2025/26 CARE Application

What is CARE?

The CARE program helps athletes plan for the future by providing resources and financial support to pursue career development opportunities while participating in the 7s program.   

Each participant is required to submit a work plan, a cover letter, and answer a set of questions as part of the application process (see below). Once accepted, each participant is required to submit monthly journal entries to track progress.  

Participants may be asked to present their CARE project to a select group from USA Rugby, the Golden Eagles, or a combination of the two organizations.

You can either apply to 1 of the 2 CARE internships we have available (listed below), or you can design your own program.

**Once the application deadline closes, CARE will not be open again until next year**

This year we have 2-3 CARE Coaching Internships available. You can either apply to this one, or design your own.

Coaching Internship - 2-3 positions available

Assistant Coaching opportunities are available with the UCSD Women’s Team. The head coach is flexible on time commitment and can work with the functional skill you’re comfortable coaching (kicking, attack, tackle tech, etc). The UCSD Women have trainings on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8pm at Warren Field starting in October. Matches are Jan-April.

~ application deadline is September 8th, 5pm

~ application deadline is September 8th, 5pm

Please complete the following questions

Statement of Work

Cover Letter

FAQs

Do I have to apply to the CARE Program every year?

  • Yes, we require everyone to apply each year.

What if I don’t know what I want to do for my CARE Program?

  • You can do an “exploratory” CARE program where you spend time discovering what you want to focus on down the road. This could be multiple, short internships/shadowships, informational interviews with current professionals, classes, courses, certifications, etc.

What if my goals/objectives change or I want to change my project?

  • That’s ok! You are allowed to pivot in the middle of your CARE program if you find something else you want to focus on. If you do this, please contact Liz to explain what changes will be made.

Are there any other opportunities for financial help?

  • Please check out the page on this website titled Career and Education. The Tuition Grant link is located at the bottom of the page and is open on a rolling basis. Information will be updated on the Career and Education page as new grants/opportunities arise.

When are the CARE monthly journals due and where can I find them?

  • Monthly journals are due by the 10th of the month for the previous month (i.e. you must complete a May CARE journal entry by June 10th). The journal link can be found on the Career and Education page of this website.

What should I include in my monthly journal?

  • Provide a detailed description of what you worked on and learned each month. Include feedback on how GE can better support your project beyond financial assistance.

  • If in School: Detail your classes, progress, any tutoring needs, and what you have learned, etc.

  • If Near Graduation: Share your plans for using your degree, potential, career paths, and interest in internships. If you continue to play after graduating, how will you use your degree in the future

  • If Rugby/Mentor Related: Describe how your experiences in coaching/mentoring prepare you for life after your playing career. Provide training session plans, reflections of each week/month of training.

  • On the Job Training – if you are working for an organization or company, describe what projects you have been assigned (as much as you are allowed to), outcomes for the project, what you have been learning throughout your time, where your focus has been, what role are you playing within the organization, etc….

What do I write in my CARE journal if I didn’t do anything that month?

  • If you were unable to complete CARE objectives in a particular month, explain your plan to get back on track and what you aim to achieve in the following month. Multiple consecutive off months will result in a meeting with CARE Representative, CARE Manager, or CARE Committee.