2026 TRU Summit Education Conference​

by

Join us August 28-30 for the 11th Annual Regional Development Summit, a full weekend of rugby education, networking, and celebration as we proudly mark the 55th Anniversary of the Texas Rugby Union! This epic weekend will take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North.

Whether you’re a coach, player, administrator, referee, volunteer, or supporter, no matter your club or team, the Summit offers hands-on development opportunities and valuable connections with others from across the region. We will cap off this milestone weekend on Saturday night with the TRU Hall of Fame Banquet, an unforgettable evening honoring the legends who shaped our 55-year history.

Weekend Schedule Highlights

  • Social Hour: Friday, August 28
  • Summit Courses: Saturday and Sunday, August 29-30
  • TRU and Rugby Texas AGMs: Saturday and Sunday, August 29-30
  • HOF Banquet: Saturday, August 29

Courses Available

  • World Rugby Coaching Courses
  • World Rugby Referee Courses
  • World Rugby Strength & Conditioning
  • USA Rugby Disciplinary Courses

Why Clubs Should Attend

The TRU Summit is the single most important weekend for the health, growth, and compliance of your club. We strongly encourage every team to send a delegation of 4 to 5 representatives, including coaches, field leaders, administrators, and executive board members. Investing in your leadership group at the Summit brings immense value back to your home pitch.

  • Complete Vital Member Education: Ensure your club remains fully compliant and safe. From foundational coaching techniques and referee certification to managing player welfare, your representatives will bring home the latest official guidelines.
  • Attend the TRU AGM: Have a direct voice in the future of our union. Sunday’s Annual General Meeting is where key decisions are made, upcoming seasonal structures are discussed, and member clubs collaborate on the governance of Texas rugby.
  • Unmatched Networking Opportunities: Build valuable connections across the region. Between the Friday night Welcome Social, classroom collaborations, and the historic 55th Anniversary Hall of Fame Banquet, your members can share strategies, schedule matches, and learn from neighboring clubs.
  • Build a Stronger Club Culture: When your coaches, referees, and administrators learn together, they stay on the same page. Sending a full crew ensures that your club’s operational leadership is aligned, certified, and inspired for the upcoming competitive year.

Registration

Official registration links will be opening soon, so be sure to save the dates!

Register early. Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. All registered attendees will receive a complimentary 55th Anniversary Union Coin and a ticket to the Friday night Welcome Social. You can also choose to purchase lunch and add a discounted Hall of Fame Banquet ticket for Saturday night.

Register by Sunday, August 14 to receive all the benefits. Coins and lunch will not be included for anyone registering after that date, as we need to place the order in advance. Registration officially closes Friday, August 21.

Saturday Courses

Showing the single result

Sunday Courses

 

Schedule

Welcome Social

We’re kicking off Summit weekend with our annual Welcome Social on Friday, August 28 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North bar.

Join us at the hotel’s expansive bar where we’ve reserved space for our group. As a special perk, Summit participants who book their stay through our official hotel block will receive complimentary drinks and snacks! All other attendees will have full access to a cash bar to purchase their own refreshments.

This is a great chance to connect, unwind, and catch up with your rugby community before the learning begins. All TRU members are welcome, no need to RSVP.

BOOK HOTEL

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The TRU Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Saturday, August 29. More details to come soon!

BOOK HOTEL

2026 TRU Hall of Fame Celebration

Adjacent to the TRU Summit we always celebrate the recent Hall of Fame Inductees. The 11th Class will be inducted on Saturday, August 29 at the same hotel as the Summit. This year’s banquet holds extra significance as it serves as the ultimate culmination of our 55th anniversary celebration, honoring a proud legacy of rugby since 1971.

All TRU members are welcome to attend the HOF Banquet but do note that tickets must be purchased in advance and are separate from Summit registration fees. However, if you sign up for a certification course at the Summit, you can unlock a discounted Hall of Fame ticket during registration!

BUY HOF TICKETS
BOOK HOTEL

Travel & Hotel

Airport

We recommend flying into Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), which is located just minutes away from our chosen hotel, Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North. The hotel offers a complimentary airport shuttle to and from DFW.

Alternate Airport

You may also fly into Dallas Love Field (DAL). Please note that Love Field is farther from the venue and does not offer a direct hotel shuttle service. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, as well as rental cars, are readily available from both airports.

Public Transportation

For those arriving early or looking to explore, the Grapevine Visitors Shuttle offers convenient routes around the historic downtown Grapevine area, local restaurants, and shopping centers. Rideshares are the most efficient way to travel between the hotel and the surrounding DFW metroplex.

Hotel

We have secured a hotel block at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North located at 2401 Bass Pro Drive, Grapevine, TX 76051.

Our rate is $161 which includes:
  • Complimentary DFW Airport shuttle service
  • Complimentary made-to-order breakfast daily
  • Complimentary Evening Reception with drinks and snacks daily
  • All guestrooms are spacious 2-room suites
  • Complimentary Fitness Club with Indoor Pool
  • Discounted overnight parking fee of $12 per night for TRU guests

The room block will be valid until August 14, 2026. If you have trouble booking or see a message that no rooms are available, please reach out to traci@texasrugbyunion.com.

BOOK HOTEL

Merchandise

Refund Policy

We order custom merchandise and event supplies well in advance, so our refund options are tiered based on how close we are to the event:

  • Up to 2 weeks before the event (On or before August 14): Full 100% refund available.
  • Between 1 and 2 weeks before the event (August 15 to August 21): 50% refund available.
  • Less than 1 week before the event (After August 21): No refunds available, as supporting orders will have already been finalized and paid for.

About the TRU Summit Education Conference

The TRU Summit Education Conference, launched in 2015, is a premier annual event for rugby enthusiasts of all levels, rotating among the major regions within the Texas Rugby Union. Each year, participants gather for an immersive experience featuring World Rugby Certification Courses in Coaching, Referee, and Strength & Conditioning, as well as expanded continuing education tracks like Rugby Knowledge Pathways and Referee Talent Development.

Designed to elevate the skills and knowledge of players, coaches, referees, and administrators, the Summit offers valuable opportunities for learning and networking. Attendees can enjoy exclusive events, such as the Friday night Welcome Social and the TRU Hall of Fame Banquet, while clubs are encouraged to send multiple members to maximize their learning potential. With limited spots available, early registration is recommended to secure your place and take advantage of available discounts.

Join us to connect with the rugby community, enhance your expertise, and contribute to the growth of rugby across the region.