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Sevens in pursuit of a new American dream
Toby Robson
February 2, 2011
Olympic inclusion is a powerful force. American network television is arguably a higher power.
In rugby sevens' case the duo are a fairly potent mix, even in a country where the chosen sports are burned into the national psyche.
NBC's decision to screen the collegiate sevens tournament last June put rugby on a stage it had not previously entertained, a potential live audience of 300 million.
It prompted a bloke called Miles Craigwell to throw in his lifelong dream of playing in the American Football's NFL for a shot at the IRB world sevens circuit.
It could also be part of the reason nearly 600 kids aged eight to 14 showed up at the Olympic sevens youth tournament in Chula Vista, San Diego, a few weeks ago.
And it would be fair to assume rugby's American network debut was a success because NBC will screen eight hours of next weekend's IRB tournament in Las Vegas live on prime time TV.
But how much of this sleeping giant phenomenon is hype?
Very little, if you ask US sevens coach Al Caravelli.
"Rugby being included in the Olympics is huge for the United States on several fronts," he said as he prepared his side for the NZI Wellington sevens.
"One is because it gives exposure to the sport to the American public. They don't understand fifteens, don't even care about the World Cup, but once it becomes an Olympic medal it's game-changing.
"When the All Blacks lost to France at the World Cup this country was like a funeral, right? We don't have anything like that in America.
"We have the NFL, the Super Bowl. In baseball we call it the World Series, but we're the only ones who play.
"Soccer is not entrenched in the country, so the closest thing we have to rallying the country behind something is the Olympics.
"It gives rugby legitimacy right away, it attracts a new public, but it also attracts athletes that we haven't had before, like Miles.
"Before if you didn't make the NFL that was it. Now you can say 'I can be a practice player in the NFL, or I can go and become an Olympian'."
But Olympians don't get paid and neither do the US sevens squad, so how is a bit of television coverage going to entice top athletes and fans to rugby union?
"Only time will tell, but I personally think rugby sevens at the Olympics could be the greatest team sport for anybody to ever see. It could be the ice hockey of the Summer Games," Caravelli enthuses. "The atmosphere of sevens, at Rio de Janeiro [in 2016], hopefully the American public on NBC will see all the things our other sports have to offer right there. The Olympics inclusion, I believe, is the most positive thing that's happened to rugby."
Caravelli says he is now talking regularly to agents for athletes from other codes, mostly American football.
He's not expecting top NFL players to suddenly jump ship, but there is a "cross-over" effect he believes will deliver top-end US college athletes back to rugby.
"We had more than 500 kids from eight to 14 at a recent camp and we've never seen that before," he said. "I saw a 12-year-old passing the ball and you would have thought he'd grown up in New Zealand. I asked him what other sports he played and he said, 'football, basketball, and baseball'. To me that's success.
"I don't want him to replace those sports, but to add rugby."
Caravelli's theory is the college scholarship systems in football or basketball will produce athletes of "incredible explosiveness and strength" and if they've played rugby early in life they will return. "If they don't make the big leagues then rugby will gain a great athlete."
Caravelli cites US rugby player Thretton Palamo as a potential case in point.
Palamo was just 18 when he played for the US Eagles at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but has now gained a scholarship to play American football at the University of Utah.
At just 22, Palamo has plenty of time to return to rugby when he's finished his college career, and if he does he'll be a better athlete, but with a rugby background.
"Those are the type of advancements we want for the future."
As far as funds go, sevens isn't likely to hit the jackpot till after the 2012 London Olympics when it can mount a case as a medal hope for 2016.
But the Olympic benefits have already begun. The US team is now a 'member' of the movement and trains at and has access to the national Olympic training facilities and services.
A sports psychologist, nutritionist and physiologist have already been assigned by the high performance unit, along with recovery suits and access to gps equipment.
The greatest navigator of all though may be the humble television and its power to project sevens to the masses.
The Dominion Post
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.
I believe NBC will be televising games from the Rugby World Cup this year too.
Good read! Thanks Burgs
I don't know if the NBC is showing the World Cup but even if they do I doubt many would watch. But they will watch the Olympics, this statement is very true.
Success at the Olympics will make it grow at the college level. Than it will become a scholarship sport. When that happens the youth sport will explode. Guys like Palamo will stick with Rugby.don't even care about the World Cup, but once it becomes an Olympic medal it's game-changing.
Palamo was just 18 when he played for the US Eagles at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but has now gained a scholarship to play American football at the University of Utah.
Speaking of American football:
GO STEELERS!!!!!!
[YOUTUBE]kdL7RTyYbMg[/YOUTUBE]
Packers ta win! by a big margin
James?
NEW YORK CITY and WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA. -- June 17, 2010 - Universal Sports Network, NBC Sports, and the International Rugby Board (IRB) today announced a partnership that will bring to U.S. audiences unprecedented national television and digital media coverage of the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup tournaments. The announcement was made by Universal Sports CEO David Sternberg and Mike Miller, CEO and Secretary General, International Rugby Board.
Universal Sports, the preeminent destination for Olympic-related sports programming, and NBC Sports will provide full, multi-platform coverage of all 48 matches during the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand and the 2015 World Cup in England. Two matches in each tournament, including the Finals in 2011 and 2015, will air either live or on a same-day delay on NBC Sports. Live and delayed match video will also be accessible at www.universalsports.com, and on Universal Sports' mobile platforms. Universal Sports' and NBC Sports' match coverage will feature a studio pre-game show, halftime and post-game shows, as well as several other production enhancements, and will be offered in high definition
http://www.universalsports.com/news/...id=478244.html
The potential for Rugby in the US is phenomenal if there is monetary backing. The Olympics could be the catalyst for this to explode in a market where playing Pro Sport of any kind is the dream for most kids. A few years ago there was talk about a 20 team pro competition in the US but it fizzled due to a lack of public interest. This could be the changer. I know of at least 5 local players who are currently in the US playing this year including a bunch from the local 1st Grade. Some are on sports scholarships, some are there for boot money and a crack at the local girls but it just shows that there is potential and I hope that Sevens will be the boost for the XV's game.
A possible double benefit is if the US improves and starts regularly walloping their northern neighbour in either or both versions, then it is inevitable the Canucks pride will see an injection into Canadian Rugby too.
It's all well and good being World Champions of a sport where there are about five teams with any genuine chance of winning the cup, but to compete in a sport that North America (ie both US and Canada) takes seriously then there is a genuine world stage to be competing on.
Likewise the China syndrome (see/search article on TWF) if the plans with their armed forces comes to pass you will suddenly (ok, in a few years) have three genuine contendors for the title emerge and make the top 5 earn the crown.
"Bloody oath we did!"
Nathan Sharpe, Legend.