Rugby Grows in Reston Area

By Matthew Reider, Staff Writer

Rugby practice. Photo by Stephen Reider.

First-time Olympian Alex “Spiff” Sedrick was among the stars of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Her USA Rugby team dramatically won the bronze medal when she caught the ball, pushed aside a would-be tackler, and ran 85 meters to score. With the extra kick sailing through, the team secured a 14-12 victory with no time left. Since then, USA Club Rugby has seen a 10% increase in new players.

The D.C. area has long been a rugby stronghold, with many college, adult, and youth programs. Great Falls Rugby is one such club. The Reston-Great Falls Rugby team practices this spring on the Langston Hughes Middle School turf field.

On a cold Thursday evening, 15 boys and girls sprinted down the field “Bronco style,” their breath visible in the halogen lights. They passed the rugby ball across the line as they advanced. Coach Brandon Hollonbeck led drills while his spouse, Michele—a former law firm employee in Scotland—volunteers as club secretary. Two of her children play, and the team includes kids from Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Germany, and Scotland, many with parents in D.C.’s diplomatic corps.

One parent says rugby “seemed a little more low-key” than ultra-competitive sports in Northern Virginia. Players respect the game, their opponents, and the refs. Great Falls Reston Rugby considers itself a family, with pizza parties and social outings adding to the camaraderie.

Rugby is undergoing a renaissance in the D.C. area, with multiple club teams competing year-round. "Old Glory DC," a professional Rugby Union Team, started playing in 2020 as part of Major League Rugby and holds camps for local players.

Moreover, community events and outreach programs have become integral to the local rugby scene. Clubs host family days, charity matches, and open clinics that invite newcomers to experience the sport firsthand. These initiatives not only boost participation but also cultivate a supportive, inclusive environment for everyone.

As the game grows, players and coaches recruit to expand teams and teach the benefits of hard work, fitness, and leadership. Often advertised as an off-season complement to football, lacrosse, or wrestling, rugby teaches tackling, fitness, and footwork. For more information, visit “greatfallsrugby.com” and tell them President and Head Coach Gary Coetzee sent you!