About GUs
Effective with the opening of the 2011-2012 Competitive Season, the USA Rugby Board named four Geographical 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.
Geographical 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 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).
Existing GUs
| Name | President | Contact |
|---|
| Carolinas |
Bob Davis |
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| Empire |
Renee Ovrut |
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| New England |
Neil Foley |
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| Southern California |
Chris Gleiter |
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| Texas |
David McPhail |
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| True South |
Peter Steyn |
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| Approved GU - Effective as of September 2013 |
| Capital |
David Chapman |
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| Eastern Penn |
Jennifer Bustamante |
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| Mid-America |
Kjrsten Abel Ruch |
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| Northern California |
John Compaglia |
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| Pacific Northwest |
John Shelton |
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Regions without GU designation are targeted for GU implementation as quickly as is feasible.
Applying to Become a Geographical Union
USA Rugby is pleased to announce the opportunity to submit an application to become a Geographical Union (GU). At this time, you may submit an application to form a GU.
Submitting an application does not cause recognition of GU. The Geographical Union Committee will thoroughly review each application to help in the formation of viable GUs.
Geographical Union Resources
More Information About GUs
For more information about GUs, please have a look at the GU Frequently Asked Questions page. If you have further questions, please direct them to
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