the rugby connect

What the rugby connect does

The Rugby Connect is a privately held, founder-owned matching platform founded on May 1, 2023, and headquartered in Aspen, Colorado. It connects rugby players with partner clubs across the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and China, also routing players into study abroad programs through a partnership with the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA). The platform serves two primary user types — individual players seeking club placements and clubs seeking international talent — and also extends into player development via Rugby Expo's Elite Academy. Application intake is handled through Google Forms rather than a proprietary technology stack, with players submitting CVs and clubs submitting recruitment requests that are matched manually based on skills, age, and interests.

The company's product portfolio consists of two Google Forms-based matching services (player and club applications), a curated network of approximately 15 partner clubs and university programs, and a small branded merchandise line including a unisex training top ($45) and Branded Bills trucker hats ($30) in camo and blue variants. The platform positions itself as one of the few study abroad rugby organizations globally, offering multiple tiers of competition (men's, women's, old boys, youth) at each partner club. There is no proprietary software, no app, no API, no patent portfolio, and no AI/ML layer; the technical footprint is a Wix-hosted website with email funnel, social media presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and a newsletter subscription form.

The business model is hybrid but lightly monetized. Branded apparel generates direct-to-consumer revenue via the Wix storefront, while player and club application services appear to be free of charge based on disclosed pricing notes. The company has no external institutional funding and is sustained by its four co-founders (Jack Paloucek, Harrison Howe, Clifford Kindred, and Ethan Levitch), all of whom are former or current rugby players. Without disclosed revenue figures, transaction fees, or paying B2B counterparties, the company's commercial model is best characterized as an early-stage community platform with a side merchandise operation rather than a scaled venture.

Name

the rugby connect

Legal name

Rugby Connect

Website

https://therugbyconnect.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Rugby Connect is a founder-owned platform that matches rugby players with partner clubs across the US, Australia, New Zealand, and China, also integrating study abroad placements via IFSA. It monetizes modestly through branded merchandise and operates free player/club matching services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rugby Talent Matching Platform

NAICS

Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114)

SIC

Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKAMAB

Sports Agents & Player Contract Negotiation Specialists

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Athlete Representation & Agency Services

SECONDARYMPAKAMAJ

Athlete International Transfer & Immigration/Visa Services

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Athlete Representation & Agency Services

SECONDARYCRAMABAE

Team Sports Equipment & Uniforms Retail

Consumer Products & Retail/Sporting Goods & Outdoor Retail/Sporting Goods Generalist Retail

SECONDARYCRAMAOAE

Fan Apparel & Wearables Retail (Licensed)

Consumer Products & Retail/Sporting Goods & Outdoor Retail/Sports Collectibles, Fan Gear & Licensed Merchandise Retail

Keywords

• Rugby player matching
• Rugby club recruiting
• Study abroad rugby
• Rugby talent network
• Rugby community platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Aspen

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Apparel Sales: The Rugby Connect generates revenue through the sale of branded merchandise including trucker hats ($30) and training tops ($45). Products are sold directly through their e-commerce shop with shipping costs dependent on geographical location.
2. Player and Club Application Services: Revenue is generated through player and club application processing. Players submit applications with CVs by specified deadlines (August for NZ/AUS season starting January, July for China season starting September, and various deadlines for university programs). Clubs submit applications seeking players through a separate registration form.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Rugby Connect operates a community-driven matchmaking platform that connects rugby players with partner clubs worldwide. Players submit applications and CVs through a Google Forms-based portal, and clubs submit applications to access a global pool of players, with matches made based on skills, age, and interests. The company also sells branded rugby apparel (training tops and trucker hats) through its own e-commerce storefront.

Product overview

The Rugby Connect is a platform connecting rugby players with clubs around the world. The core offering consists of two matching services: a Player Application (Google Forms-based registration for players to submit their CV and be matched with clubs) and a Club Application (enabling clubs to find players). The platform operates partner clubs across multiple countries including Australia, New Zealand, China, USA, and the UK. In addition to the matching platform, the company sells branded apparel including The Rugby Connect Training Top (Blue Paladin unisex training top, $45.00) and Rugby Connect Trucker Hats with leather labels ($30.00) available in camo and blue color variants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Player Application Google Forms-based application service allowing rugby players to register, submit their CV, and be matched with partner clubs globally based on skills, age, and interests. Application deadlines are set by region (August for NZ/AUS season starting January; July for China season starting September; March for university summer programs; December/April for semester programs).
• Club Application Google Forms-based registration system enabling rugby clubs to submit applications and access a global pool of dedicated players from The Rugby Connect network for talent recruitment purposes.
• The Rugby Connect Training Top Blue Paladin unisex training top with Rugby Connect branding priced at $45.00, sold directly through the company's e-commerce shop with shipping costs varying by geographic location.
• Camo Rugby Connect Trucker Hat with Leather Label Branded Bills trucker hat made in the USA in camo color with white leather label and snapback, priced at $30.00, sold through the company's e-commerce shop with shipping costs varying by location.
• Blue Rugby Connect Trucker Hat with Leather Label Branded Bills trucker hat made in the USA in blue color with brown leather label and snapback, priced at $30.00, sold through the company's e-commerce shop with shipping costs varying by location.

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sunnybank Rugby ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSunnybank Rugby Club is part of the Queensland Premier Rugby Union in Brisbane with a direct pathway to the Queensland Reds. This premier club partnership provides players with high-level competition opportunities in Australian rugby.
• Central Hawkes Bay Rugby ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral Hawkes Bay Rugby Club is a North Island club with direct connections to Hawkes Bay Magpies in the National Provincial Championship. Offers pathway opportunities for players in New Zealand.
• Northeastern University RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNortheastern University is a top tier institution located in Boston. The rugby club competes in the D1-A Liberty Conference, providing collegiate rugby opportunities.
• China Rugby (Hong Kong Premiership)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique opportunity in China competing in the Hong Kong Premiership A, Championship, and All-China Cup. Provides access to Asian rugby markets.
• Rugby ExpocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRugby Expo offers an Elite Academy for 1-on-1 player development, skills training, and strength training. Through the partnership, Rugby Expo players receive international opportunities and a 10% discount on Elite Academy services.
• IFSA (Institute for Study Abroad)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Institute for Study Abroad enables sending and receiving undergraduate students for study abroad opportunities and summer internships. Provides rugby opportunities at hundreds of schools internationally.
• Mount St. Mary's University RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMount St. Mary's is one of the few fully funded scholarship programs in the US, located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Competes in D1 NCAA Rugby East conference, one of the top collegiate rugby competitions in the nation.
• Nedlands RUFCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNedlands RUFC competes in the RugbyWA Fortescue Premier Grade in Perth with a direct pathway to the Western Force. Provides access to Australian club rugby and professional pathways.
• Gentlemen of Aspen RFCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured club partnership, winner of the 50th anniversary of Ruggerfest. Described as the pinnacle of Rocky Mountain Rugby, one of the most prestigious clubs in Colorado.
• Montana State Men's Rugby ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduces first professional rugby products to move on from the program. Key founding partner whose alumni include Jack Paloucek, co-founder and board member of The Rugby Connect.
• Mystic River Rugby ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClub that provided exposure to high level rugby and a high performance pathway for players, including co-founder Jack Paloucek.
• Dallas Jackals (Major League Rugby)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor League Rugby team featured in connection stories. Represents professional rugby pathway opportunity for platform members.
• Bozeman CutthroatsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-college club opportunity for Montana State rugby alumni, providing continued competitive rugby in Bozeman, Montana.
• Denver Water Dogs / Denver BarbariansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenver-based club opportunities for players moving from college to open men's rugby in Colorado.
• UQRFC (University of Queensland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurrent club for co-founder Ethan Levitch studying medicine in Brisbane. Represents university-level pathway in Australian rugby.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• World Rugby: Global governing body for rugby union. As the institutional anchor of the sport, it sets pathways and could launch competing player placement or community platforms, posing a structural threat to any independent rugby network.
• RugbyPass: Largest dedicated rugby media and content platform globally with deep rugby audience and partnerships across clubs and leagues. Represents the incumbent destination for rugby-related digital attention and could expand into recruitment/matching.

Direct peers

• FieldLevel: Athlete-to-opportunity matching platform used by college coaches and high school athletes. Similar network-effect marketplace model and athlete recruitment use case as The Rugby Connect.
• IFSA (Institute for Study Abroad): Study-abroad program provider and existing Rugby Connect partner. Operates the academic infrastructure layer that The Rugby Connect leverages; a comparable business that could internalize the rugby-matching layer.
• Athletes USA: Sports placement agency connecting student-athletes with college athletic and academic opportunities in the US. Direct comparable in the athlete-to-program recruitment category.
• NCSA (Next College Student Athlete): Largest US college athletic recruiting platform connecting high school athletes with college programs. Directly comparable marketplace model focused on athlete-to-program matching, including emerging college rugby pathways.
• GoPlay Sports: Sports-focused study abroad and athletic exchange platform connecting student-athletes with international programs. Closest comparable business model combining education abroad with sport placement.

Emerging players

• Global Sports Advocates: Athletes-focused recruitment and advocacy service including college and international placement. Operates in adjacent athlete-matching space with comparable service orientation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=61550858045730
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-rugby-connect
• Instagraminstagram.com/therugbyconnect

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about the rugby connect