Reflections from a Team Physician with the USA Rugby Men’s National Team
I recently returned from the fall tour serving as the team physician for the USA Rugby Men’s National Team for the Autumn Nations Series, and as I reflect on the experience, one word continues to stand out: intentionality.
It's a theme embodied daily by our head coach—an individual whose leadership style is as thoughtful as it is ambitious. During last year's tour, he taught the group about the principle of "1 in 60," the idea that small, consistent adjustments are crucial to avoid drifting far off course from goals, and to optimize the likelihood of success. This year, his message expanded beyond incremental gains into something deeper: acting with purpose, clarity, and connection. Acting intentionally.
The 2031 Moonshot: Intentionality at Scale
One of the most profound examples of this mindset is the coach’s 2031 Moonshot initiative—a long-term vision to see the USA compete in a semifinal match in the 2031 Rugby World Cup on home soil. It’s a goal audacious enough to inspire, yet grounded in practical decisions that influence how the team operates today.
As part of this Moonshot, each match is represented by a unique patch given to each member of the team, designed around the mission of that particular game. In an effort to bring the broader rugby community into that mission, USA Rugby invited members from across the country to submit patch designs—an intentional bridge between the national team and the people who support it at every level.
The patch for our final match of tour, against Romania, was especially meaningful. The artist drew from Native American symbolism to represent home and happiness—fitting themes as we prepared to return home the following week. The design also included symbolism for Earth, meant to underscore that rugby is a global game, and that we are all global citizens connected by our passion for the sport. Finally, the patch included symbolism for gratitude: for the chance to finish the year strong, for the comfort of belonging, and for the support of the next generation of Eagles watching and learning.
The patch was more than fabric. It was intention made visible.
Meetings With Purpose
Intentionality wasn’t limited to the conceptual or symbolic—it carried through every detail of daily operations. Even our staff meetings looked different.
Instead of gathering around a table or lining up chairs, we met standing in a circle. This simple structural choice changed everything. It flattened hierarchy, created connection, and kept every discussion efficient and focused. Standing side by side, we weren’t just exchanging information; we were collaborating.
The coach would end each meeting by posing a question to one staff member—something personal, something that revealed a piece of who they were beyond their job description. One day, he turned to me.
“Doc, take a minute and think. What are your three most important keys to life?”
It was an unexpected question in the middle of scheduling logistics and tactical preparation—but that was the point. After a moment of reflection, I offered my answer:
- Do the easy things well. Excellence starts with the fundamentals.
- Develop relationships and mentorships. Our path to success is paved by the support of friends and colleagues
- Always think of five things you could have done differently and better. Growth begins with honest reflection.
Brief exchanges like this shifted the energy in the room. Suddenly we weren’t just staff members coordinating schedules or injury protocols. We were humans sharing the philosophies that drive us. It was a reminder that connection is not accidental—it’s cultivated.
Celebration With Meaning
What struck me most throughout the tour was that none of this—none of it—was incidental. The structure of meetings, the design of patches, the questions posed to staff, the long-term vision for 2031… each was crafted with purpose.
Intentionality builds culture.
Culture shapes behavior.
Behavior drives performance.
In high-performance environments, it’s easy to focus solely on outcomes. But this tour was a vivid reminder that outcomes are the byproduct of countless intentional choices—how we communicate, how we honor community, how we learn about one another, and how we choose to show up each day.
As I returned home, I carried with me the lessons of the Moonshot, the power of symbols, and the importance of asking not just what we are doing, but why. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this journey, and even more grateful to witness leadership that understands the profound impact of intentional action. Intentionality is how you build a future —one decision, one meeting, one patch, one conversation at a time.
