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(Joan Shepherd Photo)
Boulder, Colo. - With word circulating vigorously of a private plan to oversee American college rugby, USA Rugby has unveiled the beginnings of its own plan to serve collegiate rugby in a more specific way.
Representatives from USA Rugby’s Congress, Board of Directors and National Office, in conjunction with the Territorial All-Star coaches, recently circulated a draft of its college rugby strategy to all areas of the college game for feedback and discussion prior to the release of its final document.
This final document will then be presented to the Board and Congress at their semiannual meeting in Florida on November 22 for final approval and implementation.
The initial college rugby strategy recommends the appointment of a College Rugby Director and Department working closely with a College Committee that represents all sections of the U.S. collegiate game.
“USA Rugby’s Congress and Board of Directors have identified the development of college rugby as one of the key objectives for the new strategic plan. We need to create a College Department that can drive the process supported by a truly representative College Committee,” USA Rugby’s CEO and Director of Rugby, Nigel Melville said.
“Youth and High School rugby programs are producing an increased number of rugby players. A large percentage of these players will progress to college and we want to make sure they continue playing the game through college and beyond,” he said.
“A key part of this process is ensuring that our plan is robust and inclusive, which is why USA Rugby has circulated its initial strategy to the college community for input,” Melville added. “USA Rugby will also continue to build partnerships for the college game with sponsors and broadcasters to ensure that we have the necessary financial backing to support the growth and enhance the reputation of collegiate rugby.”
New Board Director, Peter Seccia has been leading the strategic planning process, joined by a number on Congress members including Pat Kane, Ellen Owens and National Office representative Matt Sherman.
The plan includes a number of recommendations, including;
- The creation of a governance model to support and drive collegiate rugby including the appointment of a College Rugby Director/College Department and College Committee
- A review of all college competitions
- Identification of best practice models for the development and support of college rugby programs at all levels.
- Increasing the marketable opportunities created by the new competitions structure.
- Increasing numbers of players through recruitment programs
- Create a College Rugby Coaches Association that supports the development and continued education of College coaches and officials
- Support High Performance Programs and Pathways
- A finance model that supports the development of college rugby
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