USA Rugby Launches Rookie Rugby Club

via my inbox and from USA Rugby:

BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby is launching a new online club and educational resource for youth rugby supporters. The Rookie Rugby Club is a social-networking website that allows players, coaches, referees and educators from all regions of the country to connect and learn about the game. Everything from visual learning tools to interactive contests are included and available for FREE at www.rookierugby.com.

The site, which was originally developed and piloted last year by Play Rugby, Inc. (www.playrugbyusa.com), has been re-branded to reflect the recent launch of the Rookie Rugby. It provides a platform through which USA Rugby can engage youth rugby players and supporters from both within and outside the existing rugby community – an important component in increasing participation in the game. The site also provides an important component for a national Rookie Rugby awareness campaign intended for later this year.

Rookie Rugby, recently introduced at the International Doubleheader in Salt Lake City, is a fun, safe, non-contact game for boys and girls of all ages. As a major feature of the 2008 USA Rugby Youth & High School Conference on the Game, USA Rugby was able to accredit more than 100 attendants as official Rookie Rugby Educators to encourage the expansion of the program across the USA.

The game can be played in any space with five to seven players per team and most recently participants from all over the USA played Rookie Rugby for the first time at the USA Sevens in San Diego. Rookie Rugby Club membership cards were handed out to thousands of youth and volunteers at schools, YMCA’s, and skills clinics associated with the international tournament.

Along with the guide, USA Rugby offers an informative online education course that allows interested individuals to become accredited Rookie Rugby volunteers while earning continuing education credits towards USA Rugby coach certification. Rookie Rugby inquiries are pouring in and athletes and parents are setting up matches and establishing programs in all areas of the country.

Educators are also looking to Rookie Rugby as an excellent option to diversify their standard curriculum and USA Rugby’s Rookie Rugby Club offers a way to track numbers and locations where people are playing while forging connections with the newest members of the growing rugby community.

Rookie Rugby Club allows individuals, clubs, players, and volunteers to communicate to members via messaging, photos, videos, and blogs. All members can promote a local tournament, upload video footage, schedule a match or simply connect with fans and teammates. Additionally, the Rookie Rugby Club provides an avenue to follow the progress of the USA Men’s and Women’s Eagles and keep informed of the newest USA Rugby resources and events.

Joining the club is free and easy for all. To create a personal, team or organization profile, log on to www.rookierugby.com and follow the instructions listed for new members and print out an official Rookie Rugby Club membership card.

For more information about upcoming Rookie Rugby events, please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/special_events and details about the game are outlined in the official guidebook found at www.usarugby.org/goto/Rookie_Rugby.