WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The Potomac Rugby Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of The Rugby Exchange  for the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Rugby Exchange ( https://www.facebook.com/therugbyexchange ) is an interactive community of coaches, match officials and administrators that meets at regular intervals for an exchange of thoughts, concepts and practices.

Director of Rugby at Gonzaga, Lee Kelly, explained “The Rugby Exchange is a vehicle for open exchange of ideas and best practices through discussion of topics relative to today's game.  The Exchange provides a forum for responses from the age grade, college and senior club levels (what works for one might have application for another!).”

The Rugby Exchange concept was founded in the region over 15 years ago by Scott Delaney, a Washington D.C.-based women's coach. Having been idle for quite some time, the program has been resurrected and re-named by Potomac Rugby Foundation. “The concept of the rugby exchange started with coaches in a living room exchanging ideas” said Delaney. This evolution is what coaches, administrators and referees crave – an opportunity to learn from experts, learn from one another, and expand the possibilities of what we know”.

The inaugural session of The Rugby Exchange will be held on Sunday, February 8th at Gonzaga College High School, Washington, D.C. and will involve a presentation on the High School Game Management Guidelines by the Potomac Society of Rugby Football Referees, and on coaching Confidence in Contact to be delivered by USA Rugby National Women’s Team Defense Coach and Gonzaga Varsity Coach, Peter Baggetta.  The session is free and will run approximately 75 minutes followed by Q & A and a social gathering. USA Rugby Professional Development Credits (PDCs) may be available.

Kurt Mockenhaupt, Director for the Potomac  Rugby Foundation, commented “The Exchange will provide continuing education, resources and dialogue on a regular basis. The Foundation is proud to be bringing this to the rugby community and is excited to consider where it may go. Look for more 2015 Foundation initiatives to be announced soon. “

To submit an idea for discussion, a presentation for review or if your organization would like to host a session of The Rugby Exchange, contact the Foundation at rugbyfoundation.org   703-966-5253

The Rugby Exchange is a programming initiative offered by the Potomac Rugby Foundation www.rugby-foundation.org, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Potomac-Rugby-Foundation/386139931455628 whose mission is to develop, promote and preserve rugby football in the Mid-Atlantic area.

Other Foundation initiatives include: Mid-Atlantic Rugby Calendar, The Rugby Academy, The Challenge Cup Age Grade Regional Cup Tourney, Ned Haig Age Grade 7's Showcase and Rookie Rugby Outreach and Development.