I had the privilege of seeing a pre-screening of the Invictus movie tonight. In addition to great stars and a good story line, the movie really did showcase rugby. Nearly the entire second half is all rugby!
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
I brought a ball with me and immediately after the movie people were asking all kinds of questions. Make sure you wear a jersey and bring a ball when you go see this movie and people will approach you. When they ask questions make sure you finish up your conversation with a point of access for them; i.e. 'Our website is www.xyz.com' or 'there are all ages of rugby being played in the area, check it out'. Make sure you drive them to a rugby source and get them involved.
I was at the theater about 20 minutes after the movie let out just chatting with interested people!
Keep it positive, highlight the good parts, give them an access point for the game and share your passion with the viewing public. This movie will bring people to our sport!!!!!!!!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Successful Conference Adds Rookie Rugby to Schools
I attended a conference this past week that brought together hundreds of PE teachers, health professionals, professors of College Education programs, and many others. The Ohio Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance hosted their conference at the Columbus Convention center December 3 and 4.
Immediately upon showing up on the first day, it was evident this even would produce many leads. Rugby was definitely the new kid on the block and many teachers and attendees wanted to know more about us.
We had 70 teaches sign up to bring rugby into their PE programs!!! These teachers were interested in bringing a new, fun and fast paced game to their PE classes. They are always looking for new ways to engage the kids and found Rookie Rugby as a great option for them.
In addition to teacher, I met with the professors from many Ohio Universities and colleges. They are interested in teaching rugby as part of educating the next generations of PE teachers!
After two long days, it was clear the benefits of being part of the main stream education systems. I was really impressed by some of the organizations who are out there 'doing it right' already, such as USA Tennis and Speed Stacks (the cup stacking organization). I learned a great deal from these other groups and how they engage the teachers, kids and public.
Immediately upon showing up on the first day, it was evident this even would produce many leads. Rugby was definitely the new kid on the block and many teachers and attendees wanted to know more about us.
We had 70 teaches sign up to bring rugby into their PE programs!!! These teachers were interested in bringing a new, fun and fast paced game to their PE classes. They are always looking for new ways to engage the kids and found Rookie Rugby as a great option for them.
In addition to teacher, I met with the professors from many Ohio Universities and colleges. They are interested in teaching rugby as part of educating the next generations of PE teachers!
After two long days, it was clear the benefits of being part of the main stream education systems. I was really impressed by some of the organizations who are out there 'doing it right' already, such as USA Tennis and Speed Stacks (the cup stacking organization). I learned a great deal from these other groups and how they engage the teachers, kids and public.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Great new Podcast about USA Rugby
Click Here to go to Ruggamatrix, the new podcast about rugby in the USA and internationally. Interesting stuff!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
IRB new online Strength & Conditioning resource
FROM THE IRB STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING DEPARTMENT:
Click here for the IRB site
Dear colleague,
We are delighted to announce that the IRB Strength and Conditioning web site is now fully available to you once you have completed the Rugby Ready online test.
On this site, you will learn about the basics of Health and Safety, Exercise Instruction, Gymnasium Induction & Environment and via our online learning system you can start on the pathway to achieving Strength and Conditioning accreditation, as recognized by the IRB.
This exciting format connects basic exercises to the dynamics of the Game. The learning process uses the written word along with video demonstration and real time international game footage, as shown opposite and below.
Modular additions will logically be provided on a quarterly basis followed by the Level 2 qualification in September 2010.
I wish you well in your coaching,
Mark Harrington
Click here for the IRB site
Dear colleague,
We are delighted to announce that the IRB Strength and Conditioning web site is now fully available to you once you have completed the Rugby Ready online test.
On this site, you will learn about the basics of Health and Safety, Exercise Instruction, Gymnasium Induction & Environment and via our online learning system you can start on the pathway to achieving Strength and Conditioning accreditation, as recognized by the IRB.
This exciting format connects basic exercises to the dynamics of the Game. The learning process uses the written word along with video demonstration and real time international game footage, as shown opposite and below.
Modular additions will logically be provided on a quarterly basis followed by the Level 2 qualification in September 2010.
I wish you well in your coaching,
Mark Harrington
Monday, November 30, 2009
High School players looking for a College Team?
Please see below an email from Bruce McLane (NYAC Coach) who has started an initiative to collect college information in an attempt to promote college rugby to High School aged players. This initiative will not only encourage players to go to college but also should help us retain more players in the game. It is a great resource which should support SBROs in working with LAU’s & TU’s to keep players in the game.
The college information collected so far has been compiled into a PDF document hosted on USA Rugby’s website (see the link below) and will be updated monthly. Colleges are able to input their information into the online form and we will then export the data each month to create an updated PDF file. If you know college coaches locally, please pass on the link so they can ensure their information is included. You can also of course pass on the link to all the High School coaches in your States, for them to provide to their players.
Click Here or past the following link into your browser:
www.usarugby.org/goto/hs_player_info
The current document is obviously a work in progress as it was compiled manually. By distributing through all our our respective rugby channels, we should get it updated, cleaned up and completed pretty quickly.
The college information collected so far has been compiled into a PDF document hosted on USA Rugby’s website (see the link below) and will be updated monthly. Colleges are able to input their information into the online form and we will then export the data each month to create an updated PDF file. If you know college coaches locally, please pass on the link so they can ensure their information is included. You can also of course pass on the link to all the High School coaches in your States, for them to provide to their players.
Click Here or past the following link into your browser:
www.usarugby.org/goto/hs_player_info
The current document is obviously a work in progress as it was compiled manually. By distributing through all our our respective rugby channels, we should get it updated, cleaned up and completed pretty quickly.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
An Update from the USA Congress meeting
To members of the Midwest Rugby Union
From Tom Schmitt Congressional Rep-Midwest
November 23, 2009
A special joint meeting of the USA Board and Congress was held this weekend in Florida. Adrian Gannon attended in person, I was able to attend via teleconference.
The purpose of the meeting was to bring together 5 workgroups made up of congress reps, board of directors and USA Rugby staff. The intended result was to assist in defining 5 key areas of USA Rugby's strategic growth plan. This plan will guide USA Rugby decision making and goal setting for 3-5 years. Those areas are: High Performance, College and High School, Governance/Finance and International Relations, Events Marketing and Communication, and finally Game Development. The groups were formed in September and will stay together until each section of USA Rugby's 3-5 year strategic plan is in place. The purpose of this meeting was to benchmark issues that need to be addressed in the Strategic Plan.
The meeting started at 8:30 EST and ended approximately at 3:00 EST. After a brief introduction, the five groups went to work. At the end of the workshop, the 5 groups reported.
Adrian may add to my notes as I lost the connection for the last 15 minutes of the wrap up, but the following are key issues raised, some proposed solutions and some overall feedback. Since I spent 5 hours with the Events, Marketing and Communication group, I can report on that groups work in greater detail. Our group will be meeting on November 30, 2009, via teleconference, so any feedback from this report is appreciated.
Communication: The group was in agreement that communication, while better, continues to be problematic, especially in terms of getting information down to individual members. The current web site design was cited as somewhat flawed, in so much that it is not very interactive. As the goal of the group was to form a baseline/benchmark, not necessarily to solve the problem, the group will seek out all opinions/methods to improve. Budget constraints continue to hamper some of the efforts/solutions, but all ideas are welcome
Marketing/Branding. The USA Rugby product is our National teams and Championships. Numerous issues about problems with branding/product/image were discussed. An issue that was brought up in our group as well as at least two others is that to properly market rugby, USA Rugby may need to develop two tracks. A "commercial"track which will focus on promoting the best and most appropriate parts of our game (Men's National team, Super League, Collegiate Championships) which media and sponsors will embrace, and then a members services track which would include events that may not have marketing appeal (lower divisions) As part of the discussion, several groups put forth the suggestion that the number of national championships (currently 11) be reduced. As part of the discussion, it was asserted, that the television broadcasts of events actually hurt rugby's image if there are no spectators in the stands. A discussion was had to bring back "rugby in a box" where by local and regional events could be held with a consistent and appropriate USA Rugby presentation element. A discussion was had to promote rugby in a consistent and positive manner by having rugby presented as "USA Rugby" at local or regional celebrations, other sporting events, fairs and similar venues. Upshot is that public sees a consistent presentation of our positive sport. Downside is that there is no revenue generated.
Promotion. The inclusion of Rugby Seven's into the Olympics has generated a lot of buzz within the rugby community, but how is that going to get out to the public? After the top 5 sports, rugby is fighting for time with Hockey, major league soccer and boxing. To get the media's attention, we have to have a winning product. It was discussed that to have a winning product, we have to put "appropriate" energy into our products versus gender specific or strata specific "equal" energy. This may cause some factions of rugby to feel cheated. Suggested that at a national level, with limited funds, the best products have to be funded to a greater degree then a segment of the sport that may be best served at a local or regional level.
New Rugby Movie directed by Clint Eastwood about the 1995 South African World Cup team. How can USA Rugby capitalize on this high profile, top star quality production? Local and regionally there should be tie ins. What are they? All ideas are welcome. I am waiting on summary reports from the other 4 group leaders and will forward as I receive them. This process to design a 3-5 strategic plan really will be formed by every bodies input.
Please take the time to forward all ideas, comments and observations. We are still in the define problems stage. If you see problems in anything USA Rugby does, what are those problems? If you see something positive and would to see it continue, what is it? We are putting together a plan to guide USA Rugby for 3-5 years. It will include measurables and metrics. At the end of the day, it is our sport and needs our imput. The more the better.
Send your feedback to wirugby@aol.com. If you wish to discuss, send me your phone number and I'll call you Best Regards,
Tom Schmitt
From Tom Schmitt Congressional Rep-Midwest
November 23, 2009
A special joint meeting of the USA Board and Congress was held this weekend in Florida. Adrian Gannon attended in person, I was able to attend via teleconference.
The purpose of the meeting was to bring together 5 workgroups made up of congress reps, board of directors and USA Rugby staff. The intended result was to assist in defining 5 key areas of USA Rugby's strategic growth plan. This plan will guide USA Rugby decision making and goal setting for 3-5 years. Those areas are: High Performance, College and High School, Governance/Finance and International Relations, Events Marketing and Communication, and finally Game Development. The groups were formed in September and will stay together until each section of USA Rugby's 3-5 year strategic plan is in place. The purpose of this meeting was to benchmark issues that need to be addressed in the Strategic Plan.
The meeting started at 8:30 EST and ended approximately at 3:00 EST. After a brief introduction, the five groups went to work. At the end of the workshop, the 5 groups reported.
Adrian may add to my notes as I lost the connection for the last 15 minutes of the wrap up, but the following are key issues raised, some proposed solutions and some overall feedback. Since I spent 5 hours with the Events, Marketing and Communication group, I can report on that groups work in greater detail. Our group will be meeting on November 30, 2009, via teleconference, so any feedback from this report is appreciated.
Communication: The group was in agreement that communication, while better, continues to be problematic, especially in terms of getting information down to individual members. The current web site design was cited as somewhat flawed, in so much that it is not very interactive. As the goal of the group was to form a baseline/benchmark, not necessarily to solve the problem, the group will seek out all opinions/methods to improve. Budget constraints continue to hamper some of the efforts/solutions, but all ideas are welcome
Marketing/Branding. The USA Rugby product is our National teams and Championships. Numerous issues about problems with branding/product/image were discussed. An issue that was brought up in our group as well as at least two others is that to properly market rugby, USA Rugby may need to develop two tracks. A "commercial"track which will focus on promoting the best and most appropriate parts of our game (Men's National team, Super League, Collegiate Championships) which media and sponsors will embrace, and then a members services track which would include events that may not have marketing appeal (lower divisions) As part of the discussion, several groups put forth the suggestion that the number of national championships (currently 11) be reduced. As part of the discussion, it was asserted, that the television broadcasts of events actually hurt rugby's image if there are no spectators in the stands. A discussion was had to bring back "rugby in a box" where by local and regional events could be held with a consistent and appropriate USA Rugby presentation element. A discussion was had to promote rugby in a consistent and positive manner by having rugby presented as "USA Rugby" at local or regional celebrations, other sporting events, fairs and similar venues. Upshot is that public sees a consistent presentation of our positive sport. Downside is that there is no revenue generated.
Promotion. The inclusion of Rugby Seven's into the Olympics has generated a lot of buzz within the rugby community, but how is that going to get out to the public? After the top 5 sports, rugby is fighting for time with Hockey, major league soccer and boxing. To get the media's attention, we have to have a winning product. It was discussed that to have a winning product, we have to put "appropriate" energy into our products versus gender specific or strata specific "equal" energy. This may cause some factions of rugby to feel cheated. Suggested that at a national level, with limited funds, the best products have to be funded to a greater degree then a segment of the sport that may be best served at a local or regional level.
New Rugby Movie directed by Clint Eastwood about the 1995 South African World Cup team. How can USA Rugby capitalize on this high profile, top star quality production? Local and regionally there should be tie ins. What are they? All ideas are welcome. I am waiting on summary reports from the other 4 group leaders and will forward as I receive them. This process to design a 3-5 strategic plan really will be formed by every bodies input.
Please take the time to forward all ideas, comments and observations. We are still in the define problems stage. If you see problems in anything USA Rugby does, what are those problems? If you see something positive and would to see it continue, what is it? We are putting together a plan to guide USA Rugby for 3-5 years. It will include measurables and metrics. At the end of the day, it is our sport and needs our imput. The more the better.
Send your feedback to wirugby@aol.com. If you wish to discuss, send me your phone number and I'll call you Best Regards,
Tom Schmitt
Friday, November 13, 2009
Concussion Video
This is for everyone, players, coaches, trainers, parents, etc. Watch this video produced by the National Trainers Association. Good information and good tips. Watch it here
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