Free Jacks Academy Announcement

The New England Free Jacks are excited to announce that our senior men’s academy team, the New England Men’s Independents U23s, will travel to Scotland for an international development tour in May 2025. This marks the second overseas tour for the Free Jacks Academy, following the successful inaugural trip to Belfast in 2024.

The 2025 tour offers another incredible opportunity for New England’s best young rugby talent, aged 18–23, to challenge themselves on the international stage. Representing the Free Jacks Academy’s commitment to developing high-performance athletes and providing high quality rugby experiences, the Independents will face two historic Scottish rugby clubs.

FIRST FIXTURE

Tuesday, May 13th at 7:00 PM BST (2:00 PM EST):

vs. Melrose RFC at the iconic Greenyards, the birthplace of rugby sevens.

SECOND FIXTURE

Saturday, May 17th at 1:00 PM BST (8:00 AM EST):

vs. Boroughmuir Rugby Club in Edinburgh.

“This is another landmark event for our Academy, building on the momentum of 2024’s historic first international tour to Belfast, in which we took a lot of learnings and great experiences from,” said Free Jacks Academy & Community Manager Thomas Grant. “The opportunity to now travel to Scotland and compete against storied clubs like Melrose RFC and Boroughmuir Rugby Club is an unparalleled opportunity for our young athletes. The chance to test themselves in a rugby-rich environment like Scotland will be an invaluable experience as they continue their development onwards to higher honors.”

The New England Independents program has established itself as a crucial pipeline for Major League Rugby (MLR) talent, with 16 players advancing to professional franchises, including Ethan Fryer (Free Jacks) and Connor Robinson (Dallas Jackals). This tour underscores the Free Jacks Academy’s mission of narrowing the gap between amateur and professional rugby while fostering the growth of the sport across New England.

Off the field, the tour promises cultural and educational experiences, deepening the connection between players and the global rugby community. The Independents will also participate in community events and engage with local Scottish rugby programs, reinforcing the Free Jacks’ ethos of building bridges through sport.

how do i join the free jacks academy?

There are many ways to join the Free Jacks Academy teams and to get yourself recognized by the coaches and staff. Free Jacks are always on the look out for talented boys and girls players of all ages. 

WINTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

2025 Winter Development Program, an exceptional opportunity for young rugby players in the U18 and U23 age groups to enhance their skills under the guidance of elite coaches and championship-winning players. Taking place over six sessions on Sundays from January to March

About Free Jacks Academy

The Free Jacks Academy is dedicated to elevating the standard of rugby in New England through rigorous training, competitive opportunities, and community outreach. Operating U18 (Junior Jacks) and U23 (Independents) teams, the Academy serves as a critical bridge between amateur rugby and the professional game. To learn more, visit www.FreeJacks.com.

About THE NEW ENGLAND Free Jacks 

 The New England Free Jacks are Boston’s first Professional Rugby team representing all the greatness of the six New England states on and off the field. The Free Jacks were named as an expansion franchise of Major League Rugby on September 20th, 2018.

 The Free Jacks are an aspiring and innovative live events, media, and consumer products organization. The core brand in the portfolio is The New England Free Jacks–the humble hard-working free-spirited professional rugby team competing in the emergent and exhilarating Major League Rugby (MLR), the premier North American professional rugby competition. For more information, visit www.FreeJacks.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Thomas Grant
New England Free Jacks
Email: thomas.grant@freejacks.com 

For More information on the Free Jacks academy, Community and Foundation check out our website or reach out the Thomas Grant.

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