- USA Rugby Board of Directors meet in Los Angeles and virtually for Q3 assembly
- Newly seated Director, Tom Cusack, elected as Chairperson by unanimous vote.
- Meeting discussions focused on renewing Community Service Agreements with each council, financial projections through the end of the 2020-21 membership cycle and High Performance planning with all four senior national teams assembled in the month of July.
The USA Rugby Board of Directors held their Q3 meeting on Friday, June 25, both virtually and in person for those who were able to visit Los Angeles for the Quest For Gold Sevens. The meeting agenda included annual organizational review and ongoing union matters. With the board now fully seated, newly elected director, Tom Cusack, was unanimously confirmed as Chair of the Board. A Vice Chair will next be elected following a review of the stipulations laid out for that position in the USA Rugby bylaws.
“A sincere congratulations to Mr. Cusack on his election as Chair,” said USA Rugby CEO, Ross Young, “Tom’s extensive experience in Board management and leadership is notably recognized by the organization and we look forward having him help guide the light.”
The meeting was opened with a note of thanks to departing Director and Vice Chair, Paul Santinelli. Having completed his term, the group offered a formal appreciation for the commitment and dedication during his time with the Board.
Audit & Risk Committee Chair, Denis Shanagher opened with a financial update reviewing cashflows for the busy month of July at the senior national team level. Membership finances continue to perform ahead of yearly projections with stable community finances expected through the end of the membership cycle on August 31.
With the current membership cycle nearing renewal, the three Community Councils of Youth & High School, College and Senior Club, have begun focusing on revised Community Service Agreements for the 2021-22 season. Senor Club Board Representative Al Lucas noted Senior Club’s intent to assess dues in the next cycle structure to fund a managing entity for Senior Club rugby operations. With rugby returning and the 2021 Club National 7s slated for August, Lucas the Senior Club Council are looking ahead to future structures.
Collegiate updates came through College Board Representative Michele Yarbrough. Championship competition is also in focus for the Council, with the Fall College Championships and Bowl Series scheduled for December and a qualifying structure soon to be announced.
Youth & High School Board Representative Bill Stevens closed the community updates with a review of the recently successful and safe hosting of a High School National Invitational in Kansas City, along with the Council’s similar goals of a renewed community service agreement.
Shalom Suniula led into International Athlete (IA) items with an attention on meeting team selection criteria required by the USOPC for the Tokyo Olympics. The IA representatives also filled in the Board in on the latest efforts to reorganize a USA Eagle Alumni Association with the goal of driving philanthropic efforts with USA Rugby Chief Development Officer, Chris Reed.
General Manager of High Performance, Dan Payne joined to present on his undertaking of the ongoing High Performance review, while also outlining clear and attainable goals for HP going forward. His update focused on the overall pathway through the community game and the collaborative success of the recent Talent ID camps hosted across the country.
Director Michael Garner next informed the group on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). Noting the virtual webinar with Dr. Temple Grandin, scheduled for August 19, is seeing positive participation so far. DEI Terms of Reference have also come together and were presented to the Board for review ahead of the Q4 gathering. Similarly, Al Lucas noted that the Discipline & Grievance Committee is beginning to seat its members.
To close, Ross Young presented on nearing the final stages of the USA Rugby Partners re-integration and completing the project of bringing commercial operations back into the union. With new partnerships with Medallia and DAC expanding in recent months, commercial organization and stability remains a priority. Additionally, Young updated on go forward plans for improving overall corporate governance and gradually building back national office resource and organizational structure.
Official Board minutes will be available on the USA Rugby Board of Directors page 90 days after the June 25th meeting as required by USA Rugby bylaws.
