There are two very different ways to view American International Media's ponying up to support the Collegiate All-Americans, which depart today for a three-game trip to South Africa.
The sponsorship is eminently sensible for the owner of the USA 7s, in that the 7s Eagles have made effective use of the collegiate all-stars and South Africa also hosts a World Sevens Series event. Still, it's far-sighted and even generous move for a business that is presently relocating to Las Vegas from San Diego.
For Boulder, the last-minute announcement raises searching questions about the here and now of fundraising and budgeting.
One of the chief objectives of 2006's reconstituting the board of directors was to bring 'rainmakers' into the game. Yet USARFU's principal commercial sponsors of the past three years, the National Guard pact, originated with a rugby man whose daughter plays. And when the All-American team needed cash for an annual trip, it reverted to pre-2006 techniques like hitting up senior clubs and asking students to stump up funds, before AIM stepped in.
The larger issue is how a union whose budget has grown due dues increases and International Rugby Board development grants could allow the situation to arise? Collegians comprise more than one-third of USARFU dues payers, creating something of an obligation to fund the team.
And save for Peter Thorburn's and Scott Johnson's squads, past All-Americans have comprised the plurality of Eagles. The pathway to the 7s Eagles has been still more pronounced.
But the Americas Rugby Championship rules out student players because it's scheduled for the start of the school year, raising further doubts about the union's commitment to the All-Americans.
Alex Magleby's squad departs from Denver, where the Under-20 and High School All-Americans also trained this past weekend.
In response to a recent post observing that 'youth and college segments ... are growing no faster than the start of the decade', Ed Hagerty wrote to point out that the high school segment has added 254 clubs since 2004 -- a robust growth rate of 46 percent.
I was referring to USARFU registrants (CIPP dues payers), not clubs, but the discrepancy suggests that either established clubs are decreasing in overall size as players fan out, or many high school (and Under 19) players are not registering with Boulder. That would suggest little value is perceived in Boulder's services.
San Francisco Golden Gate appears to be leading the national marketing of the club 7s championship, based on an email that circulated last week.
Typically the venue manager (host) has been responsible for local marketing, and USARFU handled national (including membership) promotion. But last year the union scheduled a 15s match against a French club side on the same weekend, and in the wake of several resignation, this season finds Boulder without a marketing or a competitions manager.
An Eagles 7s team competing in the World Games finished fifth of eight entrants in the multi-sport competition, 2-4 on the weekend.
Won by Fiji, the Taiwan event is something like the Pan-American Games, where rugby will debut in 2010 and the US will be expected to contend with Argentina and Canada for the title.
2009 All-Americans to South Africa
Forwards: Eric Barrett (Central Michigan), Paul Bester (Life), Joey Brown (Mesa College), Cameron Dolan (Life), Roland Evans (Arkansas State), Mike George (Wyoming), Richard Herbert (Cal Poly), Tom Katzfey (St. Norbert), Eddie McKenna (Cal State-Dominguez Hills), Chris Parker, Chris (Texas A&M), Tommy Pasque (Colorado), Brenden Purcell (San Diego State), Casey Rock (Metro State), Ross Silverman(UC - Santa Barbara), Steve St. Pierre (Brigham Young), Mike Su'a (Brigham Young), Nardus Wessels (Arkansas State)
Backs: Chad Clark (St Mary’s), Keegan Engelbrecht (UC - Berkeley), Kyle Grossheider (Life), Ryan Harris (UC - Berkeley), Colin Hawley (UC - Berkeley), Duncan Kelm (San Diego State), Hunter Leland (Texas A&M), Dylan Lubbe (Brigham Young), Benny Mateialona (Life), Aaron McMaster (Life), Dustin Muhn (UC - Berkeley), Brendan O'Meara (St Mary’s), Alex Ross (San Diego State), Blaine Scully (UC - Berkeley), Peter Tiberia (Arizona)
United States 7s to World Games
Marco Barnard (Kutztown Univ.), Corey Blair (Belmont Shore), Tai Enosa (Tempe Old Devils), Colin Hawley (Univ. of California), PJ Komongnan (NOVA), Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore), Jone Naqica (San Francisco Golden Gate), Thretton Palamo (captain, San Francisco Golden Gate), Leonard Peters (Aspen), Jason Pye (Gentlemen of Aspen), Blaine Scully (Univ. of California), Steve St. Pierre (Brigham Young Univ.)
USARFU has turned into the saddest of organizations.
The BOD is living a lie. A lie of performance and character.
Half the Congress is unwilling to even say they want more information to better do their jobs. Preferring to be in the "Club" over representing the membership.
The national office is led by a $275k CEO who has accomplished next to nothing, while displaying dismal leadership.
Thank goodness for those Congress members (the letter signers) willing to stand up for the membership and for Jon Prusmack's continued generosity and leadership.
Posted by: Thanks Jon | 27 July 2009 at 11:53
This isn't really a sponsorship, it is a bailout. As much as the South Africa tour is a great experience, the very best of the AA side should be in the IRANZ players program that starts today in Glendale. That would be progress to developing future Eagles.
Posted by: Beagles | 27 July 2009 at 12:34
Return of NA4 mindset: With the announcement of the RWCQ matches with Uruguay announced for Nov 14 and 21 EOS said the following in an ARN interview, “I’d be the first to admit we were hitting the ground running in the spring when I got here and I’m sure there are a few bodies out there I’ve missed that could’ve helped us, but you know, it is what it is and I’d like to maybe use that to look down the chart."
Looks like the ARC is going to be a couple warm up matches for Eagles, and not a true development side. Meanwhile the Canadians have 4 teams based on provincial territories. The USA is falling behind our neighbors to the north again. Looks like the dream of having a team capable of competing for a quarterfinal spot in the 2011 WC is more likely to come true up north rather than in the good old USA.
Posted by: Canuk | 27 July 2009 at 13:06
SORRY WRONG QUOTE - DAMN CUT & PASTE!
Here is the quote I wanted:
Head coach Eddie O’Sullivan says because the RWCQ matches have been scheduled when a lot of domestic players will be out of season, the US will need to use the new Americas Rugby Championship in October as a preparation for the Uruguay series and that will color his thinking in terms of selections.
Posted by: Canuk | 27 July 2009 at 13:08
HS All Americans training in Denver? Where is that player pathway posted?
Posted by: Doug Neubauer | 27 July 2009 at 13:19
Hmmmmm...a rugby-specific facility with two IRB sized pitches built in the USA, and the All American rugby team funded by a private American entity.
Again, shining examples of American individualism rising to the top.
The Euro mindset of living off some bureaucratic entity fails here in the USA.
We never grew up on the DOLE!
Please, let's take back USA Rugby.
Posted by: Bootstrap | 27 July 2009 at 13:52
By now near everyone knows USA Rugby needs some big changes in leadership.
Kevin Roberts, and his Board need to be relieved of their duties. Nigel Melville needs to be thanked and relieved as well.
Jon Prusmack should be asked to be the Chairman of USA Rugby. A small Board should be populated with rugby and business bright individuals, all with experience in US sports-business.
The Congress should be assigned an important role. We need every committed rugby savvy person we can find.
The CEO and entire national office need a rethink. We need a small group working on the commercial end, another small group working on the rugby technical end and still another working on the administrative rugby services end.
No more than a dozen employees, all rugby gifted, all committed to US rugby. The dirty dozen!
Nobody should be making the amount of compensation that Melville and O'Sullivan are making, $525k between them.
The Eagles coach should be responsible for working on domestic matters would not on the Eagles.
The CEO would never again be away coaching the All Americans while we are struggling with money problems, he will be doing his primary job as CEO. Amateur hour needs to be over!
Board members need to create commercial relationships. Bring resources to the organization.
It is my guess that this will be the plan laid out at the BOD-Congress meeting in Texas. Here's the trouble, its four years late and these are the wrong individuals to execute the plan.
What's really required is new people, new thinking and a new payroll.
Posted by: change required | 28 July 2009 at 08:29
I'm very disappointed the AA tour came to this last minute begging to AIM. This group, AIM, is already doing the hard yards for US rugby with their thankless work hosting the world to America for the Sevens, now they pay for a college rugby tour so the players won't have to!
USAR taxes these college teams as individuals and as teams. USAR requires college teams to cover 100% of their expenses to USAR events, while USAR keeps the commercial rights for their own purposes. USAR provides zero benefit to college rugby by way of services and still can't pay for a single tour. BTW, 75% of the college teams don't need to third party insurance. USAR demands its purchased to subsidize the clubs and their need for public park insurance.
USAR reaps millions from college rugby but can't invest a few thousand back into the college level because they have mismanaged their resources with an Eagle centric approach and high priced salaries.
Nigel Melville and Eddie O'Sullivan could have paid for that tour with 5% of their over inflated salaries.
Instead they were happy to have the boys pay until AIM couldn't take it anymore and stepped in.
Posted by: shame on USAR | 28 July 2009 at 09:40
Knock knock,
Who’s there?
Carriers.
Carriers Who?
Hardwired Carriers
Posted by: Irish Electrician | 28 July 2009 at 17:08
Hooray for Kutztown's Marco Barnard.
Gainline made IronPigPen today because Mike Cervenak rocks and the University of Michigan Rugby Football Club apparently just blatantly copies all your stuff.
That, and former LAS VEGAS 51er Terry Tiffee drove in 50% of our winning run total today, as well. Is Tiffee commenting on the big move with his recent play? IronPigs inquiring minds want to know.
Oh, yeah, we started our former Salt Lake Bee reliever today because Carlos Carrasco is overrated and the Indians were foolish enough to take him this morning in the big blockbuster deal before the noon start at the Park.
Your masterful "Operation Sprinkler" at PNC Field was a smash hit (or a dismal failure if you are the stadium operator in Moosic). Can you arrange us a Manchurian Candidate to drive the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Bus anytime soon?
Posted by: rugby is fun | 29 July 2009 at 23:09
The answer EOS gave on the podcast about using Clever as a back because we need more carriers, was as effective as throwing water at an electrical fire.
With a couple of weeks to think about it EOS “carriers” explanation was more laughable, than plausible.
Does that mean that in the Tests against Uruguay we’re likely to see a forward replacement run on if a back pulls a hamstring or rolls an ankle, because we need more carriers.
Perhaps in a coaching masterstroke, one of the backs will get pulled after 50-60 minutes and replaced by a forward as a tactical substitution, because we need more carriers.
Better still, just start Clever at 13 from the start, because we need more carriers.
If you want backs who are good carriers then consider putting Sika or Tuilevuka in the gameday 22.
There is a short circuit in the hard wiring that led to system meltdown.
Posted by: Irish Electrician | 30 July 2009 at 14:08
EOS = Overrated.
I have a lot of friends in Ireland who had a lot of exposure to EOS and his coaching decisions and techniques. The word is that he is a little bit questionable with decisions. Word is that his mid-week full-on scrimmages during the 07 RWC fatigued the team and caused tons of divisions. It cost him his job.
Posted by: Leperchan Loon | 30 July 2009 at 22:24
EOS is a good coach. The only question is, does USAR need a $250,000 coach?
What will EOS do that a $100,000 coach won't?
Kevin Roberts' Board has elected a top down, win international matches at all cost plan for USAR.
The fact we are winning less internationally while developing our domestic rugby less, is proof this top down plan doesn't work.
USAR should scale their compensation with the size and current potential of our rugby union. The fact the Eagles coach makes twice what a Super 14 coach makes is outrageous.
If this BOD invested the resources spent on the Eagles into domestic rugby we could over time develop a rugby union capable of lasting success. As is, this administration will leave US rugby far worse than they found it.
None of this is EOS' fault. USAR is in a crisis of leadership, from the Chairman through the CEO.
If significant changes don't occur at the BOD-Congress meeting this month, US rugby will be screwed for a third RWC cycle.
Posted by: not EOS' fault | 31 July 2009 at 08:53
I concur with the assessment blogged above. It isn't EO'S fault that he makes so much money, get what you can get. Same goes from Melville, if you can get 275K from the Americans, take it.
Now, with that said, it is ridiculous that these two guys are making this kind of money. Simply put, we can not afford it. As the above blogger says, what are these fellows doing in their jobs that others could not do for half of the dollar amounts?
I guess our leaders, who are the world's biggest jock sniffers, feel better paying top dollar for average work. Who can afford that ? Not USARFU.
Posted by: Economics Major | 31 July 2009 at 09:37
The AA's beat the 4th team side from Stellenbosch.
This is along way from the Mattie's (the 1st string) but a good victory (aren't all victories good).
It was also announced that their match with Argentina Universities has been canceled. They will now play a student side, which is like an inter-mural team of players who don't play for Stellenbosch. This is a shame. It sounds like they will play in DC Stadium, which is good, but its too bad they lost a quality match.
Posted by: AA's | 31 July 2009 at 10:18
If you are living on the Emerald Island and part of the IRFU, you think very little of EOS and are pleased he is far away. Long known to be politically savvy, which overshadowed his coaching abilities. You can keep him!
Posted by: Gratful Mick | 31 July 2009 at 10:46
Correction to AA: The AA's will be playing the South Africa Students twice in one week...the best players from the FNB Varsity Cup. These are players who are on the Stellenbosch Maties side, UCT and other top flight university sides in South Africa. This is a huge honor for the boys and I hope all of USA Rugby gets behind these players. Thanks!
Posted by: Kimball Kjar | 31 July 2009 at 14:38
Visit www.varsitycup.co.za for more details on the Varsity Cup competition and the South Africa Students team.
Thanks!
Posted by: Kimball Kjar | 31 July 2009 at 14:44
Did we just send the AAs all the way to South Africa to play a bunch of underclassmen that have no professional rugby ambitions? If true, what a wast of money when they call could have been at the IRANZ courses in Glendale.
Posted by: Beagles | 31 July 2009 at 17:22
Johannesburg have a Coca-Cola Park (formerly Ellis Park Stadium)
The REAL Coca-Cola Park is not in South Africa, however.
Yesterday was CELTIC NIGHT at the real Park. Today we learn the surname TRACY (as in first baseman Andy) is derived from the Irish word TREASACH, which means "war-like" or "fighter"
We are so cultural, we should be regulated to make it fair for everyone...
Posted by: Headquarters East | 31 July 2009 at 23:32
Do you have a point HQ, or are you just some A-hole with no opinion. Get off the pot if you can't type....U_jackass.
Posted by: Philly Phist N UR Face | 01 August 2009 at 09:31
If you were coach and needed an injury replacement and because of budget restraints you only Nigel, Kevin, and Eddie, as replacements against Uruguay?
Where would you hide these guys so they couldn't hurt their teams on the field?
What if you were a man down?
Posted by: Mr. Hide | 01 August 2009 at 09:48
Kimball,
What are you talking about. The AA didn't play the Maties or the UCT top team.
I'm sure its a wonderful trip and the team is happy to win, but lets not over state our competition.
Posted by: WTF | 01 August 2009 at 09:52
Grey College 1st XV (a top high school in SA) would probably beat the AA.
Grey would definitely beat a Matie 4th side.
But what an excellent adventure for these AA guys - just soak it up, and enjoy yourself.
Posted by: skinner | 01 August 2009 at 11:15
wtf,
what are you talking about?
http://www.americanrugbynews.com/artman/publish/international/SA_Uni_side_named.shtml
the AA's are playing against a side of players from the Maties and UCT. Don't be little anyone when your head is up your ass.
Posted by: Sebastian | 03 August 2009 at 07:14
Sebastian,
I think the conversation was about who the AA's played in their first match, no Maties from Stellenbosch in that match.
Now the AA's will earn their corn in a two match series against SA Students.
Not to belittle but these matches will be a blow out.
Posted by: easy, down boy | 03 August 2009 at 07:54
Who cares.
Things are good.
It seems that all corners are represented with this batch.
Are the wet blanket days finally over?
Posted by: puffed pastry police | 03 August 2009 at 17:23
Reality will hit the AAs this Wednesday and Saturday. They are going to get a hiding.
Posted by: AA = Anal Assault | 03 August 2009 at 23:15
WTF is a "wet blanket"? You use that term in every post. Is this a west coast secret code???
Posted by: dry blanket | 04 August 2009 at 04:27
WTF dude, not from the left coast.
Posted by: wtf | 04 August 2009 at 08:22
AA's pumped! point a minute for SA students, one try for AA's.
Posted by: aa | 05 August 2009 at 14:23
I hope the AA's take the time to study the game tape and learn from being beaten by a better team.
All those SA students have been playing since age 5 - and they were chosen from a vast pool of talent.
Posted by: skinner | 05 August 2009 at 18:40
Schooled. Waste of money to send them to SA.
Posted by: Sagger | 06 August 2009 at 01:25
"Schooled. Waste of money to send them to SA."
A waste of money? Yet another negative opinion with nothing else of value to say.
How else are these kids going to learn about what it takes to be a top class rugby player? Anybody that thought that the results would be any different is delusional. That doesn't mean the tour is a waste of money.
This is a great educational experience for some of our best young rugby players. These kids will take away a lot from this experience and grow as rugby players.
With time the results will start to come. These young rugby men are pioneers and are leading the way to better things in the years to come.
All credit to them - good luck with the rematch on Saturday.
Posted by: yet another brilliant observation | 06 August 2009 at 06:33
Great experience for the players and for the 8 (EIGHT) coaches, but how many of these players grade as international caliber athletes?
Could we have found a home based team to spank these kids by 50 instead?
Are we still trying to create international caliber athletes from pine riding High School Varsity athletes?
The ARN blabcast guest had it right, more home games for everyone. Extend the season beyond St. Paddy's day, a two month playoff chase is stupid.
Posted by: Spring sport advocate | 06 August 2009 at 07:38
We could have put the top 15 players through the IRANZ course for the same cost or less.
Weeks of training under impressive coaches verse Mags and his crew.
The IRANZ coaches must have been surprised when our best young players were leaving on tour just as their course began. Once again the Melville leadership is apparent. USAR fully endorses IRANZ, maybe because Kevin Roberts is on the IRANZ Board, but then sends our best young players on tour! Well USAR kinda sent them on tour, without any funding.
When does US rugby start getting a smart days work from the $275,000 CEO? I see on his personal blog that Melville was giving some coaching sessions at the recent USAR coaches clinic.
Memo to USAR CEO Nigel Melville, US rugby needs a fricken CEO. Start organizing, raising some sponsorships, respond to the Congress, get some planning documents in place, provide some leadership...and stop with the bullshit report card, with the ever changing goal posts. WE ARE ON TO YOU!
Posted by: Tea Party | 06 August 2009 at 08:05
Teabagger, et al, I think the term is "penny-wise, pound foolish".
You actually think that two weeks at an IRANZ camp (for a price probably exceeding what it costs to send a player to SA), is money better spent then a tour to SA?
These are our best & brightest up and coming players, and you want to send them to a freakin' skills camp instead of a tour to play high-quality opposition? These guys need more miles on the clock playing high-quality games, regardless of the outcome, not more skills drills.
Spring Sport, by my count there are three either 7's or 15's men's Eagles on the AA squad - - not a bunch of "wet blankets", as you like to call them...
As for the coaches, there are five. But I'll humor you -- even if there were eight, like the players, these are the country's best up and coming American coaches. You complain about the "foreigners" taking over, yet you're opposed to top young American coaches getting tremendous experience? Wow.
While I'm not enamored with the current administration, I'm glad you guys aren't in charge.
Posted by: Da Truth | 06 August 2009 at 20:15
Trufe,
I am glad you are in charge.
I wouldn't be bothered, too many dopes and bullies in rugby.
And why I coach another sport.
Finest regards,
former gainline regular
Posted by: chased another one away | 07 August 2009 at 00:26
South Africa has the best university sides in the world - they use the college system in the same way as the rest of the major powers in rugby use the club system. Its different, but works for them.
I personally don't see any good coming out of making a trip like this. The best collegiate players in America getting a 70 pointer put on them does nothing for our game.
Planning for the AA Tour next year should be taking place now, not at the last minute, scrambling to find sponsors and matches. This result is a direct consequence of poor planning from USA Rugby. The AA tour is an integral part of US rugby tradition and should be as important as any other event.
Within a couple of weeks, a manager could be appointed who gets the wheels rolling. It could be paid for by taking a drastically cut staff on tour. 8 members of staff smacks of overkill and is expensive. You need just a Head Coach, an assistant, a Doctor/Physio and the tour manager.
The AA Tour is a great idea but the guys out in South Africa are being let down by USA Rugby.
Posted by: AR | 07 August 2009 at 07:47
AR,
In the AA loss this week giving up 70, USA Rugby located in Boulder CO didn't miss a tackle, drop a ball, or fail to cover across on defense.
Just because you've been using the product for 3 months now and still can't go swimming, play tennis or ride a bike is not the manufacturers’ problem.
Posted by: RA | 07 August 2009 at 12:54
AR-
I don't disagree that there was poor planning/funding/etc. on the part of USA Rugby. But, given the number of players in the squad, and the development goal of the tour, I do think you need more than a head coach and an assistant.
Although nobody wants to take a 70 point hiding, if the coaches do their jobs, they'll still be better for the experience. You don't find out what it takes to be your best by playing inferior competition.
Just as they'll be better for the experience of playing at Newlands today. You get thrown into a cauldron like that, and you either crumble or you thrive and survive. The survivors will likely go on to higher achievements, and the crumblers will fade away (and still may be good college & club players).
Additionally, if they learn from their mistakes this week, and perform better today, then that's growth.
And that's what this tour is all about, isn't it?
Posted by: Da Truth | 08 August 2009 at 06:04
RA - Development yes, paid jolly No!
IMO there is no need for a Strength and Conditioning coach and a development coach on a short tour.
The costs on this trip should be for player development.
Posted by: AR | 08 August 2009 at 06:13
There were more than 8.
Posted by: grassy knoll | 08 August 2009 at 09:09
I guess the kids were tested by the S&C over there?
What are the definitive tests for potential internationals?
Posted by: jumping jacks and push ups | 08 August 2009 at 09:16
Is Kurt still with us?
Posted by: Pete Murray | 09 August 2009 at 13:58
The AA tour of SA is a fair reflection of US rugby's true rank.
We are no where near the top teams at any level. This should surprise no one.
What is also clear is this all foreign leadership group isn't getting us any closer. We are more depended on IRB welfare than ever before. A private party had to step in to pay for the AA to tour.
Our playing performances and results across national teams is in decline.
All this and we aren't building anything for the future because there is no plan to do so.
Congress is the only body that can put an end to this.
A new plan is required. A plan to build rugby into the American sporting experience at the high school and college level. We are 50-70 points behind where we need to be at these levels. Focusing on the Eagles with a budget in the millions, with a total coaching payroll of $400,000 is insane.
We can close the gap at the school boy and uni level with some focus. We need more of our best athletes paying the sport, with better coaching and more resources.
We can create an American plan for America's success in rugby. Get rid of the foreign short term mindset. Get rid of this senior Eagles centric plan.
Get some American sporting voices and experience on the Board and on Congress. Get a CEO experienced in being a CEO and experienced in US sport.
This administration has wasted millions racing backwards. They were given a chance. They were given more free IRB money than any administration in USAR's history. They have failed every test. They have lied. They move the goal post at every opportunity to hide their failures. Their reports are membership marketing documents.
Four years is too long. Change direction now.
Posted by: no surprise | 10 August 2009 at 10:24
The IRB has reported that Rugby 7's has been included as one of two sports for inclusion in the Summer Olympics.
This still needs to be approved fully by the IOC at a meeting in Copenhagen in October.
This could have a huge impact on the game in the US, if it's handled in the right way.
Posted by: Webb Ellis | 13 August 2009 at 07:26
My excitement is only tempered by the realization of our American rugby leadership.
This administration has wasted millions in IRB grants over the last four years.
We are about to receive the biggest rugby gift of our lifetime and we have the wrong people driving the bus.
Please Congress take back some control over our collective future!
We cannot keep wasting these opportunities.
Posted by: Please | 13 August 2009 at 08:47
Please, I think you're right on it.
This could be an amazing opportunity for the game in this country (regardless of whether you value 7s or not).
But, it will need to be handled correctly, strategically, and with a significant PR & promotional emphasis. And I'm not sure that USA Rugby is the group to handle such an important job.
For one, their marketing & communications operation stinks... They need to upgrade to a more professional, experienced outfit, pronto.
I wonder how much influence the USOC will being to bear on USA Rugby? Perhaps they insist on a change in leadership.... eh?
Posted by: DaTruth | 13 August 2009 at 10:03
Should we submit an APB for one Mister Kurt Oler? Where are yee Kurt?
Posted by: Side of a milk Carton | 13 August 2009 at 10:12
No kidding... he must have some paid work to do!!!
Posted by: DaTruth | 13 August 2009 at 10:17
Don't worry mates I'm sure this group of foreign wanna bees will pull it off...NOT!!!
Here is a good indication. The USA is down to one senior development team, while Canada has four senior rep teams of players and coaches.
While the USA team still can't even tell you how the team will be selected and has no announced plans of any type.
The Canadian teams are starting to play matches with teams that have an average age of 24.
So if you have a brain and are following the action.
Canada and the USA get the same amount of funding from the IRB.
Canada has already qualified for the RWC by defeating USA, even though the USAR leadership has had an Eagle centric approach.
Canada funds four senior development teams, comprised of roughly 100 young and up and coming players.
While USAR is out of money and elects for only one team.
The damage this administration will have done to USA rugby by the time they depart will have set American rugby back two or three World cup cycles.
Posted by: Stop this madness | 13 August 2009 at 10:52
Lets be honest. Beside the boost in training and funding from the USOC and the training center, the biggest impact will be felt in sport credibility at the high school and college level.
Now, who in their right mind would think this foreign administration could capitalize on this very American opportunity?
This is the group that believes college students should play in the high school competition. That doesn't fund the AA's. They couldn't find the varsity system with a road map.
Posted by: my take | 13 August 2009 at 11:05
It's our rugby union. We need to take the friggen thing back.
I say EVERYONE write to your LAU, TU and Congress members. Tell them we're not paying any more CIPP dues, We're not going to compete in any more USAR matrix competitions, until this pack of assholes resign.
Revolt against the oppression.
A general vote of no confidence needs to be done. Now!!!!!!
Posted by: Bridge for Sale | 13 August 2009 at 11:43
NM will blog any day now, how he worked to make this all happen.
Roberts will see this as the save of his administration which has failed to raise anything but dues.
Posted by: anon | 13 August 2009 at 12:03
7's in the Olympics is still one big yawn for American Rugby.
This leadership is on autopilot, but will not stop them from announcing a "massive plan" in the works.
Months before elections, another "huge potential sponsor" to leverage themselves another term.
They will tie a full windsor that could potentially leave the Union bankrupted if untied.
What do you want to see in 2016?
A group of 2nd rate foreigners doing the Star Spangled Lip Sync at the 2016 opening ceremony,
Or some athletes running roughshod over 3rd World countries.
The future participants are teenagers right now. What are we going to do about it? Does our leadership have the verve to compete in 2016?
Posted by: 4 more years! | 13 August 2009 at 20:01
How many foreigners play for the USA on the Handball Olympic team?
Yes, Handball. An Olympic sport for a long time.
Does anyone follow Handball in America?
Ponder, ponder...
Posted by: Skinner | 14 August 2009 at 08:30
Perhaps we should look at how USA Team Handball runs their operation and ask for some help.
A European sport, and the USA has been going to the Olympics since 1936.
They are only an hour by plane from NM, in Salt Lake City.
Nice website http://handball.teamusa.org/
Posted by: Skinner | 14 August 2009 at 08:42
Guys,
Handball, come on, focus - no medals, no tv, no school handball - hs or college etc. we are miles ahead of handball, we have just been handed a huge life line, point is do we look at it like handball or look at it like we now run past lacrosse as they are NCAA but never will be in the Olympics. Lacrosse has made themselves part of the American culture Nationally - yes it is a "native" American sport, but USA Lacrosse came together in 1998, that's right 1998 - no real international prospects so they do what all other sports in the US do, they focus on HS!
When you think mediocre you are mediocre, the question for this administration is not what you are doing, but what you have not done and more importantly how well you have done what you are currently doing.
Remember these are the people that have no business plan...again f##%#ck handball, that is European and foreign, just like the jokers in charge!
Posted by: f$%^ck Handball | 14 August 2009 at 10:16
Handball? Let's see. Many, many Americans watch the summer Olympics, right? Check.
Many, many American's watch Olympic sports, which they'd otherwise never watch, right? (Don't tell me that the average sports fan regularly tunes in to swimming or track & field, but most of us did last summer).
As far as I'm aware, 7's would be the only team contact sport. Check.
American's love action-packed, hard-hitting contact sports, like rugby 7's, right? Check.
How do you think, in terms of entertainment and American viewer interest, does 7's stack up to these sports:
Aquatics
Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Boxing
Canoe / kayak
Cycling
Equestrian
Fencing
Football
Gymnastics
Handball
Hockey
Judo
Modern pentathlon
Rowing
Sailing
Shooting
Table tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Triathlon
Volleyball
Weightlifting
Wrestling
Sure, there's basketball, but a well-presented 7's competition should compete very well for American eyeballs.
The first step is exposure, then interest, then participation. Now we're growing the interest and player base, as youngsters aspire to compete in the Olympics.
This will "inspire America to fall in love with rugby" more than anything USA Rugby could ever do.
Let's be clear - it's a great opportunity, not a guarantee. Do I think that USA Rugby could screw it up royally? To quote that old sage Sarah Palin... "you betcha!"
Also, as far as having 2nd rate foreigners playing for us in 2016? Who cares? The audience wouldn't know an Eagle from beagle or Dan Carter from Nell Carter. But if the opportunity is seized, the next crop of 7's Olympians will be kids in grade school right now -- and that's where we want to be, right?
Posted by: DaTruth | 14 August 2009 at 10:40
Team Handball is a bizarre comparison.
But I did go to their web site.
1000% better than our $275k CEO and marketing czar Chairman have come up with in four years time.
NM and KR should be fired on the USAR website alone.
Posted by: www.losers.com | 14 August 2009 at 14:37
The truth is, USA will always have difficulty qualifying with 2nd rate foreigners (playing, coaching, etc).
I hope we are not waiting for exposure to simply just happen.
The Olympic 7's is great, if you are qualified to play in the games.
Should our board push another homosexual viral video, Olympic 7's campaign?
Posted by: the real truth | 14 August 2009 at 14:39
losers, I agree with you 100% on the web site. Freakin' awful.
Posted by: Da Truth | 14 August 2009 at 19:45
Well what is it thats keeping these pricks employed then?
HQ is a wreck. Sponsorships suck. No planning and follow up. National team performance down. Moral down. Frustration up. Dues up. Welfare status up.
WTF, people. Show these pricks the door, before they punt the Olympic opportunity to lacrosse.
Posted by: wrt | 15 August 2009 at 10:58
How about this for a Nigel Melville, Kevin Roberts going away present.
Remember the deal they did with the whacked out guy who wants to mix Sevens with gaming while marketing the sport as a violent, dangerous sport played by criminals?
Well this guy(group) has most of the commercial rights to Sevens. All of the TV rights for example to pro Sevens and domestic Sevens.
ANYTHING USAR SANCTIONS, EXCEPT THE USA SEVENS IRB STOP, THIS GROUP OWNS.
The shit-fight is only just beginning.
Congress hear this loud and clear!!! Ask to see and review the whole contract between USAR and this entity ASAP!
The biggest break in the history of US rugby is being fu*ked because of this Melville, Roberts contract.
The USOC will want the NGB of rugby, (USAR) to build a real domestic sevens platform to service the growth of the new Olympic sport, and Melville and Roberts have already sold the fu*king thing to a madman tied to gaming. How about that for some Olympic spirit.
CONGRESS ASK TO SEE THE CONTRACT ASAP!
Don't be surprised when they say, you can't see the contract, because they have sold for low six figures the biggest opportunity of US rugby's history for next to nothing. People desperate for money do desperate things.
This was allowed to happen because there was no Congress oversight, these foreign boys knew everything. Nobody was allowed to ask questions.
START ASKING QUESTIONS NOW!
Posted by: Congress Alert! | 15 August 2009 at 11:23
I think Doug Arnot did the original agreement between Bill Tatahm and USAR. Tatham is now called Barbarian Sports.
Melville and USAR lawyer and vice chairman Bob Latham renewed and expanded the scope of the agreement.
In USAR's own release they refer to Tatham as having acquired exclusive rights to all rugby sevens in the US.
Anything that USAR sanctions in sevens is owned by Tatham.
When the USOC finds out they are going to have a legal battle on their hands we're screwed.
The USAR release says Tatham owns all rights; sanctioning, licensing and broadcasting.
This looks far worse than the Arnot give away. Melville, Roberts and Latham have really screwed American rugby.
The old San Diego USA Sevens, now LV Sevens is cut out of the agreement. The run of the mill sevens tourney (like Cape Fear etc) aren't a worry, because USAR doesn't officially sanction them.
But the USOC is going to want to see our high schools and colleges playing in officially sanctioned competitions, along elite with teams. The fact is a private investor owns all rights to any official sevens played in the US.
What a horrible mistake. This is what happens when foreigners without experience in the lay of the land and without checks and balances are in charge.
Shouldn't somebody within the organization have put their hand up and said what the hell are we doing. How could Bob Latham be the USAR rep to the USOC and think selling the rights to Sevens was a good idea?
I remember seeing a release Tatham put out concerning a new company of his called the National Collegiate Rugby Association, based in Las Vegas (great town for college credibility). This company was going to run the college sevens rugby rights he purchased from USAR.
There is no telling how deep this goes. The greatest day in the history of US rugby was sold out from under us.
Posted by: oh my | 15 August 2009 at 14:03
Maybe USA Rugby can next partner with the porn industry?
Extended half-time, new use for scoreboards and "touch" judges. This is a no-brainer for the likes of Roberts, Latham, and Melville.
Would certainly free up dues money to invest in the grassroots instead of re-painting the ceiling over and over again?
Congress, it is idiocy to continue down this road. Time to give the leadership a taste of their own medicine.
Give our leadership a temporary Nevada ranch address and make these scarlet L's earn back what they have lost.
Appoint a strong pimp hand.
Give him/her a top hat, cane, chartruesse suit and put these guys to work.
Posted by: Hangover | 15 August 2009 at 14:34
July 21, 2008 - "...Tatham had the concept nailed, but didn’t have a sport. He thought of making one up, but he found the answer when he attended a Rugby 7s tournament in Long Beach a few years ago.
Rugby 7s is a shorter variation on a standard rugby game. With seven players per side and two seven minute halves, the play is faster but just as brutal as the original. The athletes tackle each other like American football players, but without the pads.
“I was there for four hours and didn’t even realize it,” he said.
He paid a seven-figure sum to acquire exclusive sanctioning rights for Rugby 7s in the United States. This means no one but him can own and operate such a league affiliated with the USA Rugby organization. This means he can attract the top players in the world to his league. And anyone else seeking to co-opt with the league would have to go through him first.
Tatham’s American Rugby Football League (RFL) will launch with a $1 million tournament planned for Las Vegas in 2009. Athletes from all over the world will have their expenses paid to play for teams competing for the top prize.
For a three-year term, the league will play in centralized locations like Las Vegas to cut down on costs for multiple venues. The American RFL Web site will also offer exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the league and its happenings. The plan is for casino sports books to make odds on games as well.
“It’s essentially a three-year commercial for the American Rugby Football League,” Tatham said.
Tatham eventually wants to feed at least two more sports into his Barbarian Sports production model. He declines to publicize just what those are, but they will follow the same short-play format. That’s to allow bettors a varied wagering experience that will hold their attention, kind of like a day at the races, Tatham said.
Like many business plans, this one includes an exit strategy that gives investors a picture of what their wallets might look like after all is said and done. For Barbarian Sports, Tatham projects that the American RFL would be worth $80 million through sales of franchise directorships. Another thought would be for the whole thing to go public."
http://www.pr.com/press-release/97989
Posted by: skinner | 15 August 2009 at 16:42
So Melville answers to the IRB and to Tatham?
Seems all rather slimy...
Posted by: skinner | 15 August 2009 at 16:45
likely he doesn't know who he answers to, or what his own home phone number. ask him.
Tatham has been tapping dessert cactus if he thinks that gambling will be associated collegiate rugby players or the Olympics in my lifetime. Please shut this guy and Melville and Latham up before the ratification is made.
Posted by: hoof n mouth | 16 August 2009 at 00:50
I hate this administration so bad for what they have done to US rugby that I'm tempted to drop a dime on them to the USOC myself. How in the world will we be able to create a Sevens sport in the US with Barbarian owning basically all the rights?
The above posts are correct. The USOC wouldn't be interested in some summer months of ragtag sevens. Sevens will become rugby. High school and college sevens will needs to grow as will the sevens season. How could these guys have done this to us? Even if this doesn't work out to be as bad as it seems, this is proof of how lame this administration has performed.
Posted by: dumbass RFU | 16 August 2009 at 10:36
lets get the facts first. remember this administration releases news that we never hear of again all the time.
in 2008 alone usarfu announced partnerships with ohio state university for high performance, how this going?
then they announced a partnership with the nzrfu, well this is working well!
how about the partnership with iranz which they announced with great fanfare, only to send our best young players on tour just the iranz opened.
then theres the high impact sports partnership which was going to change everything.
all these are a joke, maybe this tatham sevens thing is a joke as well.
Posted by: settle down | 16 August 2009 at 10:44
Within the Pacific Coast RFU we know that Frank Merrill and Dave Pelton won't ask to see any contracts. They are too busy kissing ass and trying to be in the "club". Never will they represent us and protect the game.
Ellen Owens might ask to see a contract as a member of Congress.
I don't think any of us truly considered what Olympic status would mean to domestic rugby. But it does make sense that Sevens will change significantly, far more elite competitions at all levels, and if these dumb-shits sold it all for next to nothing they need to be sacked.
Posted by: I want to know | 17 August 2009 at 10:39
From the USAR release:
William Tatham Acquires EXCLUSIVE Rugby Sevens Rights in U.S. for Sanctioning, Licensing, Broadcasting (everything!).
The contract is said to list every event USAR is currently sanctioning in Sevens (except USA Sevens) along with prospectively everything USAR will want to sanction going forward.
Its further said, Tatham paid only a couple hundred thousand, and a small per year fee for the rights.
There has been no reason for Tatham to do anything with the rights until now. With the Olympic mark he now owns everything of value in US rugby.
Posted by: usar says | 17 August 2009 at 10:54