We are excited to share that Play Rugby USA Founder and CEO, Mark Griffin, will be joining the team at USA Rugby as Commercial Director.

View the USA Rugby Press Release here

We know that collaboration across stakeholders in American rugby is vital for grassroots growth, and Mark has demonstrated a unique ability to establish partnerships and inspire investments around youth rugby programs. We anticipate his work at USA Rugby, strengthening their commercial strategy and partnerships, will open up opportunities for Play Rugby and other organizations like us, so that together we can reach thousands more young people in America, over the coming years.

Mark is already working very closely with Play Rugby’s Board and leadership team on the execution of a succession plan, which is being expertly facilitated by the NYC-based foundation Youth, Inc and independent consultants, Raffa. The plan will enable Mark to gradually step away from day-to-day operational duties through the remainder of the year, with the initial focus being the launch of an Executive Director search in July, for a role to start in October. The new Executive Director will shadow Mark for the last quarter and assume full responsibility for the organization beginning in 2019. A separate communication will come out next month regarding this position.

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I am incredibly excited about this new opportunity with USA Rugby to make a positive impact on the future of the game across the country. I am equally confident in the leadership team we have developed at Play Rugby USA who like any successful team have a great balance of strengths, experience, passion and purpose. As Founder of Play Rugby USA, I will always be as involved as the board deem appropriate and a huge advocate and supporter of their work.”

We are excited for the future of Play Rugby. We’re looking forward to hiring a new Executive Director with fresh ideas and experience, and to build on the incredible foundation that Mark has created. We will stay true to Mark’s vision of creating a better world through rugby, by continuing to deliver rugby programs with youth development at the core and to always be driven by our #GoForwardTogether culture.

Please join us in wishing Mark the best of luck in his new role!