Help the USRFF Provide 30,000 Rugby Balls to America's Youth

San Diego, CA (July 22, 2010) - The United States Rugby Football Foundation has provided rugby balls to over 500 teams and schools in the past six years. Now we are looking to help the individual player by providing a rugby ball to each of the 30,000 youth and high school players that are playing the game in the US.

And we are going to try to accomplish that without asking for any money from anyone. All we are asking from you is your daily vote in September.

The USRFF will be submitting a proposal called A Ball 4 All to the Pepsi Refresh Project on September 1. We are seeking their top dollar award of $250,000 and will be successful if we are one of the top two vote getters in that category at the end of the day on Thursday, September 30. I’m sure we will be up against some very stiff competition so we are asking all of you and all of your players, teammates and friends for their help. Each person will have the opportunity to vote one time per day.

If we are fortunate enough to win the $250,000, every cent of that award will be used towards the purchase of 30,000 rugby balls.

How much better would our young rugby players be if they all had a rugby ball to call their own? How many more kids would be introduced to the sport if they saw their friends tossing around a rugby ball in the yard or park? If our rugby youth had their own rugby balls they wouldn’t have to wait for the next training session to get their hands on one to pass or kick around. If they had their own ball they would be able to pick it up and practice their skills anytime they wanted.

The Rugby Foundation will be sending out frequent reminders to those already in our database. We will also be sending out reminders to those on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Please be patient during the month of August when you receive your reminders. By the end of the month you may never want to see another email from me but please take a few minutes to read the  reminders and cast your vote for A Ball 4 All. To keep those reminders fresh, we will be featuring testimonials from many current and former US Eagles players and coaches as well as current and former internationals.

Here’s your chance to help grow the sport in the US without making a financial obligation. In addition to all of the wonderful attributes that rugby provides today’s youth like leadership, sacrifice, commitment, and teamwork, many of today’s high school players could very well be on our 2016 and 2020 US Olympic Rugby teams and future Rugby World Cup teams.

Please help us be one of the top two vote getters by forwarding this email to all your players, teammates and club mates as we will need the entire US Rugby Community's support to be successful.  Individuals can also sign up to receive our electronic newsletters by clicking here.

I thank you in advance for your support of youth and high school rugby.

Best regards,

Brian Vizard
Executive Director
United States Rugby Football Foundation