New research, from StubHub, has analysed the preliminary squads for the Rugby World Cup 2019 to reveal which teams have the most players from other countries and, in turn, are the most multicultural.

Rugby union is one of the most multicultural international sports, with many players choosing to play for countries other than that which they were born in, but which teams boast the most players from other countries?

The Teams

While 17 out of the 20 teams look set to feature foreign-born players, none boast as many as Samoa, with more than half (61%) of their players being born outside of the country, which makes sense when you consider the islands are home to less than 200,000 people.

The 5 Squads With The Most Nationalities

1-2.

United States and Italy – 9

3.

Ireland – 8

4.

Scotland – 7

5.

Japan – 5

The 5 Squads With The Highest % Of Foreign-Born Players

Samoa – 61%
Scotland – 48%
Tonga – 45%
Japan – 45%
United States – 42%
The 5 Squads With The Highest % Of Native Players

Argentina – 100%
Russia – 100%
Uruguay – 100%
Georgia – 98%
South Africa – 97%

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Photo Credit: Jacob Lund / Shutterstock.com

This fall, as the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) celebrates its milestone fifth anniversary as the first professional women’s hockey league in North America to pay its players, the brand that’s been there since the beginning will continue to support the league and the growth of women’s hockey. Dunkin’, which became the league’s first-ever corporate sponsor in its inaugural season in 2015, today announced an extended agreement to remain the official coffee and quick service restaurant of the NWHL.

Dunkin’s iconic pink and orange logo, so familiar to hockey fans, will continue to be featured on the front of all team jerseys, signage on league goal posts and behind each bench. Brand advertising will be part of www.nwhl.zone and each team website or landing page as well. Dunkin’ will also play a part in special events throughout the NWHL season and playoffs, including All Star Weekend and the Isobel Cup Tour as the league’s championship trophy travels around North America.

According to Tom Manchester, Senior Vice President, Integrated Marketing, Dunkin’ U.S., “Five years ago Dunkin’ had the privilege of partnering with the National Women’s Hockey League in its first season, and we are delighted to continue our partnership and help raise the visibility of women’s hockey across the country. As a brand that is part of the daily lives of hockey players, coaches and fans, we are proud to support the league and some of the world’s best female athletes as part of our long hockey heritage. We look forward to helping the league celebrate its fifth anniversary and the new season ahead.”

The NWHL’s fifth season begins Saturday, October 5, and for the first time each team will play a 24-game schedule. The season concludes in March 2020 with playoffs and the champion team raising the Isobel Cup, the championship trophy named after Lord Stanley’s daughter, who is known to be one of the first female hockey players in Canada. Beginning this season, Twitch will stream live all NWHL regular season, Isobel Cup Playoff and special event games.

“Before the NWHL even played its first game in 2015, Dunkin’ believed in our league, in our players and in our vision for professional women’s hockey in North America, and we are so proud that Dunkin’ remains a staunch advocate going into our fifth season,” said Commissioner Dani Rylan. “Dunkin’s commitment to women’s and girls’ hockey has been groundbreaking and will go down in the history books. Because of that — as NWHL fans know well — our players and staff run on Dunkin’ every single day.”

Dunkin’ has scored key sponsorships in recent years to further its mission to support female athletes and raise visibility for the increasingly popular sport of women’s hockey. Dunkin’ has also previously partnered with several members of the 2018 U.S. Women’s National Ice Hockey team, some of whom appeared in the brand’s “Brewed For This” advertising campaign celebrating early risers.

Dunkin’ is the official U.S. coffee, donut and breakfast sandwich of the NHL®. The brand has a long and proud history of partnerships across other sports, including team deals with more than 50 professional sport teams and 30 college teams.

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Photo Credit: canadastock / Shutterstock.com

WHAT: Disabled veterans will play alongside business leaders, military and government officials, and more at the 12th annual Paralyzed Veterans Golf Open to support Paralyzed Veterans of America’s employment program, PAVE (Paving Access for Veterans Employment). This one-of-a-kind tournament will showcase the latest adaptive sports technology that allows paralyzed individuals to stand and play golf.

Since its inception in 2007, the PVGO has raised more than $4 million and dedicated 100% of those funds to PVA’s employment program, PAVE, which provides free job support and vocational counseling assistance to all veterans, transitioning service members, spouses, and caregivers. PVA is committed to helping the overlooked, underserved, and undervalued veteran workforce — including those with catastrophic injury or illness, female and minority veterans, and post-9/11 service members. Leveraging a high-touch approach, PAVE employment analysts and vocational rehabilitation counselors work with clients to overcome barriers to employment at all stages.

The tournament is hosted each year by founding sponsor Agility Defense & Government Services.

WHO: David Zurfluh, U.S. Air Force veteran, National President, Paralyzed Veterans of America
Carl Blake, U.S. Army veteran, Executive Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America
Major General Daniel G. Mongeon (Ret.), U.S. Army, President & CEO, Agility Defense & Government Services
Colonel Rich Brooks (Ret.), U.S. Army, Chairman, Paralyzed Veterans Golf Open and President, Agility Logistics
Major General Scott R. Dingle, Deputy Surgeon General, U.S. Army Medical Command
Colonel Barney Barnum (Ret.), U.S. Marine Corps, Medal of Honor Recipient
General John Tilelli, Jr. (Ret.), Former Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army
John Farley, U.S. Army veteran, PVA client
Jeff Edwards, U.S. Army veteran, PVA client
Reginal Becton, U.S. Navy veteran, PVA client

WHEN: Monday, September 23, 2019
8:00 a.m. Golf demonstration and adaptive cart technology showcase
9:30 a.m. Welcome Ceremony
9:45 a.m. Shotgun Start
4:30 p.m. Awards Ceremony and Program

*Note: Veterans and other spokespeople will be made available to the media all day.

WHERE:The Golf Club at Lansdowne
44050 Woodridge Parkway
Lansdowne, VA 20176

To learn more or to register for the PVGO, please visit www.supportpvgo.org/register.

Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely to the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. For more than 70 years, the organization has ensured that veterans receive the benefits earned through service to our nation; monitored their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funded research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis.

As a life-long partner and advocate for veterans and all people with disabilities, Paralyzed Veterans of America also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, and provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation. With more than 70 offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans of America serves veterans, their families and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Learn more at pva.org.

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Photo Credit: Leena Robinson / Shutterstock.com

Centinel Spine®, LLC, the largest privately-held spine company focused on anterior column reconstruction, today announced that its current partnership with six-time PGA Tour Winner, Rory Sabbatini, will continue through the 2020 PGA season.

Since 2018, Centinel Spine has worked in partnership with Sabbatini, four-time PGA Tour Winner, Brian Gay, and Performance Tech Motorsports (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship), with the goal of educating individuals about solutions for spinal injury and disease, stressing that patients do not need to live with pain or stop performing at a high level. Sabbatini and Gay were both treated with the Centinel Spine prodisc® C Anterior Cervical Total Disc Replacement product several years ago, and were quickly able to return competitively to the PGA tour.

“The goal of the extended collaboration with Rory Sabbatini is to demonstrate to patients throughout the world that the lumbar and cervical products provided by Centinel Spine have the potential to give them back their life,” said Centinel Spine Chairman & CEO John Viscogliosi. “Centinel Spine’s mission is to provide solutions that allow individuals to regain their lives and continue to function at a high level after spine surgery. Our motion-preserving prodisc system was purposefully designed to restore long-term physiological motion and allow patients to quickly return to their normal active lives. Rory just completed his most successful PGA season since 2011, and is a prime example to all patients that the right procedure and product can result in extreme recovery.”

“The prodisc system not only saved my PGA career but really saved my life,” said Sabbatini. “I had unbearable arm pain and decided that surgery gave me the best chance for recovery. Getting back the range of motion in my neck was also an important factor related to maintaining my high level of activity. For me, I needed surgery, and a total disc replacement was clearly the best option,” Sabbatini continued. “I had confidence that my surgeon would provide me with the best surgical solution and I had confidence in the Centinel Spine prodisc system based on its long term history of success.”

Spine surgeon Robert L. Masson, M.D. (Masson Spine Institute, Orlando FL) specializes in complex spinal disorders, and reconstructed Sabbatini’s cervical spine using the Centinel Spine prodisc Total Disc Replacement system. “Rory came to me with declining performance on the PGA tour because of excruciating and disabling nerve pain and weakness. He understood that return to the highest level of golf not only meant an arthroplasty solution with the prodisc system, but a commitment to a rigorous rehabilitation,” Masson said. “Centinel Spine is committed to optimization of surgeon performance, highly intelligent surgical technologies, and maximized patient functionality post-surgery.”

This announcement follows recent news from Centinel Spine that it has entered into partnership with professional athlete, Tiger Woods. Woods underwent spinal fusion surgery using Centinel Spine’s STALIF M-Ti Anterior Lumbar Integrated Interbody fusion product in April 2017 to alleviate ongoing, debilitating pain in his back and legs.

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Photo Credit: Mikael Damkier / Shutterstock.com

TRUE Diamond Science announces the formation of its Advisory Panel with former major leaguers Mark McGwire, Edgar Renteria, Eric Byrnes and seven others as founding members. Set to launch on Thursday, September 12, 2019, TRUE Diamond Science, a division of TRUE Sports, Inc., aims to disrupt the youth baseball industry with its bat fitting process and wide range of sizing options.

The TRUE Diamond Science Advisory Panel will play an integral role in the company’s current and future strategic decisions, said Todd Harman, General Manager, TRUE Diamond Science.

“We worked to build an Advisory Panel with tremendous depth of baseball and hitting knowledge,” Harman said. “Mark, Edgar and Eric fit perfectly into that vision. Each will be an invaluable asset in this journey. They’ve had success at the highest levels of competition and are eager to continue sharing their knowledge with young athletes while helping shape the future for TRUE Diamond Science.”

Renteria, a three-time Silver Slugger award-winner, echoed Harman’s excitement.

“The TRUE Diamond Science approach will disrupt the baseball bat market,” Renteria said. “I’m thrilled for the opportunity to not only join the Advisory Panel but to be able to share my experiences with young athletes throughout the process.”

Other members of the inaugural Advisory Panel include: Dave Coggin, former MLB pitcher and owner of Performance Fitness for Athletes; Dan Keller, creator of Dugout Captain and assistant baseball coach at Cypress College; Ryan Fuller, former professional baseball player, former NCAA Division I assistant coach and owner of Fuller Hitting; Timothy Gibbons, director of player development at The Data Cage; Ariel Polanco, professional hitting and fielding coach and creator of Working with Polanco; Scott Brown, owner of P5 Apparel; and Bill Phillips, owner of Play It Again Sports in Orange County, California.