About

Welcome to the home of the Naperville Warriors high school rugby club, the defending 2022 Illinois State Rugby 7’s Champions!

The 2023 campaign will mark the 23rd season of the Naperville Warriors High School Rugby Club. Our team is comprised of student athletes from Naperville North, Naperville Central, and Benet Academy, and we are currently recruiting new members to join our annual pursuit of winning an Illinois state rugby title. The Warriors are typically ranked among the elite teams in Illinois, led by a top tier coaching staff with diverse international experience. At the conclusion of each season several of our senior athletes graduate on to play for top collegiate programs and compete at the national level.

The Warriors were founded in 2000 by a group of area rugby enthusiasts, led by then Naperville Central teacher, Steve “Benny” Kenyon. Through Kenyon’s popularity as head coach of several sports, the newly founded club immediately gained interest within the ranks of Naperville’s student athletes. Mentored by our 100% volunteer coaching staff, the Warriors continue to flourish along with the sport of rugby, which are now the longest tenured youth team in Illinois and fastest growing sport in the United States respectively.

No experience is necessary to join, and there is a position for every size athlete. The Naperville Warriors Rugby Club is a member of Rugby Illinois and USA Rugby, and prioritizes safety by teaching proper fundamental technique. Sportsmanship and teamwork are engrained in rugby culture, and our coaching staff works hard to provide a fun and competitive atmosphere. The Warriors also maintain an excellent relationship with the Naperville Crusaders Middle School Rugby Club, for those families with aspiring young ruggers.

Pre-season winter training sessions begin in January. These work outs are a primer for our regular season beginning in March. Our match schedule typically stretches from April through Memorial Day weekend, with 7’s (Olympic style) rugby played each summer.

Please feel free to reach out to the coaching staff for more information. We look forward to seeing you on the pitch!

(Photo: Jim Graeber, 2008)