USA Rugby Announces CARE Program in Support of Athlete Development Post-playing Career
LAFAYETTE, CO. – As much as we would like to say being an Eagle is a life-long career choice – the reality is that it is not. Athletes today need to be prepared to make career choices on or before they call it a career on the playing field. With that USA Rugby, in collaboration with the US Rugby Players Association, is pleased to formally announce the Career Advancement, Rugby Enhancement (CARE) Program.
The CARE program is designed to connect current men and women national team players with an internship, job placement, and career development opportunities. The Golden Eagles support group were the first to get behind CARE helping to put the promising program to the test by helping to facilitate more than 16 internship opportunities for national team players to date.
“It is important that our athletes are getting exposed to new concepts, ideas, and challenges outside of rugby. Equally important are learning skills for their future life post-playing,” said USA Rugby General Manager of National Teams, Alex Magleby. “Beyond that, the coaching and referee portion of the program helps them give back to the game and can help develop them into more capable players today.”
There are two goals for the CARE program. The first, Career Advancement, is to provide athletes with exposure to a variety of work environments like the corporate workforce or project management to help build confidence and gain experience that will be beneficial in their post-playing endeavors. The second part, Rugby Enhancement, is to elevate the game by giving today’s athletes an avenue to learn about coaching, refereeing, analytics or team management that will keep them in the game once they retire from playing.
While player’s career ambitions are highly diverse – running the gamut from finance to electrician, software programming to social entrepreneurialism, farming to real estate – they also have common, highly desirable traits that are beneficial in any work environment.
“As elite athletes in a values-based sport, our national team members are dedicated, hard-working individuals who understand the power of teamwork and how diversity makes all of us stronger, traits that can positively impact any company,” said Michael Young, Executive Director of the US Rugby Players Association. “We are excited to collaborate with USA Rugby on professional development initiatives like CARE that expose our national team members to new skills, tools and resources in support of their next careers, as well as introduce companies across the United States to an exceptional group of men and women, both on and off the pitch.”
Beyond these traits, most Eagles have a variety of work and educational experience. Ranging from service in the military, high-level master and Ph.D. degrees and craft apprenticeships.
Through the CARE program, national team players will have access to a variety of intern roles that set each up for a successful transition from athlete to professional, long before they hang up the boots.
We encourage businesses searching for new talent to contact USA Rugby with available positions. We assure that each Eagle will have a positive impact on the company’s culture as motivated, thoughtful, and dedicated employees.
“Our world-class athletes are resilient, consistent, hard-working, motivated, and adaptable,” says USA Rugby General Manager of High Performance, Alex Magleby. “They have proven they can excel and work as individuals and within teams, all under pressure. Eagles are high-performers.”
More information about CARE program CLICK HERE
Companies and organizations interested in hosting a National Team Athlete intern can fill out the CARE program application or Contact Yvonne Parkhurst, USA Rugby High-Performance Team Services Manager directly via email yparkhurst@usa.rugby or by phone 303.539.0300 x138.
About the US Rugby Players Association
The USRPA is founded by the players for the players of the US National Teams to promote the highest quality player experience and assist in negotiations and dialogue with USA Rugby. The organization represents US National Team members in their communication with USA Rugby while being committed to improving the quality of rugby in the United States, encouraging involvement and promoting interest in rugby at all levels. For more information please contact Michael Young, Executive Director of the US Rugby Players Association: mike.shea.young@usarugbyplayers.org
About the Golden Eagles
The Golden Eagles, established to support the US Men’s Sevens program, partner with USA Rugby to provide additional financial and holistic support needed to advance the game in the United States. Golden Eagles make a five-year pledge of cash, stock or other IRS-approved giving methods. If you are interested in becoming a Golden Eagle, please contact Chief Development Officer, Chris Reed: creed@usa.rugby
