Memphis Inner City Rugby (MICR) is changing the game in more ways than one. As a 2025 Invest in Others Grant for Change recipient, MICR continues its mission to close the opportunity gap and create lasting pathways for young people across Memphis through sport, mentorship, and community.
Founded in 2012 by teachers turned youth advocates, MICR was born out of a desire to give students in under-resourced neighborhoods the support and opportunities they deserved but too often didn’t receive. What started as one rugby team has grown into a nationally recognized model for sport-based youth development, impacting thousands of students and alumni across the city.
Expanding Access to Sport and Opportunity
At its core, MICR leverages the power of rugby to create safe, inclusive environments where students in grades 6–12 can build confidence, resilience, leadership, and strong relationships. Through free, year-round programming, MICR’s K-12 pathways cover all costs for families, breaking down financial barriers to participation and ensuring every student has access to athletic, academic, and social-emotional development opportunities.
Across the 2024–2025 academic year, MICR served 350+ middle and high school students, offering community support, academic help, trauma-informed coaching, and nutrition at all practices and games, all at no cost to families.
Supporting Students Beyond Graduation
Memphis Inner City Rugby isn’t just there for the season; it’s there for the long haul. MICR’s Alumni Support Program helps graduates transition into college, training programs, and early careers. This program provides ongoing mentorship, financial assistance, opportunities for professional growth, and life skills development, ensuring students continue to thrive after their school years.
This year, MICR was selected to receive a $20,000 Invest in Others Grant for Change, specifically supporting this Alumni Support Program and expanding its impact for current and future alumni.
🎥 Check out their 2024/2025 Impact Report
Why Rugby Is More Than a Sport
Rugby is uniquely positioned to support MICR’s mission, not just as a game, but as a tool for character building and personal growth.
Unlike many sports, rugby welcomes players of all shapes, sizes, and skill levels, encouraging an inclusive culture where teamwork and mutual support are paramount. The sport’s emphasis on respect, for teammates, opponents, and officials, teaches young people lessons in sportsmanship and integrity that extend far beyond the pitch.
Rugby also reinforces resilience. Players learn to face challenges head-on, adapt quickly, and trust those around them, skills that translate directly into academics, career paths, and everyday life. Many MICR players report that rugby has improved their mental health, motivated them academically, and pushed them to grow as leaders in their communities.
This sport fosters a sense of family and belonging. For many students, the rugby community becomes a trusted support system, a place where they can build lifelong friendships and feel genuinely seen and celebrated for who they are.
Investing in a Thriving Future
Memphis Inner City Rugby’s commitment to closing the opportunity gap and building a relentlessly supportive community helped achieve this $20,000 grant and it will help MICR continue to walk beside students and alumni, equipping them with the relationships and resources they need to succeed.
Through rugby, mentorship, and community, MICR isn’t just expanding access to sport, it is expanding horizons, nurturing leaders, and transforming lives.
