Kevin Swiryn Named Top Performer at IRANZ High Performance Course

San Diego, CA (July 3, 2008) – The USRF is proud to announce that 2008 High Performance Grant recipient, Kevin Swiryn, has won the Jason Eaton Award at the recently completed International Rugby Academy of New Zealand’s High Peformance Course. The Jason Eaton Award is voted on by course participants and coaches honoring the top performer of the intensive three-week course.Kevin was also named a vice-captain of the IRANZ side, a first for an American born player.“The IRANZ course was truly an unbelievable experience,” said Swiryn, who captained St. Mary’s to this year’s Collegiate Big Four. “To be in that atmosphere and learning from all the great coaches was invaluable. I will be a better player because of it and look forward to what the future has in store.”IRANZ Director and former All Blacks great Murray Mexted was impressed with the young American. “Kevin Swiryn was an outstanding success. He made rapid progress and is a very good learner with an outstanding attitude and is an athlete to boot. Winning the Jason Eaton award is a great achievement considering he is surrounded by top Academy players from all around the world. The course has highlighted a number of areas requiring a real focus and we are sure that Kevin has the conscientiousness to apply himself and therefore gain the greatest benefit from his IRANZ experience. You’ll see this man playing for the Eagles.” Kevin’s immediate future will see him returning to New Zealand in a week’s time as captain of the United States Collegiate All-American side. The All-American tour caps off a busy start to the 2008 season as Kevin also skippered the Pacific Coast Collegiate Grizzlies to the All-Star Championship last month in Glendale.The USRF High Performance Grant was made possible through funding provided by ITI USA. A leading wholesaler of wood products in Australia for two decades, ITI USA now operates in the United States offering a range of quality assured wood products. ITI’s flagship product Design Pine is now readily available from USA inventory.The USRF is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization established in 1963. Although its main focus is supporting youth and high school rugby, the Foundation also provides grants to coaches and referees; establishes international student exchanges and college scholarships, has assisted the United States Collegiate All-Americans and Boys Under-19 teams, and also provides grants to Safety and Risk Management Research.Read more about Kevin’s IRANZ experience.