Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

**From usarugby.org

USA Rugby Partners with Rugby Channel to Offer One Free Match per Month

BOULDER , Colo. – Starting October 14, USA Rugby will offer its members free access to watch one match per month on Rugby Channel (www.therugbychannel.com). This partnership is designed to add media access to the growing list of USA Rugby member benefits. Over the next 15 months, USA Rugby members will receive free access to 15 first-class matches, providing members with more than $100 in annual Pay Per View savings.

“Working with Pat Guthrie at the Rugby Channel is great,” USA Rugby’s Vice President of Business Development, David Voth said. “He is a pioneer in the sport of Rugby and we both share a common vision of seeing more rugby on air. I recently approached Pat with an idea of providing something extra for our USA Rugby membership and we came up with an idea of free rugby each month. The Rugby Channel is a great partner and we love providing additional opportunities and benefits to our members.”

An annual membership to USA Rugby costs anywhere from $20-$35. But, with this new Rugby Channel benefit saving USA Rugby members approximately $100 in video streaming alone, the member has already doubled the return on their investment.

“Promoting the development of the game in the United States is a major initiative for Rugby Channel,” said Patrick Guthrie, Director of Rugby at MediaZone. “We are thrilled to be partnering with USA Rugby to make these games available to all members, as we know that watching first-class rugby is one of the best ways to improve skills and bring new enthusiasts to the game.”

Starting October 14, the USA vs. Uruguay Rugby World Cup Qualifier match will be made available to USA Rugby members. This will allow aspiring Eagles of all ages to watch the Men’s National Team in a crucial test, cement their place at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France next September. The test was played at Stanford University ’s Steuber Rugby Stadium on Oct. 7th.

To start downloading this month’s selection – the USA vs. Uruguay WCQ match - a member must first visit USA Rugby’s website at www.usarugby.org and click on the Rugby Channel logo on the bottom of the homepage. Then, in November and continuing throughout 2007, one free match will be made available to USA Rugby members each month. Future matches are yet to be determined, and will include USA tests when available, plus other internationals, inter-provincial and provincial contests.

Rugby Channel is an official sponsor of USA Rugby and was born out of the pent-up demand to watch the world’s best rugby matches. Rugby Channel delivers LIVE and downloadable rugby through broadband internet connections directly to your Windows-enabled PC. Rugby Channel is also available globally with viewers able to access live and downloadable coverage in 169 territories around the world and on an 18-hour delay in 35 more.

Rugby Channel is unique because it allows viewers to either watch live or to download their favorite rugby matches whenever and wherever they want. It also provides weekly video previews and comprehensive highlights packages for all matches, plus shows the most controversial laws incident, best tries, and most amazing play every week and encourages the viewer to participate on its Watch & Comment page.