The Dallas Jackals signed Dallas Harlequins hooker and strength and conditioning coach, to a developmental player contract for 2021. He also has played in the back row with the Quins. The 26-year-old forward is 5’10” and 215 lbs.
“Jackals Development Players are key to building rugby domestically. Training full time with the Jackals and placement with local clubs to gain game experience, the Developmental Players will have the opportunity to improve to MLR level of play as part of our high-performance pathway.”
Matt, who is from Nottingham, United Kingdom, began playing rugby at 9 years old for Nottingham RFC. Matt says, “this club blended the values of rugby with a performance focus which had a big impact on me growing up.” Along with rugby, Matt played soccer, but says “rugby is unique in the synergy that is required to produce an effective performance.”
He attended High Pavement College and played club rugby with Paviors Rugby Football Club. He then attended the University of Central Lancashire, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Strength and Conditioning.
He represented his county playing for Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire & Derbyshire RFU at the U18 and U20 levels. He went on to be selected for the England North U20 side.
After high school, he moved to Brisbane, Australia, and played rugby at the University of Queensland. He then played for the Preston Grasshoppers in the National League 2 North before moving to the United States and joining the Dallas Harlequins as a player and the team’s Strength & Conditioning Coach. This will be his third year with the team as a coach.
After moving to the U.S., Matt also attended New Mexico State University for a year.
While providing unmeasurable support to the players, Matt captained the D1 side for the 2020 season. He says, “working along with such a diverse group of players, who are all committing their time for the love of the game, is fantastic. The Quins are a great reflection of the Dallas rugby community as a whole, which I am proud to be a part of.”
Matt says, “I think this is the beginning of something really special. The greatest sport in the world is going professional in one of the world’s most sports-centered cities, it’s an exciting time. This really is an exciting opportunity for me, a great chance to test myself and learn from some of the best in the business.”
Matt is excited to continue his rugby career in Dallas. He calls Dallas his adopted home saying it is the perfect blend of Southern charm and city life. He says, “I have been fortunate to travel all over playing rugby, but Dallas is where I have laid my roots.”
Welcome to the pack Matt!
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