About the Union

The Heart of America Rugby Football Union was founded in 1967, the Heart of America Rugby Football Union is one of 37 Local Area Unions within USA Rugby , and one of seven within our Territorial Union the Western Rugby Football Union . Our member clubs are located in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

We have over 30 clubs that play at every level within the USA Rugby structure, including men’s and women’s club, college, and high school rugby. 

The purposes, objectives and benefit of the Union to the players and sport:

1. The promotion and administration of and the provision of education and instruction in the amateur game of Rugby Union Football in all its aspects, throughout the Union area.
   
   
2. To ensure that the playing of Rugby Union Football within the Union area is conducted is accordance with both the Laws of the Game of Rugby Union Football and the Declaration of Amateurism as framed by the International Rugby Football Board and USA Rugby.
   
3. To develop, grow, and promote youth rugby throughout the Union area.
   
4. To acquire such property and monies as considered nessary to carry out these purposes and objectives and to dispose of same. 
    

By Being a Member of the Heart of America Rugby Football Union, the Heart will:     

1. Provide minimum eligibility and registration standards for all matches, which helps ensure safety and liability insurance coverage. 
    
2. Promote appropriate player movement within a club and between clubs.
    
3. Facilitate appropriate competition for all ages and ability levels.
    
4.  HOA Rugby is responsible for establishing the structure of HOA Rugby Championship Events, along with minimum competition and eligibility standards, according to minimum eligibility and competition standards as determined by USA Rugby
    
5. Provide fair and equitable standards of eligibility throughout the season for all matches leading to and including HOA Rugby Championships. 

Membership Catagories

• “Full Membership”
  • Full Membership shall comprise clubs (and individuals therein) situated within the Union area, which have been actively playing Rugby Union Football for at least one full year prior to making application for such membership.
    
• “Associate Membership”
  • Associate Membership shall comprise newly formed clubs (and individual therein) situated within the Union area. These clubs will be eligible for Full Membership after having shown evidence of operating successfully for one full year.
    
• “Honorary Membership”
  • Honorary Membership may be awarded at the pleasure of the Board of Governors to:
    • Any past player or person of distinction considered worthy of recognition in this way.
    • Any club, society or group of persons (and individuals therein) who have banded together in a formal manner to advance the game of Rugby Union Football within the Union area and who are not otherwise eligible for “full” or “associate” membership.
      
• “Sustaining Membership”
  • Any interested individuals, corporations or civic groups who wish to make significant contributions to the Union shall be eligible for election as sustaining members.