About Santa Monica Rugby Club
Santa Monica Rugby Club is a rugby union club competing within Southern California Rugby Football Union (SCRFU).
The Santa Monica Rugby Club was founded in 1972 by graduates of UCLA rugby, USC rugby, and St. Mary’s College rugby teams. Recognition for Santa Monica Rugby Club came early, with our men’s team compiling an undefeated record in Southern California (SCRFU) Division I in the club’s first year, and taking the championships in both the San Diego/OMBAC Tournament and the Monterey National Invitational, the predecessor to today’s national club championships.
Since that founding season, the winning tradition has continued. Santa Monica Rugby men’s team has won the SCRFU Division I league title seven times, captured top spot at the San Diego/OMBAC Tournament seven times, been to the national championships 8 times — winning on five occasions, and even triumphed at the prestigious Santa Barbara International Tournament.
Since its founding, Santa Monica Rugby Club has developed very successful programs for men, women, and youth of all levels and experience.
Of course, great teams are composed of great players, and Santa Monica has had their share. Twenty Santa Monica Rugby players have represented the United States in SMRC Old 3 international competition on the USA rugby team, “the Eagles” — three of them captained the national side. Three additional Club players have represented the USA on the World XV. Former Club and USA Eagles captain Craig Sweeney is honored by the Club’s Craig Sweeney Fund, tax-deductible contributions go to support the long-term goals of Santa Monica Rugby.
Every year, a select few club members from past seasons are honored at the Hall of Fame dinner following our annual Golden Dolphins old boys match on Club Day.
But the Club’s proudest achievements in the past 20 years have been the addition of a women’s team and youth squads.
Formed in 2005, and officially accepted into the union in 2006, the Santa Monica Women’s Rugby team has very quickly made a name for themselves with some big wins and tough play that point to continued success.
An integral part of the Club, the women also play a key role off the field taking the lead in many of the club’s community, social and fundraising events and coaching in the youth program.
The explosion of the Club’s youth rugby program has gotten attention from both the local press, including the Los Angeles Times, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica Daily Press, and the national rugby reports. Begun as a co-ed non-contact program for U-8s, U-12s and U-14s, the Club now sponsors youth rugby all the way up to U-19 tackle for boys and girls, as well as rugby programs at four local public schools.
The men’s 7’s program took huge step forward over the past 3 years, qualifying for clubs nationals and ranking in Top 10 teams in the United States.
