Rhinos Rugby Academy

What Rhinos Rugby Academy does

Rhinos Rugby Academy is a private U.S. youth rugby development organization founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Clemente, California. It operates six training centers across California, Colorado, and Arizona, and expanded into South Africa in 2022 with a Cape Town center planned for 2023. The company serves youth athletes (and increasingly their families) through a tiered offering that includes age-group training, private coaching, tournament teams, the College Advisory Program (CAP) digital subscription ($50/month), and the integrated Rhinos Sports School — a private K-12 institution launched in August 2019 with stated plans to scale from 10 to 30 students. Training subscriptions are priced at $50-$200 per month and tournament participation at $600-$1,200 per athlete, with the MyZone optical heart-rate monitor sold as a $99 hardware upsell.

The business model combines recurring training and CAP subscription revenue, tournament fees, sports school tuition, branded merchandise, and equipment sales. Distribution is anchored by on-site coaching at the U.S. centers, supplemented since 2020 by a remote interactive training program that extends reach beyond physical catchment areas. The 2022 acquisition of franchise rights to operate the Loggerheads in Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s) extends the brand into professional rugby, with Fijian legend Waisale Serevi appointed head coach and roster spots filled largely by Rhinos-developed athletes, creating an end-to-end U8-through-professional funnel.

Rhinos is founder-owned and operated by Derek Nellmapius (President and co-founder) and Andreea Trufasu (CEO and co-owner), with a staff of approximately 25 named personnel. The company has no disclosed institutional funding rounds and its principal commercial sponsor is PoolRx Worldwide Inc., a separate entity owned by Nellmapius. Other disclosed partnerships include USA Rugby, Major League Rugby franchise affiliates, and South African rugby bodies via the SAS Rugby partnership, supporting the college placement pathway and the Loggerheads talent pipeline.

Name

Rhinos Rugby Academy

Legal name

Rhinos Rugby

Website

https://academy.rhinosrugby.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Rhinos Rugby Academy is a private U.S. youth rugby development organization founded in 2014 in Southern California, operating six training centers and the integrated Rhinos Sports School, serving youth athletes from age-group training through college placement and a professional PR7s franchise.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Training & Athlete Development

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Strength & Conditioning / Athletic Performance Training (HSADAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

College/University Athletic Departments & Varsity Programs (MPAKACAB), Intercollegiate Athletics (Varsity Sports Programs) (EDALAIAA), Club Sports Programs (EDALAIAB), Interscholastic Athletics (Varsity/JV Teams) (EDAJAJAA), Rugby (Union & League) Leagues (MPAKAAAG)

Keywords

• Youth rugby training
• Rugby skills development
• Strength and conditioning
• College sports recruitment
• Student-athlete academics

Headquarters

HQ city

San Clemente

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Training Membership Subscriptions: Monthly subscription-based training programs at three tiers ($50, $100, $200/month) providing access to Strength & Conditioning, Skills, Speed, Position-specific training, Cardio, Stats & Profile, and Body Metrics. Subscription renews monthly.
2. Equipment and Accessories Sales: Sale of MyZone Heart Rate Monitors ($99) as optional add-on for training members, plus Rhinos branded gear and USA SCHOOLS branded kit sold through the official online store.
3. Tournament and Tour Fees: Fees charged to athletes for participation in international tournaments and tours, including World Youth Rugby Festival, Monas Centenary Rugby Festival (South Africa), Rugby Tens Championship (Portugal), and World Schools 7s (New Zealand). Prices range from $600-$1,200 per athlete with payment plan options available.
4. College Application Pathway (CAP) Subscription: $50/month subscription for the College Application Pathway program providing evaluation, mentorship, portfolio production, and connection with college coaches through a digital platform.
5. Rhinos Sports School Tuition: Revenue from the private sports school (Rhinos Sports School) in Irvine, CA, providing daily academic program (Mon-Fri, 9-5pm) combining CA Core Curriculum with sports training for student-athletes in grades 4-12.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rhinos Rugby Academy delivers tiered rugby training memberships (1-day $50, 2-day $100, unlimited $200 per month) at multiple US facilities for youth and elite athletes, complemented by a High-Performance Program for 18+ athletes, a College Application Pathway digital platform connecting athletes to US college coaches, Rhinos Sports School (NCAA-approved academic and athletic program), and tournament/tour participation including USA SCHOOLS XV/SEVENS and the World Tens Series.

Product overview

Rhinos Rugby Academy operates a multi-tiered rugby development ecosystem centered around its core High-Performance Training Program and subscription-based Training Program. The academy provides pathways from youth development (U8-U14 Youth Sevens League, age-group programs) through elite competition (USA Schools XV/Seve, High-Performance Program). Supporting offerings include the College Application Pathway digital platform for recruitment, Rhinos Sports School for academic integration, the Rugby Tens Championship tournament series, and World Youth Rugby Festival events. The academy also operates the Affiliate Team Program for partner clubs and a remote interactive training program for global access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• USA SCHOOLS XV: A team of rugby players selected from US middle schools, high schools and colleges that train for and compete in international Tier 1 level tournaments.
• USA SCHOOLS SEVENS
• Rhinos Sports School
• Rhinos High-Performance Program

Products and services

• Rhinos Training Program Monthly subscription rugby training for youth and elite athletes at three tiers ($50, $100, $200/month) including Strength & Conditioning, Skill Set, Speed, Position-specific training, Cardio, Stats & Profile, and Body Metrics.
• High-Performance Training Program Elite residential and commuter training program for athletes 18+ (men and women) aspiring to USA National Teams and professional rugby clubs, including training, competition, mentorship, performance, and academics.
• College Application Pathway (CAP) Digital subscription ($50/month) connecting rugby student-athletes from around the world to US college coaches via a seven-stage evaluation, mentorship, portfolio production, and recruitment process.
• Rhinos Sports School Private school in Irvine, CA offering daily academic program (Mon-Fri 9-5pm) combining CA Core Curriculum with rugby training for student-athletes in grades 4-12, delivered through partnerships with NCAA-approved charter schools.
• USA SCHOOLS XV Rugby 15s team program selecting players from US middle schools, high schools, and colleges to compete in international Tier 1 tournaments against teams from New Zealand, England, South Africa, and Australia.
• USA SCHOOLS Sevens Seven-a-side rugby team program selected from US schools, competing internationally at elite youth level.
• Rugby Tens Championship (R10C) Global professional Rugby Union 10s series for Men, Women, and Academy Boys and Girls, featuring the San Clemente Rhinos alongside Balkans Honey Badgers, Cape Town Wild Dogs, and Serengeti Elephants.
• Affiliate Team Program Support program for local and national rugby teams providing session planning (pre-season, in-season, off-season), coaches development programs, facility access, and priority selection to domestic and international tournaments.
• Youth Sevens League Rugby Sevens league organized by Rhinos Rugby Academy for football clubs, covering U8-U14 boys and girls, focused on athleticism, safe tackling, spatial awareness, speed, and decision-making.
• Remote Interactive Training Program Online training program launched in 2020 providing rugby and Strength & Conditioning training accessible to players globally, structured by fitness levels and rugby skills and IQ.

Quantifiable outcome

• Multiple alumni placed at NCAA Division 1 universities including University of Oregon, Saint Mary's College of California, Cal Maritime, Arizona State University, San Jose State University, Boise State University, Humboldt University, and New England University on rugby and football scholarships.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SAS RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAS Rugby is the South Africa Sevens National Team partner for Rhinos Rugby USA in the United States. The partnership focuses on assisting and developing youth rugby in the US for U20 and age groups below, providing IP and knowledge to grow the game. Frankie Horne (South Africa Sevens National Team) serves as a key collaborator on youth development initiatives.
• Arete7 AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Arete7 Academy for student-athlete personal development, providing weekly time on self-reflection, personal values development, team skills, planning, execution, focus, and team unity — complementing Rhinos Sports School academic programs.
• National Charter Schools (NCAA-approved)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhinos Sports School partners with multiple credentialed and NCAA-approved national charter schools. Students are enrolled in these programs with curriculum customized by Rhinos teachers. Charter schools assign a Teacher of Record (TOR) who visits every 4-6 weeks to assess progress toward graduation.
• Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year team license agreement (2022) making Rhinos the official team licensee for the Loggerheads franchise, fully responsible for on-field aspects of both men's and women's teams, coach and roster selection, and off-season player development for PR7s' players.
• Colorado Raptors (MLR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhinos Denver training center is based at Glendale's Infinity Park, home of Major League Rugby's Colorado Raptors and WPL's Glendale Merlins. Nick Boyer serves as both Raptors player and Regional Academy Coach, creating a direct connection between MLR professional environment and youth development.
• Glendale Merlins (WPL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's Premier League team co-located at Infinity Park with the Colorado Raptors, providing exposure and pathway opportunities for Rhinos female athletes.
• USA RugbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhinos Academy operates as part of the USA Rugby National Development Program. The Academy's USA SCHOOLS teams compete under USA Rugby auspices, and the organization works toward developing players for USA National Teams (U18 to Men and Women).
• Waisale Serevi (Rugby Legend)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Rugby Hall of Fame inductee (2013), two-time Rugby World Cup Sevens champion, and former Fiji international. Serevi serves as Head Coach for Loggerheads men's team under the Rhinos-PR7s license. Also returning to coach at Rhinos Academy, bringing elite-level coaching expertise to youth development.
• World Tens Series / Rugby Tens ChampionshipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRhinos Rugby is the official professional team for the World Tens Series, competing in the Rugby Tens Championship (R10C) — a global professional Rugby Union 10s series for Men, Women, Academy Boys and Girls. Launch event featured San Clemente Rhinos, Balkans Honey Badgers, Cape Town Wild Dogs, and Serengeti Elephants.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• IMG Academy: Premier US-based multi-sport residential and day academy combining elite athletic training with academics for youth athletes. Most comparable to Rhinos in integrating sports performance with a private school model, though at vastly larger scale and across multiple sports.
• St. Andrew's Schools (Honolulu, HI): Private K-12 school integrating elite rugby with NCAA-eligible academics and a defined college-preparatory pathway. Comparable in operating a sports-school hybrid model targeting student-athletes seeking college placement.
• Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s): US professional rugby sevens league whose Loggerheads franchise Rhinos operates under license. Directly comparable as a rugby competition platform; complements rather than competes with Rhinos' development focus.
• World Rugby Academy / Stade Français Academy: International professional rugby club academies producing youth-to-professional pathways. Comparable in operating integrated talent development with senior club affiliations; differs as club-owned European model vs. Rhinos' standalone US academy.

Regional players

• NSC (National Sports Center) / Olympic Training Programs: Multi-sport training centers offering elite development pathways with residential programs. Comparable in integrated facility/training model for youth athletes; broader multi-sport vs. Rhinos' rugby-specific focus.
• Beaudesert Rugby / Hartpury College (UK youth rugby): International rugby-focused academies combining elite training with academic schooling for aspiring professional players. Comparable in vertically integrated rugby-school model; differs as UK-based with different recruitment funnel.

Broad incumbents

• Major League Rugby (MLR) Teams (e.g., Colorado Raptors, San Diego Legion): Professional US rugby league whose franchises Rhinos partners with (Raptors in Denver) and supplies players to (e.g., Patrick Madden at San Diego Legion). Comparable as a rugby pathway endpoint; broader in scope as professional league vs. Rhinos' academy focus.
• AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) Rugby Programs: National high-performance training institute with rugby-specific programs for elite youth development. Comparable end-to-end youth-to-pro pipeline model; far larger scale and government-funded.
• USA Rugby (National Governing Body): National governing body under whose development umbrella Rhinos' USA Schools teams operate. Comparable as a US rugby pipeline coordinator; not a direct competitor but a critical ecosystem partner and possible alternative pathway provider.

Emerging players

• Lindenwood University Rugby Program: D1 collegiate rugby powerhouse where Rhinos' Head of USA Schools Billy Nicholas also serves as Women's Head Coach. Comparable in producing USA National Team selections and Collegiate All-Americans; intersects as both a feeder destination and coaching talent pipeline for Rhinos.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/rhinosrugby

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Rhinos Rugby Academy