Nigel Melville Direct

Today I traveled the 90 miles south from Boulder to Colorado Springs, home of the USOC, to discuss the recent announcement that rugby will participate in the 2011 Pan American Games to be held in Guadalajara.

Of course, everyone associated with the global game of rugby would love to see it in the Olympic Games, but few know that it once was, and even fewer know that the reigning gold medal holders are the USA!

The IRB is now actively chasing the dream of inclusion in the Olympic Games and are making significant progress. Rugby Sevens is now included in the African, Asian, Commonwealth and Pan Am Games and is currently included on a list of seven sports being considered for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games (which could be held in Chicago - what a great occasion that would be!).

Today's meeting was the with USOC Sport Partnerships Team, led by Bob Gambardella, was to outline the process of raising USA Rugby's Olympic Membership from Affiliate to Pan Am status... big deal, I hear you say!

Well, it is a big deal. It demonstrates the progress USA Rugby is making, confirms the growing reputation of rugby on the global sporting landscape and represents an opportunity for USA Rugby to work with and benefit from the knowledge and support of some of the most experienced sports administrators in the world. 

This morning I gave a presentation on USA Rugby, a short history, governance, finance, sponsorship and membership. This was followed by short presentations from the Sport Partnerships Team, discussions about the services that the USOC will be able to offer us, and the next steps. 

In preparation for the San Diego Sevens, the Eagles will base themselves at the Olympic Training Center at Chula Vista. We have used this facility in the past for team assemblies and always felt like somewhat outsiders. 

There is no doubt that once we have raised our membership status with the USOC, our players, coaches and administrators will benefit from a wide range of services available to member governing bodies and feel part of a far greater sporting organization. 

I strongly believe that with privilege comes responsibility. The USOC will help support the development of the Eagles Sevens program and in return comes our responsibility to win medals!

Yes, we have a lot of work to do, but then again, no one gave a group of poorly prepared Stanford students any hope of winning a gold medal as they boarded a boat to Paris in 1924 either!