BOULDER, Colo. – When the youth community gathered in Nashville, Tenn. in December 2006 for USA Rugby’s Youth Conference on the Game, many were generally upset with the perceived lack of attention youth and high school rugby was receiving from the Union.
However, the atmosphere at the second annual conference held December 1-2 in San Diego was markedly different.

“USA Rugby has shown its commitment to the growth and development of youth and high school rugby over the past year,” said Jenn Heinrich, Executive Director of Rugby Oregon. “The change in atmosphere from Nashville to San Diego was reflective of that commitment.”

The conference provided a mix of best practice from the community, the launch of USA Rugby-developed tools and an opportunity to share thoughts on how the game can continue to grow.

“It was exciting to have the key leaders of the youth and high school community come together again and discuss the direction USA Rugby should take,” said Pete Steinberg, Age Grade Development Manager for USA Rugby. “There were lots of good ideas shared and the new programs were well received.”

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The new programs included the “Rugby Needs You” volunteer recruitment campaign, the start of the Non-Contact Coach Development Course, the Youth Referee Development Course and the initiation of the Coaching Orientation Course.


“USA Rugby is developing programs that will help the community grow the game,” said Katie Wurst, USA Rugby Game Development Officer. “Our goal is to help break down those barriers to growth.”


Also included in the conference was the second State-Based Development Model (SBDM) meeting, with all 14 members in attendance. The meeting allowed the State-Based Organizations (SBO) to build more detail into the model, share their progress over the last six months and plan for the first half of 2008.


“I was impressed by the passion the participants brought to the conference,” said USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby Operations Nigel Melville, who led a question and answer session at the conference. “2008 will be a critical year for USA Rugby and success at the Youth and High School game is vital for the growth of the game at all levels.”