Since the 1930’s UCLA has fielded Rugby teams competing at the collegiate, club and representative levels. The Bruins have played against top-notch teams throughout the US and worldwide. Bruin collegiate opponents have included Cal, Stanford, Notre Dame, University of British Columbia, Oxford, Cambridge Loughborough Colleges, and Sydney University, to name just a few. The Bruins played the Australian Wallabies in the 1950’s. The All Blacks and England were our guests in the 70’s and 80’s. Numerous major club teams from the US and overseas have enjoyed UCLA competition and hospitality, including Ombac, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, San Francisco, B.A.T.S., and the Olympic Club. French, New Zealand, Australian, Argentinean, British and Polynesian teams have all trodden Bruin turf. Thirteen Bruin Ruggers where on the All UC team that toured New Zealand and Australia in 1970, losing only one game out of ten. Fourteen Bruins were among the first 50 players to represent the US as Eagles.

While the past was a great time for UCLA Rugby, the future is even brighter. After a period of quiescence, UCLA Rugby is undergoing a renaissance as a result of a dynamic convergence of strong student interest, excellent coaching, and strong alumni support. Because of this, the UCLA Rugby Program has experienced significant growth in the areas of on-field performance, recruiting, fundraising, campus relations and organizational structure. Significant headway has been made toward building a meaningful program with great results both on and off the field.

On the recruiting front, new relationships have been developed with Youth Rugby programs throughout California and across the U.S. and Canada, allowing staff and alumni to talk to young players about the opportunity to study and play Rugby at UCLA. Youth players wishing to advance their careers in Rugby now view UCLA Rugby as a top program and as a competitive choice to either Cal or Stanford. UCLA Rugby has built the necessary structure and organization to once again become one of the most successful intercollegiate sports programs on campus and around the nation.