SCIRF HS Leagues Expand, Build Support
SCIRF HS Leagues Expand, Build Support
The Southern California Interscholastic Rugby Federation (SCIRF) is entering its fifth season for boys and has shifted to a single division for this season while growing in number of teams.
All SCIRF Teams are currently under the supervision of the Athletic Director or Principal at their school, and the boys league has moved from a two-division format into a single division.
SCIRF coaches met with several school Athltic Directors to discuss the future of the various programs, and addressed the loss of St. John Bosco and Servite HS coming out of COVID shutdowns. For this season, both of those teams, which have won championships before, return to SCIRF action.
Boys teams for the 2022-23 season: St. Augustine, Fallbrook, Servite, St. John Bosco, Warren HS, Mira Costa, Mission Bay, La Costa Canyon, Hoover, Cathedral Catholic.
In addition, feedback and input from the ADs across showed that there is a growing acceptance of rugby as an integral part of the school and is seen as a means to help high school leadership to develop the young men and women. More coaches are now employees of the school or teach at the school where they coach. This ensures sustainment of rugby at the high school level.
California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) studies have shown that coaches, regardless of any sport, that are teachers or administrators at the school help ensure long term success of the program.
Girls in Action
The SCIRF Girls 7s league is underway this fall and has seen growth in number of teams and participation. New teams from Oceanside, Cabrillo, Mission Bay, and La Costa Canyon High School have also been joined by visiting teams from Utah. There are now 12 teams in the league. This season 10 tournaments, plus a championship event February 11, constitute the season.
The model, in which all teams play in one location, allows the flexibility for teams to play as school demands (e.g. exams, homecoming events) are factored in. Last year the girls played approximately 35 7s games over the course of the season. The growth of the girls league led to the LA Section of the CIF to be briefed by the principals of the girls high schools on a routine bases concerning the growth of girls rugby.
Girls teams for the 2022-23 season: Cathedral, Coronado, Downey, Oceanside, Mission Bay, Lakewood, Hoover, Mira Costa, La Costa Canyon, Cabrillo, Los Alamitos, Warren HS.
The Ultimate Goal
The objective of SCIRF is to follow and execute existing California Interscholastic Federation policies and procedures. SCIRF coaches routinely brief the San Diego CIF Section and the plan is to get rugby for both girls and boys to become an accepted varsity high school sport.