Humans of RugbyDAO: John Nauright
Welcome to this week’s “Humans of RugbyDAO", John Nauright, celebrating the passionate individuals who make up our vibrant community.
John Nauright is the Founder of the Global Rugby Leadership Institute, Director of the School of Kinesiology and Karen Wax Schmitt and Family Endowed Professor at Louisiana State University. His diverse career encompasses leadership roles like VP of the Dallas Jackals Rugby in Major League Rugby and extensive academic contributions to the study of rugby culture. He has also consulted on major rugby projects, including the BBC’s The Union Game.
As the author of seminal works such as Making Men: Rugby and Masculine Identity and Rugby and the South African Nation, Nauright’s research has gained widespread recognition. A strong advocate for women’s rugby, he led the first-ever women’s rugby conference during the 2022 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Q&A
A) What drives your passion for rugby❓
My passion is to ensure rugby is a #sport played at a high level by women and men around the world. While I did not grow up in a rugby playing area, I was transformed by my experience in Aotearoa New Zealand where I taught several New Zealand Rugby All Blacks and Black Ferns at the University of Otago, played a bit as well before teaching national men and women players in Australia.
B) Can you share a memorable moment from your career❓
During COVID, we at the Global Rugby Leadership Institute held a global e-forum on the day the USA was awarded the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups, featuring men’s and women’s rugby icons and leaders, including the Rugby World Cup France 2023 organizers. Along with our conferences promoting global rugby research, these events bring together players, organizations, and spectators to share ideas and improve the sport. As a spectator, my most memorable moment was at the Sydney Olympic Stadium in 2000, witnessing what many (myself included) consider the most epic rugby match: the Wallabies, then World Cup Champions, facing the All Blacks, with Jonah Lomu scoring a late try to secure a 39-35 win in front of a world-record crowd.
C) What advice would you give to young people aspiring to work in rugby❓
My hope is that the RugbyDAO community will attract and empower more #leaders from every country to spread the impact of rugby in both virtual and real spaces. For those aspiring to work in rugby the advice I give is that you should be a relentless advocate for the game we love. It is a unique sport in how it brings people together and creates passionate life-long lovers of the game. Finding ways to share that joy that comes from knowing rugby will keep you motivated and fuel your passions as well. But, as with any elite sport there will be challenges and times when you feel the walls closing in. At those moments remind yourself of why you love #rugby and it will reignite your drive for success.
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