5 INTERNATIONAL TEAMS AND HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS photo by Sabrina Asch
USA RUGBY STRATEGIC PLAN: 2009-2012 5 International Teams and High Performance Programs Develop Eagles Men s and Women s (15s and Sevens) teams that can compete with the best teams in the world and win. The growth and success of the game of rugby in the USA will be greatly enhanced by the creation of successful national teams that can compete with the best international teams in the world. Strong international teams will bring increased media support, sponsorship, international events and credibility for the sport. Developing successful international teams will require high performance rugby programs that create a pipeline of improving rugby-athletes that participate in our international teams. The inclusion of Rugby Sevens as an Olympic sport in the 2016 Olympics (Rio) will also support this process and hopefully include high performance benefits from the USOC that include access to improved facilities, resources, insurance and high performance funding. USA Rugby aims to develop Eagles Men s and Women s (15s and Sevens) teams that can compete with the best teams in the world and win. This will be achieved through the development and delivery of specialized high performance programs for both 15s and Sevens rugby. The success of these programs will be measured by the performance of the USA Eagles International 15s and Sevens teams (Men and Women), increased international appointments for USA Rugby officials and an increase in the quality and number of our elite coaches. Eagles Women 15s placed in the top four at the 2010 Women s Rugby World Cup. Eagles Men 15s win a pool game at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Eagles Men Sevens to win a medal at the Pan American Games. Eagles Men Sevens (top eight), Eagles Women 7 s (finalists) in the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens. Eagles Women 15s finalists in the 2014 Women s Rugby World Cup. Eagles Men 15s quarter finalists in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Eagles Men and Women Sevens to win medals in the 2016 Olympics. USA Rugby will employ specialist high performance personnel to deliver the USA Rugby High Performance strategy. 46 An Elite Referee and Coach Development Program will continue to raise the standard of elite coaches and referees.
INTERNATIONAL TEAMS AND HIGH PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS Prioritized Objectives, Strategies and Metrics 72. Create a high performance review group that supports the delivery of USA High Performance programs. i. Group to be chaired by USA Rugby International Athlete Board member. ii. Finalize terms of reference. KPI - High Performance Review Group operational. 73. International team pathways agreed for both Men and Women Eagles. i. Agree International team pathways for men and women. ii. Define and clearly communicate pathways via USA Rugby website. iii. Appoint coaches and support staff. iv. Increase the number of international rugby opportunities for all national teams. v. Agree annual team schedules and supporting budgets. vi. Create USA Rugby training center to enhance the quality of preparations of all USA Rugby international teams. KPI - Pathways agreed and communicated. Annual team schedules agreed. 74. IRB High Performance Plan agreed and submitted to IRB HP unit for finding approval (2010 2012). i. IRB Plan prepared and submitted to IRB HP Unit. Plan to include: Talent identification. Long term player development program (LTPD). International age-grade development teams. Development and support of club/college and high school elite competitions. Development of a cross border competitions. Establish program blueprints for club/college and high school development purposes. Establish a network of elite college/high school and clubs that support the delivery of USA Rugby blueprint and LTPD programs and provide a Daily Training Environment (DTE) for elite players at all levels. Support elite referee and coach development programs. KPI - IRB program approved and funding confirmed. 47
USA RUGBY STRATEGIC PLAN: 2009-2012 75. USOC/USA Rugby Sevens High Performance Plan approved by USOC High Performance Team Sports Unit. i. Write USA Rugby Sevens Plan for men and women with the support of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). ii. USA Rugby / USOC High Performance plan approved by USOC. KPI - Plan produced and funding agreed with USOC. 76. Develop a business plan for an elite men s professional competition to be played prior to the June/November international player release windows. i. New competition developed. ii. Supporting business plan produced. iii. Plan presented to possible investors. KPI - New professional competition format and business plan communicated and presentations made to possible investors. 48 photo by Chaz Neill
Strategic Plan Fall 2009 - Fall 2012 Designed by Ashley Voss, 2010