Tennessee’s high school coaches gathered last weekend in Nashville, sharing technical and administrative pointers prior to opening day.
Some 30 people attended the two-day event, evidence of age-grade rugby’s remarkable growth in the Volunteer State. Launched with eight teams in 2000, Tennessee High School Rugby now counts nearly 30 sides and 1,200 players, organized into three conferences.
THSR’s state-specific organization and can-do success have quickly made 
it a nationwide model.
Led by commissioner Mark Williams, it is unusual in operating independently of USA Rugby’s traditional governing body, known as a “union.” The Mid-South union, which governs college and club play in this part of the country, also includes parts of Arkansas and Kentucky.
But THSR is purposefully orthodox in adopting time-honored practices of mainstream American sports, for example promoting closest possible affiliation with high schools and making hay of its state championship and all-state team. Last weekend’s meeting follows another staple: the coaching convention.
The state’s high school players now generate some $24,000 in dues to USA Rugby. Consistent with THSR’s self-reliant attitude, that money might be better spent at home, Williams said in a recent interview with Rugby Magazine.
THSR’s Middle Tennessee Conference, home of the four-time state champion Brentwood Brumbies, kicks off in two weeks on February 24. March 11-12 brings the popular Nash Bash U19 tournament, which includes national powers Penn of Indiana and Westerville of Ohio, and the state championship is set for May 13-14.
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