From stuff
NZ rugby signs 5-year deal to help USA
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - RugbyHeaven | Wednesday, 30 January 2008
America's massive sporting market and potential for rugby development are being eyed by the New Zealand Rugby Union who have signed a five-year deal to help promote and develop the game there.
The NZRU and USA Rugby announced a formal agreement between the two unions on Wednesday.
The Memorandum of Understanding will see the two unions collaborate in areas ranging from community rugby to commercial development.
"The rugby world wants to see the game grow in the United States and we're taking concrete steps to help USA Rugby," said NZRU CEO Steve Tew.
As a first step, the NZRU will give coaching curricula and resources to USA Rugby at no charge, supporting the American union's youth, referee and coach development programs.
As well as resources to grow participation at the community level, the agreement will also see the two unions explore opportunities for high-profile matches in the USA as well as age-grade competition between the two nations.
The possibility of the All Blacks playing in the United States has been sounded in the past with the NZRU keen to maximise the team's global appeal and financial potential in a major offshore market.
The United States are seen as a sleeping giant of the 15-man game but growing the appeal of rugby against traditional American winter sports like gridiron, ice-hockey and basketball has never been easy.
Soccer is trying to make further inroads into the US sporting scene with high-profile signings like David Beckham and it is obvious that rugby has to follow suit if it is to develop the game there.
"We welcome New Zealand's help as we work to tap the potential in the United States," said USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville.
"The coaching resources are an immediate benefit, but longer term we'd like to look at joint sponsorships, merchandise agreements and anything that can benefit both unions."
New Zealand has a history of association with American rugby. Former All Blacks selector Peter Thorburn coached the US national side at last year's World Cup. Former NZRU board member Kevin Roberts is now chairman of the American union.
And in an immediate sign of the new partnership the New Zealand and American sevens teams were training together in Wellington on Wednesday in preparation for this weekend's IRB event at the Cake Tin.
This appears to be a sensible commercial move by the NZRU although they risk drawing fire for not doing further work in their own backyard of the Pacific Islands.
NZ rugby signs 5-year deal to help USA
By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - RugbyHeaven | Wednesday, 30 January 2008
America's massive sporting market and potential for rugby development are being eyed by the New Zealand Rugby Union who have signed a five-year deal to help promote and develop the game there.
The NZRU and USA Rugby announced a formal agreement between the two unions on Wednesday.
The Memorandum of Understanding will see the two unions collaborate in areas ranging from community rugby to commercial development.
"The rugby world wants to see the game grow in the United States and we're taking concrete steps to help USA Rugby," said NZRU CEO Steve Tew.
As a first step, the NZRU will give coaching curricula and resources to USA Rugby at no charge, supporting the American union's youth, referee and coach development programs.
As well as resources to grow participation at the community level, the agreement will also see the two unions explore opportunities for high-profile matches in the USA as well as age-grade competition between the two nations.
The possibility of the All Blacks playing in the United States has been sounded in the past with the NZRU keen to maximise the team's global appeal and financial potential in a major offshore market.
The United States are seen as a sleeping giant of the 15-man game but growing the appeal of rugby against traditional American winter sports like gridiron, ice-hockey and basketball has never been easy.
Soccer is trying to make further inroads into the US sporting scene with high-profile signings like David Beckham and it is obvious that rugby has to follow suit if it is to develop the game there.
"We welcome New Zealand's help as we work to tap the potential in the United States," said USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville.
"The coaching resources are an immediate benefit, but longer term we'd like to look at joint sponsorships, merchandise agreements and anything that can benefit both unions."
New Zealand has a history of association with American rugby. Former All Blacks selector Peter Thorburn coached the US national side at last year's World Cup. Former NZRU board member Kevin Roberts is now chairman of the American union.
And in an immediate sign of the new partnership the New Zealand and American sevens teams were training together in Wellington on Wednesday in preparation for this weekend's IRB event at the Cake Tin.
This appears to be a sensible commercial move by the NZRU although they risk drawing fire for not doing further work in their own backyard of the Pacific Islands.
