Every few years it seems USA Rugby starts another attempt to grow the sport of rugby. Their next failure seems to be underway.
Don't get me wrong i love the sport and hope it flourishes, but I am just sick of PR drives that amount to nothing!
Anyway, the pres release is below, I have added comment where I feel it is needed.
From USA Rugby
BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby has officially launched its “Rugby for All” continuum, marking the first of several initiatives in the development pathway of USA Rugby players, coaches and referees. This is the third such scheme this decade to grow rugby, it is planned to miserably fail by Spring and a new initiative -- with no real world backing -- will be in production by June.
USA Rugby’s "One for Rugby and"“Rugby for All” continuum has been developed to emphasize the breadth of opportunities in the game and promote rugby’s new image as a vibrant sport that centers around the core values of family, health, fitness and fun. and booze!
“There is much more to rugby than the full contact 15-a-side game. The global game of rugby offers many versions flexible enough to suit all athletic abilities, ages and genders,” USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby explained (I didn't mess with this, this is the title of some nameless person). “Contact or non-contact, seven-a-side to 15's, whether you are playing, refereeing, coaching or administrating, rugby truly is a game for everyone.”
One of the most exciting developments in the "One for Rugby and"“Rugby for All” continuum is the introduction of a new non-contact youth initiative called Rookie Rugby , which will include players from under the age of six through 12 -- this is just a horrible sentence. Rookie Rugby is set to be launched in late October and will be supported by its own officiating and coaching course.
“During the next 12 months, we have a strategy for growth that will expand the game significantly across the pre-high school sector, however after this it will once again shrivel and die,” Melville added. “USA Rugby must introduce the sport to increasingly younger players so they can develop the basic skills of the game and enjoy the many benefits rugby has to offer.”
"This is B.S. and PR, we seem not to understand that real support for rugby is needed over the long haul, not just some new quick-fix, PR, flash-in-the-pan," Melville said, before sacrificing a virgin and drinking her blood from a goblet fashioned from a baby's skull.
Supporting the "One for Rugby and"“Rugby for All” continuum, USA Rugby has developed officiating and coaching courses that support each level of the game and will also be promoting the online IRB Rugby Ready Course available on the USA Rugby website.
"We have gone to the grass roots to frighten a whole new group of parents about this sport," Melville did not say. "Soon we hope to have a whole new arena for pushy parents to force their kids into and for those parents to spoil."
For more information about the "One for Rugby and"“Rugby for All” continuum please visit www.usarugby.org or contact USA Rugby’s Youth Development department, Coaching Development department, or Referee Development department directly by clicking on the links.
USA RUGBY, founded in 1975, is the national governing body for rugby and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Rugby Board (IRB). The organization is responsible for the development of boys, girls, high school, collegiate and club athletic programs, and ultimately, all of the national teams representing the United States in international competition.
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3 comments:
I don't see what your problem is, Mike. You have to get them young, and you have to win the hearts and minds of the mums. Besides, the younger the kiddies, the younger the mums and there's nothing like a bit of eye candy on Saturday mornings, while you're freezing your arse off at 9.00 am. I know, because I'm from Oz, my kids have played since u/9 and I have first hand experience.
But seriously, soccer seems to have made inroads in the US, why can't Rugby?
Get em young, and you might keep a few more of them. Kids love throwing a Rugby ball around, it's probably easier to play touch at lunch time than gridiron (or whatever they call it there) and if they can see some future early enough, they might just not end up as spectators who couldn't make it in the professional leagues of football, basketball or baseball.
Just a thought!!
Hate to say it, but thats probably more promotion than rugby gets at home Miko.
I know it seems vulgar and , well, colonial, but the same thing worked pretty well with 20/20 cricket in british schools. From the time it was introduced when we were at school, there seems to be an increase is kids taking the game into adulthood.
Although if 'rugby for all' is discontinued through lack of determination and/or spectacular incompetence, you are completely vindicated and those responsible can all have jobs in the SRU or the border reivers organisation...
Mike, Until people can make loads 0f money playing rugby. The shallow mass of america will stay light years from being an international competitor. Too many coaches, and closed minded ADs putting up walls. I agree the school must be involved. Look where columbia has put its mens side. To the curb. We live in a country where adults must join a gym or run outdoors to get fit. All parks seem to be reserved for snotty-nosed kids. I guess adults should stick to booze and cigarettes because they seem to be all that is left for us.
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