United States Collegiate Rugby Association

COLLEGE RUGBY STRATEGY DRAFT
College Rugby Strategy - Executive Summary
Goal
	•	Invest in a Men's and Women's Collegiate Rugby Program that raises the quality, profile, and image of Rugby in America.
Objectives
	•	Create a governance model to support and drive Collegiate Rugby initiatives
	•	Review the current Collegiate Competition structure
	•	Establish 'best practice templates' that support the development of Collegiate Programs
	•	Increase Media and Broadcast exposure
	•	Increase the number of participants
	•	Support a high performance program and pathway
	•	Provide the necessary funds to support USA Rugby's College Program
Strategies and Plans
	•	Create a governance model to support and drive Collegiate Rugby initiatives
			о	Create a fulltime College Rugby Department to create, drive, and govern all aspects of College Rugby including competitions, eligibility, and strategic planning
			о	Employ a fulltime Director of College Rugby within USA Rugby to oversee all objectives, strategies, and execution
			о	Create a College Rugby Strategic Committee of College Coaches and Administrators to advise and guide the Director of College Rugby
			о	Assist in the formulation of a College Rugby Coaches Association
	•	Review the current Collegiate Competition structure
			о	Explore the creation of a new Division I competition
			о	Create a Uniform Calendar
			о	Base competition on the American Collegiate Sporting Model Terminology
			о	Explore playing all Division I, II, and III Men's and Women's Rugby in the late Spring Sports Calendar to capitalize on the gap in the Collegiate Sports Calendar, and build a uniform season
			о	Divide Collegiate Rugby into 3 groups: DI - Top Group/Best Practice; DII - Aspiring toward DI; DIII - Recreational
			о	Rename TU competitions to follow the American Sports Model Terminology
			о	Explore a uniform 7s competition based on a Tournament model with minimal requirements in the fall
	•	Establish 'best practice templates' that support the development of Collegiate Rugby programs
			о	College Varsity Model Blueprint: Create a 'Best Practice' Model and Guidebook for Collegiate Rugby Programs
			о	Best case practices to include: Medical, Strength and Conditioning, Facilities, PR, Campus Relations, Fundraising, Alumni Relations, etcetera, etcetera
			о	Create an Auditing Program for Collegiate Programs based on 'Best Practice' Model to be used in the formation and growth of Elite Competitions
	•	Increase Media and Broadcasting exposure
			о	Continue to Market Collegiate Rugby and solicit future sponsorship through broadcast opportunities, i.e., NG Games of the Week and Collegiate Championships
			о	Design a new Division I Competition Model to be implemented in 2011 that will be attractive to sponsors and broadcasting partners
			о	Produce a marketing presentation that specifically targets Collegiate Sponsorship opportunities
			о	Increase media exposure for the Collegiate Game
	•	Promote the Women's NCAA Initiative
			о	2010: Pursue enough Women's Varsity Programs to ensure we remain on the Emerging Sports list
			о	2011: Build a new Division I Women's Competition of 30 to 40 Clubs/Teams (the NCAA policy of program numbers is 40 to become a NCAA sport), or programs interested in pursuing a Varsity Model to begin a framework for the NCAA
	•	Increase the number of participants
			о	Through increased exposure and growth of standards attract more athletes to the game
			о	Encourage high school players to continue playing Rugby, as they matriculate to college, through Marketing and Recruitment Programs
			о	Create and promote a Rugby 7s Touch Program as an Intramural Sport
	•	Support a 'High Performance' Program and pathway
			о	Fully fund and support the All American Program through USA Rugby's High Performance Program
			о	Use the All American Program to promote the All American 'Brand' on College Campus', and develop players and coaches
			о	Support the Elite Referee department to recruit and develop Collegiate Specific Referees
	•	Provide the necessary funds to support USA Rugby's College Program
			о	Allocate financing for all of the following:
					▪	A fulltime Director of College Rugby
					▪	An All American Program
					▪	The Marketing of Collegiate Rugby support from USA Rugby's Marketing and Events Departments
					▪	Competition Costs for potential revenue generating competition
					▪	Support the Women's NCAA Initiative

For questions, and/or to become a part of the United State Collegiate Rugby Association in any way please send a message to: John McNamara