News & Results

Latest Highlanders News

March 1, 2010: The Highlanders return from the Wake Forest University High School Showcase featuring top national sides from DC Metro & Pennsylvania. The Highlanders defeated West Shore United (PA) then took two competitive losses from Gonzaga (DC) and Hyde (DC). Two significant benefits will come from the weekend. One, playing national caliber competition and playing well in that environment sets the stage for growth this season. Two, 15 new Highlanders played their first rugby match for the club. Congratulations to the new players that crossed over the threshold to rugby player on the weekend. Special thanks to the veteran players for their amazing talents displayed on the paddock - and off - in their leadership on the first tour of 2010. Very special thanks to all the parents in attendance and in support of the weekend. The club is for all.

February, 22, 2009. The weekend found the Highlanders playing their first matches on their new home field (Cedar Falls Park). On a brilliant sunny day after weeks of winter, the Highlanders trotted out several age-grade sides. The u13 & u15 sides scrimmaged the Triad Bulldogs of Greensboro. The u19 side took a tough league loss to state rival, Vance Carrburus (VC Gold) later in the afternoon. Special thanks to Chapel Hill Parks-n-Rec for their partnership in creating a proper sized rugby field (pitch) in a tremendous setting. Seeing proper rugby posts soaring into the Carolina blue sky is an incredible evolution to Highlander Rugby. Three cheers.

November 10, 2009: The Highlanders hosted the 2010 Player, Recruit & Parents Night. Head Coach Robert Joseph presented to a packed house with u13, u15, u19 players & parents in attendance. Special thanks to volunteer parents; Charlotte & Richard Jordan, Linda Joseph and Becky Van Valkenburgh for their tremendous support. The players and parents took in International & Highlander highlights plus a presentation defining what makes rugby so unique and how the Highlanders attempt to honor that tradition. Snacks & free t-shirts were provided, so all left happy and ready to jump into preparing for Season 2010.

October 20, 2009: The Highlanders announce THREE KEY DATES as the start to prepare for the 2010 Spring Season:

November 7th is the first training session of the season at Emerson Waldorf (10am)
November 10th is the Recruit & Player Night at the Chapel Hill Bible Church (7:30pm)
November 14th is Rugby 101 Training for new & experienced players at Emerson Waldorf (10am)
click here for Schedule

October 17, 2009: The Highlanders just completed a series of essential skills training sessions over the past five weeks. The focus was on Ball Skills 101 & 201 -- Kicking 101 & 201. The 5th session was a wrap-up of all four previous. All Highlander age groups, from u13 to u15 to u19 attended. Thank you to all the lads and parents for taking part.

October 1, 2009: link to article about Cal Rugby featuring Asher Thomas

October 1, 2009: A Giant Awakens is a 52 minute HD sports documentary that explores 130 years of rugby in America. Through the lens of award winning filmmaker Sylvain Doreau, the essence, spirit, and challenges of American rugby are captured at all levels from youth to the USA Men's National Team. This documentary takes you on a journey from Olympic glory in the 1920's, to rugby's 50 year hibernation in the US, to the USA Eagles capturing the hearts of all rugby fans at the 2007 World Cup in France.

June 15, 2009: Buoyed by five Highlanders on the u19s and nine Highlanders on the u17s, the Carolina All-Stars won the 2009 South All-Star Challenge in Charlotte, NC this past weekend. All-Star sides from Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida were a terrific test playing very good rugby. Still, the u19 Carolina All-Stars ran their 2008-2009 record to 10-0. The u17 Carolina All-Stars played well but took their first ever loss against a tough FL side. Congratulations to all North Carolina players in the side, you continue to impress and deserve the rewards.

May 16, 2009: The Highlanders finish 7th at the USA Rugby National High School Club Championships and become the first team from the South Region to win a match at nationals. The Highlanders faced Highland of Utah (19 time National Champion) losing 15-31, with the 15 points a source of great pride given the incredible talent and rugby acumen of the nation's best program for the past 34 years.

May 9th 2009: Highlanders defeat Charlotte Catholic, the NC single HS State Champions and USA Rugby South HS Champions, 27-7 to win the North Carolina Youth Rugby State Championship. This victory establishes the Highlanders as the No.1 HS/U19 Rugby team in the South.

May 2nd 2009: Highlanders defeat VC Gold in tight final to win North Carolina U19 Club Championship

April 26th 2009: Highlanders win 2009 USA Rugby South U19 Championships - the first NC club to do so.

Feb 21st 2009 : U15s against Triad at 9.30 am. The B side play Triad in the league (10.30 am) and the A side play Union County Lions (12 noon) at Oka T Hester Park in Greensboro

Feb 14th 2009 : Highlanders A vs B in first league game of season. 9.30 am at UNC Eringhaus field. A side win 35-0.
Feb 7th 2009 : Highlanders win a pair of pre-season scrimmages against Raleigh (36-5) and Wilmington (27-5)

Jan 31st 2009 : Highlanders win pre-season scrimmage against Triad Bulldogs by 24-5. click here for match report.

Sept. 27th 2008 : Highlanders annnounce junior rugby clinics - click here for details. Registration form

Aug 31st 2008: Sunday touch rugby restarts - 1pm at Cedar Falls

Aug 14th 2008 : 2008 highlight video released

July 2008 : All Stars set to play in Charleston Aug 9th