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 have also won the domestic Super Rugby competition created due to the COVID pandemic, Super Rugby Aotearoa, 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 1st - July 9th.
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.
Congratulations to the Crusaders Coaching Course grant recipients:
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 15's and 7's 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.
Katie Dowty - Women's U23 Head Coach - USA Rugby
Colton Cariaga - Men's U23 7s Head Coach - USA Rugby
USA Rugby General Manager of High Performance, Dan Payne added, "Wishing a huge congratulations to Katie and Colton as they embark on this experience. I want to of course thank Brian Vizard and the US Rugby Foundation for supporting this opportunity and our rising high performance coaches.'
