The Rocky Mountain Challenge (RMC), America’s Premier Under-17 & Under-19 Rugby Tournament, will again field All-Star Rugby teams from across America.

Teams already committed and expected to compete include Florida, Southern California, Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Heart of America (Kansas City area), Oklahoma, and Colorado. Most states will field two teams, both a U-19 and a U-17 team.  According to Jeff Calhoun, the RMC’s Tournament Director, “This will be the largest representation of prep rugby talent in our Tournament history.”

In addition, four women’s U-19 teams will join the field this year, as well as exhibitions of youth rugby (ages 5-15) and “Old Boy” rugby (ages 35+).

“We are gratified and excited to see so many teams committed to this year’s Tournament,” said Tournament Director, Jeff Calhoun.  “This group of teams is our largest ever, and a testament to the growth of rugby in the US.  Rugby is the fastest growing youth sport in America, and rugby will be played in the 2016 Olympics as a new sport.” The players for that team will be selected from all-star teams such as the ones playing at the RMC.  Selectors from USA Rugby will be attending the RMC to evaluate the all-star players.

“The Challenge is a great showcase for teams and players from all parts of the US.  It’s a wonderful opportunity for more people to learn about our growing sport and get more young people involved.”

“Come out to the Aurora Sports Park and watch great kids play great rugby”   Calhoun declared.

About the RMC

The Tournament has two competitive divisions.  One division teams players under the age of 17 and the second division teams players under the age of 19.   The Texas U-19 team won its division last year, while Utah club took the crown in the U-17 division.

The Rocky Mountain Challenge is one of five Regional Tournaments supported by USA Rugby and is a key part of the process that will ultimately lead to consideration for the National USA U-20/U-18 selection pool for international team play in 2010.

The weekend event will feature over 30 matches on 5 fields between the participating teams, with preliminary rounds on Saturday June 18, and the semifinals and championship games played on Sunday, June 19.  A banquet, honoring all players, will be held on Saturday night, June 19 at the Crown Plaza Hotel at 15500 E. 40^th Ave. just off I-70.

Ticket Information:

Tickets for the Rocky Mountain Challenge are $5.00 per person, with free admission for anyone under the age of 12. Tickets are sold at the Aurora Sports Park gate on the days of the event.   The Aurora Sports Park is located at 18601 Sports Park Drive, just off Colfax Avenue, 3 blocks east of Tower.  Parking is free.

The Rocky Mountain Challenge is supported by USA Rugby, the Boulder, CO based national governing body for rugby in the US.

For more information, visit http://www.rmu19c.com/, or contact Jeff Calhoun at 720-924-0660.  ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

2011 Tournament Information

Saturday & Sunday, June 18-19,

At the Aurora Sports Park

Tickets available at the gate, $5.00 per person, kids under 12 free

Player Ages U17 (Under 17 years old) & U19 (Under 19 years old)