- Brett Thompson and Victoria Folayan elected by USA Rugby Sevens Qualified Athletes to the Athlete Advisory Council (AAC). Former AAC representatives Shalom Suniula and Irene Garder complete their Olympic-window term.
- Thompson and Folayan subsequently appointed to the USA Rugby Board of Directors, following USOPC guidelines.
- Kate Zackary re-elected to International Athlete Council, Shalom Suniula to replace Andrew Durutalo on council as Men’s Sevens representative.
GLENDALE, CO (March 10, 2022) – Following nominations and elections from USA Rugby Sevens Qualified Athletes, USA Eagle Alumni Victoria Folayan and Brett Thompson have been elected to the Athlete Advisory Council (AAC) and USA Rugby Board of Directors as sevens international athlete representatives. With former seat-holders Shalom Suniula and Irene Garner ending their Olympic-window terms on the AAC, Folayan and Thompson have now begun their terms through Paris 2024. Suniula will remain in leadership governance as he was elected to the International Athlete Council replacing Andrew Durutalo, Kate Zachary was also re-elected to her position as Women’s Sevens representative on the council.
USA Rugby Board Chair, Tom Cusack noted, “On behalf of USA Rugby and the Board of Directors, I want to formally welcome Brett and Victoria to the leadership group. Their activity with the Board to this point has been enthusiastic, we’re equally as excited to dig in and work together on enhancing the international athlete landscape and partner in the overall growth of the USA Rugby community.
“I want to similarly send our gratitude to Shalom Suniula and Irene Gardner for their time and dedication with the Board. Navigating through a challenging yet progressive Olympic window was awe-inspiring, our sevens athletes and membership are on an upward trajectory thanks to their work and commitment.”
The Athlete Advisory Council (AAC) is responsible for broadening communication between the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and active athletes, serving as a source of input and advice to the USOPC Board of Directors. Each National Governing Body has one representative and one alternate. These individuals are voted on by current sevens qualified athletes within their respective governing body. Thompson has been elected representative with Folayan in the alternate role.
Capped in both sevens and fifteens with the USA Eagles, Thompson began playing rugby at the age of 14 after growing up around the game in Tempe, AZ. Having made his World Rugby Sevens Series debut in 2012, Brett advanced to the international stage through the USA Rugby development pathway, selected to the U18, U20 and U23 squads across fifteens and sevens. Thompson was named to the 2009 U20 World Rugby Trophy and later went on to represent the USA at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. Balancing sevens, he would also compete in the 2013 and 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens and 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Thompson brings a wealth of understanding for the USA Eagle journey to the AAC and USA Rugby Board.
Thompson said on his appointment to the leadership groups, “I am grateful to have been elected for this role and excited to carry on the great work Irene and Shalom have put in. I will represent the best interests of our athletes and rugby community, to both USA Rugby and the USOPC.”
Folayan first found rugby as a junior at Stanford University, winning two national titles in 2005 and 2006. Later debuting with the Women’s Eagles in 2009, she was selected to the 2010 Rugby World Cup roster in England, where the USA finished in 5th place. Venturing to sevens and debuting in 2012, Folayan won bronze at the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens and was named to the Team USA roster for the 2016 Rio Olympics. During her sevens career, Victoria would become the first American to be listed on a World Rugby Sevens Series Dream Team and sits 5th all-time in career tries scored for the USA Women’s Sevens. Folayan is currently an Actuarial Analyst for Kaiser Permanente in the Seattle area.
"It is an honor to be elected as the USOPC AAC alternate representative and a USA Rugby International Athlete Board Member,” said Folayan, “I am dedicated to empowering and amplifying the voice of USA rugby athletes with care, hard work and integrity. It is my goal to listen and act effectively, collaborate with a forward focus and support the growth of the USA Rugby community to the best of my ability.'
The International Athlete Council collectively expressed their appreciation for the departing members, “We'd like to thank Irene for her dedication to the Board and Athlete Advisory Council. Her attention to detail, diplomacy, and work ethic will be missed. She was instrumental in creating the current structure of the IA Council after all the different community groups separated in the restructure.
We'd also like to thank Shalom for his work and leadership on the Board. He is a true connector and we're lucky to have him continue on with us. Last but not least, thank you to Andrew Durutalo for his work on the IA Council, fighting for improvements in the High Performance program.”
USA RUGBY BOARD OF DIRECTORS INTERNATIONAL ATHLETE REPRESENTATIVES
Jamie Burke
Denis Shanagher
Victoria Folayan
Brett Thompson
MEN'S & WOMEN'S SEVENS REPRESENTATIVES
Shalom Suniula
Kate Zackary
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S XVS REPRESENTATIVES
Jamie Burke
Andrew Suniula
WOMEN’S AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES
Phaidra Knight
Jenny Lui
Kristine Sommer
MEN’S AT-LARGE REPRESENTATIVES
Seamus Kelly
Tony Ridnell
Denis Shanagher
