THE FORTIVUSRUGBY PATHWAY
A year-round rugby pathway for every player, from first touch to elite competition.
From our families
Read their stories →“We've tried everything — soccer, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, hockey, fencing — and he hasn't really loved any of them. But for some reason, he really likes rugby.”
As Featured on NCTV17
Everything we are about
NCTV17 recently spent time with Fortivus. Their feature captures it better than we can — the people, the pathway, and the community behind the game.
Watch on YouTube →The Pathway
A unique, year-round pathway for every player
K-12
Age fit
Jan-May
Local clubs
Sep-Nov
Academy
Choose the local fit
Local clubs in Naperville
These are the local club entry points for players around Naperville and the surrounding communities.
Statewide programs
More rugby across Illinois
These are additional statewide options: development academies open to players from any Illinois club, plus the elite Thunderbirds pathway.
Beyond rugby
Doors after youth rugby
The pathway should make the next season clear, and the next chapter possible: college, senior clubs, mentors, and a community that lasts.
What families see first
Real fields. Real coaches. Real teams.
You see it in the huddle before kickoff, the first brave carry, the hard contest, and the grin that follows. This is where players start to feel strong, known, and ready for more.
2025
Serving Illinois Since
94%
Player Retention
90%+
Seniors Continue to College
K–12
Year-Round Pathway
The Fortivus Foundation
No athlete left behind
Removing barriers so cost, access, or geography never decide a child's future in sport.
Financial support is available when cost presents a barrier — and the process is quick and confidential.
Find your place in Fortivus
Whether your child starts with a local Naperville club, joins statewide Academy training, or earns a higher pathway, there is a place for them.