The Dallas Jackals signed Charlie McKill for the 2022 Inaugural Major League Rugby season. The 26-year-old back-row (27 in June) is 6’2″ and 225 lbs.
Charlie was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, and attended George Watson’s College (2000-2005) until age 9. His parents, two sisters, and he then moved to Noosa, Australia, a coastal town where he enjoyed swimming, surfing, and surf lifesaving while playing rugby on weekends. He also enjoyed his two dogs, as well as camping, and spending time with friends.
While in Scotland his dad was part of the Watsonians, and he enjoyed watching matches at Myreside and he played for Watsonians FC before moving to Australia.
He played for the Noosa Dolphins and St. Andrews club followed by attending and playing at boarding school in Brisbane at Nudgee College (2008-2012). There he experienced the diversity in where he learned to muster cattle and help out on farms, as well as continuing to develop as a rugby player
After finishing school, Charlie returned to the Noosa Dolphins to play senior rugby before attending the University of the Sunshine Coast earning his Bachelor’s in Urban Planning and Property Development. He represented the Sunshine Coast and Queensland Coast in rugby.
Charlie then moved back to the UK and rejoined the Watsonians. he played in several rugby sevens tournament wins including the Barbados Sevens in Dubai with the Waterboy, the QAS Sevens at the Santos Festival of Rugby, and the UK Super Sevens with Samurai Rugby. He also received a call-up to the Scotland Sevens squad in 2018 and won the famous Melrose Sevens with the Watsonians.
Charlie moved back to Australia in 2019 and has been playing for the Warringah Rats, based in Sydney, New South Wales, for the past two seasons, playing in the Shute Shield.
Dallas Jackals Comments
As an experienced international player, McKill looks to bring his knowledge and experience to the squad and pass it onto younger players. He looks forward to experiencing Dallas, especially going to a Mavs game, checking out some of the nightlife, and trying Texas BBQ.
Jackals GM Elaine Vassie said, “ Charlie is a dynamic, high tempo back row who is comfortable on the ball and shows a real hunger off of it.” She continued, “He has a skill set and work ethic that has seen him represent Scotland 7’s and feature in Samurai 7’s invitational sides. Still only 25 years old, Charlie’s passion to raise the tempo of the game and support the growth of it in Dallas was so evident in our conversations.”
Welcome to the pack, Charlie!
Other Articles
DJCoil Rugby articles by Doug Coil are also available on Facebook. Other Social Media sites to follow or subscribe to include Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for interviews.