Williamson sports authority hears pitch for rugby facility

Could Williamson County become the official home base for rugby in the country?

With the county's location, mild climate and existing hospitality industry, leadership from the Tennessee Rugby Foundation think it's a possibility.

The group pitched the idea of a premier multimillion-dollar rugby facility to Williamson County's sports authority Monday.

The $26 million facility would not only draw international, national and local rugby tournaments to the county, but also serve as a home base for rugby in the U.S.

More: Williamson County sports authority seeks consultant

More: Williamson County establishes its first sports authority

A rendering of the 120-acre facility shows a U.S. Olympic rugby training site and the corporate headquarters for USA Rugby. The complex also could house soccer and lacrosse.

"There's nothing like it in America," said Marc Sullivan, president of the Tennessee Rugby Foundation.

What the complex would have:

Six fields, including two championship fields and one artificial turf field

17,250-square-foot clubhouse and observation deck

Locker rooms

Seating for 12,000

Parking for 2,000 vehicles

Other sports use on a pay-to-use basis

U.S. Olympic training facility and residence hall

USA Rugby corporate office

U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame

"There's a huge rugby tsunami coming," said Dan Hammond, vice president of the Tennessee Rugby Foundation.

Hammond said rugby is the fastest-growing sport in the country. Additionally, about 45 percent of rugby players are under 18 years old, he said.

He also pointed out that schools in Middle Tennessee have rugby teams and that Nashville already hosts Nash Bash, the largest annual U.S. women's rugby tournament.

"We got letters from half a dozen tournament directors that basically said, 'If you guys do this, we're coming,' " Hammond said.

The group is interested in a public-private partnership.

Williamson County's sports authority formed in part to address the lack of facilities for youth sports in the area.

While a rugby facility could boost the local tourism and hospitality industries, other youth sports in the area, such as volleyball, basketball and ice hockey, would still need more facilities.

This is the first business pitch Williamson County's sports authority has heard since forming late last year. However, it's still early for the county's sports authority to take any action.

The sports authority aims to hire a consultant before moving forward with any proposals.

It has recently received applications from three consultants: KAC Sports Strategies & Events LLC, Hunden Strategic Partners, and Pat Lawson & Associates Consulting.

Williamson County wasn't the first place to hear about this rugby facility.

The Tennessee Rugby Foundation approached Nashville with the idea about two years ago.

After the city expressed interest, the group started researching funding models. During that time, former Mayor Megan Barry was elected and the city shifted its focus to bringing Major League Soccer to the city, according to Sullivan.

"We may revisit Nashville because of the change of administration," Sullivan said.

Nashville's next mayoral election is May 24.

The next sports authority meeting is May 29.

Reach Melanie Balakit at mbalakit@tennessean.com.