Now is the time to attend the Women’s Rugby Coaches & Referee Association (WRCRA) annual conference, which takes place Friday-Sunday, Jan. 17-19 in Denver, Colo. — its westernmost location since the event’s inception in 2017. There is so much momentum flowing through the U.S. game right now and so many stakeholders who want to see that energy properly channeled, and the WRCRA conference is your chance to be part of that conversation. [lead photo: Alex Ho @hoiho_photo]
RELATED: Early Registration Rates Extended to Dec. 31
First, the curriculum and the presenters — top notch. The keynote speakers include Olympic bronze medalists Lauren Doyle and Naya Tapper, USA Rugby HP Director Tamara Sheppard, XV Foundation’s Alycia Washington, and executive and HP coach Mattison Grey. They’ll be available throughout the conference, which is packed with interactive sessions in four categories: program development (e.g., strategy and tactics), player and program health (e.g., roundtable with leading high school coaches), administration and managing relationships. See the full conference agenda for richer descriptions of the sessions.
Lauren Doyle / Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
And the speakers represent every level and sector of the U.S. game — personnel at the USA, Women’s Elite Rugby, NCAA varsity, elite high school levels, and more — and they’ll be in Denver to connect, share and educate. Learn more about the experts leading discussions.
Second, the conference is a showcase for the U.S. Women’s Rugby Foundation (USWRF) and WRCRA’s year-round efforts. The organizations honor the game’s workers — from the up-and-coming “30 Under 30” award recipients, who will have their own reception on Friday; to the Women’s Committee Award, which goes to an all-star administrator; to Lifetime Achievement Awards winners, who represent at least 20 years of service in rugby. Tam Breckenridge, Jami Jordan, Phaidra Knight and Dana Teagarden will all be honored at the Saturday evening Awards Dinner for their indelible contributions to the sport.
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Also on display will be a physical representation of the History Museum — another USWRF/WRCRA creation — which exists in a more extensive form online. It’s just one example of how the organization both celebrates the game but also maintains the record books. That’s a huge and important task. WRCRA membership also provides access to a searchable database of girls and women’s rugby teams in the U.S. (current 1,200+) with contact information, a coaches network, Kathy Flores coaching library, funding for certification courses, and much more.
Everyone is there to talk and connect and brainstorm, and that collaborative experience will at the very least fuel you into 2025. It’s a fulfilling experience, to meet people from all around the country who are united in driving U.S. rugby forward, and it’s certainly worth a weekend in Denver.
2025 WRCRA CONFERENCE
Friday-Sunday, Jan. 17-19
The Westin Downtown Denver
1672 Lawrence St., Denver, CO 80202
Conference Info: Homepage • Agenda • Speakers
Subscribe Today: Link
Discounts for WRCRA members
Early-bird discount ends Dec. 31