Free Jacks Academy
U18 and U23 development pathways, plus year-round training and skill development for athletes and coachesAcademy News
Posts tagged “Academy”
Upcoming: Fall 7’s
The Fall 7’s Program is a 7-week offering consisting of 6 Sunday sessions with the option to register to compete with the Free Jacks Academy in the historic New York 7’s tournament, held on 11/28/26 on Randall’s Island in NYC.
The program will be coached and led by Free Jacks players, staff, and academy coaches. Sunday sessions will be held on 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8/, 11/15, 11/22 from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM at Legion Field in Weymouth, MA.
The Sunday sessions will be focused on teaching tactical fundamentals of how to play 7’s rugby, developing general rugby skills, providing an opportunity to play 7’s touch, and preparing players to compete in NY7’s.
Free Jacks U18
The Free Jacks U18 squad, nicknamed “The Junior Jacks,” is an elite performance U18 Boys Rugby program in the Free Jacks Academy system. Since its inception in 2021, over 100 Free Jacks U18 alumni have gone on to play at top-level collegiate programs, and a select few have gone on to represent their country playing for the US Rugby Junior National Team.
Free Jacks U23
The Free Jacks U23 squad, nicknamed “The Independents,” is the premier U23 rugby program in all of New England, and is designed to complement the Collegiate Rugby schedule. Since its inaugural year in 2021, the Free Jacks U23 team has produced on average at least 1 MLR draft pick each year.
Women’s
The Free Jacks Women’s program offers seasonal training and development opportunities for women’s rugby athletes, run by Free Jacks staff, players, and academy coaches.
Upcoming Programs
Beyond the U18 and U23 programs, the Free Jacks Academy runs a full calendar of seasonal training, skills, and development opportunities. Select a program to view full details and registration.
Rugby 7's
Free Jacks Fall 7's Program
7-week 7's program with an optional NY7's tournament berth.
7 weeks · Oct–Nov · view full details
The Fall 7's Program is a 7-week offering consisting of 6 Sunday sessions with the option to register to compete with the Free Jacks Academy in the historic New York 7's tournament, held on 11/28/26 on Randall's Island in NYC.
The program will be coached and led by Free Jacks players, staff, and academy coaches. Sunday sessions will be held on 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, and 11/22 from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM at Legion Field in Weymouth, MA.
Sessions focus on tactical fundamentals of 7's rugby, general skill development, 7's touch play, and preparation to compete in NY7's. It is the player's responsibility to arrange transportation to and from the NYC tournament.
Two registration options: Sunday training sessions only for $350, or Sunday sessions + NY7's registration for $400.
Strength & conditioning
Fall Strength & Conditioning Program
6-week performance program run by the senior team's Performance Staff.
6 weeks · Oct–Nov · view full details
A 6-week, 11-session program taught and led by the Free Jacks senior team performance staff — an educational opportunity teaching high school-aged rugby athletes how elite professional players approach training, conditioning, diet, and recovery.
Participants receive a comprehensive, position-specific program with testing at the start and end, and leave with a framework for continued off-season training.
Held at the Free Jacks Headquarters in Quincy, MA: Sunday mornings 10:00–11:00 AM (10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22) and Wednesday evenings 5:00–6:00 PM (10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18). Co-ed, tailored to high school rugby athletes.
Skills clinics
Winter Development Program
6-week skills clinics ahead of the MIAA spring season.
6 weeks · Jan–Feb · view full details
A 6-week series of drills- and skills-focused clinics designed to sharpen youth players' overall rugby skill set ahead of the MIAA spring season.
Coached by an expert staff headlined by Free Jacks Head Coach Ryan Martin, plus additional Free Jacks players, staff, and academy coaches.
Held at the South Shore YMCA in Quincy, MA, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM on 1/17/27, 1/24/27, 1/31/27, 2/7/27, 2/14/27, and 2/21/27. Co-ed and tailored toward high school rugby athletes, though all players are welcome.
Strength & conditioning
Winter Strength & Conditioning Program
6-week S&C program led by Free Jacks Performance Staff
6 weeks · Feb–Mar · view full details
A 6-week, 12-session program taught and led by the Free Jacks senior team Strength and Conditioning staff, headlined by Free Jacks Performance Staff
Participants receive a comprehensive, position-specific program with testing at the start and end, and leave with in-season programming to continue the work.
Held at the Free Jacks Headquarters in Quincy, MA: Wednesday evenings 5:00–6:00 PM (2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17/27) and Sunday mornings 10:00–11:00 AM (2/7, 2/14, 2/21, 2/28, 3/7, 3/14/27). Co-ed, tailored to high school rugby athletes.
Coaching education
Virtual Coaching Development Series
5-week virtual series for coaches, capped by special guest .
5 weeks · Jan–Feb · view full details
Offers high school, collegiate, and club coaches an opportunity to learn new perspectives on coaching and approaching the game of rugby — philosophy plus practical drills and tactics usable at any level.
Each of the 5 sessions is led by a member of the Free Jacks 2027 coaching staff or management team, with the final session led by special guest speaker.
Each 1-hour session includes 30 minutes of teaching followed by 30 minutes of Q&A. Held over Google Meet on Wednesday evenings, 7:00–8:00 PM, from 1/6/27 through 2/3/27 (5 consecutive Wednesdays).
Rugby 7's · U16 only
U16 Free Jacks Academy Tropical 7's
3-week 7's program culminating in a Tampa tournament.
U16 only · March · view full details
What: A 3-week Rugby 7's program with two Sunday training sessions preparing to compete in Tropical 7's, held in Tampa, Florida.
When: Training at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy on 3/14/27 and 3/21/27, 12:00–1:30 PM. Tournament held 3/25–3/26/27. Travel to Tampa on 3/24/27, returning the evening of 3/26/27.
Who: Open exclusively to U16 athletes (born on or after September 1, 2010). Roster travels with a dedicated Free Jacks coaching team and Team Manager.
Note: Flights are not included in registration. Book to arrive Wednesday 3/24/27 and depart late in the day on Friday 3/26/27.
Community outreach
Free Jacks School Visits
"Rugby in a Bag" PE program brought to 150+ New England schools.
Year-round · view full details
Over the past five years the Free Jacks have visited over 150 schools across New England as part of the "Rugby in a Bag" program — introducing the game of rugby to students from Kindergarten to Eighth Grade through fun, inclusive PE class takeovers.
If you'd like to see the Free Jacks visit your school, please contact Jill Isenstadt (jill.isenstadt@freejacks.com).
