Village Lions Names Koma Gandy as Men's Head Coach

Village Lions Release

“Koma came back from Connacht Rugby inspired with ideas from Andy Friend and his coaching colleagues. She has been generous enough to give our club the extra commitment of leading the Men’s XVs program this Spring, and then the Summer Sevens program to follow. This should put the program in great shape for a new head coach in the Fall of 2020, while generating momentum for our Sevens program this Summer.”

John Greally, Director of Rugby

The Village Lions have formally named Koma Gandy Head Coach for the men’s XVs program through the Spring of 2020. Already part of Lion’s coaching set up as Men’s 7s coach since 2017 and a player favorite, Koma recently spent two weeks embedded with the Connacht provincial coaching squad.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work with the Lions 15’s program,” Koma shared. “This spring’s training will be focused on building and executing on the fundamentals, and seeing how we use them to find success in our gameplay.”

“We’ve seen what Koma can do with her work on the 7s program. Her experience speaks for itself and I’m excited to get to work playing for her”

Mike Tagliaferro, Captain

“Koma has been a tremendous asset to the Village Lions organization and it’s only fitting that she steps into this role for the Men’s 15s program,” offered Lions’ President, JP Lindsey. I’m excited to see how she will continue to push our program in the right direction and what new skills we can learn to take us to the next level.”

Director of Rugby John Greally welcomed Koma’s decision to take charge of the Men’s XV program, “Koma came back from Connacht Rugby inspired with ideas from Andy Friend and his coaching colleagues. She has been generous enough to give our club the extra commitment of leading the Men’s XVs program this Spring, and then the Summer Sevens program to follow. This should put the program in great shape for a new head coach in the Fall of 2020 while generating momentum for our Sevens program this Summer.”

Captain Mike Tagliaferro shared, “We’ve seen what Koma can do with her work on the 7s program. Her experience speaks for itself and I’m excited to get to work playing for her”

“Koma has been a tremendous asset to the Village Lions organization and it’s only fitting that she steps into this role for the Men’s 15s program. I’m excited to see how she will continue to push our program in the right direction and what new skills we can learn to take us to the next level.”

JP Lindsey, President

The assignment runs through Spring 2020 as the Lions search for a full-time Men’s XVs coach.

Men’s Training begins March 17, 2020, at Mott Haven.

Location: KIPP Academy Elementary School
730 Concourse Village West
The Bronx, NY 10451, USA.

Days: Tuesday and Thursday
Times: 7:30 pm – 10:00pm

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work with the Lions 15’s program,” Koma shared. “This spring’s trainings will be focused on building and executing on the fundamentals, and seeing how we use them to find success in our game play.”

Koma Gandy

A native of Bryn Mawr, PA, Koma graduated from Harvard University in 1995 having played for the storied Radcliffe RFC (now Harvard Women’s Varsity Rugby) sides of the 90s. At Harvard, Koma was also part of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) and was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy and became a Surface Warfare Officer. She served on active duty and in the Navy Reserves and made several deployments, including a recall to active duty in 2003 and deployment during the Iraq War.

As a rugby player, Koma played for Beantown RFC, San Diego Surfers, Washington DC Furies, and the Women’s Premier League New York Rugby Club. At the elite level, Koma competed with the Southern California Griffins 7s and 15s, Mid Atlantic 7s, Atlantis VIIs and was in the USWNT Player Pool from 2003 to 2005.

Koma’s coaching tenure as seen her preside over notable programs such as USA Rugby Club All-Star Program (Head Coach), All Navy Men’s 7s (Head Coach); Armed Forces Women’s 7s (Assistant Coach under the acclaimed Andrew Locke, former USWNT/Olympic Assistant Women’s Coach); New York Rugby Club (Head Coach 7s, Assistant Coach 15s); ROOTS (Founding Coach); and at the collegiate level with Columbia University Women’s Rugby (Assistant Coach); Koma also completed shadow programs at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center with both the US Men’s and Women’s National 7s Teams.

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