Youth Conference
USA Rugby Sets 2009 Youth Conference Agenda
BOULDER, Colo. – Following the success of Rookie Rugby Week in Salt Lake City, USA Rugby has officially announced its 2009 Youth Conference on the Game agenda, which takes place on December 5-7 in Glendale, Colo., and will highlight a number of key initiatives for this year and beyond.
”This annual event continues to have a major impact on the growth of youth and high school rugby,” USA Rugby Youth Manager Katie Wurst said. “We look forward to offering new, exciting features and attracting participants from all corners of the USA.”
To kick off the annual conference, a general assembly for State-Based Rugby Organization (SBRO) representatives will convene with a focus on strengthening all existing business models. A reception will then take place at Glendale’s Try Rugby Club featuring introductory remarks from representatives of Colorado Youth Rugby and USA Rugby’s Youth Committee that will allow for ample social networking opportunities.
On Saturday, the conference will start with an opening address by Nigel Melville on the vision for the newly released ‘Rugby for All’ continuum. This presentation will set the tone for the event which features two distinctive tracks dedicated to the promotion of state-based organizations and rugby development. The rugby-themed route will cover topics such as varsity high school recognition, safe methods of introducing contact and even information on how rugby improves the health and well-being of young people. Those interested in business related aspects can benefit from presentations on the initial phases of forming state-based organizations, league administration, accounting and problem solving.
In addition, two options for continuing education will be offered during the course of the event. All participants will benefit from the Positive Coaching Alliance’s leadership workshop, which details the structure and roles involved with forming a positive culture within an organization. The workshop also presents tools that can be used with parents and coaches, as well as suggestions for developing awards programs. The first-ever Rookie Rugby trainer accreditation will then take place featuring administrative and practical components designed to encourage the delivery of rugby programming in physical education and community settings in each individual’s home state.
Modules for the Rookie Rugby trainer accreditation are shaped by feedback from Salt Lake City’s own Rookie Rugby week. A total of 10 elementary and middle schools were exposed to the game allowing as many as 1,000 students to benefit from rugby-oriented physical education sessions. In addition, a no-cost youth clinic and administrative workshop prepped local talent for participation at halftime of the USA victory over Uruguay. All activities were implemented by USA Rugby with support from representatives of the Granite school district, adopt-a-school committee and Utah’s local area union.
“There was a time when I used to go into schools every day and coach youth for my role as director of rugby at a professional club. Rookie Rugby week brought back fond memories of interacting with kids at those levels,” USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville said. “If we want to generate greater participation and growth in our sport, we have to get the ball into kid’s hands as early as possible. Kids love to play rugby; we just need to give them the opportunity and Rookie Rugby week and the Youth Conference on the Game are two great examples of how we can work to achieve this goal.”
To round out the Youth Conference on the Game, on Saturday night, USA Rugby and World Rugby Shop will host an evening reception and community service award presentation. On Sunday, the event will finish by covering a range of information from referee development grant opportunities to the National Guard’s youth partnership through 2009.
Complete details including location, travel, suggested accommodation and on-line registration for the Youth Conference on the Game are as follows:
Venue: Glendale’s Infinity Park Event Center – 4400 E. Kentucky Avenue, Glendale, CO 80246 – www.infinityparkeventcenter.org
Lodging: Loews Denver Hotel – 4150 East Mississippi Ave., Denver, CO 80246. Call (303)-782-9300 and reference USA Rugby for a rate of $105.
Transportation: Denver International Airport – 8500 Peña Boulevard, Denver, CO 80249
Cost: $80 by Nov. 21 / $130 after Nov. 21. Register online and make payments via PayPal at www.usarugby.org/goto/Youth_Conference.
For more information on Rookie Rugby please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/rookie_rugby. Complete details and the full agenda for the 2009 Youth Conference can be viewed at www.usarugby.org/goto/youth_conference. Please contact Katie Wurst at kwurst@usarugby.org for questions related to both exciting opportunities.
