Unified Rugby is growing in Indiana – and in our second season, Rugby Indiana brought Unified Rugby onto one of the biggest stages in our calendar by hosting the final Unified match of the spring at the Rugby Indiana State Finals. Athletes with and without disabilities took the field together in a non-contact, flag-rugby format, demonstrating that rugby can be truly inclusive and welcoming for players of all abilities.
What is Unified Rugby?
Unified Rugby is an adapted, non-contact format of rugby that allows players with and without disabilities to play side by side. Games use flag or tag rules to emphasize safety, participation, and fun while keeping core rugby skills like passing, support play, and teamwork at the center of every session. For Rugby Indiana, Unified Rugby is designed to open doors for athletes who might not otherwise have a pathway into traditional tackle rugby, while still connecting them to the wider rugby community.
Second Unified season in Indiana
Rugby Indiana launched Unified Rugby as part of its youth development strategy and has now completed a second full Unified season. In 2026, Unified Rugby culminated in a final match at the Rugby Indiana State Finals at Kuntz Stadium, giving Unified athletes the chance to share the same venue and spotlight as our other state championship teams. The Unified final featured Westside Rugby and Noblesville Rugby, who played a flag rugby match focused on inclusion, participation, and shared enjoyment of the sport.
Collaboration and leadership
The Unified Rugby program in Indiana was created through collaboration between the leadership of Westside Rugby and Rugby Indiana. Noblesville Rugby has emerged as a key champion for Unified Rugby, helping to pilot sessions, host fixtures, and share the model with other communities across the state. Program leaders describe Unified Rugby as an opportunity to bring rugby to new families, new athletes, and new school partners while reinforcing the sport’s best traditions and values.
Rugby values in action
Unified Rugby is a practical expression of the core rugby values that Rugby Indiana and USA Youth & High School Rugby emphasize: integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline, and respect. Unified athletes are encouraged to support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and treat teammates and opponents with respect in every training and game. Coaches and volunteers use Unified sessions to teach communication, leadership, and empathy, helping young people build friendships and confidence on and off the pitch.
Focus on inclusion and participation
Because Unified Rugby uses a flag format and its own non-contact rugby laws, sessions can be tailored to a wide range of ages and abilities. The emphasis is on inclusion and participation rather than results, and game formats can be adapted to ensure every athlete gets touches on the ball and opportunities to contribute. Families have reported that Unified Rugby gives their children a safe, welcoming environment where they can try something new, be part of a team, and experience the joy of rugby alongside peers.
Growing Unified Rugby across Indiana
Rugby Indiana is committed to expanding Unified Rugby as part of its long-term player development and inclusion strategy. Six new Unified Rugby programs are currently in early planning stages, with the goal of joining the Unified schedule as early as Spring 2027. These emerging programs will build on the experience of Westside and Noblesville, extending Unified Rugby to additional communities and creating more opportunities for athletes of all abilities to participate.
How to start Unified Rugby with Rugby Indiana
Rugby Indiana works with schools, clubs, community organizations, and parks programs to help them launch Unified Rugby in their local area. Support can include coaching resources, sample practice plans, “Get Into Rugby” events, guidance on working with school partners, and connections to other Unified program leaders. Programs interested in Unified Rugby can contact Rugby Indiana to discuss how Unified sessions can fit into existing youth or high school rugby offerings, physical education classes, or community recreation programs.
Unified Rugby and USA Youth & High School Rugby
Unified Rugby aligns closely with the national vision of USA Youth & High School Rugby to provide a fun, safe, and inclusive environment for young people to experience rugby. Rugby Indiana’s Unified program complements Rookie Rugby and other non-contact formats, offering another way for athletes to engage with the sport in a developmentally appropriate, values-based setting. By sharing our experience, Rugby Indiana hopes to support other states and unions interested in adding Unified Rugby to their pathway for youth and high school players.