San Diego, Calif.—The United States Rugby Foundation, a non-profit which for 60 years has supported the development and expansion of youth and grassroots rugby in America, hired Jon Hinkin of San Diego as its first Chief Operating Officer.
Hinkin, formerly the Executive Director for the San Diego Parks Foundation, brings fundraising, customer support and management expertise to the USRF and will join President Brian Vizard, to expand the Foundation’s reach and impact.
“I look forward to working with my former teammate & fellow US Eagle, Jon Hinkin, to grow rugby in our country and get more boys and girls playing the game,” Vizard, the Foundation’s president for the past 19 years, said. “Rugby has played a major role in my life ever since I picked up a rugby ball for the first time in 1978. I’m excited about bringing that experience to more children.”
Before joining the San Diego Parks, Hinkin was Vice President of Competitions and Tournament Director for United World Sports. He managed events that generated over $40 million in annual economic impact, including the Rugby 7s World Series stop in the US, the US Collegiate Rugby National Championships, the Las Vegas soccer Challenge, Varsity Cup Rugby and the Women’s International 7s Rugby Tournament.
“I am honored to be joining the United States Rugby Foundation. Rugby has been an integral part of my life for almost 40 years. It has given me so much as a player, coach and fan. Now, as the COO of the Rugby Foundation I will have the ability to give back to the sport I love and continue the tremendous work of our President, Brian Vizard, our Board of Directors and the members of the USRF,” Hinkin said.
