Join us for the tenth annual Regional Development Summit, hosted by the Texas Rugby Union in Austin, TX, at the Hilton Houston North on August 22-24. This premier event is ideal for rugby enthusiasts of all levels, including coaches, players, administrators, referees, and supporters.
Dive into World Rugby Certification Courses in Coaching, Referee, and Strength & Conditioning or explore our expanded continuing education track called Rugby Knowledge Pathways. This year’s lineup includes focused sessions on player recovery, club operations, leadership development, rugby discipline, tournament hosting, and more. With limited spots available, register early to secure your place before registration closes Tuesday, August 19. Enjoy exclusive networking opportunities, a complimentary conference shirt, and access to the Friday night Welcome Social. Choose to purchase a provided lunch or bring your own and do not miss discounted Hall of Fame banquet tickets for Saturday night.
Explore In-Depth Rugby Development Topics
Enhance your skills with practical sessions on player recovery, mental performance, club management essentials, discipline procedures, and leadership for coaches. Learn how to organize successful tournaments and tours with insights from experienced rugby event leaders. Take advantage of new content designed to empower every role within your club or team.
We encourage clubs to send multiple attendees as courses run concurrently across tracks. This approach maximizes your club’s growth by spreading knowledge and skills throughout your team. Do not miss this opportunity to deepen your rugby expertise and make a meaningful impact.
Gain access to all Rugby Knowledge Pathway courses for $100 which includes a conference shirt and entry to the Friday night Welcome Social. Lunch is optional for $25. Please plan to pack your own if you opt out. Add a discounted Hall of Fame ticket for $75 when registering for the Summit. Space is limited so sign up today!
Courses and Instructors
Our specialized courses are designed to empower players, coaches, administrators, and fans on their unique rugby journeys. Learn more about the diverse group of instructors for this year:
Recovery for Rugby Athletes
Learn practical strategies to optimize recovery for peak performance and injury prevention. Topics include nutrition, sleep, active recovery techniques, and mental rest tailored specifically for rugby athletes.
Course is recommended for Players and Coaches.
Mary Swanstrom
Grow Your Club by Hosting Tournaments and Going on Tours
Led by TJ Costello, with over 25 years of tournament management experience as well as tour management and being a tour host. This course covers essentials of organizing events, lessons learned, and the benefits of hosting tournaments. Review how Bloodfest has grown and the impact of TOLA on 7s in Texas. Gain insights from Bloodfest coordinators on achieving success. Empower your club to be a winning host, and enjoy the benefits of the rugby community engagement and growth.
Course is recommended for Coaches, Administrators and Fans.
TJ Costello
Medical Essentials for Your Team
Mary Swanstrom
Understand the critical medical resources and protocols every rugby team should have in place. Topics include injury prevention, emergency preparedness, first aid essentials, and how to build a safe environment for players.
Course is recommended for Coaches and Admins.
Mental Skills for Rugby Players: Myth Busters Edition
In this session, we will bust the top 3 myths about mental skills in rugby (and sports in general) and replace them with actionable strategies you can use in your very next training session. This is your opportunity to reshape your approach to performance—not just in rugby, but in life. By breaking down the outdated myths that limit your growth, you’ll gain tools and strategies that create real, lasting impact. Let’s ditch the myths and the gimmicks and replace them with simple, powerful mental skills that help you unlock your full potential.
Course is recommended for Coaches and Players
Mattison Grey
Discipline Procedures and Best Practices
Learn the basics of managing discipline within your club or league. This course covers rules enforcement, handling misconduct, disciplinary procedures, and maintaining fairness and integrity in competition.
Course is recommended for Coaches, Players, Referees, Fans & Administrators
Zachary Hiller
Leadership for coaches
Coaches Designed specifically for coaches who want to elevate their leadership, sharpen their communication, and build stronger, more cohesive teams—on and off the field. Great coaches do more than run drills—they lead and inspire. This session introduces a leadership framework tailored for rugby coaches who want to bring out the best in their players, their staff, and themselves. You’ll complete the Four Core Leadership Personality Assessment, a tool that reveals how you naturally lead, communicate, and make decisions—and why others don’t always respond to you the way you expect. Then, you’ll leave with practical coaching tools you can use immediately to connect with your team, improve results, and strengthen your team culture. Whether you’re coaching beginners or elite athletes, this session will help you lead with more clarity, confidence, and consistency.
Course is recommended for Coaches
Mattison Grey