Mount St. Mary's is hosting a virtual forum on Understanding Rugby in the USA and Globally on Wednesday, October 20.

The forum includes major influencers from around the world and in the USA to talk about big topics. It is hosted by the Hosted by Mount St. Mary’s University and The Global Rugby Leadership Institute Academic Network, which includes universities from all over the world. 

The forum is a half-day forum and has six sessions plus a Feature Session at 12:45PM ET to 1:30PM. The event was spearheaded by John Nauright, dean of the Mount's Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business,

Here's a look at the sessions. You can register to attend (it's free) here>>

WELCOME, OVERVIEW AND FORMAT (9-9:15 A.M. EASTERN TIME)

John Nauright, Dean, Richard J. Bolte School of Business, Mount St. Mary’s University and Managing Director, Global Rugby Leadership Institute

Jay Myles, Head Men’s Rugby Coach, Mount St. Mary’s University

Ralph Morton, Events DC, Sr. Vice President of Sports and Entertainment

SESSION ONE: (9:15-10 A.M.) THE RUGBY WORLD: THE PLAYERS’ PERSPECTIVE=
Moderator: Jeremy Hapeta, New Zealand

Panel:
Marcus Horan, Ireland
Al Baxter, Australia
Greg Smith, Fiji and New Zealand
Julie Crochet, France
Chris Paterson, Scotland

SESSION TWO: THE RISE AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT OF RUGBY (10:10-10:55 A.M.)
Moderator: Colm Hickey, England and Ireland

Panel:
Tony Collins, England
Robert Buchanan, USA
Erika Morri, Italy
Derek Catsam, USA
Charles Little, New Zealand and England

SESSION THREE: COACHING AND MANAGEMENT OF RUGBY PERFORMANCE (11:05-11:55 A.M.)
Moderator: Christine Nash, Scotland

Panel:
Neil Tunnah, Scotland and Australia
Farrah Douglas, USA
Olivier Nier, France
Mike Ford, England
Allen Clarke, Ireland and USA

SESSION FOUR: THE RUGBY EXPERIENCE (NOON-12:40 P.M.)
Moderator: John Nauright, USA and Australia

Panel:
Francois Clement, France
Marizanne Grundlingh, South Africa
Gary Boddington, South Africa and Canada
Matt Williams, Australia, Ireland, and France
Phil Camm, England and USA

Feature Session: The Rugby World Cup (12:45-1:30 p.m.)
Moderator: John Nauright, Director, Global Rugby Leadership Institute

Panel:
Farah Palmer, Deputy Chair of New Zealand Rugby, and Member of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 – Playing in 2022 Organizing Committee
Claude Atcher, Chief Executive Officer, Rugby World Cup France 2023
Jim Brown, Director, USA Rugby World Cup Bid
Terry Hasseltine, President, Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland & Executive Director, Maryland Sports Commission
Gregory A. O’Dell, Events DC President and CEO

SESSION FIVE: GROWING RUGBY IN THE USA (1:35-2:20 P.M.)
Moderator: Jessica Hammond-Graf, USA

Panel:
Blaine Scully, USA
Ben Dunn, Australia
Chris Dunlavey, USA
Olubunmi Jinnadu, Nigeria and USA
John Manson, Scotland

SESSION SIX: FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THE RUGBY WORLD (2:30-3:15 P.M.)
Moderator: Alejandro Cañadas, Argentina and USA

Panel:
Guillaume Bodet, France
Selica Winiata, New Zealand
Jeremy Hapeta, New Zealand
Kellie Cavalier, USA
Leandro Conde, Argentina

CONCLUDING ANALYSIS: THE GLOBAL RUGBY LANDSCAPE (3:15-3:30 P.M.)
Moderator: Moderator: John Nauright, Global Rugby Leadership Institute

Interviewing: Farah Palmer, Deputy Chair, New Zealand Rugby

You can register to attend (it's free) here>>