Northeast Academy /Tiger Rugby Create Strategic Alliance
Northeast Academy Press Release – May 9th, 2017
“The two-leading elite developmental programs in the country, the Northeast ODA and Tiger Rugby, are forming a unique partnership to offer “best in class” educational programming for players and coach education in the Northeast. Industry leaders Tiger Rugby will utilize Northeast’s local playing and coaching talent as well as their own proven coaches to develop a series of camp and learning opportunities. We look forward to the collaboration”, said Northeast Director John McGeachy.
“Our core mission is to identify and develop rugby players in the New England and Empire unions, providing them with opportunities to compete at ever higher levels of domestic and international Sevens competition. We are determined to continue raising the bar, and see a partnership with Tiger Rugby as the next logical step for our organization. They have been at the forefront of player identification, education and development across the country through the great work done by founders Paul Holmes and James Walker. We think about the sport the same way and share the same vision for the US game,” said Northeast Founder Steve Lewis.
The plan is to continue growing opportunities for American players and coaches, to be identified, developed and given the chance to compete at the highest levels. The new group will have a deep well of coaching talent and rugby IQ with, in addition to Lewis, Walker and Holmes, Northeast coaches such as Josh Smith, Dom Wareing, John McGeachy and Ryszard Chadwick will combine with Tiger’s deep bench featuring such as Nese Malifa, Ray Egan, Adriann Ferris, Pedrie Wannenburg, Taylor Howden, Roland Suniula and Dave Clancy, as well as Julie McCoy of ARPTC. The new venture will also see players from both groups afforded more chances to tour and test themselves on the world stage.
“We are in the business of growing the game and with regards to the USA, there is no better group to join forces with or formalize a relationship with the Northeast. We are very excited about this and can guarantee this is only the start of many great announcements”, said Tiger’s Paul Holmes.
“We are big admirers of what the Northeast team has been able to achieve in a very short period of time. They are an incredibly passionate and dedicated group of coaches and administrators, and a perfect cultural fit as a partner organization. There are big things coming, and the American Rugby public should be very excited.” – James Walker
