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SAN JOSE (March 16, 2009) –USA Rugby officially announced its Men and Women’s National Teams’ domestic spring and summer match schedule, revealing its busiest season yet for the USA Eagles.
Silicon Valley, May 31st
Highlighting the schedule is a stop in Silicon Valley on May 31, when the USA Men’s National Team kicks off their domestic season against the Irish National Team at Santa Clara University’s Buck Shaw Stadium. The match will begin at 1:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale March 27 at www.tickets.com or 1-800-225-2277.
“Our community is thrilled to welcome USA Rugby back to the Silicon Valley for this premier match against international power-house Ireland, said Patricia Ernstrom, executive director at the San Jose Sports Authority. Rugby fans are in for a wonderful afternoon of intense rugby, camaraderie, and fun on May 31. We are thankful for the tremendous support from our partners at Santa Clara University and the San Jose Earthquakes to host this great event. San Jose has an active sister city affiliation with Dublin, Ireland, and we are excited build on this international relationship and goodwill through sport.”
Regionally, interest and participation in Rugby has steadily increased in recent years, with over 200 independent clubs in California, many having multiple boys and girls teams at various levels and age groups.
On May 31st, USA and Ireland will be in full-force, represented by the top athletes from each squad.
“One of our goals was to increase the number of international opponents in order to make our National Teams more competitive,” USA Rugby’s CEO and President of Rugby, Nigel Melville said. “This schedule is a very good step forward in many respects. We are playing stiff competition against top international sides, which is really the only way to gauge our development. And with the increased amount of matches across the U.S., as well as the number of games being broadcast, this is a great opportunity for fans to get behind the Eagles and create some momentum.”
Other USA Rugby Schedule Highlights
On June 6, the Eagles are set to play Wales at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.
Also commencing on June 6 and running through June 21, is the 2009 Churchill Cup. The location of this event has yet to be determined. Visit www.churchillcuprugby.net for more information.
Shortly thereafter, the Women’s National Team will host Canada in Glendale, Colo. The USA-A squad will take on Canada A on June 23, while the USA Women’s National Team will play an official test against the Canadian Women’s National Team on June 27. Both games will be played at Glendale’s Infinity Park and ticket information will be available at http://www.infinityparkatglendale.com/.
Finally, the USA Men’s National Team will take on Canada on Saturday, July 4 at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, S.C., in what will mark the first of two IRB Rugby World Cup Qualifier matches.
Canada will host the second RWC Qualifier on July 11, at Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton, Alberta and for more information, visit www.rugbycanada.com.
Tickets start as low as $10 for these U.S.-based matches. Visit www.usarugby.org as more event and ticket information is made available.
About the San Jose Sports Authority
The San Jose Sports Authority is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the City of San Jose’s economic development, visibility and civic pride through sports. Serving as the City's sports commission since its inception in 1991, the Sports Authority has provided leadership and support to attract or host nearly 200 sporting events in San Jose and the South Bay. The Sports Authority also supports and operates community, youth and amateur sports programs, including the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, The First Tee of San Jose, and the REACH Youth Scholarship Program. To learn more, visit www.sjsa.org.
About USA Rugby
USA RUGBY, founded in 1975, is the national governing body for rugby and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Rugby Board (IRB). The organization is responsible for the development of boys, girls, high school, collegiate and club rugby programs, as well as the nation’s rugby coaches, referees, administrators and all of its national teams that represent the U.S. in international competitions. As part of this development, USA Rugby hosts a number of courses, clinics, National Championship events and international matches throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.usarugby.org
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Contacts:
Sara John, USA Rugby
(303) 539-0300
David Eadie, San Jose Sports Authority
(408) 288-2931 |
