Varsity Rugby and its Leadership

I offer the following two press releases for comparison.

Sabastian River obtains varsity status
Charlotte Catholic obtains varsity status

So, USA Rugby steps in to provide start up uniforms and equipment for Sabastian River and Catholic just goes about their business of building rugby on their own. What are the chances of Catholic getting some of that gear? I guess they’ll have to wait for the National Guard to drop it on them in 2009.

First, contragulations to both Sabastian and Catholic for their success. It took many volunteers and administators (and players) long hours to get where they are and they are to be commended. Well done. I’m all for the development of girls high school rugby and am working hard in my own back yard to insure that girls have opportunities to play; however, at some point there needs to be a clear and focused policy position delivered from USA Rugby on how it is going to assist high schools, high school leagues and state based organizations (boys and girls). There are several high school teams throughout the US that I'm sure were caught off guard by the first ever varsity girls program showing up this year in Florida. Where's their kit?

Where’s the leadership? Peter Steinberg’s contract to be a part time youth director expired in December 2007. Since December the position has been vacant with only periodic promises for the hiring of a replacement. Another year wasted at the national level meaning another year of high school kids passing through a system that wasn’t what it could have been.

What will it take for some to realize that every day that we don’t take a step forward, we are actually taking a step back… We must keep the go forward at the local level - regardless of what is happening around us.

*Additionally, on a related note, today (11/21/08) USA Rugby announced the agenda for the 2008 Youth Conference of the game to be held in Denver on December 5 – 7. Yeap, we get an agenda two weeks to the day before the event - plenty of time to make decisions on going and arrange travel, right?