USA Partners with Rugby!

 As a new category within USA Rugby membership, the form of the game commonly referred to as "touch" will now be a full supported and covered membership category under the union's structure. USA Touch has been a successful organization fielding developmental and high performance teams at events like the Touch Nationals and the Federation of International Touch World Cup.

"This enhanced partnership with USA Rugby vastly improves the opportunities we have to improve the participation and awareness of the sport of Rugby," noted USA Touch President, OJ Hawea, "We are excited to utilize the expertise of USA Rugby to manage the business side of the game as it allows us to focus more on building the game. This partnership highlights the work that has been done by both organizations to offer more to the public by way of participation and I can't wait to see where the next couple of years takes us"

As a measure of the agreement, current USA Touch Rugby members will join the USA Rugby membership, receiving full value of USA Rugby membership registration, insurance coverage and benefits. Additionally, the USA Touch Rugby national teams will partner with the USA Rugby High Performance department for sharing and advancement of both organizations. This linkage is key timing with the 2019 Touch World Cup in Malaysia happening in April. USA Rugby Clubs will additionally have a new opportunity for domestic competition, with the Touch Nationals happening each year.

"This is a fantastic partnership for the sport as a whole here in the United States," said USA Rugby Interim CEO, Ross Young, "Touch rugby provides a perfectly accessible non-contact form of the game to eager new rugby players and broadens the inclusivity of USA Rugby. Fittingly in-line with World Rugby and USA Rugby's plans for retention and offering more opportunity in our sport."