A Rugby Ball, Solving the World's Problems?

I am frequently asked what key things make successful rugby players or what is the silver bullet to growth of the game.  Although I am not proposing a rugby ball be the solution to these large issues, I want to lay out some of the things a simple rugby ball can do to help America!

1. Makes Better Players - Rugby balls in the hands of rugby players makes them better. They are funny shaped and we are not used to handling them.  If you add up the actual time players have a rugby ball in their hands during a practice, it is less than a few minutes.  We cannot blame that Lock for the knock on in the 78th minute because we have not properly prepared him/her to handle the ball.  The best way to get rid of those pesky knock on's is to own a ball and play with it every day.  Flip it around when you are sitting on the couch.  Spin it in your hands as you sit in traffic (please be careful).  Toss it with your family or friends, spin it on your finger, bounce it on the ground.  Every player should own one and if you do not have one, get one (drive over to your local Sports Authority to pick one up).  If you are a coach, get one for every player you coach.

2. Grows the Game - I carry rugby balls in every airport I travel through, to every meeting I attend and most meals.  Now, although I clearly have a mental issue and my dating life suffers, it is the best conversational piece ever.  Parents ask about it, kids want to toss it around, school administrators flip it around while we chat, tough guys and girls want to talk about how good they could be, old ruggers give me great 'war' stories and it generally is the focal point of every room it enters.  Each of these people are a new customer to the game, ready to hear our sale when we share our passion for this great game.  Although a t-shirt works well, a rugby ball is your best conversation starter.

3. We use what is in front of us - When kids play with their friends in the back yard, they use the ball or stuff they have in their garage.  We toss frisbies and footballs at tailgates because they are readily available.  We play with volleyballs on beaches because they are laying around.  Introduce a rugby ball to these key situations and the game catches on...

4. Commerce - The more rugby balls we purchase, the more reason stores like Sports Authority, Dicks, Target and Walmart will carry rugby balls.  Getting into these key retail environments is necessary for mainstreaming the sport.  It is a simple equation, if a parent can buy their kids' sport supplies at the local store, they will sign them up.  If they cannot, the kid does not play.  Buy balls, grow the commerce around the game, everyone wins.

A quick guide for buying a rugby ball.  Young kids up to age 12 or 14 are good with a #3 ball.  12 - 18 can use a #4 and over 18 a #5.  Yes, I know high school kids play with a #5 but this is about early success with the sport.  A smaller ball equals more success and easier handling. And to really throw a wrench in things, I think women coming to our game could use a #4 through adulthood to better acclimate to the game (I know, I know, just consider it before throwing things at my head).

World Rugby Shop offers many great deals on balls, as does many online retailers and Sports Authority stores.  What are you waiting for...Go get one for everyone you know...