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US Rugby Foundation Awards Grants for Crusaders Coaching Course

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US Rugby Foundation Awards Grants for Crusaders Coaching Course

The Crusaders are the most successful provincial program in Super Rugby.

The US Rugby Foundation has named its grant recipients for coaches to take the Crusaders Coaching Course in New Zealand.

The Crusaders are the most successful Super Rugby team ever having won 10 league titles, including the past three, since the competition began in 1996. The Crusaders won Super Rugby Aotearoa, the NZ-based Super Rugby competition created for the COVID times, the past two seasons.

The US Rugby Foundation has chosen nine applicants to receive the Crusaders Coaching Course grant. All coaches selected are provided with total immersion in a professional rugby environment for the duration of the program, July 1-9.

The recipients will attend and listen to find the secret behind the world class environment at the Crusaders and meet the people who strive for success in their everyday roles.

The Crusaders Coaching Course grant recipients are:

Gerard Schneider - Head Coach - Portland Pumas - Oregon

Michael Tuia - Head Coach - Kahuka Rugby - Hawaii

John Ruud - Head Coach - Santa Monica Rugby Club & High School Boys Teams - California

Derek Pearson - Head Coach - Central College & University of Nebraska - Assistant Coach Millard High School - Nebraska

Andrew Collins - High School 15s and 7s Coach - Arlington Stallions Rugby Club - Illinois

Paul Graham - Coach Women's D1 - Houston Athletic Rugby Club - Texas

Mariah Kalapu - President/Player Memphis Women's Rugby - Head Coach Memphis Inner City Rugby - Tennessee

Caroline "Carp" Meckel - Coach - Simsbury High School Girls Varsity Rugby - Connecticut

Charles Ehlers - Head Coach - Canisius High School - New York

The Foundation's partnership with USA Rugby continues to grow with the announcement of two additional grants to promising USA Rugby Age-Grade coaches. This coaching opportunity will assist USA Rugby's Men's and Women's U23 teams and lead them to success on the pitch. Those coaches are:

Katie Dowty - Women's U23 Head Coach - USA Rugby

Colton Cariaga - Men's U23 7s Head Coach - USA Rugby