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...

Over 14,000 Students Introduced to Rugby in Las Vegas

Photo Credit: Jarrod Beckstrom (USA Rugby)

For the second year USA Sevens Rugby has partnered with schools in Clark County School District for the Adopt-a-Country program.  Last year over 14,000 kids participated, many of whom saw rugby for the first time in the weeks leading up to the tournament.

During the Adopt-a-Country program the USA Rugby team visited Glen Taylor Elementary School.  The enthusiasm for this event was contagious.  Chants of "USA" were ringing through the halls as players and students alike prepared to make our country proud. 

In preparation for their teams arrival, students across the Clark County School District were busy studying the geography, culture, and people of their "Adopted Nation."  But this was not your typical lesson as students were engaged by creative activities, including t-shirt design and essay contests.

Photo Credit: Jerry Heskel

Photo Credit: Jerry Heskel

At Martin Middle School, students perform Samoan dances for the Samoan Rugby team and the team decides to join in!

Team USA Competes in Las Vegas

Today marks the kickoff of the Rugby 7's tournament in Las Vegas, Nev., which will showcase 16 of the World's Rugby teams. During the three day tournament, team USA will be represented by both the men and women's teams. In addition to the rugby action, an International Fan Festival is sure to delight with carnival activities, live entertainment, and food from all the participating nations.
Don't be fooled by the location, this event caters to all ages! For the kids there will be youth rugby clinics, discounted game tickets, interactive games and face painting!

Be sure to join Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, the United States, Uruguay and Wales as they begin their trek towards the 2016 Summer Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

With events like these, what happens in Vegas won't stay in Vegas!  Rugby is growing Nationwide!

SuperBowl XLVI: American Football vs. Rugby

Did you ever watch a sport and think, "that sport is a lot like another sport I play?"  When I was watching the Superbowl yesterday, I kept thinking of the similarities between football and rugby. Check out the side by side comparison below!

                           Eli Manning Superbowl XLVI                         Richie McCaw Rugby World Cup 2011

	American Football	Rugby
What is it?:	A ball game with intense physical aggression but with helmets and lots of protective clothing.	A game with intense physical aggression but with little or no protective clothing.
Number of Umpires/Referees:	1 plus six other referees	3 and one video referee
Object of the Game/ Scoring:	Object of the game is to score points by carrying the ball beyond the opponents touch line. (Each such instance is called a touch down).	Object of the game is to score points by carrying the ball and place the ball down on the opponents touch line (called a Try) or kick it between the goal posts.
Field:	120 yards (109.7 meters) long by 53.3 yards (48.8 meters) wide.	100 meters long by 70 meters wide with 20-meter in try area.
Time limit:	Four 15-minute quarters, with a half-time intermission after the second quarter. The game clock stops frequently between plays.	Two 40-minute halves with a five-minute half time.
Major League:	National Football League (NFL)	All countries have own leagues (US league is known as Rugby Super League)
Ball:	A football is a prolate spheroid which is about 11 inches (28 cm) long and about 22 inches (56 cm) in circumference at the center	A rugby ball is a prolate spheroid shaped football. The accepted international size is called the "size 5" and is approximately 27 cm long and 60 cm in circumference at its widest point.
Major Tournament:	Super Bowl (Final of the NFL playoffs)	World Cup (Rugby Union)
Current World Champions:	New York Giants (2011-2012)	New Zealand (Rugby Union World Cup)
Countries:	Primarily USA	Worldwide
Protective gear:	Players wear heavy protective gear.	Players are only allowed modest padding on Head, Shoulders, Collarbone etc
Substitution:	Unlimited	Up to 7 substitutions allowed (depending on the tournament rules)
Number of players:	11 players on the field at any point of time.	Team consists of 15 players for Union

To learn more about rugby visit USA Rugby!

Original chart credit: Compare Anything