The Rugby NorCal Podcast

In this episode, we’re joined once again by Alex Goff of Goff Rugby Report to break down the college and high school rugby seasons, preview the upcoming national championships, and offer insight into what teams can do to climb the rankings and build sustainable programs.

Key Takeaways Rugby provides unique character-building challenges that attract and develop challenge-oriented individuals Army's rugby program focuses on developing leaders of character through trust, commitment, and putting the team first COVID pause allowed Army to rethink tactics and culture, contributing to 2022 national championship Recruiting process for Army emphasizes finding challenge-oriented players who want to become their best selves

Key Takeaways USA Youth and High School Rugby, formed in 2021, has significantly improved youth rugby's positioning and representation Key initiatives include high-performance partnerships, coaching education (Six Degrees), and developing a comprehensive player pathway Current focus is on building foundations for scalable growth, aiming for 1 million youth players in the future Challenges include geographic spread and competition with established U.S. sports, but rugby community engagement is a key strength

Key Takeaways USA Rugby has launched a Virtual Academy to connect with and develop players nationwide Players should focus on building good habits and creating a positive learning environment for themselves The talent ID process looks at athletic testing, rugby skills, and intangibles like communication and body language There's a clear pathway from U18 to U20 to senior national teams, but players can enter at various points

Contact Gavin: 410-293-9710 or hickie@usna.edu Key Takeaways The Naval Academy rugby program has achieved significant success under Hickie's leadership, including winning a national championship and going undefeated in their first varsity season Hickie emphasizes character development, team culture, and preparing players for military service alongside rugby excellence The Naval Academy offers unique opportunities for student-athletes to develop leadership skills and serve their country while playing high-level rugby Successful rugby players and leaders can have diverse styles, but share common traits of drive, work ethic, and commitment to the team

Summary: In this episode, we interview Lesley McKenzie, the head coach of Japan’s women’s rugby team. Lesley shares insights from her coaching journey, her experiences working with the Japan team, and what she hopes to bring to her upcoming presentation at the USA Coaches Summit. Link to register is below: https://therugbysitelocker.com/us-n Meeting Purpose: We discuss Lesley’s coaching experiences, her philosophy, and the challenges she faces coaching in Japan, as well as a preview of her upcoming appearance at the USA Coaches Summit at St. Mary’s College. Key Takeaways: • Japan’s women’s rugby team has unique challenges, including a small player pool of only 300 senior players. • Communication is key for Lesley, especially with language barriers, and she believes in simplifying instructions to focus on core ideas. • The women’s international rugby landscape is evolving quickly, with more teams professionalizing and improving rapidly. Topics Covered: 1. Lesley’s Rugby Background: • Started playing rugby at the University of British Columbia after exploring other sports. • Played for Canada’s national team, including two Rugby World Cups (2006 and 2010). • Transitioned to coaching through volunteer opportunities and worked in rugby development roles in New Zealand before becoming Japan’s head coach in 2019. 2. Coaching Philosophy: • Advocates for continuous learning and a growth mindset for both coaches and players. • Emphasizes clear and simple communication, especially when overcoming language barriers in Japan. • Breaks down complex rugby concepts into actionable steps that players can easily follow. 3. Japan Women’s Rugby Program: • Japan has a relatively small player base of around 300 senior women players, compared to tens of thousands in top rugby nations. • The team has been evolving since the 2022 World Cup, focusing on set-piece improvements and integrating young talent. • McKenzie and her team are aiming for a strong showing at the 2025 Rugby World Cup with a goal of reaching the quarterfinals. 4. Women’s International Rugby Landscape: • There has been a rapid rise in the professionalism and resources allocated to women’s rugby, especially in leading nations like England. • This growing competitiveness poses challenges for smaller nations like Japan, but also creates opportunities for exciting rugby innovations, including faster-paced play styles. 5. Advice for Coaches: • Don’t feel overwhelmed by the flood of information; focus on the lessons that resonate most with your own coaching style. • Keep messaging simple and direct to avoid overcomplicating instructions. • Stay confident in your coaching abilities while remaining open to new ideas and continuous learning. worldrugbyshop.com rugbynorcal.org goffrugbyreport.com