Rugby in North America has taken yet another leap forward in development and a small step to a future professional league on the continent.
Both USA Rugby and Rugby Canada have either established or are soon to establish the vital development and feeder levels for a future professional league or leagues.
Rugby Canada established the RC U20’s (Rugby Canada U20’s) Championship this year replacing the disbanded Canada Rugby Super League. The league, in its first season, consists of 13 teams covering the entire length of the country.
Next year three new teams will enter bringing the League to a 16 team championship. This league will not only improve the quality of the Canadian Under 20’s squad and the national team, but also build the appropriate depth for future franchises in Canada.
In the United States, USA Rugby have planned a College Super League consisting of between 8 -16 programs. To enter this league the colleges must have a professional program to develop the required talent for the future.
Cal, Brigham Young and Life Universities will be certain starters with Army, Navy and Penn State other possibilities. This league will be accompanied by the Ivy League Championship which will starts its inaugural season next year too.
Both these leagues will give High School rugby player’s options when they leave school and in the cases of the College Super League, is the first step toward establishing Nationwide conference’s similar to the current NCAA format.
North American Rugby moving toward a professional future isn’t far flung speculation. In a prospectus released by the USA Rugby in 2006, this objective was earmarked in a 5–10 year period from publication.
These leagues are just another step in the right direction and further addition to the necessary infrastructure required to do so.
P.S. In the wee small hours of Sunday morning the Eagles will face off against Canada in the second leg of RWC qualifying.
For Canada the equation is simple beat the Eagles by more than 6 points. Anything less will see them have to play Uruguay in the second round of qualifying.
Unlike last week this game won’t be broadcast at all.
Rugby Canada really dropped the ball with this one. But maybe it may be a good thing. If the Eagles produce the Rugby they did last week, it will be a certain uphill battle for the Canadians.
On the US front Rugby USA are trying to get their fall schedule games broadcast on ESPN. Should be interesting to see if it happens. The games against Russia should bring a lot of interest and the game against Fiji should be very entertaining.
captain nemo
Roar Guru
thanks dave
USRugbyFan
Guest
Unfortunately, the current administation of USA Rugby seems to be concentrating more on promoting the MNT (the Eagles) and HP rugby, than grassroots. The American Rugby Championship, or whatever it's called, which used to be the North America 4 never really took off like it was supposed too. It seems that the IRB wanted to apply the method used in most Commonwealth countries, such as academies and age grade rep sides to try and produce results here, when we have the most success through our varsity sports system. If more IRB money was put into creating grassroots programs like middle school and high school rugby, and creating a viable college competition, as well as getting high quality rugby on TV, that would go miles towards improving American rugby.
Dave in USA
Guest
World's Biggest and Captain Nemo There is a US super league club New York Athletic Club, and also a New York Rugby Club, who were probably playing the Village Lions on that particular day. I have played on teams beaten soundly by all 3 LOL!
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Just finished reading an article about a great development in the USAR's youth development program Rookie Rugby. This year USARugby had planned to get a Rugby ball in the hands of 100,000 kids nationwide. Well they'll comfortably surpass that with the recent agreement with the Hillsborough County Schools Districts in Florida. The Hillsborough County Schools Districts is the 3rd largest in the state of Florida. The District has more than 54,000 Middle School students and a further 46,000 in its High Schools. All of which will be introduced to the non-contact form of the game. It will become part of there PE cirriculum. Could mean a good growth in High School and Club Rugby in the State reasonably soon.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Untimelyzapped Grateful for the interesting news. I enjoyed watching Army-Navy (gridiron) Games. Used to wake up at 2 am to watch them. (Along with all the other Bowls.) Despite the frosty weather, with cadets blowing "fog" out of their mouths, you could sense the ripple of competition and fervor through those greatcoats. Hopefully, the popularity or rugby in the service academies will translate to the general populace.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Matt Why are they moving the tournament from San Diego to Las Vegas? Seems a little well foolish as the crowd figures show that the San Diego 7's is growing on a yearly basis. The USAR if they do get this college championship up and running which is why I believe they are keeping as much of the details a quiet as possible, should really work hard to get it on TV. And another thing about the move of the IRB 7's to Las Vegas is it just so happens to be the proposed location of the American Rugby Football League showcase tournament.
AndyS
Guest
Hell, so it will be "What happens on tour, may remain a complete mystery even to those that went on tour"...
manley
Roar Rookie
Just as an FYI. USA Sevens LLC, the company the owns the rights to the USA Sevens Tourny in the IRB Sevens Comp, is moving from San Diego to Las Vegas.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I agree that Denver is a crazy place to play a show piece game at that time of the year. If it was to happen it would have to be played in Southern California. The weather will be moderate, very large Polynesian population with strong rugby roots, Aussie and Kiwi's based at the Navy HQ in San Diego etc...In saying that it would need the Mother of all PR jobs to fill or at least half fill Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego or LA Colliseum and strong Corporate backing as Matt pointed out.
manley
Roar Rookie
I just want the games to be on television! You show people the sport and the interest will arise. My problem is the lack of transparency with the USAR (you thought ARU kept secrets!) I had to read this article on an Aussie site to find out info about USA college rugby! People feel like you nee a supply and demand when it comes to television. Horse-ish. I know for a fact that networks will create a market for a new TV program through publicity and promotion. Sports are no different.
AndyS
Guest
I have to admit Matt, I was a little surprised at how poor the information and promotion was around the Churchill Cup (at least, looking from outside). Even finding match reports and the like was a bit of a challenge. I have a bit of sympathy with the task ahead of USA Rugby though given, as you say, the size of the country and the saturation of the market. Have a read here and you'll see what most think of the ARUs efforts at publicity and the like, and we're supposed to be showing the way. But I could see things developing a momentum once things get on a professional footing. I truth, there is a real feel that the momentum is already developing...
AndyS
Guest
Portugal always makes it interesting - great (awesome!) place to be when they win, but pretty bleak when they don't...
MVDave
Guest
Andy S There are too many games with all the various qualifyers, plus the various championships then the friendlies on top of that!!
manley
Roar Rookie
I have mixed emotions on having a major international played here on our soil. USA Rugby is more or less a failure when it comes to promoting matches over here. Over all, I'm not happy with USA Rugby as a whole. I digress, if a Bledisloe was held here, Denver is the worst choice during that time of year. Playing rugby in the cold-ass mountains with the possibility of snow is going to very little for showcasing the sport in a positive way. Let alone trying to fill up a 70,000 seat Mile High stadium is a pipe dream. We need cooperate money and the best public relations people to make that happen...
MVDave
Guest
Andy S Netherlands, Portugal (if they make it) and Paraquay are decent bets...dont write off the Yanks to make a quarter, even semi final :)
Worlds Biggest
Guest
TT - I agree with you. It started last year when the Hong Kong game was introduced, that meant we had to beat the AB's three times to get the Cup. It's the same this year. JON is purely thinking cash and not silverware for the Wallabies.
AndyS
Guest
You don't have an international season either, as you seldom play meaningful internationals...
AndyS
Guest
Nice try Dave, but we and the Kiwis still suck on a world scale (pretend listings aside), as do the Canadians and States - you are still two continents short. Agreed on the 10 potential winners though, but you'll be betting outside the established seven?
True Tah
Guest
WB i do hope that game in the US does NOT take place. Forgive me for wanting my country to win the Bledisloe Cup, but our best chance of winning it back will be when its over 3 games.
MVDave
Guest
Andy S "Rugby as the only code with major powers on all populated continents, playing to a single common international season, and with a world cup that at least ten teams could genuinely challenge for with several others given a tail-wind." Its called football and the World Cup next year there are at least 10 potential winners.