About
Rhinos Rugby Academy offers rugby training that includes strength and conditioning, speed and agility work, video analysis, and a structured Rugby IQ curriculum. Participants take part in activities such as safe and effective tackling techniques, dynamic footwork, run blocking, ball catching techniques, and decision-making under pressure. The program also includes personal development with self-reflection, learning and developing personal values, and building teamwork, planning, execution, and focus skills, as well as access to a youth rugby sevens league and classes in academics (CA Core Curriculum), Functional Sports Health, Personal Development, and Personal Finance 1.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Daily program Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm
Rhinos Rugby Academy was founded in 2014 in Southern California as a national development program for rugby, strength, conditioning, speed, and agility for players aspiring to play rugby in college, be selected to USA Rugby National Teams, or join professional clubs. It operates high-performance programs with residence and non-residence options, offers training programs Monday through Saturday year-round, and runs USA Training Centers in San Clemente with additional regional training programs in Sacramento, San Diego, and Mesa, plus remote interactive training for rugby and strength and conditioning available worldwide. The Academy has USA national status and lists extensive rugby achievements, including titles and podium finishes at events such as the Los Angeles Invitational 7s, World Youth Rugby Festival, North American Invitational 7s, World Schools Festival, Las Vegas Invitational 7s, Regional Cup Tournaments, Dallas International 7s, Penn Mutual High School Rugby 7s Championships, California State Games, and multiple Southern California Championships.
The Academy’s mission statement focuses on developing young people into leaders with outstanding character and fostering an environment where athletes learn and apply core life values such as respect, honor, discipline, integrity, teamwork, and accountability, with emphasis on academics, rugby, nutrition, strength and conditioning, Rugby IQ, and long-term personal development plans related to college, professional rugby, or National Team aspirations. Programs are structured by age phases, including U8–U12 FUNdamentals and Learn to Play and Practice, U14–U18 Learn to Execute Under Pressure, U18–U20 Learn to Adapt, and an Elite High-Performance Program, and the Academy also runs a Youth Sevens League for U8–U14 boys and girls and a Rugby for Football program. Rhinos Rugby USA partners with SAS Rugby in the United States to assist and develop youth rugby for U20 and younger age groups, supports local and national rugby teams with session planning and coach development, and provides access to its state-of-the-art facilities and training equipment for NorCal and SoCal teams.
The leadership and coaching staff include Chief Executive Officer Andreea Trufasu, President Derek Nellmapius, Head of USA Schools Billy Nicholas, multiple USA Schools and Regional Academy Coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, a facility supervisor, rugby coaches, a mentor and rugby coach, assistant rugby and strength and conditioning coaches, a head of design, an executive assistant, and a Rhinos School teacher. Guest coaches come from the USA National Team player pool, Major League Rugby player pool, and international coaching backgrounds in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and France, with additional sessions led by National Teams and professional rugby club guest coaches from these countries and the USA. The Academy places significant focus on coach development and education through mentorship, peer-based rugby curriculum development, social and cultural awareness seminars, and maintains an exclusive partnership with Rhinos Sports School to offer a daily program of academics and training, along with a Rhinos Code that emphasizes accountability, respect, and teamwork.
Testimonials describe the Academy’s academic and sporting opportunities, individual support, and impact on families, including comments from USA Rugby Head Coach Chris Brown, a parent, and South Africa Sevens National Team representative Frankie Horne.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
• Ages: 8–18 years old
• Schedule: Daily program Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm
Rhinos Rugby Academy was founded in 2014 in Southern California as a national development program for rugby, strength, conditioning, speed, and agility for players aspiring to play rugby in college, be selected to USA Rugby National Teams, or join professional clubs. It operates high-performance programs with residence and non-residence options, offers training programs Monday through Saturday year-round, and runs USA Training Centers in San Clemente with additional regional training programs in Sacramento, San Diego, and Mesa, plus remote interactive training for rugby and strength and conditioning available worldwide. The Academy has USA national status and lists extensive rugby achievements, including titles and podium finishes at events such as the Los Angeles Invitational 7s, World Youth Rugby Festival, North American Invitational 7s, World Schools Festival, Las Vegas Invitational 7s, Regional Cup Tournaments, Dallas International 7s, Penn Mutual High School Rugby 7s Championships, California State Games, and multiple Southern California Championships.
The Academy’s mission statement focuses on developing young people into leaders with outstanding character and fostering an environment where athletes learn and apply core life values such as respect, honor, discipline, integrity, teamwork, and accountability, with emphasis on academics, rugby, nutrition, strength and conditioning, Rugby IQ, and long-term personal development plans related to college, professional rugby, or National Team aspirations. Programs are structured by age phases, including U8–U12 FUNdamentals and Learn to Play and Practice, U14–U18 Learn to Execute Under Pressure, U18–U20 Learn to Adapt, and an Elite High-Performance Program, and the Academy also runs a Youth Sevens League for U8–U14 boys and girls and a Rugby for Football program. Rhinos Rugby USA partners with SAS Rugby in the United States to assist and develop youth rugby for U20 and younger age groups, supports local and national rugby teams with session planning and coach development, and provides access to its state-of-the-art facilities and training equipment for NorCal and SoCal teams.
The leadership and coaching staff include Chief Executive Officer Andreea Trufasu, President Derek Nellmapius, Head of USA Schools Billy Nicholas, multiple USA Schools and Regional Academy Coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, a facility supervisor, rugby coaches, a mentor and rugby coach, assistant rugby and strength and conditioning coaches, a head of design, an executive assistant, and a Rhinos School teacher. Guest coaches come from the USA National Team player pool, Major League Rugby player pool, and international coaching backgrounds in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and France, with additional sessions led by National Teams and professional rugby club guest coaches from these countries and the USA. The Academy places significant focus on coach development and education through mentorship, peer-based rugby curriculum development, social and cultural awareness seminars, and maintains an exclusive partnership with Rhinos Sports School to offer a daily program of academics and training, along with a Rhinos Code that emphasizes accountability, respect, and teamwork.
Testimonials describe the Academy’s academic and sporting opportunities, individual support, and impact on families, including comments from USA Rugby Head Coach Chris Brown, a parent, and South Africa Sevens National Team representative Frankie Horne.
Last updated July 29, 2026.
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