USA Rugby is proud to announce the hiring of JD Stephenson as the newly appointed Men’s Head of Player Systems and Development role within USA Rugby High Performance.
Stephenson returns to USA Rugby having worked with the organization in player and coach development roles between 2013 and 2021. In the interim, Stephenson has piloted and led successful growth initiatives with both MLR and youth rugby since 2021, building talent ID and education programs that have cultivated international worthy standards. He’ll now mesh this experience into his new position responsible for fostering a pipeline of high performing, international-ready athletes and coaching talent. Overseeing the pathway programs of both Men’s 15s and 7s National Teams, Stephenson rejoins USA Rugby during a pivotal period on the road to LA28 and Rugby World Cup 2031.
USA Rugby General Manager of High Performance, Tamara Sheppard said on Stephenson’s appointment, “JD's return gives us real continuity as we build toward LA28 and the 2027 and 2031 Rugby World Cups. He previously played a pivotal role in our pathway system that he is now leading, and brings both the institutional knowledge and genuine commitment to the game at the community level - exactly the combination this role needs for the long term. I also want to thank Brendan Keane for his commitment to this program, and wish him well in his next opportunity."
Stephenson assumes the Men’s Head of Player Systems and Development role following the departure of Brendan Keane, who recently moved on from USA Rugby to pursue another opportunity, leaving an enduring impact on the USA Eagles pathway during his 9-year tenure.
USA Rugby is excited to build new momentum behind Stephenson, who over the last few years has been key to development with the Montana Institute of Sport (MIS). Through the Varsity Rugby Initiative, the organization has optimized regional resources to produce healthy and sustainable high performance rugby programs and tournaments. Through the strategy of providing rugby curriculum and on-ground assets to schools and youth programs, with the intention of leading each towards self-sustainability, the MIS program has shown to be a working model for Talent ID and athlete development in a regional capacity; one USA Rugby High Performance Pathways is excited to formulate coast to coast.
Stephenson said on his new position with USA Rugby, “I'm excited to return to USA Rugby at a very different point in my career. My first experience with the organization gave me a solid grounding in the national pathway and the challenges of developing players across such a large, diverse rugby landscape. Since then I've worked across professional rugby, grassroots development, talent ID and regional system-building and those experiences have reshaped how I think about player development and high performance.
I'm coming back with a much broader view of what it actually takes to build an aligned system that consistently identifies, develops and transitions players to the international game. What excites me most is bringing that experience together to help connect the national system working closely with the programs, coaches and administrators on the ground, supporting the environments where players train every day, widening our talent pool, and creating a clearer path to the Eagles.
With LA28 and Rugby World Cup 2031 ahead, we have a real window to make an immediate impact while building something sustainable for the long term. I've grown a lot since my last time with USA Rugby, and I'm ready to put that growth to work moving the pathway forward.”
