Can Olympics Success be a Defining Moment for the Game?

07.19.2024

(GRR Contribution)—The Paris 2024 Olympics could present a real opportunity for the rugby sevens to grow and develop in America, if the USA men’s and women’s sides see medal success.

This is according to the current men’s team coach, Mike Friday and the current women’s captain, Naya Tapper, in an exclusive series of interviews with rugby website-streamer RugbyPass. Speaking as the squads continue their preparations in France for the events, both expressed a belief that getting into the medals will raise the game’s profile, increase the fanbase and encourage more people to get involved with the sport.

Naya Tapper, who is also the all-time leading try scorer for the USA Women's Sevens team, see a big opportunity, as well.

“I really think with Paris it’ll be a huge opportunity to strengthen the relationship we have with our current fans, but also connect with new ones and inspire the next generation of players," said the USA co-captain, who will retire from international competition following the Olympics. “With the US team, we have a real chance to get on the podium and secure the gold. Doing this will be incredible for the growth of the sport here. In addition, I hope that it’ll inspire other nations around the world who are in the same position we used to be in to believe: ‘if they can do it, we can do it’.”

Tapper went on to stress how much this all hinges on some tangible achievements from the two teams.

“No matter what the sport might be, everyone loves a winner. So if we can secure a medal, that will create an aura of success, and with success comes support in all aspects.

“Community-wise, I feel it’s important to build from the bottom up, starting with our youth, to increase the growth of the sport in the US. Success at the Olympics will get more young kids inspired and involved as well as the community around them. Business wise, success at the Olympics would mean more potential coverage of our games, sponsorships, and fundraising efforts. This will provide more accessibility to the sport, develop a clearer pathway, and push the sport forward.”

Winning, agrees Friday, is the important thing.

“I really think Paris 2024 will be a defining moment for the sport," Friday said. "In a rugby-rich nation like France, we’re going to be able to showcase the sevens and demonstrate whether or not it can truly embrace rugby itself on the global stage. You also can’t deny how the Olympics provides the best opportunities for any country to dare to dream. The reality is that American fans are very passionate about their team and their flag, but ultimately they like to win. So they’re not particularly turned on by sides that aren’t winning and aren’t at the top of their game.”

Increase financial support is a big part of it, added Friday, and he is rather direct about using the profit motive to build the game and engage fans.

“It shouldn’t be about profit, it should be about creating opportunities for new players, countries, and audiences," Friday said. "There’s genuine quality here and it needs to be seen and invested in. That said, the in-stadium experience at the sevens should cater better for fans and the sports bodies should be looking to take influence from what gets done at the Olympics. At the same time, the SVNS should be more considered around which cities they’re targeting going forward; the right cities in emerging markets is everything. Being a bit controversial, I’m not sure LA, for instance, is the best place for the World Series, compared to a city like Nashville, which has more in its city landscape that aligns with the Series experience and can bring in fresh audiences from the USA.”

Discussing how the Olympics could also be leveraged to entice younger fans, Tapper said: “I think at the moment that we as a country struggle to provide the financial support a professional rugby player deserves in comparison to sports like football or soccer. But, what we do have is the Olympics ticket, which I think will be a game-changer for younger fans to turn them on to the sevens.

“For me, the possibility of the Olympics was the reason I dropped everything I was doing to try this sport. This could be a similar thing that entices young players of other sports - at least until we’re able to get more support to provide future rugby players with what they deserve.”

The Olympic 7s kicks off July 24.

USA Men play France July 24 at 10:30AM ET and Fiji at 2:30PM.

On July 25 at 9AM ET they play Uruguay. In the afternoon they (hopefully) play in the quarterfinals. The semis and final placement games will be on July 27.

The women kick off on July 28 against Japan at 10:30AM and Brazil at 2PM.

on July 29 they face off with France at 9:30AM ET. As with the men's competition, the quarterfinals are after that and on July 30 the semis and placement games are held.

It is a really steep climb for the USA Men, as they are in a very tough pool. But two teams finishing third in their pool will make the quarterfinals, and so evenif the Eagle men lose their opening two games, if they hang tough they can get to the quarters, and then all bets are off.

For the women, they are nicely placed to do well in their pool and build toward a medal chase.

—Contributed by RugbyPass

Can Olympics Success be a Defining Moment for the Game?

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