Northeast Academy Fall 2018 Coaches

Northeast Academy Release

The Northeast Academy has announced its coaching staff for Fall 2018 as it begins its sixth season with multiple teams being entered in the elite divisions of the New York 7s Tournament and the Rugby Barbados World 7s – RBW7s. In line with its core mission of talent identification and providing high-performance opportunities to players and coaches alike, 2018 will see three Women’s teams entered in the New York 7’s with one making the trip two weeks later to Barbados. Ryszard Chadwick will be leading the Women’s side at both tournaments, assisted by Lucia Oswald and Lara Vivolo.

“The Northeast Women’s program has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, and that has been driven primarily by Rys.” said Northeast Academy Founder/Director Stephen Lewis “He is, in my opinion, the best young coach in the country, combining passion, technical knowledge and a burning desire to constantly improve himself and his players.”

Women A – Ryszard Chadwick (NYAC Rugby / New York Rugby Club Women 7s)
Women B – Lucia Oswald (New York Women)
Women C – Lara Vivolo (Army West Point Rugby Women)

On the Men’s side, Northeast Academy will be entering two sides, one an Under-23 side comprised of college players, and an even younger Under 21 side made up of the Community Olympic Development Program – Play Rugby USA alumni, coached respectively by this year’s two Men’s National Championship-winning coaches, Josh Smith (D1 15’s – Mystic River Rugby Club ) and Steve Lewis (7’s- Bulldogrugby).

Chadwick, (Northeast Director of High Performance) noted “we have decided to change our approach in terms of development of the men’s program”, adding, “now that players have a different pathway including college, Academy and Major League Rugby through to USA Rugby national teams, it makes sense to shift our focus to a younger age group”

“We have had a great run pushing through players to the national squad these first five years, but that generation of players is cycling out and now we need to find and develop the next generation”, said Lewis. “Both Josh and I are committed to this age group and look forward to working with new faces and new talent”.

Mens U-23 – Josh Smith (The Free Jacks /Mystic River)
Mens U-21 – Steve Lewis (Bulldog Men/USA Rugby MCAA/West Point Women)

In addition, the Northeast Academy pipeline of younger age groups continues (in conjunction with Play Rugby USA) will have 5 teams representing at NY 7s.

U18 – CODP HS Boys – Premier Side – Joe Kelly
U18 – NEA Boston Boys & Girls – HS Open – Thomas Clark & Amy Beth Heroux Skenderian
U18 – Play Rugby Boys & Girls – HS Open – PRUSA Coaches

Support for the Northeast Academy comes from both the Empire GU and NERFU as well as kit manufacturer Paladin Sports