Memphis Inner City Rugby (MICR) is changing the game in Memphis. MICR is a Sports-Based Youth Development nonprofit that utilizes rugby as a vehicle for poverty-fighting change by creating opportunities for adolescents and young adults in the city of Memphis. This impact is delivered through two main conduits: K-12 Rugby Pathways and Alumni Support.
Within K-12 Rugby Pathways, MICR partners with 7 schools to establish 13 teams across the city. What’s even more amazing is that MICR offers free K-12 programming for student-athletes living in 32 zip codes across Memphis.
This support covers registration fees, transportation costs, nutrition before and after practices, equipment, uniforms, and trained coaches for all teams. MICR leverages the power of rugby to close the opportunity gap, create a relentlessly supportive community, and drive upward mobility for students living in under-resourced communities.
MICR’s rugby players have the opportunity to play on an All-Star team competing against other top talent across the country. These opportunities – including tournaments in DC, New Orleans, Milwaukee, and LA – open doors to college rugby scouts and build a stronger connection with the broader rugby community locally, nationally, and globally. MICR is more than a youth sports organization; it’s a family that wants to see each other succeed in every aspect of life, wherever you are.
The team of admin, coaches, and mentors works diligently every day to provide the best possible experience for students and alumni. MICR aims to provide student-athletes with a wide range of resources while also encouraging them to engage with their local communities. The organization’s goals include helping youth to set personal goals, find job opportunities that align with their interests, create leadership roles, and organize workshops that hone their leadership skills for everyday life.
In the 2024-2025 academic year, MICR served 350 students in their K-12 Pathways. It has a 130% return on investment where Slingshot Memphis assessed that MICR creates $2.30 of poverty-fighting impact for every $1.00 invested. These are students whom MICR have followed every step of the way, showing them that MICR is committed to them and their continued success.
When speaking about the impact Rugby has had on them, one player said that “Rugby has improved my mental health and was a driving factor to maintain my grades and a motivation to get through the day.”
MICR believes every kid deserves this amount of commitment, love, support, and guidance. According to their most recent survey this past year, 96% of parents would recommend MICR to another parent, and 99% of students reported a positive change in their overall well-being due to rugby.
From as early as 5th grade through early adulthood, MICR delivers interventions and services uniquely designed to keep students engaged, healthy, and supported. Their K-12 Pathways program leads directly into MICR’s world-class Alumni Support program, which disrupts poverty on a neighborhood level. After students graduate from high school, those who choose to attend college are eligible for MICR’s Alumni Support, which includes a variety of wrap-around services to support students during the difficult transition from high school to post-secondary education.
MICR mentors have committed 800 hours of one-on-one mentoring for college alumni, with MICR providing $1200 per mentee in annual financial stability stipends, textbook stipends, and food security care packages. This is just a small part of what they do. MICR knows that it is vital for young people to remain supported as they learn to live independently and navigate the choices presented to them after graduation. That’s why their Alumni Support program provides alumni with mentorship, financial assistance, and opportunities to develop academic, professional, and life skills – as well as a robust and supportive community that wants to see them thrive in adulthood.
MICR is proud to be a part of so many young kids’ and our Alumni lives because they understand that it takes a village to nurture and guide the youth of Memphis so they can thrive. A community that is relentless in effort, and responsive to the needs of each individual, is a community that can relate to the daily social, emotional, and physical struggles that student-athletes face every day, no matter how small. By being aware of that, MICR builds a community that can help students overcome those struggles.
A part of that community building is creating a space where MICR can call home. Since 2019, MICR has been working tirelessly to provide a field space for their student-athletes, starting in the South City area. MICR will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on August 29th at 3:30 PM, thanks to the Shelby County government, Memphis Shelby County Schools, Linkous Construction, and Renaissance Group. MICR welcomes any community leaders in the South City area to attend this groundbreaking event in a space that many of their players call home.
The grand opening of MICR’s Rugby Complex will be sometime in March, and MICR will provide specific details closer to that date. MICR welcomes all nonprofit, faith-based organizations, and schools in the area to partner with MICR in various capacities, including mentorship, volunteer opportunities, workshops, and more. If you want to volunteer for MICR, check out their website at https://www.memphisinnercityrugby.org/volunteer.
MICR is also excited to announce a back-to-school fundraising event for 901 Day, aimed at helping offset registration costs for their student-athletes. Details about this event will be shared on their social media accounts: @MICRugby on Instagram and Memphis Inner City Rugby on Facebook.
In addition, MICR will be hosting an Evening for MICR, an annual fundraising gala which celebrates their student-athletes and alumni, showcases the impact MICR has made this year, and outlines their plans for the future. MICR invites you, your family and friends, or your company to join us at this event by purchasing a ticket or table. MICR will provide dinner and music as MICR celebrates. If you cannot attend, MICR accepts donations of any amount; all the money raised goes directly back into programming and supporting Memphis youth. Rugby is just the beginning. It is what MICR does with rugby that is why many love the game so much. Be a game changer in your community! MICR encourages all readers to engage with these athletes in action, providing essential details on when and where their games are taking place, all linked here for easy access.
This blog was written by KaDerrius Campbell
KaDerrius Campbell is a full-time Development Coordinator and Head Coach of the Freedom Prep High School Girls Rugby team. A proud native of Memphis, he is an alumnus of the Memphis Inner City Rugby program, having grown through its K–12 pathway before returning to give back to the next generation. He enjoys traveling, pottery, creating music, hot wings, and Rugby.
