Accepting Applications for the 2026-2027 School Year
Xavier Jesuit Academy is breaking new ground in youth athletics, launching Cincinnati's first single-school rugby program at the grade school level. Under the guidance of veteran coach John Spencer, fifth and sixth grade students are learning a sport that emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and the Jesuit values that define our school.
"I find that rugby is a remarkably inclusive sport because there are different types of athletes for every position," says Spencer, who has been involved with rugby in Cincinnati since 1976. "There's tremendous camaraderie that's developed through the sport."
That spirit of inclusivity and teamwork aligns perfectly with XJA's mission to form Men for Others. Rugby offers our students a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills, resilience, and the kind of brotherhood that extends beyond the field.
The program launched this fall with fifth and sixth grade students learning the fundamentals of rugby. Spencer, who has coached at both Xavier University and St. Xavier High School, is taking a measured approach to introducing the sport.
"It really takes a while to put a team together," Spencer explains. "We're working on developing the baseline skillset, the understanding of what the real objective of the game is and the numerous skills that are required to execute the game effectively."
Students are discovering that rugby has its own culture and what the sport calls "laws" rather than rules. The learning process has been exciting, with each class bringing its own personality to practice sessions.
The program is supported by The First 15, a dedicated group of supporters who have committed to sustaining the program for five years. Through this partnership, XJA has created something truly special in Cincinnati youth sports.
"They're the first single-school program at the grade school level that I've seen," Spencer notes. "So they are truly taking a leadership role in the sport at the youth level."
The team will begin competitive play in March 2026, participating in Cincinnati's Rookie Rugby league. This league structure allows for multiple teams at different grade levels, giving all our students opportunities to compete and grow in the sport.
The timing of XJA's rugby launch is particularly significant. Cincinnati is being evaluated as a host city for the Rugby World Cup in 2032 and 2033, with conversations underway between the Cincinnati Sports Commission, TQL Stadium, and FC Cincinnati representatives.
"Really getting a team like this together is at the perfect time where we can get a lot of support and hopefully we get some recognition about a sport that's really a joy to play," Spencer says.
For Spencer, rugby has been more than just a game. It shaped his high school and college years at St. Xavier and Xavier University, and he continues to give back through coaching and mentorship.
"It was such a sport that had a very profound impact on my life," he reflects. "These young boys are really gonna have a good time with this sport."
At XJA, rugby represents another way we're preparing young men to be leaders and Men for Others. Through this sport, our students learn that success comes through supporting one another, that every position matters, and that true strength is found in community.
About the Rugby Program
- Grades: 5th and 6th (with potential expansion)
- Coach: John Spencer
- Season: Competitive play begins March 2026
- League: Rookie Rugby Cincinnati
- Support: The First 15 (5-year commitment)
