20190418_Chicago_Lions_HS_v_Crystal_Lake_Lions
Channel: Chicago Lions Youth Rugby
Date: 2021-02-17

The Lions Community program is the brainchild of Lions’ Director of Rugby, Dave Clancy, and focused on using rugby as a vehicle  for youth development and social change in the North Lawndale and East Garfield Park Community. The Lions hired Andy Rose as Director of Youth and Community Rugby in May 2018 and launch its first programs – an “Introduction to Rugby” course in North Lawndale Community Academy and Morton School of Excellence, unfortunately their festival had to be cancelled due to lightning but that was the beginning.

In 2018/2019 school year, the Lions Community program ran two after school programs as well a numerous camps and clinics with community parks and other non profit in the area – all of these programs, camps and clinics focused on introducing the sport and its ethos to the community members These programs were also provide an opportunity for healthy competition against the other programs.

Merger with Chicago Wapiti RFC
In August 2019, the Chicago Lions Rugby organization, established in 1964, joined forces to expand the Chicago Lions Youth Rugby Program to include middle school and rookie rugby. The merger is mutually beneficial and a pooling of resources will allow a complete pathway for its players focused on development and growth.