Unprompted by myself, James Wilber, former captain at the University of Michigan and current employee at USA Rugby, passed along his take on how to foster the retention of passionate rugby players as they inevitably phase out of serious competition. As always, if you have your own thoughts, pass them along. Thanks and enjoy!
In a recent post Mr. Josh Rubin posed an interesting question, asking “What will be American about how Americans play Rugby?” After reading his post I began to reflect on the American sporting experience. Professional sport in particular has established an unquestionable foundation of public support and cemented its place at the top of popular culture. Fierce hometown loyalty and storied rivalries create electricity that attracts new and old fans to spectacles that characterize the American spirit. However, another important cornerstone of our sport culture can be found in our backyards, city parks, and local schools.
Parents and athletes in American youth sport devote an incredible amount of time and resources to youth participation in interscholastic athletics and traveling club teams. Although this phenomenon is likely rooted in our passion for competitive sport, it is perpetuated by an opportunistic marketplace. While advances in conditioning techniques, sport nutrition, and coach development have been driven by elite athletes, the youth demographic is a much larger, highly impressionable, and more attractive target market. All too often, parents and athletes fall in love with the athletic ‘sales pitch’ and begin focusing on what it takes to win rather than the altruistic ideals of sport participation. This fixation on winning and being the best has fostered an environment which has led to the development of several ethical concerns in youth sport, including over-zealous parenting and overtraining.
As rugby continues to grow at the youth level, it will be important to acknowledge this reality and plan to combat these issues. Why is rugby well positioned to overcome these obstacles? Though most competitive sports focus on results, rugby has always been about participation. In order to sustain a club, rugby teams actively recruit players, many of whom are unfamiliar with the nuances of the game; these recruits often later become administrators and coaches. Without new blood, the organization stands to fail and club culture cannot be passed on to new generations. Many American rugby players find the game late in life and are well positioned to transition into administrative and coaching roles, and many American rugby clubs ask their players to serve in these roles out of necessity. The American rugby men and women born out of this system have deep connection to the game cultivated through hands on experience with team development and season planning. By encouraging adolescent players to take part in this same experience, rugby can turn the definition of athlete development on its head.
Make no mistake; athletes should be focused on competition. However, youth participants should be free to explore their passions and it is important to convey that there is no expiration date on their involvement with the game. Allowing them to dabble in administrative and coaching experiences earlier in their career prepares them for future opportunities to lead. We should provide youth with the chance to take on administrative responsibility and coach up their peers when the time is right. Whether it is working an officer meeting into the offseason or allowing an experienced player to explain a drill, increasing adolescent involvement with club management will help to encourage lifelong participation in the sport.
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