U16 & U18 Legion Academy - 2026 Spring/Summer program
High-performance development. Community-first. Club & school aligned.
The Legion Academy (operating under the Legion Community Foundation) is a selection-based training environment for U16 and U18 athletes who want to commit to growth. This program is built around skill acquisition, rugby IQ, physical preparation, and high-performance habits - while supporting club and high school rugby.
If you want to train with intent, be coached to detail, and improve meaningfully across a structured term, this is for you.
What to Expect
Across this training block, players will be challenged and supported in:
- Core skill development under pressure (catch-pass, contact technique, breakdown, kicking, decision-making)
- Game understanding and rugby IQ
- Physical preparation and safe contact progression
- High-performance standards: accountability, effort, coachability, consistency
- Competitive training environments designed to accelerate growth over time
2026 Spring/Summer Sunday Training Dates
All sessions will take place at Encinitas Community Park:
- March: 8, 15, 22, 2
- April: 12, 19, 26
- May: 3, 10, 17
- June: 7, 14, 21
Session times and weekly logistics will be communicated directly to selected players and families prior to the first session.
Selection & Progression
This is a high-performance development training squad. Players will be evaluated across the term based on:
- Training consistency and attendance
- Coachability, attitude, and work ethic
- Performance and progression in training and internal match environments
- Commitment to team standards and personal development
International Tour Opportunities
There will be an international tour at the conclusion of this training term:
- U18 Tour: Australia & Fiji (early June)
- U16 Tour: Italy (late June)
However, the tour is not the purpose of the Academy. It is simply an opportunity that may arise at the end of the process.
Invitation to the training squad does not guarantee tour selection. Touring squads (if tours proceed) will be selected from the wider training squad based on training consistency, attitude, work ethic, performance, and progression across the term.
Help Subsidize Tour Costs for Underprivileged Players
International tours can be life-changing - but cost can be a barrier. We’re raising funds to help underprivileged players access these opportunities through needs-based tour subsidies, ensuring talent and character - not financial means - determine who can participate.
All donations support youth rugby opportunities through the Legion Community Foundation (a California 501(c)(3)).
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.