USA Rugby’s TERMS of USE Agreement

PLEASE READ THIS TERMS OF USE AGREEMENT (“AGREEMENT”) CAREFULLY BEFORE USING THIS WEB SITE. BY USING THIS WEB SITE YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

1. This Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of use for the web sites operated by the United States of America Rugby Football Union (referred to as "USA Rugby," "we," "us," or "our" herein) at www.usarugby.org, referred to as the “Site.” The term “you” refers to anyone who accesses, reviews, or in any way makes use of the Site. USA Rugby reserves the right to change, modify, add or remove portions of this Agreement at any time. Your continued use of the Site after such notice will be deemed to constitute acceptance of such changes, revisions or modifications. Please check this Agreement periodically for changes.

2. TERM AND TERMINATION. This Agreement will be effective on the date You first use the Site and will continue until terminated. USA Rugby may terminate this Agreement immediately, for any reason or no reason, with or without notice to You. You may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to USA Rugby, such termination effective 10 business days following acknowledgment of receipt of such notice by USA Rugby. USA Rugby may also suspend Your use of the Site and direct You to cease using the Site with or without notice to You and with or without cause. Upon any termination of this Agreement, all rights granted to You under this Agreement will cease; if You are a Registered User, Your Account will be closed, and You must promptly discontinue all access to any part of the Sites. Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, and 12 will survive termination or expiration of this Agreement for any reason.

3. SCOPE OF USE. The Site is owned by USA Rugby. You may access and use the Site solely for lawful, personal, informational, non-commercial purposes only, and only in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. USA Rugby reserves the right at any time and in its sole discretion to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Site (or any portion thereof) with or without notice.

USA Rugby, may, from time to time, offer Site users the opportunity to download certain software from the Site. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “software” includes any files or images incorporated in or generated by the software, and any data accompanying the software. We hereby grant to you a non-exclusive and non-transferable license, during the term of this Agreement, to download and use a single copy of any software that we so offer to Site users on a single computer for your lawful, personal, informational, non-commercial use only, provided that you keep intact all copyright and other proprietary notices contained in such software.

We also invite you to download a single copy of the text, graphics, animation, photographs and other materials contained in the Site on any single computer for your personal, informational, non-commercial use only, provided that you keep intact all copyright and other proprietary notices contained in such materials.

The use of any such materials (including the software) in any other manner or for any other purpose, including on any other web site or networked computer environment is prohibited.

The Site is controlled and operated by USA Rugby from within the United States of America. Unless otherwise specified, the materials contained in the Site are presented solely for the use of users located in the United States of America and its territories and possessions, excluding Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam and the Virgin Islands. Those who choose to access the Site from other jurisdictions do so at their own initiative and are solely responsible for compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations.

All software contained in the Site is subject to United States export controls. No software from the Site may be downloaded or otherwise exported or re-exported: (a) into (or to a national or resident of) Cuba, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Iran, Syria, or any other country to which the U.S. has embargoed goods; or (b) to anyone on the U.S. Treasury Department's list of Specially Designated Nationals or the U.S. Commerce Department's Table of Denial Orders. By downloading or using any software, you represent and warrant that you are not located in, under the control of, or a national or resident of any such country or on any such list.

4. CONTENT. The text, files, images, graphics, illustrations, information, data, audio, video, photographs and other content (collectively, “Content”) available on or offered through the Site and any other contents of the Site (such Content, collectively, “Site Content”) are protected by intellectual property rights, including, as applicable and without limitation, copyrights, trademarks, patents, and other proprietary and intellectual property rights (“Intellectual Property Rights”). Unless otherwise noted on the Sites, as between You and USA Rugby, its partners, affiliates, vendors and licensors (“Affiliates”), all Site Content is owned by USA Rugby and its Affiliates. The non-exclusive non-transferable license described in the “Scope of Use” Section of this Agreement does not confer on you ownership rights in or to the Site or the Site Content through this Agreement. You may only use the Site Content for personal, non commercial use. You may not use any robots, data mining tools or other data gathering tools to extract Site Content. You may not create or publish a database containing a substantial amount of Site Content. You may not use any Site Content for any commercial purpose or charge a fee or other consideration in exchange for the Site Content. You may not utilize the Site Content to sell, advertise, endorse, or otherwise promote any other service, product or party. The creation of derivative works based on any materials contained in the Site including, but not limited to, products, services, fonts, icons, link buttons, wallpaper, desktop themes, on-line postcards and greeting cards and unlicensed merchandise (whether sold, bartered or given away) is expressly prohibited.

5. POSTINGS AND UPLOADS. The Sites may include questionnaires, surveys, forums, bulletin boards, chat rooms, or other opportunities through which You may provide or upload Content to the Site (such Content, “Provided Content”). You agree not to upload or provide any Provided Content that is: (1) libelous, defamatory, obscene, abusive, pornographic, threatening, or an invasion of privacy; (2) an infringement of the Intellectual Property Rights of any third party; (3) illegal in any way or that advocates illegal activity; (4) an advertisement or solicitation of funds, goods, or services. You hereby represent and warrant to USA Rugby and its Affiliates that You own all right, title, and interest in and to any Provided Content that You provide or upload to the Sites, or that You have sufficient rights, whether by implication, estoppels, or otherwise, to grant USA Rugby the rights discussed in this Section. You will indemnify, defend, and hold harmless USA Rugby and its Affiliates from any and all third-party claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees, expenses, and costs (including attorneys’ fees and court costs) that result from a breach or alleged breach of any representation or warranty set forth in this Section. By providing or uploading any Provided Content to the Sites, You grant USA Rugby a nonexclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sub-licensable right to use, copy, store, reproduce, modify, display, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such Provided Content throughout the world in any form, media, software, or technology of any kind. In addition, You waive all moral rights in the Provided Content or warrant that all moral rights applicable to such content have been waived. You also grant USA Rugby the right to use Your name in connection with the reproduction or distribution of such material.

6. TRADEMARKS. “USA Rugby Marks” means the words USA RUGBY, the USA Rugby shield, and all other trademarks, service marks, words, symbols, terms, logos, emblems, designs, designations and trade dress used by USA Rugby in connection with its goods and services. All USA Rugby Marks are the exclusive property of USA Rugby. This Agreement does not authorize you to use any USA Rugby Mark. Any such use is expressly prohibited. Unauthorized use of any USA Rugby Mark may be a violation of federal and state trademark laws.

7. CLAIMS OF INFRINGEMENT. Just as USA Rugby requires users of the Site to respect the copyrights and other intellectual property rights of USA Rugby, its Affiliates, and other third parties, USA Rugby respects the copyrights and other intellectual property rights of users of the Site and other third parties. If You believe in good faith that Your copyrighted work has been reproduced on the Site without authorization in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, You may notify our designated copyright agent by mail to:

USA Rugby
Attn: Copyright Infringement Agent
2500 Arapahoe Ave., Ste 200
Boulder, CO 80302

Please provide the following information to USA Rugby’s Copyright Infringement Agent:

1. the identity of the infringed work, and of the allegedly infringing work;
2. Your name, address, daytime phone number, and E mail address, if available;
3. a statement that You have a good-faith belief that the use of the copyrighted work is not authorized by the owner, his or her agent, or the law;
4. a statement of the accuracy of the notice and, under penalty of perjury, that You are authorized to act on behalf of the owner; and
5. Your electronic or physical signature.

8. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. You hereby represent, warrant, and covenant for the benefit of USA Rugby and its Affiliates that: (1) You have the legal right and authority to enter into this Agreement, and, if You are accepting this Agreement on behalf of a company or other entity, to bind the company or other entity to the terms of this Agreement; (2) You have the legal right and authority to perform Your obligations under this Agreement and to grant the rights and licenses described in this Agreement and in any applicable additional agreement You enter into in connection with any of the Services; and (3) all information You provide to USA Rugby in connection with this Agreement and Your access to the Site and use of the services and information is correct and current.

9. INFORMATION, NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES. The Site may contain information, news and/or press releases about USA Rugby and its affiliated organizations. While this information is believed to be accurate as of the date it was prepared, USA Rugby and its affiliated organizations disclaim any duty or obligation to update such information.

10. REGISTRATION AND PASSWORDS. Until You apply for and are approved as a registered user (a “Registered User”) of the Sites, Your access will be limited to the public areas of the Sites. Your approval as a Registered User is at the sole discretion of USA Rugby. In connection with Your application to become a Registered User, You will be asked to submit certain information about yourself (“Registration Information”). If Your application to become a Registered User is approved, You will be asked to create a password-protected account to access certain nonpublic areas of the Sites (an “Account”). You agree to keep Your Account information and password confidential. You agree to notify USA Rugby immediately of any actual or suspected unauthorized use of Your Account. You are solely responsible for all activities that occur through Your Account. USA Rugby will not be responsible for any loss to You caused by Your failure to comply with these obligations. You represent and warrant that: (a) all Registration Information You have provided is true, accurate, current, and complete; and (b) You will maintain and promptly update the Registration Information to keep it true, accurate, current, and complete. As part of the registration process, You will be permitted to create a user ID for use in identifying Your Account (a “User ID”). You may not: (i) select or use a User ID of another person with the intent to impersonate that person; (ii) use a User ID in which another person has rights without such person’s authorization; or (iii) use a User ID that USA Rugby, in its sole discretion, deems offensive. Failure to comply with the foregoing shall constitute a breach of this Agreement, which may result in immediate termination of Your Account.

11. LINKS TO THIRD PARTY WEB SITES. The Site includes links to web sites owned by third parties solely as a convenience to our users. The terms and conditions of this Agreement do not apply to any such linked web sites, and such linked web sites are not under the control of USA Rugby. Further, USA Rugby does not endorse any such linked web sites, or the information, materials, products or services that are contained in or accessible through such linked web sites. USA RUGBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION, MATERIALS, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT ARE CONTAINED IN OR ACCESSIBLE THROUGH SUCH LINKED WEB SITES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

You acknowledge and agree that USA Rugby is not responsible for the content, accuracy, legality, decency, copyright compliance, privacy practices, security or any other aspects of any such linked web sites, and that the access or use of any such linked web sites is solely at your own risk, and you hereby waive any and all claims against USA Rugby with respect to such linked web sites.

12. USA RUGBY DISCLAIMER AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. All information provided on this website (including but not limited to medical and safety, injury prevention, emergency planning, and legal), whether by USA Rugby or another person, is for general informational purposes only. The information provided does not address specific situations or facts, is not necessarily complete, accurate or up to date, and is not professional or legal advice. Users of this site should not rely upon the information in this site to make decisions about legal, medical, safety, security, insurance questions, or other specific questions or issues, but should seek the opinions of qualified professionals. USA RUGBY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY, DAMAGE, LOSS, OR LIABILITY RESULTING FROM USE OR RELIANCE UPON THIS WEBSITE OR ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE WEBSITE.

12.1 DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. PRODUCTS OR MATERIALS OBTAINED OR ORDERED FROM, OR DESIGNED OR MANUFACTURED BY USA RUGBY (THE “PRODUCTS”, EACH A “PRODUCT”), THE SITES, AND ALL MATERIALS, INFORMATION, AND SOFTWARE INCLUDED IN OR AVAILABLE THROUGH THE SITES ARE PROVIDED BY USA RUGBY "AS IS" AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITH NO WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER. NEITHER USA RUGBY NOR ITS AFFILIATES REPRESENT OR ENDORSE THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY ADVICE, OPINION, STATEMENT, OR OTHER INFORMATION DISTRIBUTED WITH THE PRODUCTS OR DISPLAYED, DOWNLOADED FROM, OR DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE SITES. YOU AGREE THAT YOUR ACCESS TO THE SITES OR USE OF THE PRODUCTS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK AND THAT YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LIABILITY OR DAMAGE YOU INCUR THROUGH ACCESS TO THE SITES OR USE OF THE PRODUCTS. EXCEPT WHERE THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF A PARTICULAR JURISDICTION CONCERNING WARRANTIES CANNOT BE WAIVED OR EXCLUDED BY AGREEMENT AND EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 12.1, USA RUGBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE SITES AND THE PRODUCTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL WARRANTIES OF TITLE, NONINFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. YOU RECOGNIZE THAT THE CURRENT STATE OF TECHNOLOGY DOES NOT ALLOW FOR ERROR-FREE ACCESS TO THE SITES AND INTERRUPTIONS, CRASHES, AND DOWNTIME BEYOND USA RUGBY’S CONTROL MAY OCCUR FROM TIME TO TIME. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND THE PRODUCTS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

12.2 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. USA RUGBY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE USE OR RELIANCE UPON ANY PART OF THE WEBSITE (INCLUDING LOSS OF BUSINESS, REVENUE, PROFITS, USE, DATA OR OTHER ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE), NO MATTER HOW CAUSED, EVEN IF USA RUGBY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANY FAILURE OF ESSENTIAL PURPOSE OF ANY LIMITED REMEDY. USA RUGBY’S TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT EXCEED $100. IN THE EVENT THAT ANY JURISDICTION DOES NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, USA RUGBY’S LIABILITY THERE SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

12.3 ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT RUGBY INVOLVES RISK OF INJURY. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE PRODUCTS. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THE PRODUCTS CANNOT PREVENT INJURY AT ALL TIME OR UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PREDICT EVERY SITUATION IN WHICH THEY WILL NOT WORK, AND THAT THEIR USE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR SAFETY OR FREEDOM FROM INJURY WHEN YOU PLAY OR PARTICIPATE IN RUGBY OR RELATED ACTIVITIES. YOU KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ACCEPT AND ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH RUGBY ACTIVITIES, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF USA RUGBY. YOU FULLY AND FOREVER RELEASE AND DISCHARGE USA RUGBY AND ITS OWNERS, AGENTS, AFFILIATES AND EMPLOYEES FROM ANY AND ALL INJURIES, LOSSES, DAMAGES, CLAIMS (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS), AND ANY OTHER LIABILITY OF ANY KIND OF OR TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH USE OF THE PRODUCTS AND THE SITE.

13. INDEMNIFICATION. You hereby indemnify, defend, and hold harmless USA Rugby and its Affiliates, employees, agents, contractors, assigns, licensees, and successors in interest (“Indemnified Parties”) from any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees, expenses, and costs (including attorneys' fees, court costs, damage awards, and settlement amounts) that result from any claim or allegation against any Indemnified Party arising from Your accessing the Site or Your breach of any term of this Agreement. You further indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties with respect to any and all injury disability, death, loss or damage arising out of or in connection with selection, installation, maintenance, adjustment and use of the Products, whether arising from the negligence of the Indemnified Parties or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law. USA Rugby will provide You with notice of any such claim or allegation, and USA Rugby will have the right to participate in the defense of any such claim at its expense.

14. PRIVACY POLICY. Click here http://www.usarugby.org/goto/policy__procedures or direct Your web browser tohttp://www.usarugby.org/goto/policy__procedures to view a copy of USA Rugby’s privacy policy (the “Privacy Policy”) which is incorporated in this Agreement by reference. By accepting this Agreement, You expressly consent to the use and disclosure of Your personally identifiable and other information as described in the Privacy Policy.

15. NOTICES. Except as expressly stated otherwise, any notices required or allowed under this Agreement will be given to USA Rugby by postal mail to the address for USA Rugby listed on the Site. If applicable law requires that USA Rugby accept E-mail notices (but not otherwise), then You may send USA Rugby an E-mail notice by or by emailing USA Rugby at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . With respect to USA Rugby 's notices to You, USA Rugby may provide notice of amendments by posting them on the Site and You agree to check for changes. In addition, or in lieu thereof, USA Rugby may give notice by sending E-mail to the E-mail address You provide during registration for the Sites. Notice shall be deemed given 24 hours after it is posted or an E-mail is sent, unless (as to E-mail) the sending party is notified that the E-mail address is invalid.

16. GENERAL TERMS.

16.1 THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. USA Rugby’s Affiliates are intended third-party beneficiaries under this Agreement with the right to enforce the provisions that directly concern Content to which they have rights.

16.2 NONASSIGNMENT. You may not assign or transfer any of Your rights hereunder, and any attempt to do so will be null and void.

16.3 INTEGRATION. This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties and supersedes any and all prior oral and written agreements or understandings between the parties regarding the subject matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified except upon mutual written agreement of both parties. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement will not operate or be interpreted as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

16.4 SEVERABILITY. If for any reason any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, such provision shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability, without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any jurisdiction.

16.5 JURISDICTION AND VENUE. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, without giving effect to any conflict of laws principles. The parties specifically exclude from application to the Agreement the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act. You hereby irrevocably and unconditionally consent to the jurisdiction and venue in the state and federal courts sitting in and for Boulder, Colorado. In any such dispute, the prevailing party will be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses from the other party.

16.6 MODIFICATIONS. USA Rugby reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to add to, change, update, or modify the site and these Terms of Use, simply by posting such addition, change, update, or modification on this site. Any such addition, change, update, or modification will be effective immediately upon posting on the Site.

Membership Use of Information and Privacy Policy

USA Rugby Use of Member Information and Privacy Policy

(Last updated July 14, 2009)

To provide all USA Rugby members (including players, coaches, parents, administrators and officials) with quality service, USA Rugby must collect, process, and use its members’ personal information. At the same time, we want to protect the personal information you provide to us. To underscore USA Rugby’s commitment to protecting your privacy and the value we place on your relationship with us, USA Rugby has adopted the following privacy principles applicable to our handling of your personal information:

Section 1. Expectation of Privacy

USA Rugby recognizes and respects your expectation of privacy and security for your personal information and we are committed to safeguard the sensitive information about you within USA Rugby.

Section 2. Use, Collection, and Retention of Information

USA Rugby collects, uses, and retains information about you to help in the development and enhancement of our services; to understand which services will best meet your needs; to provide you with product and service opportunities that we deem interesting or beneficial to you; and to help administer our core business and programs.

Section 3. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

COPPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, applies to individually identifiable information about a child that is collected online, such as full name, home address, email address, telephone number or any other information that would allow someone to identify or contact the child. The Act and Rule also cover other types of information -- for example, hobbies, interests and information collected through cookies or other types of tracking mechanisms -- when they are tied to individually identifiable information.

At this time, USA Rugby requires parental consent for children under the age of 13 to register or provide other information to USA Rugby through the use of the internet website, www.usarugby.org. If, at any time, USA Rugby policy changes to allow for the collection of information from children under the age of 13, the changes will be notified in this document, and additional information will be provided pursuant to COPPA, in the form of: (a) names and contact information of operators employed by USA Rugby to collect this data; (b) types of information and reasons for USA Rugby to obtain this information from children; (c) procedures by which parents can review a child’s personal information.

CHILDREN 13 & UNDER

Please pay close attention to the information outlined in this document. You are required to have your parents understanding and consent before you enter any personally identifiable information into any forms on the USA Rugby website.

PARENTS

Please be sure to read this Use of Member Information and Privacy Policy. USA Rugby requires your consent prior to any child 13 or under entering any personally identifiable information into the USA Rugby website. Please notify USA Rugby immediately if you have any concerns regarding USA Rugby and COPPA. We encourage parents and guardians to spend time online with their children, and to take an active role to protect the privacy of their children, including but not limited to instructing their children not to disclose any personal information over the Internet without your prior permission. For additional information concerning COPPA, parents and guardians are encouraged to visit www.coppa.org.

Section 4. Maintaining Accurate Information

Through our procedures and technology, USA Rugby will strive to maintain information about you that is accurate and complete. We will respond to your requests to correct inaccurate information in a timely manner should the need arise, but we reserve the right to ensure that the request to make changes is coming from you. We encourage you to verify periodically that the information we have about you is current and correct.

Section 5. Limiting Access to Information

USA Rugby has procedures and security measures that restrict access to and disclosure of personally identifiable information to those individuals in our organization with a sound business reason to access such information. USA Rugby employees are subject to background screening, and are instructed about the importance of confidentiality and privacy of customer information. Further, USA Rugby makes every attempt to educate volunteers and other administrators about important privacy considerations.

Section 6. Security Procedures to Protect Information

We maintain security standards and procedures to deter unauthorized access to confidential information about you. We update technology to improve the protection of our information about you and to assure the integrity of our information. You will be notified immediately of any breaches of security that involve any sensitive personal information.

Section 7. Disclosing Information

We will share your information only (1) with reputable reporting agencies; (2) when you (the individual) request or acknowledge the disclosure; (3) when the disclosure is required, or allowed by law; (4) to make available special offers of products and services through USA Rugby, USA Rugby’s sponsors, partners, licensees or other rugby organizations as deemed appropriate; and (5) when necessary to administer our business, which may include, but is not limited to: releasing participant contact details to the volunteer administrators and instructors of USA Rugby sanctioned coach, referee and youth education programs; and releasing participant contact details to volunteer administrators and coaches of all developmental and age grade national team programs. USA Rugby will only release the minimum amount necessary for communication. Under no circumstance will USA Rugby release social security numbers, except as necessary to perform background checks on youth, high school and collegiate coaches, and then only with individual consent, to a fully qualified security company. Credit card numbers remain encrypted in the USA Rugby Membership and course registration systems and are not visible to employees through that system, and will never be released to any party.

Section 8. Notification of Changes

Any changes to the USA Rugby Use of Information and Privacy Policy will be updated within this posting, and notification provided through the USA Rugby e-newsletter. We recommend that you review the foregoing policy document periodically to become familiar with it and make yourself aware of any changes.

Congratulations to Amelia Luciano, the first ever Don Morrison Referee Scholarship recipient. Amelia will spend the entire 2013 season in Christchurch, New Zealand, as a full-time member of the Canterbury Referee Association. Luciano’s move to New Zealand will allow her to be completely immersed into New Zealand’s culture. She will not only become a fulltime member of the Canterbury Referee Association there, but will also seek employment under the New Zealand Working Holiday Visa Program.

It is only through the support and generosity of the rugby community that programs like this can flourish. To support this program, please visit us at USA Rugby Foundation.

About Amelia:

Luciano’s love of rugby began during her undergraduate college years. She served as player-coach of her Cornell team after her head coach moved on in 2008. Her achievements as a player are numerous, including two New York State Conference titles and an appearance in the Division I Northeast Rugby Union Final Four. After graduating from Cornell in 2011, she began refereeing and immediately developed a passion for officiating.

"I thought it would be challenging," she said, "but I didn't imagine that I would enjoy it as much as I did. My favorite thing about refereeing is that the referee must see the game on multiple levels in order to give both teams a fair chance and in order the ensure law application as it was intended to allow the game to flow."

Although she has to put her PhD studies at Yale on hold while she is abroad, Luciano is excited about the opportunities that await her in a new country. "New Zealand is the one country in the world that cares about rugby more than any other sport,” she said. “Immersing myself in that culture and being around so many people who have a deeper understanding and love for the game than most Americans do will allow me to improve my skill set and to gain new perspective."

In order to share her experiences with the Don Morrison Scholarship, Luciano will be reporting back to American rugby audiences through weekly blog entries. To view her blog, please click here. When Luciano returns to the United States, she will participate in promotional and educational activities that will further encourage referee development and pass along the new knowledge that she will learn during her stay in New Zealand.

About the Don Morrison Referee Fund:

The Don Morrison Referee Fund (named after one of USA Rugby’s most accomplished referees) was created to encourage more young people to become referees and is completely donor funded through USA Rugby Foundation. The Fund covers all costs, including travel and lodging and living expenses, for the recipient to travel to and spend an entire season refereeing in a major rugby country.

The Scholarship was created to directly reflect the primary objective of USA Rugby’s Referee Department: “…to effect sustainable growth in match officials including lowering the age at which Americans are introduced to refereeing. Achieving this objective should lead to increased competition, improved match official development pathways and ultimately improve overall performance.”

Twenty applicants were considered for this award. Luciano was chosen after three phases of review.

"Amelia's obvious passion for the game, coupled with a strong self-motivating nature, leapt from the pages of her application," USA Rugby Referee Department Director Ed Todd said. "We also liked her commitment to developing as a referee, and her references were very positive.”

Todd believes that immersion programs like this one play a huge role in referee development and success. "Three referees have spent parts of rugby seasons with the Canterbury Referee Association in the past. Brian Zapp is now one of our top five referees, George O'Neil is a National 3 referee, and Brei Gussack is president of the Potomac Society. It requires a level of commitment to climb the ladder. Amelia will get that in New Zealand at this early stage of her career."

The Don Morrison Referee Fund is able to raise the bar and create international learning opportunities for up and coming referees like Amelia through generous contributions to USA Rugby Foundation. If you would like to support this worthwhile program, please visit USA Rugby Foundation to make a gift.

Stacey and Jay Annis reside in Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. They have a daughter, Baylee, and a son, Sam.

Stacey helps coach her local high school’s girls’ team. Jay is the director of the CanAm Tournament held in Saranac Lake each summer, which is in its 40th year and hosts more than 100 15s teams. Baylee plays is a junior at Norwich University (VT) and plays prop and hooker and serves as a co-captain.

Why Do You Give?

We gave to the USA Women's Eagles 15s program in response to their appeal for donations for the team's tour to Europe last fall. We gave because both Jay and I are rugby fanatics and still love to play. Our daughter has played since age 15, and was first exposed to the National program as an all-star for territorial U-19 and U-23 teams. Not only is she a co-captain in her junior year at Norwich University, but she also attended the Eagles' elite camp last summer. Additionally, in the past two years, the Collegiate All-Americans and the U-20 Eagles team have held a summer camp and played exhibition games against Canada and Northeast all-star teams as part of the CanAm tournament.

Why Do You Continue to Donate to USA Rugby?

Through the CanAm tournament, we met and had the opportunity to spend some time with Danielle Miller (Women’s Junior All-American Head Coach), Pete Steinberg (Women’s Eagles Head Coach), Luke Gross (Women’s Eagles Forwards Coach and USAR High Performance Development Manager) and other members of the USA Rugby staff. We understand the financial challenges faced by USA Rugby in funding the national programs, both as small business owners and as parents of an aspiring player who has benefited directly from those programs. We gave to give back and to help further the growth of women's rugby in the US.

Why is it Important to Support Rugby in the United States?

With the US preparing for their 7s Olympic debut and the pending women's and men's world cups in 2014 and 2015, it's a great time to help support the US rugby effort.