September 16, 2015
Jules McCoy Takes The Reigns As USA Women’s Rugby 7s Head Coach
Doug Coil
This article is based on a USA Rugby Press Release written by Chad Wise, September 16, 2015.
History repeats itself as Jules McCoy returns as Head Coach of the USA Women’s Eagles 7s, a position she held from from 2006 to 2009. During that time she won the USA Sevens 3 times, as well as the Hong Kong and Dubai 7s. In 2009, the USA finished 4th in the World Rugby 7s Series.
Alex Magleby, USA Rugby Director of Performance, acknowledged that “Coach McCoy has worked extensively with our elite as well as developing athletes. She has coached XVs, sevens, women, men, all-star, academy, club, under 23s, with a proven track record of delivering victories under pressure.” Furthermore, and “more importantly, Jules is a positive role-model for young women, as a former Eagle athlete, practicing physician, coach and entrepreneur. Her proven leadership will be welcomes by all in the Eagles Sevens family over the coming days as we build a cohesive team towards Rio.”
Prior to her becoming the Women’s Eagles 7s Head Coach again, Jules developed a USA Rugby Olympic Development Academy Program in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2014. The American Rugby Pro Training Center players this year won the 2015 National Club 7s Championship and finished second at the Elite City 7s.In reflecting upon this new opportunity, she indicated that “I am grateful for the opportunity to share my growth as a coach and a human being with the team. Rugby in America has come along in leaps and bounds since 2009 and I’ve seen it from top to bottom.”
In June 2015, the USA Women’s 7s team qualified to the Rio Olympics after winning the NACRA 7s in Cary, N.C. The Women’s World Sevens Series kicks off the first week in December in Dubai. The other stops include Brazil, USA, Canada, England and finally, the Netherlands in May. The Rio Olympics is the the first week in August, 2016.
Time is of the essence as Jules assumes the coaching reigns. In talking about the near future she said “as a group we will need a brief reset time. Our goal will then be to pivot towards team focus on a medal and honing the tools we will need to accomplish that task.”
I know that fans of the USA Women’s 7s program are glad that a coach was hired of her caliber. The support in the USA will be behind her to continue to improve the standards of play. We know that the players and coaching staff will represent USA Rugby well. Hopefully, within the year we will see both her and her players on the podium as well.
DJCoil Rugby Interview with Jules McCoy, American Rugby Pro Training Center, Little Rock, AR. USA Rugby Elite City 7s, Malvern, PA., August, 29, 2015.
