What is The US Rugby Foundation?
The US Rugby Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to grow the game of rugby in the United States by supporting youth rugby, Health & Safety, Coaching, Refereeing, and Pathways to Excellence while honoring those who exemplify the best of American Rugby.
Six Decades of Lasting Change
Three men of vision – the late Fritz Grunebaum, Ed Riseborough, and Bob Lemire established the United States Rugby Foundation in Boston in 1963. They believed that the 100-year-old sport of rugby could take root in the United States through the creation of a foundation whose mission would be to grow and promote the sport at the grassroots level.
From its origins as the Bay State Rugby Foundation, the Foundation grew under Fritz’s guidance and the leadership of Dick Poulson of the Washington Rugby Club and Joe Walsh of Boston and M.I.T. Today, the Foundation continues to build on this bold vision through its programs and activities. Rugby is now played by thousands of men’s, women’s, masters, girls and boys clubs in the United States with the greatest growth coming in the formation of new youth and high school rugby programs.
The Foundation preceded USA Rugby (the governing body of the sport in the U.S.) by twelve years and was set up as a charitable Public Foundation with chartered goals of promoting and popularizing the game of rugby in the United States. While the Foundation is completely independent of USA Rugby, its programs generally complement and support those of USA Rugby.
2022: A Year in Review
Throughout 2022, the Foundation had countless accomplishments. View our 2022 Year in Review where you can catch up on the details and gain some inspiration on how you can impact the Foundation in 2023. With your continued support, the Foundation will reach new heights!
VIEW YEAR IN REVIEW
Our Financials
We know it’s important to you that your donation is being used effectively. It’s important to us, too.
Leading The Foundation Board
Brian Vizard
Brian Vizard, former captain of the United States National Team, has been the Foundation’s President for the past 18 years. Brian heads up a remarkable group of Directors and Governors whose credentials include: 14 Former US Eagles, including five past Eagle Captains, 3 Past Presidents of USA Rugby and several past USAR Founders & Board Members, as well as the past Presidents of many of the most successful rugby clubs in America, 3 Former Eagles Head Coaches and top-level coaches from club, college, high school, and youth rugby teams, and a past Chairman of the USA Rugby’s Medical Committee and a former team physician of the USA Men’s National Team.
Brian’s storyBoard of Directors
The US Rugby Foundation is governed by a group of Directors from around the country who volunteer their time to support the Foundation.
Our Directors have distinguished rugby careers, and, collectively, have a broad background in business, law, and academia. While the current roster of Foundation Directors is notable, we continue to invite additional Directors to broaden our geographic coverage of the country.
Board of Governors
Assisting the US Rugby Foundation Board of Directors is the Board of Governors. The Governors live in different geographical areas throughout the country, and work hard to carry and spread the mission of the Foundation.
Like our Directors, our Governors have distinguished rugby careers, and, collectively, have a broad background in business, law, and academia. While the current roster of Foundation Governors is notable, we continue to invite additional Governors to broaden our geographic coverage of the country.
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Interested in Becoming a Governor?
The US Rugby Foundation is searching for new Governors to continue to build grassroots rugby in America. If you have an interest and commitment, and would like to make a difference within your region, please show your interest by completing our application.
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