USA Football, USA Rugby Joining Forces on Player Safety
USA Football is the sport's national governing body and is recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis-based USA Football is partnering with Colorado-based USA Rugby. The organizations are seeking to develop a plan to boost coaching education, sport development and player safety between the two sports.
Both organizations will conduct coach and player training for individuals in each sport on areas that overlap, such as shoulder tackling technique, player development, terminology and health and safety. They will also work together to increase the consistency of contact training between the sports.
"The safety of our athletes and members has always been at the forefront of our approach. We’re pleased that USA Football shares this concern over player welfare," said Dan Payne, chief executive officer of USA Rugby. "This partnership between our national governing bodies will elevate discussion, collaboration, implementation and ultimately a safer environment for rugby and football players in America."
Both USA Football and USA Rugby say they will work with the national governing bodies of other sports in an effort to learn and apply best practices from those organizations as well.