USA Rugby CEO Bill Goren joins Rugby NorCal Executive Director Nathan Dalena for a conversation about where American rugby is headed and what needs to happen now to build sustainable growth.

Bill outlines USA Rugby’s core responsibilities, from governance and player safety to supporting the community game and developing coaches and referees. He also discusses the importance of creating a rugby ecosystem that keeps people involved in the sport beyond their playing careers.

A major focus of the conversation is USA Rugby’s investment in college rugby. Bill explains why the college game is such an important connection point between youth rugby, senior clubs, and the high-performance pathway, as well as the development of a dedicated team to support college rugby operations, events, and marketing.

Nathan and Bill also discuss youth and high school rugby, and efforts to establish rugby as a varsity sport in the States.

The conversation expands into marketing and visibility, including national broadcasts, short-form social media, local activation around major matches, and the role clubs can play by connecting national rugby stories to athletes in their own communities.

With the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles followed by the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup in the United States, the discussion focuses on building the infrastructure now so American rugby can take advantage of those opportunities for years to come.

In this episode:

• USA Rugby’s priorities and responsibilities
• Growing the community game
• Investment in college rugby
• Youth and high school rugby grants
• Varsity rugby and institutional support
• Coaching and referee development
• Marketing and national visibility
• Local storytelling and community engagement
• Professionalizing rugby organizations
• Creating sustainable pathways beyond playing
• Preparing for 2028, 2031, and 2033
• Collaboration between USA Rugby and local rugby organizations

worldrugbyshop.com

rugbynorcal.org

goffrugbyreport.com

https://healthysportsparents.com/

https://www.instagram.com/healthysportsparents/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-carone-52145778/

What we cover:

• Where parental pressure really comes from
• How identity and ego show up in youth sports
• Why kids value development over winning
• The “24-hour rule” and why it matters
• What kids actually want out of sports
• The current youth sports landscape and where it is heading
• How organizations can create better environments for athletes

Key Takeaways:

Parental Pressure is Identity Driven
A lot of pressure comes from parents tying their self-worth to their child’s performance. This often leads to behaviors that hurt both enjoyment and development.

Winning is Not the Priority for Kids
Research shows kids would rather lose in a growth-focused environment than win in one centered only on results.

The 24-Hour Rule
Avoid giving immediate feedback after games. Let athletes decompress and come to you if they want input.

Fun Drives Retention
Kids stay in sports when they are:

• Playing with friends
• Competing
• Learning new skills
• Supported by adults

Youth Sports Needs a Reset
The system has become overly focused on outcomes, travel, and cost. There is a shift happening back toward development and balance.

Why it matters for Rugby NorCal:
This conversation reinforces the direction we are taking as an organization:

• Development over standings at younger ages
• Long-term athlete growth
• Creating environments where players want to stay in the game

Action Items:

• Parents: Focus on support, not coaching
• Coaches: Set expectations early with families
• Clubs: Continue building development-first environments

worldrugbyshop.com

rugbynorcal.org

goffrugbyreport.com

NorCal Pipeline

• ~80% of the roster comes from California
• Strong ties to Jesuit, Danville, SFGG, Marin, and more
• Kyle’s background as a Granite Bay national champion

Program Identity

• Blue-collar mentality
• Physical, high-effort rugby
• Culture built on camaraderie and accountability

Player Development

• Recruiting “rugby players,” not positions
• Position changes to get the best 15 on the field
• Young roster with long-term upside

Training Environment

• Year-round indoor training facility
• Structured, high-intensity sessions
• Built-in academic balance with winter downtime

Strength & Conditioning

• Same S&C structure as Boise State Football
• Led by high-level performance staff

Scholarship Opportunity (WUI)

• 3.5+ GPA = automatic qualification
• $16,000 per year for four years
• No SAT/ACT required
• In many cases, more affordable than in-state California schools

Why Boise

• Safe, clean city
• Strong academics (Business, Nursing, Construction Management)
• Access to outdoors, travel, and big-time college atmosphere

• Website: https://www.boisestatemensrugby.com/
• Next Phase: https://app.nextphaserugby.com/dashboard/about-school
• Recruiting Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNvaKll5OPvfw70nyEX0oZ1T2KhCiWUZuk2FSi6HNfyyxXsA/viewform?usp=header

Boise State Rugby isn’t trying to be flashy.

They’re building a team that’s tough, physical, and connected. And with the pipeline they’re tapping into, don’t be surprised when they’re competing at the national level in the next few years.

worldrugbyshop.com

rugbynorcal.org

goffrugbyreport.com