The Clayton Rugby Football Club is made up of players, of all skill levels from ages 4-60+. The club currently fields two full Men’s sides, and an Old Boys (35 & over) side. We field two 7s teams during the summer with both competitive and social options for 7s players. We also run an in-house Youth Flag Rugby program for kids ages 4-10.
The Clayton RFC has grown quickly since our first game in 2014 and aspires to be a model club in the Carolinas. We are one of the largest clubs in the Carolinas and we are led by an progressive Board of Directors with high aspirations. We aim to continue that growth well into the future as we expand our programs and offerings to our members.
We are also fortunate to have our own rugby facility. When complete the facility will include three pitches, bathrooms, pavilion, and playground. The Johnston County Rugby Park is scheduled to open in 2022. Future additions to the park include a clubhouse which will make our club one of few clubs in the entire USA to have a full service rugby facility.
No experience is necessary to play. The Clayton RFC has a culture that encourages and welcomes brand new players to the sport of rugby.
The club is a member of the Carolinas Geographic Rugby Union as well as USA Rugby which is the governing body for the sport in the United States. Our XVs playing season begins in August and runs through April with a short break for the Holidays in December. During that time, we practice two nights per week and play 2-3 games per month during the season. Games are mostly played on Saturdays. June and July is 7s season and our teams participate in multiple tournaments throughout the Summer. Our youth program has both fall and spring seasons.
Our 1st XV is the club’s competitive side. They currently compete in Division 3 of the Carolinas Rugby Union. We are actively recruiting players with experience, recent college grads, and athletes looking to challenge themselves with the goal of pursuing promotion to Division 2 in the coming years.
Our club has a number of connections throughout the business community and can assist with job placement for recent grads or players interested in relocating to the area.
Our 2nd XV serves as our developmental team for new players, social players, and Old Boys. The 2nd XV currently plays a social schedule against other B Sides and social teams in the Carolinas. Our #1 priority is that every single playing member of the Clayton RFC gets game time every weekend. Regardless of experience or skill level.
Our 2nd XV helps us provide our players quality game time against similar level competition while at the same time developing players that wish to pursue selection for our 1st XV.
Our #1 goal is to provide rugby for players of all ages and skill levels. We also aim to keep aging players involved in the club without the same time commitment that was needed earlier in their careers. To help achieve those goals, the Clayton RFC fields has added an Old Boys side.
Our Old Boys (Age 35+) schedule 2-4 social matches per season against other Old Boys teams and aims to enter into at least one Old Boys specific tournament per year.
The Clayton RFC has been active on the 7s circuit since the inception of the club. The club fields two separate 7s teams each summer with one competitive side and one social side. Our Bootlegger’s 7s teams compete in 4-5 tournaments each summer.
Our 7s sides welcome collegiate players and other guest players looking for a fun and competitive atmosphere.
The club also hosts one of the largest annual 7s tournaments in the region with matches being live streamed.
The Clayton RFC runs an in-house youth flag rugby season for boys and girls in Pre-K thru 4th grade. The program is designed as an entry level to the sport of rugby. By removing the contact elements of the sport, players develop confidence in their skills. The movement-based program with a focus on developing skills and rugby awareness through FUNdamentals!
Our flag rugby program is offered at least once per year in the spring or fall.
The Clayton RFC offers social membership levels. A social membership is a great way to become involved with the club without the bumps and bruises that come with playing a contact sport. Our club has a fun and active social atmosphere with multiple events each year.
Social members can get involved in a number of ways. Whether that is coming out to the park to support our teams from the sidelines, joining up at one of our many social events, or getting involved as a volunteer. Our social members are some of the most active and productive members of our club.