Rugby United New York Release
NEW YORK (November 11, 2019)- Rugby United New York announced today the signing of Assistant Coach Marty Veale. The Christchurch, New Zealand native brings a wealth of coaching experience to New York’s professional rugby franchise and will act as the Forwards’ Coach for the 2020 Major League Rugby season.
Veale graduated with a degree in Automotive Engineering from Southland Polytechnic in January of 2000. He landed a professional rugby contract with the national provincial team, Canterbury. That began the Second Row’s nomadic playing career. Veale went on to play in the National Provincial Championship, for Old Blue in the United States Super League, then the Japanese Top League, the ITM Cup, and finally the London Wasps in the Premiership. It was during his time with the Wasps where Veale began coaching.
After retiring from professional rugby, Veale turned his full attention to coaching. In 2011, he took his post as the Head Coach of his former club, Old Blue. He led the side for 7 years, overseeing the coaching, management, and fundraising. In addition to that, he handled the club’s scouting and recruitment, while managing the game schedule as well as budgeting. He led the team to back-to-back-to-back American Rugby Premiership champions.
During that time, Veale performed numerous other coaching duties. In August of 2012, Veale acted as an Assistant Coach for the Ivy League’s Columbia University. In June of 2014, he assisted Head Coach Matt Sherman on the Collegiate All-American Rugby tour. Veale linked with Sherman again the following year, taking the Forwards’ Coach role for the Army Men’s rugby team at West Point.
From February 2016 to June 2017, Veale was the set piece and breakdown coach for the United States national team, and helped the team win an America’s Rugby Championship, as well as qualify as North America 1 for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Veale then acted as a consultant to the Blue Bulls Rugby team for four months, in December 2017 until March 2018.
In January 2019, Veale earned an assistant coach role in Super Rugby with the Sunwolves. He assisted Tony Brown and Scott Hanson with the Forwards and the Scrum. He prepared the team for their set piece, while implement innovative training methods and game plans to compete in a grueling Super Rugby competition. Most recently, Veale has been acting as a consultant for the Munakata Sanix Blues in the Japanese Top League.
“I have a personal connection to New York City,” stated Veale. “It is a privilege to be a part of Rugby United New York. I am honored to be Assistant Coach to Greg McWilliams. I hope to bring my international exposure to a very diverse team in the Big Apple.”
“We are delighted to have Marty join the RUNY family,” added Head Coach Greg McWilliams. “Having coached the USA national team as their forwards coach, as well as sides in super rugby with the Bulls & Sunwolves, Marty brings a large wealth of technical and tactical experience to the Roosters. Having lived and coached in New York previously for many years, this will help greatly with the transition. Now the work starts.”
Rugby United New York kicks off their 2020 Major League Rugby season in Las Vegas, competing against the New England Freejacks in the first annual MLR Vegas Weekend. The match is set for February 9th, at 4:00 PM EST. Buy your ticketing package today through this link.
