- November 18, 2024
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The following is an adapted news release from the city of Palm Coast:
The American Collegiate Rugby Association has selected Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches as the site of its national championship tournament for women’s rugby, to be held Dec. 6 and 7 at the Indian Trails Sports Complex.
“This is Palm Coast’s first collegiate tournament and our first national championship, and we’re honored to host this prestigious event,” Palm Coast Parks and Recreation Director Luanne Santangelo said. “We’re looking forward to showcasing our community and all it has to offer to women’s rugby players across the United States, along with their coaches and families.”
“This is going to be a high-level tournament that will lead many others to us,” added Flagler County Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Tourism Development Matthew Dunn. “We are anticipating an even greater economic impact than we typically see with sports tournaments because these teams will be traveling from a great distance and they’ve already indicated they plan to arrive early to enjoy the beach and our other amenities.”
The American Collegiate Rugby Association includes more than 150 colleges, representing the largest group of rugby teams in the country, ACRA Executive Director Jeff Ward said. The women’s national championship was held in Lake Myrtle, Florida, last year, and when ACRA started scouting locations this year, Palm Coast was recommended by a coach at the University of Florida.
Attracting sports tournaments is a key goal of the City of Palm Coast’s Prosperity 2021 strategic economic development plan, and the community has enjoyed great success in recent years, especially in soccer and lacrosse. Palm Coast prides itself on the high quality and condition of the fields at the Indian Trails Sports Complex. Construction will begin this month on two new fields, which will bring the number of fields to 10 — just in time for the national women’s rugby championship in December.
The ACRA tournament will be played in two divisions over two days, with regional qualifying tournaments held around the United States in mid-November.
Last year’s champions were Norwich University (Vermont) in Division I and Winona State University (Minnesota) in Division 2. Other teams included the U.S. Military Academy at Westpoint (New York), the Naval Academy (Maryland), the University of Northern Iowa, Notre Dame College (Ohio), Vassar College (New York) and Kutztown University (Pennsylvania).
“It’s truly national in its scope – as far west as Utah,” Ward said.
Rugby will be added to the Olympic Games in 2016, for the first time in many decades, and it’s growing in popularity on college campuses and among spectators.
“We’d like to encourage the public to come out and watch the games,” Ward said. “It’s really great rugby. It’s the only sport for women that not only allows contact, but encourages it. It’s very athletic and fun to watch. Sports fans will truly love it.”
For more information, contact Cindi Lane, Palm Coast communications and marketing manager, at 986-3708.
