Kurt Weaver  /  October 28, 2016

The Youth & High School Eligibility and Structure review enters its second phase of the process this week after an extremely successful open feedback window collected over 200 submissions! Members from nearly every state submitted their thoughts and feedback on several different aspects of the youth and high school game, including youth age/grade breakdowns, adjusted games and field sizes, High School league play and all star play and our player pathway.

Phase two starts the work combing through the information submitted and prioritizing the studies and data submitted by our members. It also includes interviews with other National Governing Bodies and Rugby Unions from around the world. Already, interviews with USA Wrestling, USA Lacrosse, USA Field Hockey and several others have been conducted and have helped give perspective to what is working or failing in other youth sports. Special focus is working with USA Hockey, USA Lacrosse and USA Football on their Long Term Athlete Development programs and the details of their operations. Phase two also involves input from college and club coaches and will involve our medical and safety folks weighing in with experts and perspectives from some of USA Rugby's partners in health and player welfare.

After completion of the data collection phases the Youth & High School Committee will begin the process of developing a proposal for consideration and public comment, before working to roll out a final version to the rugby community.

Questions about the process can be sent to Kurt Weaver, USA Rugby Youth & High School Director at kweaver@usarugby.org or 303-539-0300 x 126.

Read more at https://www.usarugby.org/2016/10/successful-feedback-submissions-lead-to-next-phase-of-yhs-eligibility-review/?cthceRcg7zTR0tXt.99