Create a Stand Out Rugby Resume

Feb 23
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

I am always surprised by how many rugby resumes sent to college coaches are missing critical pieces. In many cases, your resume is the first opportunity you have to make a strong impression. Take the time to do it right.

Before you send your resume to any coach, spell-check and grammar-check everything. Better yet, ask a trusted adult to review it as well. A second set of eyes catches things you will miss.

6 Rugby Resume Tips That Help College Coaches Notice You

Make Sure Your Contact Information Is Current

You would think this goes without saying, but make sure every piece of contact information on your resume is accurate and up to date. Do not list an email address you rarely check or a home phone number no one answers. Your contact info is the first place a college coach will reach out, so it needs to be the fastest way to get in touch with you.

Check Your Email Every Day

Many teens do not regularly check email, but in the professional world, everything runs through it. Coaches will not text you to express interest. They will email you. If you do not respond within 24 to 48 hours, most coaches will assume you have moved on and they will do the same.

Include a Clear, Professional Headshot

A simple headshot helps coaches distinguish you from the many other student athletes they are evaluating. This is especially helpful if you have met a coach in person at a tournament or on a campus visit.

Keep it clean and straightforward, similar to a passport photo. No sunglasses, hats, or distracting clothing. A school photo or team roster photo works perfectly.

Photo Credit: https://margaretbelanger.com/winchester-ma-senior-portraits/

Keep Your Academic Information Updated

Coaches want your current cumulative GPA, meaning your GPA from the start of 9th grade through today. A strong semester last year does not outweigh a difficult one the year before. Coaches need to see the full academic picture, and wasting their time with incomplete or misleading information will work against you.

Update this section every year. The last thing you want is a coach dismissing you because your resume still lists you as a sophomore when you are a senior.

If your grades have been trending upward, you can note a projected GPA for the end of the current semester or year. That kind of transparency works in your favor.

List Your Rugby Coaches With Their Contact Information

Some college coaches will reach out directly to your current coaches to learn more about your athletic ability and character. Include updated contact information for all of your coaches, including high school coaches, club coaches, and coaches you have worked with in shorter stints like summer camps or clinics. Each one can offer a different perspective on what you bring to the program.

One important step: let each coach know ahead of time that you are including them on your resume. No one should be caught off guard by an unexpected email or phone call from a college program.

Highlight Your Rugby Accomplishments from High School

College coaches are only interested in your rugby involvement during high school. Focus on accomplishments that are specific and clearly stated, for example: Most Valuable Back 2025, Coaches Award for Leadership 2024, or Selected as Captain U16 2024.

Organize your accomplishments by category: Academy Teams, All-Star Teams, Club Teams, and High School Teams. Update this section after every season so nothing gets forgotten.

Photo Credit: Merle Laswell/For The Register

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6sMzcD-5sg

Include Links to Game Film

Game film is becoming increasingly important in the college rugby recruiting process. If your team films matches, upload your footage to a YouTube or Vimeo channel and include the link on your resume.

Platforms like Hudl are also widely used and make it easy to create highlight clips that show coaches exactly what you bring on the field. If you play in tournaments that are livestreamed, link to the broadcast page and note which matches you appear in so coaches can find you quickly.