ABOUT SOUTHERN PINES YOUTH RUGBY
A Moore County rugby community where young people can build confidence, develop real skills, and belong—regardless of experience or starting ability.
OUR STORY
Southern Pines youth rugby has roots stretching back more than twenty years. The Southern Pines Jokers competed from 2004 to 2006, and high school rugby returned to Moore County in 2010 when Rob Bortins and Gus Remington launched the Gators.
The modern club began taking shape in 2017, when Joe Hogan helped revive the high school program with support from Gareth Williams. Only three high school athletes joined at first, competing alongside Raleigh Rugby while the local program rebuilt. By 2019, the club had established its own identity, and youth divisions were formally added in 2020.
Growth accelerated in 2021 as Galen Griffith helped expand the youth program. During the 2026 spring season, SPYRC registered more than 350 players across its age groups—evidence of both the demand for rugby in Moore County and the commitment of the coaches, families, and volunteers who sustain it.
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Community and healthy youth development come first. We work to make rugby accessible, help every player improve, and create opportunities for athletes who want to pursue higher levels of competition.
Rugby develops much more than athletic ability. It teaches young people to trust themselves under pressure, recover after mistakes, communicate clearly, accept responsibility, and contribute to something larger than themselves. Those lessons build confidence that carries into school, family life, and adulthood.
BUILT BY FAMILIES WHO SERVE
SPYRC has a distinctive connection to the military community. Military veterans and families have played an extraordinary role in coaching, volunteering, governing, and growing the club. That culture of service, accountability, and teamwork remains part of who we are while the club welcomes families from every background across Moore County.
A PLACE FOR EVERY PLAYER
SPYRC welcomes boys and girls ages 4–18, from first-time players to experienced athletes. Our recreational programs provide age-appropriate instruction and meaningful competition without tryouts or selection.
For advanced athletes, the Red Wolves pathway provides additional development intended to prepare players for collegiate, representative, and potentially professional rugby.
OUR STANDARD
We want every family to leave with the same impression: SPYRC is a professional, kid-centered, family-friendly organization led by coaches and volunteers who genuinely care about the young people entrusted to them.
