August 30, 2006
Goff on Rugby
August 30, 2006, New York – Play Rugby USA™, a grassroots youth rugby development program, today announced the launch of a new Web site, www.playrugbyusa.com, aimed at introducing this fast-paced international game to American youth, parents, educators, coaches and recreation leaders. In addition, the Web channel will be key in organizing, promoting and popularizing youth rugby at the same level as youth soccer.
The effort has been publicly touted by USA Rugby and appears to have acheived the national governing body's endorsement.
Designed by GlobalFluency, the online community will work to engage young players, track teams, educate coaches, shocase programs, and enlist the help of youth organizations, city recreation departments, summer camps and schools seeking to offer an exciting team building sports experience to inner-city and suburban teens.
The launch of www.playrugybuse.com coincides with Play Rugby USA beginning initiatives to grow its own programs which are currently based in New York City.
Started by USA and Old Blue hooker Mark Griffin, Play Rugby is designed to get more young kids playing the sport at a younger age. Griffin is also an elected member of USA Rugby’s Congress and a staff member of the Game Development Team.
Play Rugby USA will be offering two new curriculum and professional development packages to schools this fall, including "Give Rugby a Try" – a fun after-school based introduction to various rugby-themed games, and "RugEd – 1" a fun, fitness-themed curriculum for Physical Educators. Later in the year, these will be complemented by a "Team: Rugby" after-school curriculum and a new USA Rugby Physical Education Curriculum which Griffin is helping USA Rugby, develop along with an advisory group made up of five educational experts chosen by USA Rugby.
In addition, USA Rugby is ramping up a major marketing campaign to further develop the sport with funding from the International Rugby Board.
GSA Rugby and Play Rugby USA intend to continue working together on projects that make sense for the "development of youth through rugby" - Play Rugby USA's underlying philosophy that fits well with USA Rugby's desire to make rugby the "best experience in American sport".
"The site is an exciting development in Play Rugby USA's future,” said Griffin. "GlobalFluency did a fantastic job designing the site. It is easy to navigate, providing coaches, players & supporters their own dedicated pages, in addition to providing detailed information about Play Rugby, our programs and news, which will be of specific interest to educators and other organizations looking to partner or learn more about Play Rugby."
Play Rugby USA has ambitious plans for growth, aiming to become the "premium youth rugby program in America," said Griffin. It intends to do this by partnering with schools, educational organizations, CBOs and other youth rugby programs throughout the U.S., as it has began to do effectively in New York.
There's still plenty of work to do in New York, though.
"We have to get our ducks in order in New York first…the next 12 months will be key in proving the success of our educational-based urban rugby model as we scale it up. In the meantime, we're simply looking to establish contact and build relationships with other programs in the country."
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