Mitch Short Bio
Mitchell Short, known professionally as Mitch Short, is an Australian rugby union player who most recently played as a scrum-half for the Chicago Hounds in Major League Rugby. Born on 25 May 1995 in Sydney, Australia, he has built a career that has taken him from Australian grade rugby to Super Rugby and into the professional ranks in both France and the United States. Standing 1.77 m tall and weighing around 82 kg, Short is recognized for his speed off the mark and a crisp passing game that suits the modern demands of the scrum-half role.
Across his career, Short has turned out for several respected clubs, including Randwick, the NSW Country Eagles, the Western Force, the NSW Waratahs, Racing 92, AS Béziers, and the Chicago Hounds. After spending multiple seasons in France, he returned briefly to Australian rugby before taking his game overseas again in 2025. His journey reflects a steady climb through the rugby pathway, marked by representative honours at schoolboy level and a senior debut in Super Rugby that set the tone for his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Mitchell Short was born on 25 May 1995 in Sydney, Australia, and grew up in the city that has produced many of the country’s leading rugby talents. From a young age, he was drawn to the game, and his development was shaped by the strong rugby tradition in New South Wales. His schooling at The Scots College in Sydney proved central to his early growth as a player, providing both an academic environment and a competitive sporting culture.
While at The Scots College, Short distinguished himself as a talented back, with his quickness and distribution skills already drawing attention from selectors. In 2013, his schoolboy form was rewarded with selection for Australian Schools, a representative honour that placed him among the most promising young players in the country. That same year laid the foundation for his future in the sport, highlighting his potential to progress into higher levels of the game.
Following his schoolboy career, Short continued his development in the Sydney club rugby system. In 2014, he joined Randwick DRUFC, one of the most storied clubs in Australian grade rugby, where he would spend several seasons refining his craft. Randwick’s competitive environment offered him regular high-level matches and helped him transition from schoolboy football into the senior ranks of the domestic game.
Path to Rugby
Short’s pathway into professional rugby began in earnest when he linked up with the NSW Country Eagles in 2015, a program that served as a feeder system to higher honours. Playing in the National Rugby Championship gave him valuable exposure to a more structured, high-tempo brand of rugby, and it allowed him to test himself against experienced professionals on a weekly basis. His performances in this period drew the attention of Super Rugby scouts.
The first major step into top-flight rugby came in 2017, when Short joined the Western Force for the Super Rugby season. Joining a franchise in transition provided both challenges and opportunities, and his appearances during that year offered him a glimpse of the standards required at the elite level. The experience laid the groundwork for the next stage of his career.
In 2018, Short signed with the NSW Waratahs, one of Australia’s most successful Super Rugby franchises. He made his run-on debut for the club in Round 3 against the Sharks in Durban, marking a significant milestone in his development. Playing in such a competitive environment alongside seasoned internationals helped him sharpen his decision-making and game management, key traits for any aspiring scrum-half.
Mitch Short Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Short’s early senior career was anchored at Randwick DRUFC, where he played from 2014 through 2021 in the Sydney grade competition. Randwick provided a consistent platform for him to develop his passing and running game against experienced campaigners. His form at club level, combined with representative schoolboy honours, helped position him for selection in higher competitions.
From 2015 to 2020, Short also represented the NSW Country Eagles, a pathway that bridged club rugby and professional rugby. His time with the Eagles offered regular matches in a semi-professional setting, allowing him to refine his tactical awareness. By 2017, his progress earned him a spot with the Western Force in Super Rugby, where he gained his first taste of the professional game at the top level of Australian rugby.
Super Rugby Breakthrough (2017–2020)
Short’s Super Rugby career began with the Western Force in 2017, a season that allowed him to test his skills against some of the best players in the southern hemisphere. Although the Force faced off-field uncertainty during that period, Short focused on his on-field contributions and used the opportunity to learn from senior teammates. The experience provided an important benchmark for the standards required at Super Rugby level.
In 2018, Short moved to the NSW Waratahs, where he would spend the next three Super Rugby seasons. His debut against the Sharks in Durban in Round 3 of that year was a memorable moment, marking his arrival on the big stage. Over the following seasons with the Waratahs, he continued to grow as a scrum-half, contributing to the squad’s playmaking depth and gaining further experience in high-pressure matches.
French Rugby Era (2021–2024)
In 2021, Short embarked on the next chapter of his career by signing with Racing 92, one of the top clubs in the French Top 14. Moving to France represented a major step up in competition and intensity, and it gave him the chance to play in front of passionate crowds and alongside international stars. His time at Racing 92, spanning the 2021 and 2022 seasons, helped broaden his rugby education in a new cultural and tactical environment.
From 2022 to 2024, Short played for AS Béziers in the French Pro D2, the second tier of French rugby. At Béziers, he continued to feature as a scrum-half, offering his speed and distribution to a club with a proud rugby history. The Pro D2 environment demanded consistency and resilience, and his performances there reinforced his reputation as a dependable and energetic halfback.
Major League Rugby Era (2025)
In 2025, Short joined the Chicago Hounds in Major League Rugby, taking his career to the United States. The move represented a fresh challenge in a growing competition that has attracted a number of experienced international players. Joining the Hounds allowed him to bring his international experience to a developing league while continuing to perform at a high level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Short is widely regarded for his speed off the mark and his strong passing game, two attributes that are central to his effectiveness as a scrum-half. His ability to deliver quick, accurate ball at the base of the scrum and around the ruck allows his forward packs and outside backs to play with structure and tempo. Coaches have valued his composure under pressure and his willingness to take the right options in tight moments of the match.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Short’s career came in 2013 when he was selected for Australian Schools, an early indicator of his potential at the highest levels. His run-on Super Rugby debut for the NSW Waratahs against the Sharks in Durban in 2018 stands as another significant milestone, marking his arrival in top-flight professional rugby. The transition to French rugby with Racing 92 in 2021 and later AS Béziers further underscored his willingness to test himself in new environments.
Mitch Short Career Wins
Throughout his career, Mitch Short has earned recognition across multiple leagues and competitions, from Australian grade rugby to Super Rugby and the French professional ranks. While detailed win totals across each series are not fully verified, his longevity and consistent selection at respected clubs reflect the trust placed in him by coaches and selectors at every level.
Super Rugby Highlights
Short featured in Super Rugby across the 2017 season with the Western Force and the 2018 to 2020 seasons with the NSW Waratahs. His debut for the Waratahs against the Sharks in Durban in 2018 remains a highlight of his time in the competition, and he contributed to the squad’s playmaking depth across multiple campaigns. Super Rugby provided him with a high-level platform to showcase his speed and distribution skills.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his Super Rugby appearances, Short has built a strong résumé in club and semi-professional rugby, including extended stints with Randwick DRUFC and the NSW Country Eagles. His move to Racing 92 in the French Top 14 and later AS Béziers in Pro D2 added valuable experience in two of the most demanding leagues in world rugby. Each of these environments has contributed to his development as a complete scrum-half.
Mitch Short Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Mitch Short’s immediate family background remains limited, with no widely confirmed details available about his parents or siblings. What is known is that he grew up in Sydney and attended The Scots College, an environment that helped shape his early rugby journey. His progression through Australian schoolboy and grade rugby reflects the strong rugby culture of his hometown and schooling community.
Personal Life
Mitch Short keeps much of his personal life private, and no confirmed public details are available about a spouse, partner, or children. Throughout his career, he has been based in a number of rugby cities, including Sydney, Paris, Béziers, and Chicago, reflecting the international nature of his professional journey. His focus has remained on his rugby commitments and continued development as a scrum-half.
2025 Season Performance
Mitch Short’s 2025 season sees him playing for the Chicago Hounds in Major League Rugby, marking his return to North American rugby. Joining the Hounds offered him a fresh start in a league that continues to grow in competitiveness and visibility. The opportunity to play in Major League Rugby represents both a new challenge and a chance to contribute his international experience to a developing competition.
As a veteran scrum-half with experience in Super Rugby and French professional rugby, Short is expected to play an important role in guiding the Hounds’ attack and providing leadership at the base of the scrum. His speed and passing game remain valuable assets, and his understanding of structured attacking play should benefit a franchise looking to establish itself in the league. Coaches will look to him to set the tempo and provide stability in key moments.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season provides Short with an opportunity to extend his career in a new rugby landscape while continuing to perform at a high level. His track record across multiple countries suggests he will adapt quickly to the demands of Major League Rugby. Should the season progress positively, further opportunities in North American or other international competitions may follow, depending on his form and the direction of his career.