by Nigel Melville
Nigel Melville Direct

Every year the USA Rugby Youth Conference grows, not just in numbers, but in the quality of the presentations and the take-away information. Its great to see such a cross section of the community puling together to support the growth of the Youth game. National coaches from both men's and women's fifteens and sevens, International players, specialist coaches, age-grade coaches, medical services, youth and high school development, referees, coaches and of course representatives from USA Rugby's Youth and High School game.

This year we will also be joined by Morgan Buckley, Head of Rugby Development for the International Rugby Board.

This will be another excellent weekend and I am looking forward to catching up with the usual old faces, and excited about meeting the growing number of new recruits. The Youth Conference is always a high energy fun event, the 2012 agenda looks fantastic...see you there..

What: 2012 Youth Development Conference
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
When: January 27th - 29th
Attendees: Coaches, referees, and administrators from all over the country to participate in professional development opportunities focused on growing youth and high school rugby.
Venue: Georgia World Congress Center, 285 International Blvd NW, Atlanta, Georgia - Ranks among the top five largest convention destinations in the country as well as one of the best sports and entertainment campuses in the world.

Hotel Information: The Westin Hotel, 210 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA - $99/night conference rate including hot breakfast and wireless internet. This 73-story tower, topped by the revolving Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View, graces the heart of Atlanta. Connected to AmericasMart, The Westin Peachtree Plaza, is steps from CNN, Georgia Aquarium, Georgia World Congress Center and the Georgia Dome.

Sponsors and Exhibitors: Various sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities for businesses and organizations to showcase their product or service to more than 200 rugby coaches, administrators, and referees.

Also available are opportunities for College Exhibitors: Chance to showcase your collegiate program in the exhibitor hall.

Registration Fees – Registration fee includes conference programming, welcome reception, Saturday lunch and dinner, conference materials, and more!

Early Bird (Now until January 11th): $100
Georgia Resident: $75 (Code Required)
General (January 11th - 26th): $125
Walk In (January 27th): $175

Welcome Reception
Date: Friday, January 27th
Time: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Venue: Meehan’s Public House, 200 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA (Connected to Westin hotel)

Agenda: This is the most exciting part!!! Some highlights:

Three Tracks: Coaching, Specialty, and Administrative
Focus on youth and high school coaching, refereeing, girls-specific, and administrative

Highlighted Presenters:

Morgan Buckley – Development Director for IRB
Mike Petri - USA Men’s National Team Stars
Paul Emerick – USA Men’s National Team Stars
Pete Steinberg and Ric Suggitt – USA Women’s National Team 15s and 7s coaches
Luke Gross – USA National Team Skills Coach
USA High School All American Staff – Salty Thompson, Michael Engelbrecht, and Eric Taber
Mike Keating – USA Rugby Medical Director
Alex Magleby – USA Collegiate All-American Sevens Coach
Nigel Melville – USA Rugby CEO

For more information on the event visit http://www.usarugbyyouthconference.wildapricot.org or contact Erin Kennedy at ekennedy@usarugby.org or at 303-539-0300 x 104.

With an impressive resume as player, coach and administrator, Nigel David Melville took over as CEO and President of Rugby Operations of USA Rugby, the National Governing Body of the sport in America, in 2006.  In addition to his full time job promoting the sport in the U.S., Melville has launched his own blog, Nigel Melville Direct, to further the discussion and his passion for what it will take to make the U.S. a great rugby playing nation.

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