About Geographic Unions
Effective with the opening of the 2011-2012 Competitive Season, the USA Rugby Board named four Geographic Unions (GUs) as part of a pilot program to review a new streamlined union structure to support anticipated growth in the game and to provide increased member services in the local areas.
Geographic Unions (larger than typical Local Area Unions and smaller than current Territorial Unions) are defined based upon a combination of club density in an area and natural geographical boundaries. A GU may be a single state, multiple states, or parts of a large state.
The templates for GU organizational structure, financial models and bylaws were developed over a two-year period by a committee commissioned by former CEO Nigel Melville to research the best models from existing LAUs and TUs, other rugby-playing nations, and other national governing bodies (NGBs).
At the January 2013 USA Rugby Congress meeting it was approved that the GU structure would no longer be considered a pilot program and would be fully adopted as the local governance model for Club Rugby moving forward.
The TU/LAU Review Committee is made up of members from around the country: John Coppinger (Pacific); George Durocher (Mid-Atlantic); Martin Gardner (South); Jeremiah Johnson (Midwest); Danita Knox (South/Committee Chair); Bill Middleton (USAR Board of Directors); Joe Olzaki (New England); Bill Sexton (West); Steve Vent (Southern California).
Geographic Unions (GUs)
| Union | President | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Matthew Robinette | matthewrobinette55@gmail.com |
| Carolinas | Ted Hardy | claytonrfc@gmail.com |
| Eastern Pennsylvania | Mike Besio | mikebesio@gmail.com |
| Empire | Ken Pape | ken@monmouthrugbyclub.com |
| Florida | Kerri O'Malley | kerri.a.omalley@gmail.com |
| Mid-America | Sean Cox | scotchcox@yahoo.com |
| Midwest (TU) | Al Lucas | albertlucasv@hotmail.com |
| New England | Lori Staples | president@nerfu.org |
| Northern California | Rick Humm | rickhumm@gmail.com |
| Pacific Northwest | Matthew Lobe | matthew.lobe@gmail.com |
| Rocky Mountain | Erik Geib | erik.v.geib@gmail.com |
| Southern California | Geno Mazza | president@scrfu.org |
| Southwest (Arizona & Rio Grande) | Pieter Hugo | therugbyone@yahoo.com |
| Texas | Kirk Tate | president@texasrugbyunion.com |
| True South | Peter Steyn | petersteyn@msn.com |
Local Area Unions (LAUs), & Associate Unions (AUs)
| Union | President | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska - Associate Union | David Delozier | delozierd@yahoo.com |
| Utah - Associate Union | Ken Rivera | ken.rivera@rugbyutah.com |
| Hawaii - Associate Union | Tapu Tupou | 77northstar@gmail.com |
| Georgia - Associate Union | Minchul Cho | minchul.cho@gmail.com |
| Organizations within the Midwest | Al Lucas | albertlucasv@hotmail.com |
| Allegheny LAU (Midwest) | David Ballarotto | david.ballarotto@verizon.net |
| Chicago Area LAU (Midwest) | Lou Raymond | lou@woodsmenrugby.com |
| Illinois LAU (Midwest) | Shawn McKinney | MTRNews@gmail.com |
| Indiana LAU (Midwest) | Clarissa Harris | charrispresirfu@gmail.com |
| Iowa LAU (Midwest) | Nick Hereen | nheeren@gmail.com |
| Michigan LAU (Midwest) | Jeremy Mantei | mantei.jeremy@gmail.com |
| Minnesota LAU (Midwest) | Becky Reynolds | beckyrenea@gmail.com |
| Ohio LAU (Midwest) | Brendan O'Connor | bto@oconnorbros.com |
| Wisconsin LAU (Midwest) | Todd Prochniak | president@wisconsinrfu.org |
*Implies a union is still an LAU or AU, and not a GU; The Midwest is also still a Territorial Union
Regions without GU/TU designation are targeted for GU implementation as quickly as is feasible.
Applying to Become a Geographic Union
USA Rugby is pleased to announce the opportunity to submit an application to become a Geographic Union (GU). At this time, you may submit an application to form a GU.
Submitting an application does not cause recognition of GU. The Geographic Union Committee will thoroughly review each application to help in the formation of viable GUs.
Geographic Union Resources
- GU Application Process Flowchart - This document shows a visual representation of the process of applying for approval of recognition as a GU
- GU Application Process - Outlines the steps necessary and the items that will be required for application and approval
- GU Organizational Chart - A visual representation of a recommended GU organizational structure
- GU Template Constitution and Bylaws - A template that can be used for drafting Union Constitution and Bylaws
- GU Club List & Fee Structure - Required form to be submitted listing the clubs that will be included in the GU and the proposed dues collection structure
- GU Workbook - Go to resource for data collection and submission, to be completed and utilized to submit quarterly reports
More Information About Geographic Unions
For more information about GU's or if you have further questions please direct them to Kurt Weaver.
GU ADMIN