Leinster Rugby has confirmed a new strategic partnership with Rugby Capital Advisors (RCA) to help the club develop and grow its footprint in the US, in particular through its camps programme.
RCA was founded last year by former Old Wesley RFC chairman and player John Lowry and his former teammate Nigel Osborne, and they have worked closely with Leinster Rugby senior management on the ground-breaking project with Syracuse University.
The company also lists current Basketball Ireland CEO and former CEO of Six Nations Rugby John Feehan as an advisor
The partnership between Leinster and Syracuse was launched in March of this year (read more here) and in the summer months ahead Syracuse University will host a first ever School of Excellence facilitated by Leinster Rugby coaches and a coaching clinic, hosted by Leinster Contact Skills Coach, Seán O’Brien.
RCA will use its expertise in sports administration, operations and logistics to help Leinster Rugby develop its rugby programme and indeed to deliver rugby clinics and camps in Syracuse University and further afield.
“Everyone knows the potential of the US market for all sporting organisations, and with the Rugby World Cup going there in 2031 and 2033, the focus will narrow on rugby in the years ahead and we are very keen to explore possibilities for Leinster around that.” said Leinster Rugby CEO Shane Nolan.
“We are delighted to announce this unprecedented partnership of RCA and Leinster Rugby with Syracuse University,” added John Lowry.
“We are embarking on a ground-breaking joint venture that will revolutionise the development of rugby in the United States, from the ground up, as we build momentum towards the historic Rugby World Cup hosted on American soil for the very first time.”
A Leinster Rugby coach will be appointed in the coming weeks to manage the partnership, with additional staff and coaching resources in place for the start of the 2023/24 academic year.
Furthermore, Leinster Rugby coaching staff will undertake the coaching of the university rugby teams, while also conducting open coaching clinics and seminars to young players and coaches at Syracuse University and at other select venues nationwide.
