The Legion Academy operates under the Legion Community Foundation (LCF), a California 501(c)(3). Our purpose is to provide a values-based, high-performance development environment for youth rugby players - designed to support (not compete with) the excellent work already being done by local clubs and high schools across Southern California.

Built from our core values of Discipline, Inclusivity, Integrity, Respect, Sportsmanship, and Transparency, we strive to grow the game by developing better players, better teammates, and better young people.

Our Focus: U16 & U18

The Academy is focused on U16 and U18 athletes, providing a long-term skill acquisition and high-performance training environment aimed at meaningful development over time.

This is a development program first - structured training, coaching, and learning that helps players progress in:

• Skill execution under pressure
• Game understanding and decision-making
• Physical preparation and safe contact technique
• High-performance habits (accountability, detail, consistency)

Club & High School Aligned

The Legion Academy is intentionally structured to add value to existing club and high school programs:

• Sessions are planned outside core match windows to reduce conflicts
• Club and school matches remain the priority during their competition seasons
• We actively build relationships with community and high school coaches to ensure the Academy strengthens the broader rugby ecosystem

Training Model

We deliver consistent training blocks (e.g., Sunday skill sessions) that prioritize player development rather than competing outcomes. Players are evaluated over time based on:

• Consistency and attendance
• Coachability and work ethic
• Progression and performance in training / internal match opportunities
• Character and standards aligned to Academy values

U16s & U18s Academy Tours

The Academy has transitioned away from a pay-to-play tour-centric model toward an integrated regional development program.

From time to time, optional tours may be offered as an extension of the program (not the purpose of it). Tour participation (if offered) is based on selection from the training squad and meeting eligibility, welfare, and conduct standards. Tour costs are borne by participants, with limited needs-based assistance subject to available funding.

Additional Youth Touring Opportunities (U14 & U15)

The Legion Community Foundation recognizes the value of international exposure for youth development. Separate to the Legion Academy’s long-term, high-performance U16/U18 program, LCF supports U14 and U15 international touring opportunities designed as participation tours - providing a life-changing rugby and cultural experience.

Important clarification:

• The U14 and U15 touring sides are not Legion Academy teams.
• They are not a San Diego representative/Selects/All Star team and do not participate in Legion Academy training sessions.
• These tours are not high-performance tours and do not feed into the established U16/U18 Legion Academy development pathway.
• These are participant-pays tours: no financial assistance is provided by the Legion Community Foundation.
• Legion Academy coaches will not be running the sessions or tour matches.

Safeguarding & Player Welfare

LCF applies strict youth safeguarding and player welfare standards across all Academy activities, including appropriate supervision standards, concussion management (“recognize and remove”), first aid coverage, and incident reporting.

How to Get Involved

The Legion Academy operates via invitations to training squads and periodic open identification opportunities in partnership with clubs and schools.

Academy - About Us

• Dave Haigh - Executive Director, Legion Community Foundation
• Dave Clancy - Director, Legion Academy
• Marcel Brache - Assistant Coach, Legion Academy

Questions / Contact

For program questions, nomination submissions, or partnership inquiries: info@legioncommunity.org

As officially recognized USA Rugby National Development Pathway (NDP ), the Legion Rugby Academy is created to offer regular and continuous development opportunities for all players and coaches. 

Academy Pathway

Academy Vision 

• To identify, recruit, and develop, from all sources, the most talented young players and bring them through the Academy into the high-performance pathway
• To adopt a comprehensive recruitment policy in Southern California
• To provide world-class coaching to give each Academy player the best opportunity to succeed.
• To provide the most appropriate individual player development, mentoring, and support programs.
• To provide the most appropriate competitive program for each player and to constantly review performance in training and matches.
• To provide the opportunity for Academy players to continue in furthering higher education.
• To build good working relationships with schools, clubs, and universities.
• To teach responsibility, discipline, and respect for themselves and the game.
• To set high standards for integrity, honesty, and performance.