The USA Rugby Board of Directors met for their Q4 and final general meeting of 2021 last month for a year-end review of union issues and look ahead to organizational goals for 2022. Following a busy fall across home events, national team competition and membership renewals for the 2021-22 season, the leadership group looked back on a positive return to full rugby activity and promising new year.
USA Rugby Board of Directors Chair, Tom Cusack noted on the meeting, “We are pleased to have had a constructive final meeting of 2021, reviewing year-end matters within USA Rugby. The governance process across councils and committees continues to sharpen, where productivity during these quarterly meetings is evident of that. The past year brought much needed growth and stability to the union, both financially and organizationally. We very much look forward to carrying this positive momentum into a busy 2022.”
USA Rugby CEO, Ross Young opened with national office updates, including organizational changes as Johnathan Atkeison has been appointed Chief Operations Officer with USA Rugby. With over a decade of experience in the rugby community and high performance, Atkeison brings quality relationships to the position as the USA Rugby National Office begins a return to capacity. Young also provided updates on recent news surrounding the sanctioning of the US Rugby Sevens Major League event in October 2022 and law variation review ahead of the new Major League Rugby Season.
End-of-year financial review took place next with Audit & Risk representative, Denis Shanagher. The Audit & Risk Committee was pleased to share that USA Rugby are ahead on net revenue with membership tracking as expected, leaving the organization cash positive at the end of 2021. Going into 2022, financial planning will focus on continuity through membership, commercial revenues with new partner SPORTFIVE, Men’s Rugby World Cup qualifier events and a specific spotlight on the Women’s Eagles Rugby World Cup preparations.
Community Council updates followed with Youth & High School Representative, Bill Stevens noting on an increase in women’s participation at the High School level this fall. Stevens also updated on plans for sanctioned high school championships in 2022 with location and competition information soon to come. Collegiate review of a busy and successful championship fall followed, with a preview of the upcoming National Collegiate Championship 7s. Al Lucas presented on Senior Club updates, where 2022 will focus on a review of council Terms of Reference to potentially refresh committee structure and refocus Council efforts.
Irene Gardner and Shalom Suniula closed council sessions with the latest on USOPC Athlete Advisory Council nominations and elections, where new representatives are expected to be finalized before the end of the year. Suniula also discussed USA Eagle Alumni and International Athlete representation at the aforementioned High School championship events, to further drive youth interest and inspiration around rugby.
Committee updates began with Michael Garner noting on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion matters, with a presented budget for future initiatives. A new DEI Training & Education course is also expected to be included in the new USA Rugby Learning Management System (LMS). The Referee & Laws Committee are additionally expected to present new recruitment plans ahead of the spring season.
Dan Payne stepped in to review High Performance items, with a continued transition of work following Emilie Bydwell’s selection as Women’s Sevens Head Coach and departure from her Women’s High Performance Director role. Bydwell’s selection came from a pool of 10 highly qualified applicants, all going through a comprehensive and diverse interview process with panels and administrators. Payne also discussed recent results this fall with the Men’s and Women’s XVs, positive takeaways in quality competition at home and abroad, along with future expectations. Board Chair Tom Cusack closed with assurances that the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and Men’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers will remain in focus and to develop a plan for needed resources.
USA Rugby World Cup Bid Chair, Jim Brown was invited to provide a synapsis of the bid committee efforts with exciting updates to share. Brown reiterated the positive outcomes from the November World Rugby Council meeting where the USA was approved for a Targeted Dialogue phase around the 2031 Men’s tournament. The United States however remains candidates for the 2027 event and importantly the 2029 Women’s tournament.
The Q4 meeting closed with a notion from Independent Director, Koma Gandy-Fischbein on engaging the Pratt Institute. This initiative would bring pro bono IT consulting to the USA Rugby National Office, developing the user interface and user experience across digital and member platforms. With digital integration an important step in elevating the USA Rugby member experience, this support system along with new IT support at the National Office becomes an exciting project in the new year.
Full minutes from the Q4 USA Rugby Board of Directors meeting will be available to the public and posted to the Board of Directors page within the bylaw requites 90-day window following assembly.
