2nd Annual Coaching Conference in Chicago – Aug 24 – 26, 2007

Greetings LAU and TU Presidents,

Please help spread the word about this upcoming event!

USA Rugby will hold its second annual Coaching Conference in conjunction with the Setanta Challenge Cup in Chicago on August 24th through the 26th, 2007. This year’s conference will be held simultaneously with a Referee/Match Officials gathering and several joint sessions are planned.

The theme of the conference is “Approaches to Coaching Decision Making” and will feature noted player centered coaching author Lynn Kidman, Lynn Evans of the RFU, an expert in Teaching Games, International Rugby Academy of New Zealand skills coach Dave Ellis, Munster coach Declan Kidney and USA national level coaches and coach development experts focusing on the use of training games to develop game sense. The conference aims to highlight the coaching style continuum ranging from player centered to coach centered methods.

A portion of the program will be held in conjunction with a gathering of territorial referee education officers to explore the use of games for understanding and athlete centered coaching for athletes engaged in match officiating. The conference will kick off with a Friday (Aug 24th) night optional gathering of College coaches led by USA Rugby’s College All American staff from 7pm-10pm.

The Coaches’ Conference will run from 9am-5pm on Saturday and 9am-12 noon Sunday. The group will transfer to Toyota Park to take in the Eagles-Munster match in the final home game for the Eagles before the World Cup. The conference will take place at the:

Holiday Inn CHICAGO-COUNTRYSIDE/LAGRANGE
6201 W. Joliet Rd, Countryside, IL 60525 Phone: 1-708-3544200
www.holiday-inn.com/countrysideil

The Holiday Inn has a complimentary shuttle from the airport, is only 15min to Toyota Park in Chicago and USA Rugby has secured a rate of only $99/night! Ask for the “USA Rugby Coach and Referee Conference” special rate before Aug 10th.

Act fast because registration is limited! Registration for the conference is $105 and includes a ticket to the Sunday match. To register go to the Coaches’ Portal at for more detailed information, contact either Sadie Thomas (sthomas@usarugby.org) or Jennifer Gray (jgray@usarugby.org) at USA Rugby 1-800-280-6302.