|
“We have been working closely with the Rugby Super League for several years now,” USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville explained, “but in an effort to further develop the competition, USA Rugby is continually working to provide the RSL and its teams with improved tools and services.”
From a high performance perspective, USA Rugby is sending its national coaching staff to as many games as possible over the season, as well as implementing a league-wide video platform, in which each home team captures the game on video and uploads it to Sportstec.
The website allows member teams to see all six games each weekend as well as games all season long.
“Teams are encouraged to scout the opposition as well as measure their performance against their competitors in the league,” men’s national team assistant coach Dave Hodges said.
“The US national team will also use the video to analyze player performance and make more informed selections. Sportstec has been an invaluable partner in this process, setting up the site and creating individual workflows for each of Super League’s 14 member teams.”
All of the Super League referees and evaluators will also be able to look at their performance each week. USA Rugby is providing the RSL with full teams of three registered match officials, and will equip them all with radio communications and performance reviewers.
In 2010, The GAME System is being implemented for referee evaluation which will provide statistical performance evaluation through an online reporting and database platform.
Additionally, USA Rugby has developed, in conjunction with the RSL coaches, the Game Management Guidelines with the objective of developing a consistent approach to implementation of the Laws, and a referee high performance presentation with video to outline the referee’s approach.
This will be supplemented throughout the competition with video clips produced by the National Panel management, illustrating both positive and negative aspects of play and refereeing.
USA Rugby has been developing its new Competition Management System and will provide its increased benefits to the Super League.
RSL teams will be able to submit roster, scoring, disciplinary, and substitution information, all linked to USA Rugby’s membership database.
This will allow for easily trackable results and statistics for member teams as well as the public.
