USA Features

By Brad Kilpatrick

So what is the premise behind Play Rugby USA and what are your goals for it?
Essentially it’s a dynamic youth development program targeted at elementary and middle schools and associated community based organizations. We use a curriculum-based non contact rugby program rugby as a ‘new’ and unique tool for developing children’s character, athletic ability and academic commitment.

Our main goal is to become the number one youth rugby program in the USA by working with other youth organizations to develop youth through rugby. We are also working to integrate and compliment our ‘on the ground’ programs with a sophisticated online support resource providing a leading global portal for rugby-educational tools and programs.

Visit the World Rugby Shop to buy the 'Give Rugby A Try Developing Youth Through Rugby' DVD. A great start to developing a youth program.

Visit the Official site for Play Rugby USA.

We know you have created this as a way to introduce youth to rugby, but how did you get involved with the game yourself?
I was introduced to rugby at Stamford School in England at the age of 8. Our school was actually pretty close to Rugby School where the game was invented.

How did you come up with the idea for Play Rugby USA? What is driving you?
I originally had a thought to create a rugby company over here in 2003 while away with the National Team. I put some thoughts on paper and discussed it with a couple of people, including Jack Clark (then National Team Director) and Brett Taylor (Backs Coach).

The premise was behind spreading the benefits of rugby to American youth starting in NYC. I always saw kids hanging around with little access to team sports.  I knew how much I gained from playing the game and figured those kids had more to gain than I did. The key think to making it successful however, was creating and refining the business model to support and grow the program. That has taken since 2003 to achieve that and set the foundation for national rollout.

Is it true that you could have played for England but chose to play for our mighty Eagles instead?
Hah, never say never I guess but given that I had a full-time job in England and only a part-time rugby contract, it would have been pretty tough to climb that ladder! I visited the US in 94 and 98 and then moved here for a banking job in 99. I knew there was rugby over here (otherwise I wouldn’t have come) but it wasn’t until 2001 that I realized I could have the opportunity to represent the Eagles. From then on, that was my primary focus outside of work and it was a real honor and a fantastic experience.

What kind of challenges have you faced getting the program up and running?  Are school boards intimidated when they hear the word “rugby”?
Most challenges for us relate to lack of funding and space that schools and community based organizations have for sports and after school programs. Another as we grow is the recruitment and retention of quality coaches.

We don’t really have a problem with people being intimidated by rugby because in most of the school we work with they didn’t even really know what rugby was until we presented it to them. As we present the benefits of a curriculum first and the sport second – they get a positive impression right off the bat. Furthermore, as we focus solely on non contact rugby on site in the schools, they don’t really have any well founded safety concerns.

I’ve seen the DVD and the kids seem to be enjoying themselves and actually demonstrate a pretty high level of skill all things considered.  Have you found that youth in the US is taking to it well or has there been resistance and reluctance, perhaps because of the more established sports?
I’ve heard from many people involved in the game over here that rugby really is the perfect American team sport. I think youth takes to it fantastically well – feedback we receive from many kids is that rugby is their favorite program. They of course still gravitate towards other sports and that’s great. Ultimately, we present rugby as complimentary to other sports and we want the youth to be involved in multiple sports. The most important thing is that they always have access to rugby at whatever level they want to play it. If we can achieve that, we’ll compete with more established sports in a different way – by being the participation sport of choice. From there, the pyramid can be build faster and higher.

How has the support from the rugby community at large been in the US?
Generally very positive. We receive a lot of positive emails and support through our website and whenever I have met with or presented to people in person they have been very supportive of our efforts and plans. There are certainly people out there that don’t completely understand what we do, how we do it and why we’re different and for that audience I need to do a better job. However, when I get the chance to talk with them directly, we find our program often provides a complimentary fit to help grow and support what they have already created for their youth rugby community.

How can someone that is interested in starting up a youth program get started with your program and find more information about it?
The best thing for them to do is read through the background information on our website www.playrugbyusa.com and then call me for a chat. To run our program we provide all the resources they need but they have to provide the most important part- time and dedication.

Have you been considering expanding the program to more ages and different rule sets?
Yes, for sure – it’s very important to provide vertical progression and as I said earlier accessibility to the game at all levels. We currently cover off a pretty wide age-range between 8 – 15 years which includes 3 sets of rule progressions designed for non contact, on-site school environments. Ultimately however, we want to create weekend clubs for contact rugby or feed the youth from the Play Rugby USA program into already established youth rugby clubs to help further their skills, and increase their passion and commitment to the sport.

I live in San Diego, how can I get involved with Play Rugby USA?
We’re looking to partner with a couple of organizations in and around San Diego to bring the program there before the end of this year. There are also opportunities for people and organizations to set up their own Play Rugby programs out there. You interested?

Are you part of USA Rugby?
I have been involved with USA Rugby on a personal level as a consulting member on their Game Development Team. That relationship ends at the end of this year, at which point we are putting in place a partnership between Play Rugby USA and USA Rugby to help support the growth of youth rugby in schools and after school programs throughout the country. I have been closely involved with USA Rugby and they have been very supportive of our program as they can see the benefits of getting thousands more kids involved in the game in schools. 2008 and beyond will be exciting times for those involved in growing the game with Play Rugby USA and USA Rugby on a large scale.

Where is the best place to buy a kit for my team?
Now, come on – you know that’s a loaded question! We work closely with The World Rugby Shop and they provide uniforms for programs such as ours and other organized youth leagues throughout the USA.

Do you have a day job or is this a full time enterprise for you?
This is my day job since I quit corporate banking in April last year. I don’t yet take a salary although Play Rugby has 3 other full time employees and a number of coaching consultants. I supplement my income working as an independent personal trainer in the mornings and evenings so that the business income can be ploughed back into growing the program.

Can the US ever win the Rugby World Cup?
Absolutely yes - I reckon we’ll make the playoff stages in 2015 and the semi-final or final in 2019.

How do you think the Eagles did in the RWC this year?
 I was very proud to have played with a number of the guys who were over there this year. All their performances did the USA very proud. Although the results didn’t produce any “W’s” they were arguably in the hardest pool and at least 2 of the games could have gone their way if for a couple of lucky bounces or a few more minutes of play. There are clearly things to work on but what you have to hand to the guys is their fitness, courage, determination and heart – and they’re the things that really count. Their game strategy and willingness to run the ball was also exciting to see. They hung in there with some of the top, professional rugby nations in the world and had them worried at times. So, all in all a very positive and encouraging performance.

HAVE YOUR SAY...
Is this a good program to help develop rugby at the youth level in the U.S.?  What else would you like done to help see the game grow?  Send your emails to rugbycontactus@365-inc.com