NCAA Initiative Remains Important
In addition to the realignment with CRAA, USA Rugby will look ahead to similar boosted efforts on the Women’s NCAA Emerging Sport project, accelerating the current efforts to meet the threshold of 40 varsity programs and beyond, along with expansion in further regions around the USA.
In the long term, it is likely that the NCAA initiative is more important, certainly for women's rugby but arguably for everybody. We are already seeing how players coming out of the NCAA programs are huge boosts to the improvement in the Women's National Team.
But, more broadly speaking, American sports fans understand NCAA sports.
At the same time, USA Rugby recognized that they can't focus on just one thing. And short-term, CRAA needs to address the things listed about—a better social media presence, continued improvement in production values, full-time positions, and operational support.
“The foundation of collegiate rugby today is the result of decades of dedication and leadership from conference administrators, coaches, and volunteers,” said Bill Goren, Chief Executive Officer of USA Rugby. “Through countless hours of often unseen and thankless work, CRAA have built a vibrant collegiate rugby community that has served generations of student-athletes. USA Rugby is deeply grateful for those contributions, and we are committed to building upon that foundation by investing additional resources while continuing to rely on the expertise and infrastructure of the CRAA community.”
Collegiate rugby occupies a unique and essential place within American rugby, and World Rugby is recognizing that with their Rugby World Cup pre-tournament funding that is being apportioned, via USA Rugby, to various key parts of the game.
“College rugby is one of the most important pillars of our sport,” Goren added. “This partnership is an investment in its future. By combining USA Rugby’s national resources with CRAA’s experience and leadership, we can create a stronger, more connected collegiate system that benefits every level of the game, from youth rugby to our national teams.”
USA Rugby General Manager of High Performance, Tamara Sheppard added, "The bolstered partnership between USA Rugby and the college game is a critical step in building a stronger national pathway for student-athletes. By better resourcing the collegiate development system, we can create improved opportunities for athletes to progress to the highest levels of the game, and ultimately represent the United States in the Olympic Games and Rugby World Cup. This investment is instrumental in developing more Men’s and Women’s Eagles, it's an exciting moment for student-athletes and the national team programs alike.”
The integration will be implemented strategically and deliberately to ensure continuity for conferences, member institutions, and student-athletes. CRAA and USA Rugby leadership will guide the process together, maintaining consistency in leadership, operations, and decision-making.
“This partnership gives collegiate rugby access to necessary resources while preserving the experience and community that have made CRAA successful,” said Paul Keeler, Executive Director of CRAA. “Together, we are building a stronger foundation for the future of the college game.”
The initiative also supports the long-term strategic partnership between USA Rugby and World Rugby, by aligning domestic priorities with the broader vision for rugby across the United States. Both organizations are investing in the game from 2026 through RWC hostings of 2031 and 2033. Certainly it's a step (finally) by World Rugby saying they are serious about the American rugby and sports-entertainment market.
“Collegiate sports in the United States are unlike any other in the world," said World Rugby Chief Executive Officer Alan Gilpin. "Unlocking the opportunity that exists for college rugby is essential to the long-term growth of the game in the US, encouraging schools and universities to elevate or adopt rugby into their sports infrastructure, creating a meaningful entry point and pathway for aspiring athletes. Alignment between USA Rugby and CRAA is a key step towards realizing that goal, and sits at the heart of our dedicated growth strategy aimed at unlocking the full potential of rugby in the U.S on the road to Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups in 2031, 2033 and beyond.”
