Building High-Performance Culture

Annual Commitment to Excellence

Crusaders Global Academy (CGA) and the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Women’s Rugby program have cultivated a robust, results-driven partnership spanning three consecutive years. Defined by a shared commitment to developing elite student-athletes and fostering sustained organizational growth, this collaboration positions the Navy Women’s Rugby team as a valued participant in the CGA Growth Program. This strategic alliance has demonstrably contributed to the team’s organizational maturity and competitive success in the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA).

USNA Women's Rugby

The USNA Women’s Rugby program operates under the distinguished leadership of Head Coach Murph McCarthy, a 2000 Naval Academy graduate who took the helm in 2019. Competing at the varsity level within NIRA, the program embodies the Academy’s core values of honor, courage, and commitment, demanding excellence both on the pitch and in their demanding academic and military training environments.

The Collaboration Model

The partnership model is characterized by deep, consistent engagement across both coaching and player development:

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Dynamic Player Camps (3-Year Repeat Visit): For three consecutive years, the Naval Academy team has hosted CGA for dynamic player development camps. These repeated, on-site engagements ensure continuity in training philosophy and provide targeted, high-intensity skill transfer sessions crucial for collegiate-level performance.

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Coaching Integration and Leadership Development: Head Coach Murph McCarthy solidified the program’s commitment to high standards by attending a dedicated CGA coaching course in 2023. This integration of the CGA coaching methodology into the USNA program ensures that player development principles are consistently reinforced by the team’s own leadership.

Effective Impact and Results

The sustained partnership between the two organizations has yielded clear, measurable impact for the Naval Academy Women’s Rugby program:

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Significant Competitive Strides: The primary impact is evident in the team’s competitive trajectory, as they have made significant strides in varsity competition within NIRA. This is a direct result of enhanced skill acquisition, tactical understanding, and the high-performance culture instilled through the CGA camps and coaching integration.

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Shared Commitment to Development: The collaboration has built a foundation of shared philosophy, emphasizing holistic player development that respects the unique demands placed upon midshipmen. CGA’s visits are not merely clinics, but organizational development opportunities that effectively impact the team’s long-term structure and preparedness.

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Strengthened Program Ties: Coach McCarthy’s participation in the CGA coaching course in 2023 is a testament to the strong, trusting ties between the organizations, ensuring the partnership continues to drive forward-looking strategies for athletic and personal excellence.

Conclusion

The three-year relationship between Crusaders Global Academy and USNA Women’s Rugby is a prime example of how targeted, repeated intervention and professional development can fuel significant competitive advancement in a varsity sports program.

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