About Firebird Rugby

Welcome to Firebird Rugby! After 27 years as Andover Apaches, the Rugby program has relocated, rebranded, and been reborn as Firebird Rugby!  

The Rugby Program was originally established in 1998 as a Summer Tag Program for Boys and Girls 5 to 14 years of age. In 2019 Rugby Maryland passed a law which allowed our youth to continue playing Summer Tag to the age of 16** . 

In 2021 the Rugby Program adopted the Boys Tackle Rugby Program under it’s umbrella to continue to offer the advancement of Rugby to players that wanted to grow to the next level of Rugby. This is currently offered to Middle and High School Boys ages 10-18 and is active in the Fall and Spring.

In the Fall of 2024, following the successful implementation of Boys Tackle, the Coaches and Commissioner decided that it was a prime opportunity to introduce a Girls Tackle Rugby program and at the very first Girls Tackle Practice there were 18 girls from several different counties across Maryland coming out and advancing to the next level of Rugby!

Rugby has a high standard of sportsmanship, ethical behavior, and fair play that we here at Firebird Rugby aim to adhere to. Our goal is to encourage the kids to learn about the sport, to work as a team, treat everyone with respect, and most of all, enjoy the experience!!