NYS High School Rugby

State-Based Organization Conference

January 26, 2008 Albany, NY

On January 26, 2008, stakeholders from around the State of New York gathered in Albany to open discussion of a State-Based Organization for High School Rugby. The conference was established by Mike Hodgins, President of NYS Rugby, a Local Area Union, which governs over 30 youth and high school clubs.

The day’s program and action agenda was led by Katie Wurst, Game Development Officer, of USA Rugby and was attended by approximately 25 coaches and administrators.

The group was led through a S.W.O.T. analysis. Attendees were broken into four groups, and were tasked with generating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, vision, benefits and barriers as they relate to the creating of a NYS SBO.

A vision statement was established as a result of the outcomes of the S.W.O.T. and tangible action items are in place.

S.W.O.T.

Strengths

• Cost to run program

• Any child can play / unique / fun

• Interest in the game

• Camaraderie / Sportsmanship

• Organization in place

• Game for everyone – all shapes and sizes

• Acceptance into worldwide fraternity for life

• Respect for the game develops character

• Women’s game – rules aren’t modified

• Participation-based – position for everyone

• Non-traditional athletes

• Gender / age equality (contact sport for girls)

• Not a one-off sport

• Large set of athletic skills needed / used

Weaknesses

• Image – Injuries / Behavior / Reputation

• Not an NCAA sport

• Not attracting best athletes

• Refs and Coaches - #s / Quality

• No state certification for coaches

• Lack of knowledge with outsiders

• Lack of respect in rugby community (for the game)

• Underfunded (training, coaches, transportation)

• Lack of facilities

• Lack of exposure

• Recruitments

• Organization

• Lack of ethnic diversity

• Lack of popularity

• Lack of scholarships (parent issue)

Opportunities

• Ability to play on National sides, scholarships, local star power

• Lower costs than other sports

• Ability to model after other existing sports

• Forward-looking, involved people

• Appeals to kids who fall between cracks

• Travel

• Novelty – easily marketed and appealing (coolness factor)

• Life-long sport / networking / alumni attachment

• Title IX / Gender Equity

• Unification / bonding of children and parents

• Growth in girls sports

• Fitness / Health awareness

• Life-long support

• Equality with other scholastic sports

Threats

• Existing sports losing players

• Image = Injuries

• Number of refs / coaches available

• Intense scrutiny when starting up

• Establishment of current sports (football, basketball, etc.)

• General misunderstanding of rugby (no pads, laws, etc.)

• Over-scheduled kids (how to work rugby into their schedule)

• Misrepresentation and/or lack of rugby in media

• AD thinks rugby is too much work to add

• No resources added to budget

• Backlash from other coaches / established (rugby as threat)

• Expansion rate

• Facilities

• Startup costs

• Additional sport to compete for athletes and administrative attention

• Time and space for practice / transportation

Goal Headlines

• NYS Rugby Adopts Rugby as Varsity Sport

• Mom – Why No Rugby in High School?

• NYS Rugby High School Championships Fill Carrier Dome

• NYS Rugby Championships Close NYS Thruway

• Rugby – The Team X Game

Benefits / Barriers

Benefits

• Structure

• Set rules / regulations

• Exposure to traditional athletes

• Parent involvement

• Ability to create revenue / vendor advantages

• Established connection between HS & Colleges

• Academic benefits for players – eligibility

• Easier to market game in SBO

• Better competitive structure – centralized scheduling / communications

• Localized development of refs and coaches

• One voice

• Pool resources

Barriers

• Geography

• Change

• Relinquishment of power

• Size of NYS – transportation

• Few club teams in NYS for support

• Population of school districts – combine districts to create teams

• Academic eligibility rules

• Internal connections inside schools

• Funding

• Cultural differences

• Clubs still in need

• Identity / Culture change

• Coaching requirements within school districts

• Certified (State) refs

Vision Statement

To provide the organization and standards necessary, establishing rugby as an educational, safe and competitive opportunity for young athletes throughout New York State while preserving its unique culture and history.

NYS Rugby – How Sports Should Be

Outcomes

• Created consensus with group

• Confirmed importance of organization meeting

• Established a need to clarify leaders and format

• Established need to create a strategic plan

• Develop a method to reach consensus on next meeting

• Receive documentation of meeting

Future Action Items

• Establish goals, create five-year plan

• Establish annual NYS Rugby High School conference – Jan. in Albany

• Establish leaders and format of organization

• Maintain communication

• Name the organization

• Establish structure / bylaws

• Timeline for implementation

• Liaison w/ existing Athletic structures

• Reach out to NYC and non-attendees

• Present to club sides

• Create database / specific High School website /

• Create infrastructure for promotion, sponsorship, fundraising, etc.