Old Glory DC re-signed Daniel Thomas for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 26-year-old scrumhalf/utility back is 26-years-old, 5’9″, and 180 lbs.
Danny played 83 minutes in 10 matches and scored one try during the 2021 season. In 2021, Danny was selected to join the inaugural Premier Rugby 7’s tournament, where his team, The Experts, went on to win the men’s championship.
Daniel is from Farnham Common, England, and moved to the United States prior to attending high school. He attended Santa Monica High School where he was the varsity golf team captain. Following his graduation, he attended Santa Monica College from 2012 to 2014, earning an Associate of Arts Degree. He then transferred to UCLA, attending from 2015 to 2017, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Gender Studies and History. He was the Rugby Club’s President and Media Manager and earned UCLA Club Sports Athlete of the Week honors in February 2016. He played in the Penn Mutual Collegiate Rugby Championship in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Daniel played with the Santa Monica Rugby Club’s high school side in 2009 and by 2013 joined the Men’s 1st Team, which played in the Pacific Rugby Premiership. He also played rugby sevens with the team from 2013-2016 and helped the team advance to USA Club 7s Nationals in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Daniel then switched to playing rugby XVs and 7s with Belmont Shore Rugby Football Club in Long Beach, California, and went to USA Club XVs and 7s Nationals in 2018.
Daniel’s rugby sevens experience should be an asset for Old Glory DC, as he has six USA Club 7s Nationals appearances to his resume.
Old Glory DC Comments
“Old Glory has shown me how important it is to constantly strive to grow, develop and push yourself and those around you to a better space,” said Danny Thomas on re-signing with Old Glory. “The closer I’ve gotten to my teammates, coaches, and the many resources attached to Old Glory, the quicker I’ve changed on/off the pitch. The seniors of the team do nothing but set examples and lift the bar. I loved my time in the West, but I’m proud to call the Capital my home… and there’s no better place to be than the heart of the nation.”
“Danny made excellent progress in 2021, and he’s looking for game time and competing for a starting position in 2022,” said Head Coach Andrew Douglas. “Danny is an excellent club man and teammate. It’s great to see his journey continue at Old Glory; he’s worked hard on his game in the off-season, having picked up two national titles in rugby 7’s and touch rugby, and we’re hoping that theme continues in 2022.”
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