K-12 PATHWAYS

MICR leverages the power of rugby to close the opportunity gap, create a relentlessly supportive community, and drive upward mobility for students living in underresourced communities. Our K-12 pathways engage students in middle and high school, providing community, support, and athletic, academic, and social-emotional development.

Scroll through the page to learn more about our K-12 Pathways, or click the links below!

Year-Round Middle and High School Rugby

    • Serving 350+ student-athletes playing for 14 teams across Memphis

    • Offering 1,100+ programming hours ranging from leadership workshops, games, practices, academic support, and outing trips to celebrate our student-athletes’ hard work

    • MICR provides, at no cost to the families, nutrition at every practice, game, and non-rugby events

    • Even when the season is over, MICR brings fitness, nutrition, sexual education, and career exploration workshops for all student-athletes interested

    • Sports are a powerful social and economic tool to fight systemic inequality and build a community of inclusion and belonging, often breaking educational, financial, and personal barriers

      • Forcing the community to deal with issues around gender, poverty, and social exclusion

    • Skills and lessons learned through sports can be applied to more than just the sport, such as problem-solving, teamwork, healthy communication, and respect

    • Rugby is a low-cost sport, where all you need is a pair of shorts, a shirt, a mouthguard, and cleats to play

    • You can play rugby on any patch of grass, no formal field set up needed

    • Rugby cares about body positivity and inclusivity by designing jersey sizes for all body types, encouraging everyone to try the sport

    • Being a globally recognized sport gives players access to communities all over the world, further fostering a sense of belonging for players, no matter where they are in the world

    • This is not just a sport for men and boys but a sport for women and girls, expanding opportunity across genders

    • The city of Memphis has a poverty rate of 22.6%, and a child poverty rate of 36.3%.

    • Between 50%-100% of student-athletes at all our partner schools receive free/reduced lunches, indicating that families are 130% below or at the poverty line

    • ‍Due to high poverty rates in historically marginalized areas, there is a lack of access to healthy food options, producing food deserts in our communities, such as North and South Memphis, Whitehaven, and Orange Mound

How We Do It?

It’s in our DNA

Our DNA is Relational, Responsive, and Relentless

Click one of the boxes below to learn more:

Relational
Responsive
Relentless

RELATIONAL

Being relational is how coaches create a safe space and begin to create healthy stress response patterns for their student-athletes. For all of us, learning, growing, and thriving depend on first being able to achieve healthy, resilient reactions to stress.

    • MICR launched a holistic rugby mentoring program under the leadership of Board Member and All-Time Leading Try Scorer for the USA Women's Eagles, Naya Tapper

    • The program supports students and alumni who pursue rugby after high school

    • Topics covered include fitness, nutrition, position-specific skills, navigating a predominately white institution as a person of color, and balancing academics and athletics

    • Every year, 10+ MICR students participate in 1-on-1 meetings with US Olympians, learning from some of the best athletes in the country

    • 51% of MICR full- and Part-time staff are Alumni (2025–2026)

    • Alumni staff are prioritized because they best understand MICR's values and purpose

    • This trend creates career opportunities for alumni to give back and help kids in their community, just as previous staff did for them

    • MICR is committed to investing in Memphis communities

    • Rugby programs are based in underresourced neighborhoods, partnering with schools and community organizations to meet the needs of players, alumni, families, and beyond

    • MICR's Rugby Complex has been completed, serving as an investment in neighborhood development and a safe space for Memphis youth

    • MICR’s Coach-in-Training program brings high school students to serve as ‘coaches in training’ for middle school teams

    • In 2025, MICR hired 8 High School Juniors/Seniors to develop their professional and leadership skills while getting paid to do it

“Rugby helped me feel good about myself and be the version of myself that I don’t doubt all the time.” - MICR High School Player, Spring 2026

RESPONSIVE

All young people are different, so developing their core social, emotional, and behavioral skills means meeting them where they are as individuals. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, being responsive requires recognizing each player's unique needs and adapting accordingly to support their growth.

    • Thru The Game is one of many MICR partnerships that provide mental health education and support to athletes, coaches, parents, and sport-based communities.

    • The program focuses on helping student-athletes regulate their emotions in everyday life

    • Everything is rooted in relationships, and our 3 Rs make sure every one of our staff has the mindset and attitude that best serves our communities

    • Community and school partners are essential to meeting the needs of our alumni, players, and their families

    • Coaches' presence in schools keeps them embedded in a support network, giving them insight into what players need — as athletes, students, and people

    • Partnerships with other organizations let us stay responsive to player needs, including:

    • Workshops develop key skills to guide students into adulthood, paired with new and enriching experiences that complement those skills

    • JULS serves as a crucial "bridge" from K-12 to alumni support, positively impacting retention, leadership, communication skills, and engagement

    • Students view the program as a special, earned experience — rewarded through attendance and performance in the classroom and on the field

    • In 2026, 100% of high school senior participants felt the program improved their relationships and leadership beyond rugby

    • MICR partners with Sylvamo and Memphis Rox to host college workshops for Juniors and Seniors, helping student-athletes navigate college and career paths, including trade school

    • Coaches dedicate 30 minutes each week of practice time, plus time during school lunches, to check grades, reinforcing academic support and accountability

“I love that they [MICR coaches] visit the kids at school! I see the visible difference that it makes for them to have someone who is invested in their life on and off the field.” - Educator at a partner school, Fall 2025

RELENTLESS

We understand that none of this work is easy, but we must be relentlessly consistent, as humanly possible, by being where we say we’ll be, taking accountability when we're wrong, and staying in the young person’s life for years.

  • Our rugby programs are open to all regardless of players’ gender, skill level, athletic background, or resources.

    Our mission is to close the opportunity gap. No tryouts; we accept all students on all our MICR teams

    • MICR provides free ride-share assistance to ensure every student-athlete can attend practices, games, workshops, and all-star opportunities

    • Transportation support is offered to all who need it, removing a common barrier facing student-athletes and their families

    • In 2024–2025, MICR invested over $50,000 in Uber and Lyft rides to support student-athlete transportation

    • MICR keeps its doors open to alumni, offering continued involvement through mentoring, coaching, day-to-day operations, or fundraising

    • The organization operates as a revolving door of opportunity, welcoming alumni back in whatever capacity fits them

    • Alumni benefit from MICR's network of partners as well, because the organization's connections become their connections

  • All-Star Opportunities aimed at elevating competition and bridging communities around the country

    • On October 9th, 2021, the 1st Inaugural Premier Rugby Sevens Championship was held in Memphis, TN, with a few of our Alumni rostered on multiple teams

    • URCs - Annual competition against other major urban rugby communities around the country, such as Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New Orleans.

    • West Tennessee is a budding Rugby community where the majority of rugby players develop through MICR’s pathways

      • 2026 Soulsville High School girls won the Tennessee 15s State Competition

“Rugby means a community that is always there for you.” - MICR High School Player, Spring 2026

MEET THE Pathways

East Memphis Pathway

Based out of the East Memphis community! This is a pathway of trailblazers for MICR. The first MICR boys Rugby team was started here and continued to make a name for itself as the PCA Knights. This pathway has set the tone and is becoming a force in the youth rugby community.

Learn More about the East Memphis Pathway

South Memphis Pathway

Based out of the South City community! Rugby has been a long standing tradition within the Soulsville community. One of the founding youth teams in Memphis that started it all. There is a rich history between both the boys and girls’ team that continues through the success of this pathway.

Learn more about the South City Pathway

Whitehaven Pathway

Based out of the Whitehaven community! Rugby has been a huge part of FPA culture as one of the few contact sports to be introduced at the high school level for girls and boys. The girls and boys team have a history of winning and now the new generation is looking to add to FPA’s legacy .

Learn more about the Whitehaven Pathway

Meet the Freedom Prep Pathway

Coach KD - FPA Girls Head Coach

  • Player

    • D3 Club/Varsity Athlete

    • 2023 Collegiate Rugby Scholastic All-American

    • 2021 Varsity Back of the Year

    • 2021 Varsity Team Captain

    Coach

    • 2025 U10s MICR All-Star Middle School Head Coach

    • 2026 MICR All-Star Assistant Coach

    • 4th Season Coaching High School Girls

Coach Akayla - FPA Girls Asst. Coach

    • MICR and FPA Alum

    • 2nd Season Coaching

    • Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Sports and Leisure Management

Coach Eniyia - FPA Girls Asst. Coach

    • MICR and FPA Alum

    • 3rd season coaching

    • Pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity

 Freedom Prep Eagles Deep Dive

  • There are 33+ rostered high school girls and boys for the Fall 2026 7s season.

    We have restarted our FPA boys program this Fall 2026, so stay tuned for more Eagle action.

    In short, the Whitehaven pathway is positively affecting 33+ children ages 12-18, with hopes for more as we expand this pathway to middle school girls and boys, and high school boys.

  • We are all alumni of Freedom Preparatory High School, so we share similar values with the school we represent. We are a young coaching staff eager to be the best coaches for our players. We hold our players to a high standard, and come with the expectation that they can be not only high achieving players but students as well. We come from a culture of discipline, respect, accountability, teamwork, and fun. As coaches, we understand that we have a duty to instill lifelong values in our players that will support their growth into successful, thriving adults. We care, understand, and meet students where they are.

    • “Coach Akayla who is also a caring and funny coach brought joy to practices and games because having her as a coach and former teammate made me more comfortable.” FPA Player, Spring 2026

    • “My queennnnnn [Coach Eniyia], coaching style is more personal! As a young woman, she relates to us upcoming and new rugby players, and gives up tips both on and off the field” - FPA Player, Spring 2026

    • “I am forever grateful for the support, assistance, and guidance he [Coach KD] has gifted to me. He is more than a coach and has comforted me in some of my toughest moments, from wanting to quit, to being injured, he was always there. I believe he has played a very big part when it comes to the person I have become and who I will be in the future because I will always carry his words with me.” - FPA Player, Spring 2026

 

Meet the Soulsville Pathway

Coach Ethan

  • Soulsville HS Boys Coach since 2023

    2023-2024 Coach of the Year

    2x Urban Rugby Championship All-Stars Coach

    Memphis Tiger Rugby Alum

    Soulsville Pathway Coach

Coach Shaniah - Soulsville Middle Head Coach

    • Soulsville MS Boys and Girls Head Coach

    • FPA Rugby Alum and 2x State Champion

    • Player for Flamingos Rugby

    • 2025-2026 Coach of the Year

Coach Kavion

  • Soulsville HS Boys Coach since 2024

    Soulsville Charter School Alum

    Memphis Tiger Rugby Alum

Coach Savannah

    • Soulsville HS Girls Head Coach since 2022

    • 2025-26 Coach of the Year

    • 3x Urban Rugby Championship All-Stars coach

    • 3x State Champion

Coach TJ

    • Soulsville HS Girls Coach since 2021

    • 4x Urban Rugby Championship All-Stars coach

    • PCA HS Boys Inaugural Teammate

    • 2022-2023 Coach of the Year

Soulsville Tornados Deep Dive

  • There are 48 High School boys and 33 High School girls for a total of 81 committed players for the 2025-2026 year.

    Additionally, we have middle school programs like Soulsville Middle and Bellevue Middle, who has been adopted to this pathway. In combination, we are serving 60 young student-athletes.

    In short, the South Memphis pathway is positively affecting 141 children ranging from ages 12-18.

  • We are the Soulsville Tornadoes. Our coaches are seasoned, and some coaches are even alumni of the program. We value a great work ethic, a good attitude, and fun rugby. Why play rugby if you can’t have fun? We are a family first, and community is at the forefront of our team. We value the “why” as well as the technique behind the game, so confidence is built and safety is taught.

    • “He is always there for me when I need him, and he has helped me become a better young man these past two years. Thankful for a lot, Coach.”

    • “Very powerful and heartwarming”

    • “She is super tough. Thankful to have her coaching me. She is strong too, stronger than me. I want to be strong like her one day.”

    • “He is a very helpful coach, who we can talk to on and off the court. He is a person who makes sure you're okay when it looks like we are down or feeling out of character, and he is a person you can always talk to for a laugh or something good to say.”

    • “She is a good coach. She makes sure we are okay. I know sometimes she be hard on us, but it’s only to prepare us for the real world. She is a caring sweetheart who is always there for all types of support.”

Meet the PCA Pathway

Coach Nadia - PCA Girls Head Coach

  • Player

    2017-2019 Freedom Prep 

    2017-2019 Memphis All Stars

    2017-2019 Tennessee Tri-Stars

    2019-2021 Christian Brothers University

    2020 Flamingos Rugby 

    Coach

    Level 100 Coach

    2023 Coach of the Year

Coach Myla - PCA High Girls Asst. Coach

  • -Level 100 Coach

    -2024- Current Assistant Coach 

    -2026 Emerging Coach of the Year

Coach Sam - PCA Boys Head Coach

  • Player

    -2013-2014 Tri-Stars Rugby 

    -2014-2016  USA South (Panther Academy Select) 

    -2014-2018 University of Memphis

    Coach

    -Level 200 Coach

    -2018, 2023, 2024, & 2025 4x State Qualifier 7’s 

    -2018, 2023, 2024, & 2025 4x 15’s Qualifier

    -2004 3rd place 7’s State

    -2024 Division 3 State Champ

Coach Gabe - PCA Middle & High Asst. Coach

  • Player

    •All-Stars 2022-2024 

    •3rd Place 7’s State 2024 

    •University of Memphis 2024-2025

    Coach

    Level 100 Coach 

Coach Roby - PCA Boys Asst. Coach & PCA Middle Head Coach

Coach Kierra - PCA High Asst. Coach & Ridgeway Middle Asst. Coach

PCA Knights Deep Dive

  • There are 39 High School boys and 39 High School girls for a total of 78 committed players for the 2025-2026 year.

    Additionally, we have middle school programs like PCA Middle and Ridgeway Middle, who has been adopted to this pathway. In combination, we are serving 64 young student-athletes.

    In short, the East Memphis pathway is positively affecting 142 children ranging from ages 12-18.

  • We are the East Memphis Pathway. Nothing brings us more joy than seeing our players succeed on and off the field. We focus on discipline and throw in fun when we can, but strive to win above all. We are a family and deeply care about our players beyond teaching them rugby. We show our players tough love because we want our players to be the best versions of themselves.

    • “He is a great coach. I love the community he created for me and all of us as a team. Stay goated!”

    • “He is also a great coach. As THE BEST kicker on the team, I wouldn’t be as good as I am without him. He influences me to be the man I am today.”

    • “Gabe made his impact and showed us what it meant as forwards to work together as brothers”

    • “She is a very loving coach. She always makes sure everyone is ok, and she is very patient with the team. Coach Nadia has shown me a lot since I’ve come back to Micr PCA, and she gives me motivation and shows love to everyone.”

    • “She knows how to push us girls and discipline us with Coach Nadia. She does her best to teach us and learn how to be better players.”

What MICR Parents and Guardians Say

“MICR is always supportive of the kids and I love that. My daughter was shy and in her shell before rugby. Teaming with MICR, she had made new friends and become more and more interactive with others.”

“MICR mentors and molds each child and helps each child reach their ultimate potential as well as holds them accountable for their growth in needed areas of their lives.”

“My son has done a complete 180. His confidence has grown and I am truly grateful.”

“MICR brings a sense of community and gives my son something positive to do to keep him out of trouble.”

“I appreciate how MICR provides transportation for students.”

“MICR does a great job providing opportunities for the athletes to connect to others who have walked in their cleats.”

Consider donating to our pathways

Payment Options

Making a gift to MICR is easy and flexible. You can give online through our secure donation portal, where one-time or recurring gifts can be set up in just a few minutes. For those who prefer to give by mail, checks can be sent to our office:

Memphis Inner City Rugby
2670 Union Ave Extended,
Memphis, TN 38112

Every method of giving strengthens the work we do and ensures that students continue to have access to life-changing opportunities, free of charge.


Donation Portal