Inaugural Gamecock Rugby Camp

July 13-16, 2022
 
The University of South Carolina Men’s Rugby Club and Head Rugby Coach John Roberts are proud to launch the inaugural Gamecock Rugby Camp.

This camp is much more than a skills clinic. We teach our campers what it takes to be successful both on and off the pitch.

Experience:
  • Life in our residence halls
  • Dining on campus
  • Training in our fine facilities
  • Classroom sessions on leadership, resilience, nutrition, and the history of rugby
  • An admission-guided campus tour

See what life is like as a Gamecock!

Camp Director and Coach

Known for his enthusiasm, personal touch and ability to get people to work together, John Roberts joined the University of South Carolina as the institution’s first paid coach in November, 2021. At USC, Roberts is back where that passion was sparked. He began playing rugby for the Gamecocks in 1987 when a rugby player (the late Warren Motley) spied him playing touch football on the Horseshoe and invited him to practice. 

​Roberts founded the Furman rugby team in 1998 and developed it into one of the nation’s top small college rugby programs as a volunteer coach. He compiled a career record of 188-64-1 and guided the Paladins to three national Division III championships, five South championships and two Southern Rugby Conference titles. In 2016, his Paladins were Division II national finalists.

While guiding the Paladins, he helped raise nearly $500,000 for the program while serving as an unpaid volunteer coach. In recognition of his role as friend, mentor and coach, the trustees at Furman named the Furman rugby pitch John S. Roberts Rugby Field in 2009. Roberts was honored as Recreational Sports Coach of the Year five times and made rugby one of the most popular spectator club sports for students, who often fill the stands for home games.​