The BABC Northern California Young Professionals, in partnership with Play Rugby USA, proudly presents "The Rise of Rugby - A Giant Awakens".
Please join us on August 26th, 2015, and share in the anticipation and excitement leading up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup to be hosted by the RFU - September 18-October 31, in the UK.
This event brings to the Bay Area an unprecedented, esteemed panel of international of Rugby Legends - past and present, male and female.
You'll not be disappointed as our charismatic speakers take center stage to share their personal experiences in their own rise to Rugby fame. They'll be no shortage of fun, laughter and true Rugby camaraderie as we hear first hand how the game has impacted their lives for good, both personally and professionally.
With Rugby being the fastest growing team sport in the US, our sporting heroes will delve in to the past, present and future of the game and share their thoughts on the 'how and why' Rugby has gained so much popularity over the past 20 years, particularly here in the United States. We'll learn what to expect as the sport gains further traction and how the rise of Rugby will have a giant impact on both the business environment and the sports scene, comparing it to the majors of the NFL, NBA and MLB. We'll ask for their insights on what's needed to elevate Rugby to the next level in the USA; also, how Rugby is harnessing a "Sports for Good" philosophy in activating youth participation, development and positively impacting our communities. A great example of this is the good work being done by our event partner, Play Rugby USA, who in 2015 is celebrating a decade of "Developing Youth through Rugby"
Finally, we'll learn of who to watch out for in the RWC and in Rio de Janeiro next year where Rugby 7's will make its Olympic debut. It's going to be a great event! |
- Rugby, the world's contact sport, is played in over 120 countries on 6 continents by men and women of all ages.
- The Rugby World Cup is the 3rd most watched sporting event in the world - 390 million - only behind the FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympic Games.
- Rugby is the fastest growing team sport in the United States.
- Rugby 7's is the world's newest Olympic Sport - next year in Rio De Janeiro
- There are more female rugby players registered in America than in any other country in the world.
- The Bay Area will host the Rugby World Cup 7's in 2018.
- Over 40 of the USA Eagles Rugby Players have been from the Bay Area.
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USA Sevens Rugby Marketing Platform from Jeff McDowell on Vimeo.
For information on sponsoring the USA Sevens (March 4-6, 2016), please email Rob Cornelius or call (702) 283 2212
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PLAY RUGBY USA HONOREES |
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Adding to this unique evening, Play Rugby USA will recognize and honor three individuals for their immense dedication to their respective fields and support of their mission over the last decade. Each of these industry leaders will join us for this incredible event and will be presented with an award by our guest of honor British Consul General to San Francisco Priya Guha. Play Rugby USA are thankful for this opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the honorees to the Rise of Rugby and the success of Play Rugby USA!
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Tom Billups
Coach
University of California |
Jeff Hamaoui
Founder
FurtherByDesign |
Stuart Bagshaw
CEO/Founder
BAB Leap, LLC |
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CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: |
Panelists:
Gavin Hastings OBE, Former Scotland and British & Irish Lions Captain
Jeremy Guscott MBE, Former England and British & Irish Lions Player
Paul Wallace, Former Ireland and British & Irish Lions Player
Dan Lyle, Former USA Eagles Captain and Executive Vice President, United World Sports/USA Sevens
Jack Clark, Former USA Eagles Coach and current Head Rugby Coach at UC Berkeley
Irene Gardner, USA Eagles Women's current player
Co-Moderators:
Mark Griffin, MBE - CEO/Founder, Play Rugby USA
Tony Ridnell, former USA Eagle
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SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES: |
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Gavin Hastings, OBE
Former Captain for Scotland and
the British & Irish Lions
IRB Hall of Fame |
Gavin Hastings, OBE
Gavin Hastings arrived at Cambridge University (where he studied Land Economy) via George Watsons College in Edinburgh and Paisley College of Technology. He played in two Varsity Matches in the mid 80's captaining the Light Blues just 5 weeks before winning his first Cap for Scotland. In an 18 to 17 point victory over France, he kicked 6 penalty goals in the process. 60 further Caps followed including 20 as Captain. He retired having played in the first three Rugby World Cups and then went on to tour with the British Lions to Australia in 1989 and as Captain to NZ in 1993. Among his highlights were being part of only the 3rd Scottish Team to win the Grand Slam in 1990 and scoring a last gasp try in Paris in 1995 after 26 years of waiting. A party was long overdue on that occasion !!
He captained every team he ever played for including Watsonians, Cambridge University, London Scottish, Scotland, the Barbarians and the Lions and is widely recognized as one of the finest players of his generation having amassed 733 points in Test Match rugby over a 10 year period. He was awarded an OBE in 1994 for services to rugby and was inducted into the International Rugby Board Hall of Fame in 2013. [Read more...] |
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Jeremy Guscott, MBE
Born in Bath, England, July 7th, 1965, former England and British & Irish Lions rugby international, Jeremy Guscott, enjoyed a remarkable career which began in 1984 playing for his hometown to whom he stayed loyal throughout his rugby career. During his time at Bath, Guscott helped the team win 6 Leagues, 6 Pilkington Cups and 1 European Cup.
Considered one of the finest ball-players of any rugby age, Guscott made his debut for England in 1989 where he made his mark scoring a superb hat trick of tries leading to a 58-3 win against Romania. Between 1989 and 1999, he received 65 caps including those for representing England in 3 Rugby World Cups (91, 95 and 99) and being a pivotal player for the national team in winning 3 Five Nations Grand Slams (1991, 92 and 95). [Read more...] |
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Paul Wallace
Former Ireland and British and Irish Lions Rugby Player |
Paul Wallace
Paul is a former Irish Rugby player, widely acknowledged as world class by commentators, fans and his fellow players alike. Paul has a unique profile, not just in Ireland, but in the UK and across the international rugby scene - having been ranked top player in the world in his position, he is now a well respected commentator across National and International Television, Radio and print.
Paul was seen by millions of viewers in the UK and Ireland commentating on the Lions tour of South Africa with the sole European broadcaster Sky Sports. Paul has also worked with ITV and TV3 during the 2011 Rugby World cup and is a regular member of the Sky Sports studio. Paul also writes for the Daily/Sunday Mail and Rugby World Magazine as well as being a contributor to Today FM's drive time show, "The Last Word".
[Read more...] |
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Dan Lyle
Executive Vice President
United World Sports/
USA Sevens LLC
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Dan Lyle
Dan Lyle serves as Executive Vice President for United World Sports/USA Sevens LLC. Lyle joined the company in 2006 and served as tournament director for four years before moving to his current position in 2010. Overseeing both the USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament in Las Vegas, USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship, Varsity Cup (all joint ventured with NBC Sports), the ProSoccer MLS Preseason Challenge, Rugby Magazine and consulting within the rugby and sporting space, Lyle draws upon both his extensive leadership and athletic backgrounds to lead the largest commercial rugby tournament in the United States.
Born Sept. 28, 1970 in Louisville, Ky., Lyle devoted his athletic talents to American football throughout high school and college. After an outstanding college football career as a tight end for the Virginia Military Institute, Lyle pursued a professional football career during tryouts with the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). While attempting to make an NFL roster, Lyle took up rugby at the age of 23 to keep his athletic skills on point should the NFL come calling. [Read more...] |
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Jack Clark
Head Coach, Rugby
UC Berkeley |
Jack Clark
A sixth-generation Californian and three-sport standout in football, basketball and track & field at Edison High School in Huntington Beach, Jack Clark was an All-America tackle at Orange Coast Junior College before accepting a football scholarship at the University of California, where he starred in football and rugby for the Golden Bears. Clark was a lock on the U.S. National Team before embarking on a coaching career that has included more victories than any other head coach in the history of the USA Eagles in addition to 23 national collegiate championships since becoming the head coach at Cal in 1984.
Clark, who as of the end of summer 2014 has led the Bears to 22 national collegiate titles in 15s and two collegiate 7s titles, has produced 126 All-Americans, 36 players who have played for the U.S. National Team, five players who have earned 10 Varsity Blues competing for Oxford University against Cambridge as graduate students and three who have received residency contracts from the U.S. Olympic Committee. He exited the 2014 summer season with an all-time collegiate coaching record, all with Cal, of 577-74-5 (.879) in 15s and 65-13 (.833) in 7s. [Read more...] |
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Irene Gardner
USA Women's Rugby
7s National Team |
Irene Gardner
Irene Gardner, a San Francisco native, graduated from the University of California at Berkeley where she started her career in rugby. After playing for the Golden Bears, she played with Atlanta Harlequins while attending graduate school at Life University and the University of Alabama. She returned to the Bay Area and works as a Registered Dietitian. Irene plays locally for the Berkeley All Blues and has been training and competing with the USA Women's Rugby 7s National Team since 2011. Irene has played internationally around the world, including representing the USA in the 2013 Rugby 7s World Cup in Russia, where the USA won Bronze. |
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Mark Griffin, MBE CEO/Founder
Play Rugby USA |
Mark Griffin, MBE
Mark Griffin is a pioneer in the field of sports-themed youth development with a specific passion for using rugby as a vehicle for social change. A former USA National Rugby Team player Mark has recently held two national leadership positions in rugby: one as the CEO of Play Rugby, Inc; the other as the National Youth and High School Director for USA Rugby.
Hailing from Rutland in England, Mark Griffin holds an honors degree in Business, Anthropology and Geography from the University of Durham, England and a degree in Financial Services from UMIST, England. Prior to devoting his attention to youth development, Mark had 9 years of corporate and investment banking experience with The Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays Capital.
Mark founded Play Rugby, Inc in June 2003 to tackle challenges facing America's urban youth with a mission of "developing youth through rugby." As CEO Mark has combined his passion for social entrepreneurship, education and collaboration to place Play Rugby is at the forefront of youth development in the USA. [Read more...]
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Anthony M. Ridnell
Founder/CEO
TRI Chemicals |
Anthony M. Ridnell
Anthony M. Ridnell was born in New York City on January 1, 1961 and grew up in Bronxville, New York and Sydney, Australia. He graduated a 2nd Lieutenant in 1982 from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. Having served as a Field Artillery Battery Commander from 1986-88, Anthony decided to leave the army and pursue a rugby career and an opportunity in the chemical business.
His rugby career flourished and he was fortunate to represent the USA Eagles (USA National Team) in three separate Rugby World Cup events (1987, 1991, 1993) and is one of only three people to have represented the USA in three such events. [Read more...] |
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