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Dan Payne isn’t stepping away, he’s stepping up. The USA Rugby CEO announced last month that he would be relinquishing his position at the end of the upcoming Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco. His destination, secret at the time, was yesterday confirmed to be World Rugby.
The world governing body has confirmed that the 45-year-old will step into a new position as CEO of Rugby Americas. His role will be to oversee the entirety of the Americas, including both regional organizations Rugby Americas North and Sudamérica Rugby.
Previously a similar role was occupied by Regional General Manager Tom Jones, who is retiring after more than 35 years as a rugby administrator with Rugby Canada, Rugby Americas North, and World Rugby. Jones oversaw the creation of the umbrella organization – Rugby Americas – in July 2017.
“While retaining their sovereignty and identities, SAR and RAN will join forces under the coordinated facilitation of Rugby Americas with a global strategy to optimise Americas continental structures, competitions and development. Everyone in the meetings appreciated and grasped this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something special in the Americas. To achieve more together than we have separately.”
The strategic shift has been driven by World Rugby Vice-Chairman Agustín Pichot and will see the new Americas Rugby Challenge begin in August. Effectively the Americas Rugby Championship ‘B’, the new competition will see international teams from both Rugby Americas North and Sudamérica Rugby competing against each other to expand the profile of the sport across the Americas.
Pichot welcomed the new appointment in an official statement.
“We are delighted to appoint Dan Payne as Chief Executive Officer of Rugby Americas. These are exciting times for the growth of the sport, and Dan’s knowledge and expertise of rugby in the Americas, proven track record with USA Rugby and passion for the development of the game, make him perfectly suited for this important role.”
Payne will officially move to his new role on a full-time basis in August.
