Seeing Our Rugby Players Shine on and off the Field
As Rugby Grows in the United States, UK Players Find New Opportunities
At Keystone Sports, we’re proud when our athletes get noticed. Cameron Halliwell was recently featured in a double page spread in Jersey Evening Post for securing a U.S. college rugby scholarship.
This kind of recognition is more than just an article—it showcases what international athletes bring to American college sports. For Keystone Sports, it reinforces our core purpose: connecting talented players with meaningful athletic and academic opportunities.
Halliwell joins our group heading to American universities next summer. Keystone Sports UK has placed 25 rugby players for Fall 2025, with several others in final discussions with coaches. These placements let players compete at high levels while earning degrees that will serve them well beyond their playing days.
The Rise of Rugby in the United States
Rugby’s footprint in America continues to grow, creating real opportunities for international talent. Lewis McKissick, rugby placement expert at Keystone Sports, sees this firsthand:
“Rugby is BOOMING in the U.S. at the moment. The growth of college rugby is typical of a sport gaining genuine traction in the public eye and seeing a spike in participation too.”
With America hosting the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2031, the future looks bright. Top college players now have clear paths to Major League Rugby (MLR) drafts and professional careers.
Women’s rugby is seeing similar growth, with a professional league taking shape. Lewis notes:
“You only must look at the impact Ilona Maher has had on the game to see the waves of positivity in and around the women’s game, and the commercialisation of the game as a whole.”
A Unique College Experience
American universities offer rugby players resources rarely seen elsewhere. As Lewis explains:
“US College Rugby players find themselves being valued as a true student athlete in the US and are treated accordingly with incredible professional set ups and facilities. Whereas would they receive this in a UK uni? Unlikely, unless they are a part of a BUCS Super Rugby uni and one of the top 30 players in those programmes.”
With over 900 American universities offering rugby scholarships, players can find schools that match their academic goals, preferred environment, and playing style. Better yet, rugby scholarships often make studying in the US cheaper than staying at home for university.
Your Journey Starts Here
We celebrate every player’s unique path and accomplisments—whether it’s signing scholarships, excelling academically, or gaining recognition in the media.
As American rugby grows, so do opportunities for athletes to compete while studying abroad. At Keystone Sports, we connect players with sports scholarships across North America. If playing stateside interests you, we have the expertise to help make it happen. Who knows? Maybe your story will be the next to make the headlines!
Complete our free assessment to explore your rugby scholarship options in the United States.
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About the author
Lorena Montañés
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