News





Where did it go wrong?

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Crystal Cooke

We updated last week that we were waiting to publish anything further on this topic until the final USA Rugby Disciplinary Report was available. We’ve been told that the report has been shared with USA Rugby and it is in the final stages of review. As this has dragged on more than a year, we … Read more

Under the Posts – Aug 10-16

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World Rugby announces joint men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup host selection process

Under the Posts – Aug 10-16 starts with a moving video from Ugo Monye, Maro Itoje and Ellis Genge around racism. We’re also looking at the joint men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup host selection process, some 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup squads are announced, the RAN rugby online women’s forum continues, 5 player features … Read more

Under the Posts – Aug 3-9

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Grace McKenzie - The Rugby Breakdown

Under the Posts – Aug 3-9 spotlights the #tackletransphobia campaign, RAN Rugby began their Women’s Online Forum, the 2020 Six Nations resumes in late October, the 2021 European Qualifiers are confirmed, 5 player features and 3 media podcasts/videos. Featured Women’s Rugby News We’re fighting for our transgender sisters this week, if you haven’t heard…World Rugby … Read more

Under the Posts – Jul 27-Aug 2

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Women's Rugby in Iran

Under the Posts – Jul 27-Aug 2 features the return of International XVs rugby in October, a revised HSBC 7s Series, petitions to support trans athletes, rugby growth in Iran, South America hosts  their first Coaching Academy, France is back to training, Premier 15s moves to non-contact training, four player features, five media events and … Read more

Under the Posts – Jul 13-19

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2020 Farah Palmer Cup Draw Announced

Under the Posts – 13-19 begins with good news (it’s coming more frequent now it seems!). The rugby schedule at the 2021 Olympics has been released, Ireland has announced their club competitions will begin in January 2021, New Zealand announced the draw for the Farah Palmer Cup, we have five player features, five media items … Read more

Hevani Kaihau Receives Williamson Rugby Referee Scholarship

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Hevani Kaihau, 20, is receiving the David Williamson Referee Scholarship for 2020 to advance her skills and experience as an emerging rugby official. The scholarship fund was created in 2017 to recruit, train and coach young referees in honor of David “Bunny” Williamson, a national panel referee and referee evaluator. The fund’s goals include assuring that teams, from youth to senior sides, have quality match officials by building a pipeline that will impact the sport for years to come. Will Nelson, 22, who just graduated from Santa Clara University, is also receiving a Williamson scholarship this summer. Kaihau comes from a rugby family. Her father, Bo, had a lengthy career as a player, including co-founding the Sacramento Lions. Hevani and her sister were high school teammates on the Land Park Harlequins. Bo Kaihau went on to be a match official and continues to coach. Kaihau has been taking classes at Sacramento City College and plans to transfer to a four year university. For now, she hopes to both referee and continuing playing. She would like to be a professional in one or both roles. “My Dad gives me tips on refereeing and explaining the game,” says Kaihau. “I am beyond grateful to receive the scholarship.” The Northern California Rugby Referee Society oversees the Williamson Scholarship. The eight member scholarship committee includes, Helen Marcus, Jennifer Tetler, Phil Ackroyd, Bryant Byrnes, Matt Eason, Neil MacDonald, Peter Sandhill and Hosley Past recipients include Andrew Stockton, Matt Mulholland and Drew Arballo, all of whom are officiating at the college D1-A elite level. Each spent a summertime exchange in Alberta, Canada. “Hevani first came to my attention when I was coordinating referee coaches for the Sacramento Kick Off Tournament in 2018,” says scholarship committee chair David Hosley. “Already a very good player, she wanted to try being a touch judge. By summer she was refing sevens and has improved very quickly with support from our referee society coaches.” This year’s recipients may travel to other regions of the U.S. or abroad for their exchanges. Rugby NorCal is planning to resume youth matches with high school girls seven-a-side league in the fall. Besides the scholarship, the fund also supports other referee exchanges through the year, sending teenaged Northern California referees to other regions for tournament assignments and coaching. More than two dozen young referees are expected to advance their skills through Williamson financial support this year.

Hevani Kaihau, 20, is receiving the David Williamson Referee Scholarship for 2020 to advance her skills and experience as an emerging rugby official. The scholarship fund was created in 2017 to recruit, train and coach young referees in honor of David “Bunny” Williamson, a national panel referee and referee evaluator. The fund’s goals include assuring … Read more