Phaidra Knight's Journey to the World Cup

Some of you know the story because at some point or other, you have lived the life. Pay to go to this tournament, call in to work because you are too sore to get up Monday morning after a big tournament weekend.... Well, I think we all can rejoice in finally seeing some forward movement in our sport and be confident in knowing that the throne is being passed to the hands of young people like Arnold Chavis (he is an aspiring USA Rugby Player from the Bronx currently attending Penn State). Upon the horizon is the most important Rugby World Cup for our country to date, male or female. The 2010 IRB Women's World Cup will be held at Surrey University in England August 16-September 6 and my goal is to be there, in uniform, helping lead the battle in bringing the World Cup back to the home of it's inaugural Champions (1991).

We have had and will continue to have a very aggressive schedule with over 80 days of assembly. As you can imagine, this is very challenging financially, considering the time missed from work. We need your help--I need your help. The USA Team has some sponsorship, however, we have to sacrafice a great deal of time from work (80+ days over the course of 10 months), accumulating unpaid leave as well as assuming some of the cost of our travels. These totals add up to thousands of dollars, and over the course of several years, can create a significant financial burden. New York Rugby Club (NYRC) has agreed to support my jouney to the 2010 World Cup by creating this campaign and passing on the benefits to me and my cause. In return, I will continue to volunteer with the NYRC Under 19 program and represent the club as a volunteer with other not for profit initiatives and activities.

This will be my 3rd World Cup. I have had an amazing career in the sport with my most recent honor of being named the USA Player of the Decade. My objectives between now and World Cup are to train myself, assemble with my team, and teach as many young people as I possibly can the game of rugby and mentoring them on the skills of life. I have volunteered countless hours to exposing rugby through various organizations such as the New York Rugby Club U19s, Steve's Club, Athletes For Charity, Play Rugby USA, New York Youth At Risk, Girls Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Sports Foundation, and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. Over the past few months, I have learned a lot about rugby and learned an even greater deal about myself. Paying it forward is the most important thing that we can do. And after having had the opportunity to do it on national and international tv and the internet, I have discovered a new found passion. In return for your donation, I will not only pay it forward and give back as much as I can, but I will continue to build a non profit that teaches young people around the country the game of rugby (flag and tackle), using USA/World Class level rugby players as coaches/mentors.

New York Rugby Club is sponsoring this campaign for me and has agreed to provide the proceeds in light of my voluntary efforts and training requirements. This complies with the guidelines of a 501(c)(3).

This is a great cause for an individual or company! Make your donation today.

You can also follow me by going to my website at www.thephaidraknight.com.