No experience. No tryouts. No excuses. The Augusta Furies are building women’s rugby from the ground up — and there’s a place for every woman who wants it.
The Augusta Furies were founded in 2024 by a group of women who believed their town deserved a rugby team. Not someday — now. We play, we train, we grow together, and we welcome absolutely everyone regardless of age, fitness level, or background.
We’re part of a global wave. Women’s rugby is the fastest-growing sport in the world. The USA hosts the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2033. Our field, our town, our players — that story starts here.
Everything you need to know before your first practice — no experience required, no jargon, no fear.
Score more points than the other team by grounding the ball in the opponent’s in-goal area (a "try") or kicking it through the posts. Teams of 15 players (or 7 in Sevens) work together across 80 minutes.
The ball can be carried forward and kicked forward, but can only be passed sideways or backward. When a ball carrier is tackled, they must release the ball — creating a ruck where teams compete for possession.
A try (5 pts) is scored by grounding the ball over the line. A conversion kick after a try is 2 pts. A penalty kick or drop goal is 3 pts each. Fast, high-scoring games are the norm in women’s rugby.
Scrums restart play after minor infractions — eight forwards from each team bind together and contest the ball. Lineouts restart after the ball goes into touch, with players lifted to catch the throw.
A rugby pitch is up to 100m long and 70m wide with in-goal areas at each end. The H-shaped posts are used for conversions, penalties, and drop goals. It’s bigger than a football field — and that’s what makes it fun.
Tackles must be at or below the shoulder. No leading with the head, no dangerous play. Referees enforce safety strictly. World Rugby’s laws are designed to protect players at every level.
Rugby has strict rules against dangerous tackles, and World Rugby’s HeadCase concussion protocols are world-leading. Studies show rugby has injury rates comparable to soccer — and far better community health outcomes.
Beginners start with tag rugby — no contact at all. Tackle rugby is introduced gradually, with coaches certifying to World Rugby safety standards before any contact training begins.
Rugby is one of the only sports where every single body type has a natural position. Small and fast? You’re a back. Big and powerful? You’re a forward. Never too old — we have players in their 50s still competing.
Unlike most sports, size, speed, strength, and agility are all equally valued. There is no "ideal" rugby body. The sport was literally designed to use everyone’s natural strengths.
New players are welcomed at all fitness levels. Practice builds your fitness — you don’t need it going in. Most beginners see dramatic fitness improvements in the first 6–8 weeks of training.
The combination of sprinting, strength, teamwork, and strategy means rugby develops full-body fitness faster than almost any other sport. Arrive as you are — leave stronger.
Forwards are the physical powerhouse of the team. They contest scrums and lineouts, carry the ball into contact, and win possession for the backs to use. Size, strength, and grit are your assets here.
Backs use the ball the forwards win. They’re typically faster, more agile players who execute plays in open space. The halfbacks link forwards and backs; the wings and fullback finish moves and kick under pressure.
Don’t stress your position on day one. Coaches observe how you move, your strength, your speed, and your instincts over the first few practices — then help you find your natural home on the field.
7 players, shorter matches, open play, less set-piece complexity. Sevens is the Olympic format and where most new players start. It rewards speed, fitness, and instinct — and it’s incredibly fun to play and watch.
Non-contact, flag-based version. No tackles — players "tag" the ball carrier by pulling a flag from their belt. Perfect for absolute beginners. This is where Furies practice starts for new players.
7 players per side. 7-minute halves. Olympic format since 2016. The most accessible and beginner-friendly competitive format. The US Women won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The full 15-player game. 40-minute halves. The Women’s Rugby World Cup format. This is what most elite international rugby looks like, and the pinnacle of the women’s game globally.
No tryouts. No experience required. All you need to do is show up.
Fill out the form below or simply arrive at practice. We never turn anyone away. The first practice is always free — bring water and wear athletic clothes.
You’ll be introduced to our coaching staff, paired with an experienced buddy player, and run through the basics in a small group. Zero pressure, maximum encouragement.
New players start with non-contact tag rugby to learn the ball skills, positions, and flow of the game. You move to contact rugby when you’re ready — on your timeline, not ours.
Once you decide you want to stay (we think you will), we walk you through USA Rugby registration, connect you with affordable gear, and get your jersey sorted. Financial assistance is available — no one is turned away.
When you’re ready, you’ll take the field. Most players play their first match within 4–6 weeks. There’s nothing quite like it.
Rugby welcomes every kind of woman. Here’s who you’ll be playing alongside.
ER nurse, mom of two. Started at 38 with zero sports background. "I thought rugby was for 22-year-olds. I was wrong about everything."
High school track star who hadn’t played a sport in 12 years. Discovered rugby at a watch party and signed up the next day.
Small business owner, grandmother, 54 years old. Plays in the Masters division. Refuses to slow down and has the stats to prove it.
Former basketball player who retired from sports after college. Rugby brought her back. "It’s competitive but nobody leaves anyone behind."
Matches, training sessions, community events, and free Try Rugby days. Come watch, come play, come be part of it.
Rugby builds strength on the field and off it. These aren’t talking points — they’re documented outcomes backed by World Rugby research.
Rugby improves cardiovascular fitness, bone density, and full-body strength. It’s one of the most complete athletic workouts available — and it’s fun, which means you actually do it. Body confidence follows naturally.
Isolation is a public health crisis. Rugby teams are antidotes. The structured community, shared challenge, and unconditional welcome create a sense of belonging that’s genuinely rare in adult life.
Leadership. Communication. Resilience. Decision-making under pressure. These are the transferable skills rugby develops every single practice — skills that follow players into careers, parenting, and life.
Rugby explicitly needs every body type. Big, small, fast, powerful — all are equally valued. There is no "ideal" rugby body, and teams that train together quickly internalize a respect for physical diversity that’s rare in sport.
When moms play, daughters watch. Our school outreach program connects girls to rugby through PE partnerships and youth clinics. The next generation of USA Rugby players could start right here in Augusta.
Women’s rugby is the fastest-growing sport on earth. The LA 2028 Olympics and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2033 in the USA mean this is a generational moment. The Augusta Furies are part of that story.
Not ready to play? There are plenty of ways to be part of the Augusta Furies — every role matters.
Come to a home match, follow us on social, spread the word. Our biggest supporters never touch the ball — and they’re essential to what we’re building.
Game day and off-field volunteers are the backbone of a community team. No rugby knowledge needed — just enthusiasm and a few hours.
The fastest-growing sport needs coaches and referees just as urgently as it needs players. Certification pathways are accessible and affordable.
73% of women’s rugby fans are more likely to support brands that back women’s rugby. Sponsoring the Furies isn’t charity — it’s smart local marketing.
Rugby is a family sport. From sideline cheering to team socials to youth pathways — there’s a role for everyone in a player’s support network.
Help us keep rugby accessible — gear subsidies for players who can’t afford registration, youth clinic funding, and field equipment all depend on community generosity.
After months of planning, training sessions, and community outreach, the Augusta Furies have completed official registration with USA Rugby — putting us on the map as part of the national women’s rugby ecosystem.
Rosa thought her days of competitive sport were behind her. Then she found out about the Augusta Furies.
World Rugby’s Blueprint for Growth report shows women’s rugby has never been bigger — and the USA is at the center of what comes next.
We take player welfare, inclusivity, and safe sport as seriously as we take the game itself.
All Furies coaches are trained to World Rugby’s HeadCase and RugbySmart concussion protocols. Any player with suspected concussion is removed from play immediately and follows a mandatory graduated return-to-play protocol.
The Augusta Furies follow USA Rugby’s Safe Sport policy. All coaches and team officials hold current background checks. Any complaints are handled through a formal, independent process. Zero tolerance for harassment or discrimination of any kind.
The Augusta Furies are explicitly LGBTQ+ welcoming. We are a body-positive, racially inclusive team. Discrimination, exclusion, or disrespect toward any player based on race, sexuality, religion, age, size, or background has no place here.
Players, coaches, and spectators are all bound by our Code of Conduct which aligns with World Rugby’s laws and the values of the sport. Respect for opponents, officials, and teammates is non-negotiable — on the field and off it.
The most common things women want to know before their first practice.
Whether you want to play, volunteer, sponsor, or just find out more — we’d love to hear from you.
Come to any practice — no need to contact us first. Just show up. Or reach out below and we’ll reply within 24 hours.