by Baron Christopher Hanson
It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen: rugby stadiums in America filling with over 20,000 fans of all ages.
USA Rugby has finally reached a critical and sustainable tipping point. Over the last fifty years, the game has recruited, coached and graduated hundreds of thousands of American rugby alums, so much so that an army of active clubs and retired 'old boys' and 'old girls' now exists in this country. Youth rugby is also skyrocketing due to rugby’s new popularity amongst parents and kids alike.
Akin to soccer, hockey, the Olympics and International Rugby abroad, the social aspect of US players and fans traveling to attend Eagles matches in modern American stadiums is also reaching a critical mass. What is essential for continued USA Rugby growth and success is for all players, coaches, and fans to make the trek and see Eagle matches live, and to make a team or family weekend of it.
Thankfully, Charleston, South Carolina is a fantastic venue for rugby. The beaches, islands, golf, culinary scene, boating culture and nightlife are each spectacular. During build-up week, all kinds of clinics, youth, and masters matches are also taking place around the city.
Surges in Eagle match production value and fan attendance have greatly improved the economics and sponsorship value of USA Rugby. Football, soccer and university stadiums are now filling holes in their venue schedules with exciting rugby matches.
This expansion into modern stadiums began in 2004 and 2005 when USA Rugby hosted France and Wales at Rentschler Field, in Hartford, Connecticut. The quality and excitement of rugby fan experiences has improved ten-fold inside larger, more technologically advanced, fan-friendly stadiums.
Here are the Top Ten match attendance figures since USA Rugby's founding in 1975: 1. USA v. Ireland: 20,181 (Houston, TX; June 8, 2013) On the Eagle pitch, Mike Tolkin and Todd Clever have implemented a hard-hitting, more defensive brand of rugby as of late, matching CEO Nigel Melville’s growth strategy for the game in the US. I would also argue the Eagles have faced a more exciting roster of opponents this year, especially Ireland, Japan, and now Canada. The rugby being played by both Canada and the USA right now is intense, which will certainly come to a decisive head in Charleston. Technique and discipline during scrums, rucks, and ball-handling decisions is where the match vs. Canada will be won or lost by the USA on August 17. In fact, this is a must-win Rugby World Cup qualifier for the Eagles, and their third test match in Charleston. The USA defeated Canada 12-6 on July 4, 2009 there. No doubt the best-of-the-best players, coaches, scouts, and administrators at all levels of rugby will be in South Carolina paying close attention to this match. During any USA test on American soil, patriotism is paramount. For the Charleston match, Pam Kosanke, chief marketing officer for USA Rugby announced that USA and their fans will be wearing BLUE, and Canada players and fans will be wearing RED. The energy inside the stadium will be impressive. Charleston’s Blackbaud Stadium only holds approximately 6,500 fans, with tented options for fan overflow outside. A 6:30 PM EST kick-off means a summer evening of rugby under the lights. Test matches in South Carolina are more intimate and up-close for all spectators, even "in the cheap seats." The beverage selection and facilities are excellent, and yes, proper Guinness is on tap inside the pub. Both @USARugby and @RugbyCanada Twitter accounts are showing signs of friendly pre-match chatter. #BeatCanada and #USAvCAN are the official hashtags, with the #BlueNation vs. #RedNation banter heating up between teams. Exciting new video, radio, and marketing campaigns have been produced by USA Rugby’s national office, featuring both men and women’s Eagles. Pam Kosanke’s fresh media stable can easily be shared as a team or online at no cost. This new footage is also great for fan recruiting and match build-up. “WORK FOR IT” and “The Rugby Player” a Mark Bingham 9/11 documentary are here: http://www.workforit.org/ + http://www.therugbyplayerfilm.com/about-the-film/. All information about the event can be found at www.usarugby.org/USAvCAN. The airing of USA Eagle matches on national prime time television is also turning heads, especially tourism heads. Kathleen Cartland, the athletic events director for Charleston’s Convention & Visitors Bureau, has been helpful organizing local communications, arranging special hotel discounts for USA and Canada guests traveling to South Carolina http://tiny.cc/6jiu0w. Charleston mayor Joe Riley excitedly attends the press conferences and match festivities because he loves having Charleston on national and international television. Charleston’s beaches are saddled with tidal estuaries and marshlands. Road trips down to the coast or flights into any regional airport are gorgeous and rugged. Daniel Island is where Blackbaud Stadium is located, just off Highway 26, neighboring Mount Pleasant, SC. Charleston has earned top national press over the last few years as an upscale culinary, second home, and travel paradise. Daniel Island and Mount Pleasant are family-friendly. Downtown Charleston is wildly social yet genteel and historic. Hip new restaurants and a vibrant singles scene have earned Charleston a rather zesty reputation. Kiawah and Sullivan's Island are only 35 and 15 minutes from the city center areas between Upper King, Broad, East Bay, and Meeting Streets, respectively. Blackbaud is a modern soccer [and rugby] facility with an impressive pitch, box seating, and a proper pub on level two. Parking and local security are tip-top. Cab or shuttle contacts are essential for safe travels, especially late night. USA vs. Canada is the last summer weekend of Eagle rugby before fall semesters and club training sessions begin. The next match for the Eagles stateside is not until November 9, 2013, when the Maori All Blacks from New Zealand travel to Philadelphia. When this volume of fans and rugby VIPs gather from both nations during build-up week and over the entire match weekend, the competitive aspect and the international friendships made make for a worthwhile trip. Set up a shuttle: Follow USA Rugby for updates, contest and fan information:
2. USA v. Italy: 17,214 (Houston, TX; June 23, 2012)
3. USA v. New Zealand XV: 14,000 (San Diego, CA; October 8, 1980)
4. USA v. South Africa: 13,000 (Houston, TX; December 1, 2001)
5. USA v. Ireland: 10,000 (Santa Clara, CA; May 31, 2009)
6. USA v. Canada: 9,500 (Bridgeview, IL; June 21, 2008)
7. USA v. England XV: 9,000 (Hartford, CT; June 19, 1982)
8. USA v. Munster: 8,350 (Hartford, CT; August 23, 2008)
9. USA v. Wales: 8,027 (Hartford, CT; June 4, 2005)
10-tie. USA v. Munster**: 8,000 (Bridgeview, IL; August 26, 2007)
10-tie. USA v. Argentina: 8,000 (Santa Barbara, CA; April 7, 1990)
10-tie. USA v. France: 8,000 (Chicago, IL; June 12, 1976)
WELCOMING USA & CANADA RUGBY FANS TO CHARLESTON:
SCHEDULE OF RUGBY EVENTS IN CHARLESTON
(Schedule subject to change)
Thursday August 15:
• Coaching Continuing Education Clinic: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
The Citadel 171 Moultrie St, Charleston, SC 29409
• Scrum, Rucking, and Contact Clinic (location TBD)
Friday August 16:
• High School High Performance 7’s Tournament: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cario Middle School Fields: 3500 Thomas Cario Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC, 29466
$150 per team entry fee: Contact Rob Jones: 843-225-1881 or rjones424@hotmail.com
• Friday Night Lowcountry Boil: 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Brittle Bank Park, near Joe Riley Stadium
The USA Rugby Foundation and Charleston Outlaws RFC invite you and your family
Go to: https://cms.mybernard.com/USARugby/low-country-boilfundraiser.aspx
$50 for adults, $25 for 21-and-under
Dinner and drinks included, casual flip-flop attire
Saturday August 17:
• Coaching Continuing Education Clinic (TBD)
• Strength & Conditioning Workshop (TBD)
• Southern Rugby Conference Collegiate All-Stars v Deep South All Stars (TBD)
Game Day:
• 2:30 Gates open at the Battery: www.charlestonbattery.com/
• 3:00 Expo Rugby match Old Boy Eagles v Maple Leafs (USA Rugby Event)
• 6:30 Main event: USA v Canada Rugby World Cup Qualifier Test Match
• USA Rugby After-Party hosted by Legendborne Rugby (TBD)
• Yellow Cab 843-577-6565
• North Area Cab 843-554-7575
• Lancaster Shuttles: 843-863-9773 (all sizes)
• Crazy Carl Cab + Island Taxi Shuttle: 843-817-0445
Radisson Hotel Charleston Airport
$79.00 rate available if patrons ask for the USA Rugby Rate.
Shuttle at the hotel can take people to the Battery with advanced notice.
Contact: Jon Sedgwick
Senior Sales Manager
Radisson Hotel Charleston Airport
5991 Rivers Ave
North Charleston, SC 29406
843-744-2501 ext 7125
salesradisson@nvnhotels.com
Hampton Inn Daniel Island
Each individual guest must make their reservation by calling Hampton Inn Daniel Island
843-216-6555 or 1-800-HAMPTON (1-800-426-4766). They must ask for the USA Rugby rate to receive the group rate.
Lynne Burton, Director of Sales
Hampton Inn Daniel Island
160 Fairchild Street, Charleston, SC 29492
lynne.burton@hilton.com
843.216.6555
www.facebook.com/usarugby
On Twitter @USARugby
www.usarugby.com/USAvCAN
Source : http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/by_country/u_s/7012759/rwc_qualifier__usa_scrums_down_vs__canada_in_zesty_charleston__south_carolina_finale