SportsEvents Magazine

AUG 2014

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▼ SPORT Report been five years since the International Olympic Committee announced that rugby would make its debut in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and three years since USA Rugby became a full sport member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). The sport has seen remarkable growth in recent years. "In the 2006-2007 season there were about 60,000 registered USA Rugby mem- bers," noted Nigel Melville, CEO and president of Rugby Operations. "Now we have more than 115,000." There are four national rugby teams, including men's and women's teams for both the full 15-on-15 competition and for the 7-on-7 competition that will be fea- tured in these first Olympic competitions." Overall, Boulder, Colo.-based USA Rugby is responsible for more than 700 club teams, 900 college teams, 1,200 high school teams and 400 youth teams. The variety of competition results in 23 national championship competitions. At the regional level, there are 41 state rugby organizations (SROs) recognized and assisted by USA Rugby. Some of these teams have both boys' and girls' competitions and championship matches. Melville likens rugby to soccer in its growth pattern, noting how much the latter sport has grown over the decades in the United States. "We're on the same path; we're just a little behind soccer," said Melville. "We're a team sport. We're global. The Rugby World Cup is the third biggest sporting event in the world now. It's coming to America, and that's a good thing." The U.S. rugby teams are playing at a high level in international competition. ➤ www.sportseventsmagazine.com August 2014 29 RUGBY ON THE RISE Kelley Cox Olympic Play & Youth Development Lead To Growth By T. Wayne Waters It's

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