition between the Capital and Eastern Pennsylvania GUs.

USA Rugby is the national governing body for the sport of rugby in America, and a Full Sport Member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and World Rugby.