About South Suburban Rugby Club
Established in 2014, South Suburban Rugby Club is a nonprofit organization run by volunteer coaches and parents.  We are part of Rugby Illinois and USA Rugby.  All coaches are certified by USA Rugby and have many years' experience playing and coaching rugby in the USA and around the world.  We have established a culture of success based on teamwork, hard work, and having fun.    

Community Involvement and Charitable Activities
Our club continues to work with the New Lenox Community Park District to deliver fun & educational rugby programs to teach the fundamentals of rugby to 1st-8th graders. Our coaches have worked with local PE teachers to bring rugby to their classes. As a club, we understand the importance of giving back to the community and to charitable causes - each year we are involved in community service and raise money for charity.  We've hosted St. Baldrick's events and donated to the New Lenox Township Food Pantry.  We have marched in the Manhattan or Tinley Park Irish Fest parade and are proud hosts of a Rugby Illinois Middle School Festivals and Sevens Tournaments.  

SSRC Teams playing in Spring 2025 season
High School Boys
High School Girls
U15 (grades 7-8, co-ed)
U13 (grades 4-6, co-ed)
Rookie Rugby (grades K-3, co-ed, non-contact flag rugby)

No Experience Required – ALL PLAYERS ARE WELCOME
Most of our players are new to the sport of rugby so we are always teaching and practicing the fundamentals of the game.  We work a lot on tackling form and technique, rucking and mauling, scrums and lineouts, and the principles of attack and defense.  Playing the game safely and competitively is our focus. Most of our players live in the south suburbs of Chicago (including New Lenox, Tinley Park, Manhattan, Homer Glen, Lockport, Joliet, Mokena, Orland Park, and Frankfort).  

SSRC Mission
- Coach our players to play rugby safely and competitively
- Build a team, a tradition, and life-long friendships
- Teach our players about goal-setting and hard work, sportsmanship and teamwork, resilience and respect  

About Rugby
Rugby is a growing youth sport in the USA.  The game is fast-paced and everyone gets involved in the action.  Play is continuous and relies on decision-making and teamwork.  Rugby players come in all shapes and sizes, and all players have the opportunity to contribute on attack and defense. 
Click on the following links to learn more about the great game of rugby...
Rugby 101 - USA RUGBY
Rugby tackling taught in the NFL
Is Rugby the Best Sport for Building a Kid's Character?
Olympian Ilona Maher on redefining strength and femininity in rugby
Nate Ebner USA Eagle Olympian and New England Patriots Player  

Rugby is a great sport for Wrestlers and Football Players
Rugby requires many of the same skills and techniques used in wrestling and football.  The ‘rugby tackle’ is very similar to a double-leg takedown in wrestling and is also being used in football as a way to take the head out of the tackle.  Rugby tackling is even being used as the model for some NFL teams.  Rugby players work to develop their footwork, agility, fitness, strength, and use of body positioning, leverage, and angles in play.  Rugby is an excellent spring sport for football players and wrestlers.    

RUGBY IS FOR GIRLS!!!
We are proud that our club is actively growing the girl’s game of rugby.  We have more and more girls participating each year.  We know that the game of rugby is inclusive, empowering, and you have a lot of fun being active and making rugby friendships that last a lifetime.  This is even more applicable for our girls players – Rugby is a way to boost self-esteem and confidence, while teaching resilience, discipline, and hard work.