SOCAL YOUTH RUGBY INVESTS IN DEVELOPMENT WITH NEW COACHING PLATFORM

Orange County, CA (June 23, 2023) – Southern California Youth Rugby (SoCal) is bringing a deep library of coaching tools directly to the hands of its members via Six Degree Sports, a new coaching platform created by famed coach and rugby leader, Mick Byrne and offered by US Youth & High School. Byrne was the Skills Coach with the All Blacks for 11 years culminating in the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup titles and earning the highest sustained win percentage in the history of sport. Most recently, as Head Coach, Byrne’s influence has resulted in the Fiji Drua moving from inception to Super Rugby finals within 18 months. 

SoCal is launching the Six Degree coaching platform this summer so member clubs can bolster their existing coaches and those new to coaching during the summer and fall prep for 2024 competition.  “Coaches are the energy behind the youth game. Our members and clubs are clamoring for information following SoCal’s very successful run at the Boys High School 2023 National Championships. SoCal made a statement and other clubs in our region want to follow suit,” shared Jay Rogers, SoCal’s President of the Board.

The SoCal Board of Directors appointed funds for Six Degress’s ultimate bespoke features for its member clubs, though US Youth & High School is offering the Six Degree Sports platform nationwide with complimentary access.  The benefits of this higher access are immeasurable and will provide the thousands of SoCal clubs, families, and coaches access to arenas such as:

• Video Communication – Connect directly on videos to provide player and/or team specific development.
• Training Customization – Design tailored training sessions to meet specific growth needs and strategies.
• Club Wide Development and Communication– Every person involved with the team will be aware of the upcoming training  program.

“SoCal is honored to share this wealth of information from such rugby greats. This is the professional framework and tailored resource that has been needed in the youth game. Our coaches will grow exponentially and in turn our region becomes even stronger.” said Jason Glover, SoCal’s Director of Competition.  

Byrne, Co-Founder of Six Degree Sports, shared his excitement for SoCal’s participation.  “SoCal is renowned as a talent pool for the country in the youth game.  We are delighted that the Board has seen the tremendous value that our platform can bring to the coaches, players, and families in SoCal.”

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About Six Degree Sports

Six Degree Sports was co-founded by Byrne and Former Wallaby & World Cup winner – Rod Kafer.  Kafer was Assistant Coach of the Brumbies with Eddie Jones from 1998 to 2001 while still a Player. He was the first Player/Coach to win a World Cup and both the Southern and Northern Hemisphere Premier Provincial Competitions (World Cup, 1999 Wallabies, 2001 Super Rugby – Brumbies & 2002 Heineken Cup – Leicester).  Kafer was named in Eddie Jones’s most recent book as 1 of only 5 players that he had coached that ‘reached their potential.’  The other four included World Cup winners, George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Fourie Dupree & World Cup Silver medalist George Smith.

Both Kafer & Byrne have been at the heart of Rugby Innovation, Culture & Success for well over 30 years.  The Platform’s bricks and mortar is derived from this experience across all 6 Pillars of Individual & Team Development. Specifically, it’s designed to place this knowledge & education in the hands of all participants, to ensure that motivation for participation is maximized & no player must endure a poor coaching session again!

About USA Youth and High School Rugby

USA Youth & High School Rugby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, an affiliate of USA Rugby, and the Sanctioned Governing Body for all youth rugby in the United States. Catered towards players aged 5-18, USA Youth & High School Rugby’s key initiatives are to: provide a fun and safe environment for the advancement of rugby in the United States, develop well-rounded rugby community members both on and off the pitch, and be the conduit to connect the game at all levels to promote a lifelong love of the sport of rugby. For more information visit: https://usayhsrugby.org/  

About SoCal Youth Rugby

Southern California Youth Rugby is the US Youth & High School’s State Youth Rugby Organization for Southern California spanning ten counties from San Luis Obispo to south San Diego and all areas east. The community spirit of rugby, safety, introduction and development are the pillars for growing the game amongst our thousands of SoCal Youth Rugby athletes, families, clubs and high schools. SoCal Youth Rugby — the nation’s hotbed of youth rugby.

COACH

All SoCal coaches, referees, and administrators must fulfill USA Rugby’s registration and certification requirements in order to be compliant/eligible. Not sure if you have completed your requirements? Check your profile in RX and/or contact Justin at justin@socalyouth.org for support.

Rugby is a game all about teamwork and support. To go forward, you must go backwards.

Don’t play for what your jersey says on the back, play for what it says on the front.

Coaching is one of them the most important and impactful elements of the youth game. Coaches develop the foundation of teamwork, build individual confidence and skills, and create memories for players and families alike. Many coaches are past youth, high school or collegiate players and choose to stay in around the game because of the positive affect it continues to provide them.

REFEREE

Southern California Youth Rugby believes firmly in both sides of the match – the athletes AND the officiating. We teach youth early about respect for the game and the referees. It is imperative all understand the rules of the game in order to uphold safety.