Chattanooga Youth Rugby

Second practice was a blast! Thanks Coaches Hilley and Hudson. And…Great to see you back 😉

Play rugby with us! We’ll see you Thursday at 4pm. Go Lions 🦁 🏉

A great crew of all new Chattanooga Youth Rugby Ruggers braved the cold 🥶 tonight for our first practice. Max (McCallie), Josh (East Hamilton) and Aoife (Signal Mountain) kicked off the 15s season with a session focused on fundamentals like passing.
We can’t wait to see our Fall 7s and Summer Ruggers return🤞Thursday. And more players from the surrounding area. All welcome 14-19U Girls and Boys.
Lets Go Lions!!🦁

New to rugby Aaden was looking for a contact sport and decided to give rugby a try. He was inspired by USA Eagles Rugby team winning bronze at the Olympics this Summer. Fun fact: He’s got mad archery skilz 🏹. Watch out Big A is strong with a natural knack for the game. We can’t wait to watch you crush it on the pitch. Thanks for joining CYR! Go Lions 🦁 🏉 #rugby #highschoolrugby #chattanoogarugby #chattanoogayouthrugby #tennesseerugby #bereanacademy #noogarugby

With 15 years of playing rugby from Lee University to Nooga Rugby with Cheetah Boys 4Lyfe, Gypsies Rugby and USA Rugby South in between, Coach Hudson is in it to win it! CYR is not his first rodeo founding a high school rugby club. In fact Hudson founded the Bradley County Wolfpack boys and girls club in 2014.
…and Coach has a sense of humor not just because he dabbles in standup comedy but because he frequently wears wrestling singlets in public 🤣.
When we asked Coach, “Why Youth Rugby?”, he gave us an obscure answer. We paraphrased as, “Rugby has given me my life’s best relationships and I want the kids to experience that too. Let’s grow this sport!! “
Thanks for all you do Coach. Go Lions! 🦁 🏉

Josiah, an inaugural member of Chattanooga Youth Rugby, joined because he wanted to try something new. In his first rugby match at Sumner 7s last weekend, he showed great promise. Coach Hilley said, “He’s going to be really good”. He has played multiple sports: soccer, wrestling and rock climbing and has lived in Africa. Josiah is a player to watch. Go Lions! #chattanoogayouthrugby #ccs #chattanoogachristianschool #tennesseerugby #chattanoogarugby #rugby #highschoolrugby #rugbylife

Chattanooga Youth Rugby founding coach, Derek Hilley, is “giving back” to a community flanked by powerhouse clubs, Nooga and Nooga Queens Rugby.
His favorite rugby player is a three way tie between Antoine DuPont, Tadhg Beirne and himself. He says his favorite team is Munster but he’s been known to follow Welsh Rugby Union players around Cardiff.
When coach is not working, coaching or playing rugby, he enjoys spending time with his family and VIPs at the Itchy Shirt Pub.
After thanking Coach Hilley for spending his spare time establishing CYR he said, “I’M ALL IN!”.
Thanks for all you do Coach Hilley!