WHAT DO I GET FOR MY ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE?

By Mark Rudolph, Executive Director

We are asked the above question many times throughout the course of the year. Players, coaches and team contacts are often confused about the services provided by USA Rugby and the dues paid at the various levels (National, Territorial and Local). Below are the benefits of registration with the USA Rugby National Program.

Governance Structure
As with any sport organization, a system of governance is essential to maintain a sense of organization and control over the sport. USA Rugby is a volunteer driven organization, led by a Board of Directors and various committees designed to provide quality national programs. Committees include: Collegiate, Communications, Competition, Discipline, Eligibility, Referees and Laws, Safety/Risk Management, Technical, among others. Members of each committee volunteer countless hours of work to provide a service to the organization. The USA Rugby Board of Directors meets biannually and the Management Committee typically meets 3-4 times per year. USA Rugby often pays for their budgeted expenses. USA Rugby is an affiliated member of the US Olympic Committee (USOC) and a prominent member of the International Rugby Board (IRB).

Revenues	Expenses

Liability Insurance
Perhaps the most visible of the USA Rugby benefits of membership, liability insurance provides liability protection in case of property damage or bodily injury to third parties. These parties may include the venue owner, coaches, referees, sponsors, spectators and others. Most venue owners will require this type of insurance before a club is allowed to step on the field of play. Upon request, USA Rugby provides each club with a certificate of insurance and the club may add "additional insureds" to the policy. This type of insurance is costly and would be difficult to purchase by a single club for a reasonable fee. Each member is mailed a summary of this insurance.

Membership Card
Each year, USA Rugby provides a membership card to each registered participant. In 2000, USA Rugby will mail membership cards directly to each individual member. Registered players only need to show this card to prove membership. Registrants should allow 3-4 weeks for delivery of this card following date of registration.

National Championships
USA Rugby annually conducts 22 national championship tournaments at the various high school, collegiate and club levels for both men and women. These championships are coordinated through a local host organization and orchestrated through the national office.

National Office Operations
To carry out the vision of the USA Rugby Board of Directors, USA Rugby employs a full-time staff of 11 professional staff personnel in two offices (California and Colorado). These employees, led by an Executive Director and a Director of Business Development, carry out the day-to-day operations of the organization.

Communications
USA Rugby has developed several communication vehicles to speak directly with our members. The most used is the USA Rugby web site www.usarugby.org. Players, coaches, referees and administrators can obtain the latest organizational news and information. Also, USA Rugby produces Touchline newsletter (all members), the Pelicans Beak (referees) and the National Technical News (coaches). Finally, USA Rugby maintains various e-mail lists for mass communication to various constituents on a daily basis.

On-Line Club/ Individual Registration Reporting
USA Rugby members can now obtain a printout of registered club members by visiting the USA Rugby web site and going to the "CIPP Query" section. This information is updated every Thursday and is a valuable resource for teams participating in tournaments.

Coach and Referee Instructional Programs
Through the National Technical Panel and the Referees/Laws Committee, USA Rugby annually conducts instructional clinics for coaches and referees. Each year the Coaching Program educates more than 300 coaches and 400 referees through these programs. Players wishing to become involved as a coach or a referee should contact the USA Rugby National Office.

National Teams
It is important to note that no portion of the individual or club membership fee goes toward the support of any USA Rugby national team program. Each year USA Rugby fields the following national teams through support from corporate sponsors: Men’s, Women’s, Women’s Under 23, Men’s Under, Men’s 7’s, Women’s 7’s and the Collegiate All-American Men’s National Teams. Each team conducts its own evaluation and try-out programs and most USA Rugby members are eligible.

USA Rugby is continually searching for ways to increase membership benefits while reducing the percentage of income that is derived from membership registration fees. If you have ideas or suggestions, please send them to:

USA Rugby Membership Committee
3595 E. Fountain Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
(719) 637-1315 Fax.