For Immediate Release
January 20, 2010

BOULDER, CO – USA Rugby officially announced the winners of the Invictus ‘I Play Rugby’ video competition that took place over the last couple of months on its Rookie Rugby Club online portal.

The Rookie Rugby Club is a USA Rugby social website with hundreds of rugby members from not only the U.S., but around the world.

“Think of it like Facebook, but rugby-specific,” USA Rugby’s Youth Development Manager, Erin Kennedy explained. “Users can do a plethora of things including connecting with other players, posting pictures and videos, blogging, participating in discussions and locating rugby events throughout the nation. You have everything you need to get started with rugby with just a click of a button.”

The recent competition centered on the release of the movie Invictus on Dec. 11, which highlighted Nelson Mandela’s (Morgan Freeman) efforts to unite South Africa through the sport of rugby.

Members were challenged with the question, “Why do you play rugby?” and were asked to post videos or stories that answered the question. The top winner will receive a rugby ball signed by movie director, Clint Eastwood, while the nine runner-up participants will receive a limited edition Invictus T-shirt.

The competition ran until January 11, 2010 and ended with 36 excellent postings, including both written and video submissions. To view all of the competition submissions visit the Rookie Rugby Club Discussion Portal.

USA Rugby’s Youth and High School Committee voted on the finalists last week and after careful deliberation, chose the Henry Street Settlement (HSS) in New York City. The HSS is a community-based organization from the lower east side of Manhattan in New York. Their submission was a video highlighting an after-school rugby program for elementary school children, started by Play Rugby USA.

The video includes footage of games, interviews with students, drawings, and heart-warming testimonies of why these children play rugby. To view the HSS ‘I Play Rugby’ video visit http://www.rookierugbyclub.com/video/222.

Deputy Program Officer for HSS, Greg Rideout, was overjoyed when he heard the news of their win, saying, “Our video clearly did an exceptional job conveying the adoration for this sport that has developed amongst our young people across all our after-school sites.  Regardless of gender, age, or ethnicity, it is enjoyed immensely by all our youth, and they have clearly developed many critical skills through their participation.  Despite my initial skepticism, rugby has taken off and produced the results Katha Cato, our Director of After-School and Camp Services, promised me five years ago.  I want to publicly thank her for her leadership in the development of this program, as well as our site coordinators, coaches and partners such as, Play Rugby USA.  They have all clearly demonstrated quality leadership, coaching, and youth development skills, which has undoubtedly made a major contribution to our success."

In the words of the HSS elementary students, “Win or lose we have PRIDE! Win or lose we are a TEAM! Win or lose we are in it TOGETHER! 1…2…3…HENRY STREET!”

Other ‘I Play Rugby’ submissions touched on many different aspects of rugby including the following:

“This sport has given me the opportunity to recognize the athlete and leader in myself…” User emamlok

“I play rugby because its give me a sense of belonging. When I meet someone else who plays rugby, even if I don’t know them, I feel a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood with them - a feeling that is unique to rugby.” User Quade369

“Rugby hasn't only helped me on the field, but off the field too. I have learned to respect, no matter who it is, your coaches, teammates, or mom, you have to respect!” User XstephX

“It has sparked passion in me, not only for the sport, but for fitness and health. I didn't have a direction for my life, but I am now extraordinarily enthusiastic to use my education in health psychology to inspire others to better their lives.” User Kasha

Other winners include Users: flanker8, s12.kminter, Shredder, Buzz-MysticRiver, and ChristinaA.

USA Rugby would like to congratulate all of the winners and thank everyone for posting their reasons why they play rugby.

For more information on Play Rugby USA visit www.playrugbyusa.com. To join the Rookie Rugby Club visit www.rookierugbyclub.com or contact USA Rugby Youth Development Manager, Erin Kennedy at ekennedy@usarugby.org.