Overview
The Popolo Project is dedicated to fostering opportunities for Black and Polynesian Rugby Referees within the USA Rugby Pathways framework. Our initiative is designed to establish a comprehensive 12-month program that offers guidance, mentorship, and robust support while advocating for these referees within their local referee organizations. Our primary goal is to significantly enhance the representation of this demographic within the National Referee Development Group and High-Performance Group.
Goal 1: Recruitment & Retention
- Objective 1a: Recruitment Strategy
- Goal: Increase the number of Black and Polynesian rugby referees throughout the United States.
- Objective: Implement a multi-faceted recruitment strategy in collaboration with Local Rugby Organizations (LROs), community organizations, and clubs.
- KPI: Recruit a total of 15 participants from all four regions (West, South, East, and Mid West).
- Objective 1b: Retention & Development
- Goal: Continued engagement and growth of recruited referees within the program.
- Objective: Participants complete and review a minimum of 12 referee appointments (XVs or 7s) throughout the season, attend at least one development camp held by the USA or the Papolo Program, and submit a performance portfolio.
- KPI: Monitor and track the progress of participants to ensure they meet these retention criteria.
Goal 2: Mentorship and Support
- Objective 2a: Mentorship System
- Goal: Provide referees with experienced mentors to help development
- Objective: Pair each referee with a mentor who can help guide, give feedback, and support throughout their journey in the National Pathways.
- KPI: Each referee has an assigned mentor who actively engages with them.
- Objective 2b: Support Network
- Goal: Foster a sense of community and support among the referees
- Objective: Establish and global network of Black and Polynesian rugby referees
- KPI: Measure satisfaction and engagement levels through bi-yearly surveys.
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Goal 3: Promotion and Visibility
- Objective 3a: Advisory Board
- Goal: Assist in finding/providing opportunities for referees to showcase their capabilities.
- Objective: Establish an advisory board of advocates and mentors who can facilitate referee participation in a variety of events.
- KPI: Measure the number of events against referees’ participation numbers.
- Objective 3b: Inclusivity and Representation
- Goal: Increase the number of Black and Polynesian referees represented
- Objective: Ensure that referees in underrepresented backgrounds have the opportunity to officiate in a diverse range of events.
- KPI: Track the diversity and representation of referees in various games, tournaments, and events.
Goal 4: Reporting
- Goal: Encourage referees to use a standardized reporting system.
- Objective: Promoted the use of ADVANTAGE or a comparable referee system for recording and coding matches.
- KPI: Monitor the use of ADVANTAGE among participants
Goal 5: Fundraising
- Goal: Secure necessary funds to support the Popolo Program
- Objective: Secure funding to host two development camps and support various referee exchanges and appointments, covering travel expenses and match fees. KPI: Monitor the progress of fundraising efforts
- Objective: Ensure that referees in underrepresented backgrounds have the opportunity to officiate in a diverse range of even