United States Rugby Foundation Provides Grant From Recovery Fund to Assist New Orleans Rugby Community

San Diego, CA (May 10, 2007) – The United States Rugby Foundation has announced its latest grant to the rugby community affected by Hurricane Katrina. The $12,000 grant will help offset the cost of repairing the light stanchions at the New Orleans Rugby Club’s pitch that were damaged during the hurricane.“Following Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans rugby community was literally scattered to the corners of the country. As we all gradually returned to face the destruction and rebuild our lives, we found that while the storm had snapped our light poles, it had not broken the spirit of our Club or rugby community,” said Adam Massey, President of the New Orleans Rugby Club. “Thanks to the generous grant of USRF and World Rugby Shop, we will finally be able to repair our field and properly return to our rugby home. With very many thanks to all of those who contributed their support, please know an open invitation stands for all to come visit us in New Orleans for a match.”“As all of the high school rugby and much of the other rugby competitions in the New Orleans area depend on the New Orleans Rugby Club’s pitch, we felt that this latest grant will go a long way in getting rugby in the area up and running,” said USRF Executive Director Brian Vizard. “The Foundation realizes that the New Orleans high school rugby program has been very successful, evidenced by having two of its own on the US U19 team, and are happy to assist in its continued growth.”The Rugby Union Recovery Fund, established with the generous assistance of World Rugby Shop, continues to accept donations for the rugby community affected by Hurricane Katrina.Direct donations are being collected through the USRF website at www.usrugbyfoundation.org . Once on the site, individuals can click on the ‘Contribute Today’ link and designate a contribution to the Rugby Relief Fund. Checks can also be sent to the USRF. Checks should be made out to the USRF, earmarked for the Rugby Relief Fund, and sent to:USRF2131 Pan American PlazaSan Diego, CA 92101Donations to the Hurricane Katrina Rugby Union Recovery Fund are tax deductible through the IRS as 501 (c) 3 charitable giving.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.For more information about the Foundation, go to its website at: www.usrugbyfoundation.org.