North American Rugby: USA & Canada National, Professional to Youth.

Browsing: North America Rugby

The focus is on the USA and Canada National Team Men’s & Women’s rugby 15s & 7s, Club, Collegiate & Youth, Wheelchair Rugby, Academies, Select Sides, and Major League Rugby.

Photo: Glendale Raptors vs Denver Barbarians 2019

Glendale Raptors 2020 Coaching Staff

By djcoilrugby on September 17, 2019 Major League Rugby

Glendale Raptors Release Peter Borlase indicated that “as soon as I was named head coach of the Glendale Raptors, I was very excited to start implementing big changes – changes not necessarily to the team, but to the culture. To do this, we needed to start at the basics and reexamine everything. I started reaching out to various foreign clubs and coaches, and collaborating with our new attack coach Steven Brett, who’s been over in select clubs in France and learning various techniques and best practices. From our practice plans to the players’ nutritional needs, the recruitment of players to…

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Photo: Austin Elite Rugby

Austin Elite Rugby Confirms Roland Suniula Return in 2020

By djcoilrugby on September 17, 2019 Major League Rugby

Austin Elite Rugby announced the return of Roland Suniula for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. He is the first player to be announced by the team for 2020. He played in ten matches with the two-time MLR Champions Seawolves in 2019, including in the Championship final. Roland is 32-years-old (33 in Dec.), 5’11″, 215 lbs, and plays center. He is one of three bothers who has represented the U.S. National team. Roland has been in Seattle for several months and played for the Seattle Saracens this Fall. He also spent time coaching with Atavus Rugby. In 2018 he played…

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Photo: Seattle Seawolves

Mitre10 Cup Tasman Mako to Play Exhibition Match Against Seattle Seawolves

By djcoilrugby on September 17, 2019 Major League Rugby

Seattle Seawolves Release We are excited to announce that we will be hosting the Tasman Mako of New Zealand in January for an exhibition match at Starfire Stadium as part of their first American tour. “It is a privilege to lead the Mako on their first overseas tour and we’re looking forward to the games in Houston and Seattle in January. It is an incredible opportunity for the next generation of Mako players to play competitively in the United States and a unique opportunity for the Tasman Rugby Union for which we are all grateful,” said Tim Perry, Mako tour…

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Photo: Chicago Lions - the Lions for Hope Sports Complex

Chicago Lions Charitable Association Opens the Lions for Hope Sports Complex

By djcoilrugby on September 17, 2019 Club Rugby

Chicago Lions Release by Jeff Simon On September 21st, the Chicago Lions Charitable Association (CLCA) in partnership with Chicago Hope Academy will host the Reveal the Field event. They will be unveiling and breaking in the newly finished J. Tyke Nollman Field at the Lions for Hope Sports Complex with a series of rugby matches throughout the day, beginning at 9 am CDT with youth rugby. The complex is located at 2637 W. Polk Street. This is a historic event for the Chicago Lions Rugby organization. Since it was founded in 1964, the Lions had a vision of playing on…

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Toronto Arrows Announces Academy Program

By djcoilrugby on September 16, 2019 Major League Rugby

Toronto Arrows Release TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce that the club will launch its academy program in January 2020. The non-residential Toronto Arrows Academy will operate in two main training areas next year, with locations based both east and west of the Greater Toronto Area. The program will be overseen by Arrows coach Cory Hector. “The launch of the Toronto Arrows Academy allows us to capitalize on the tremendous amount of quality rugby being played in and around our province, which we feel is a significant competitive advantage for our organization,” said Hector. “The goal of…

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NOLA Gold Extends Shawn Riley Contract

By djcoilrugby on September 13, 2019 Major League Rugby

The NOLA Gold Rugby Club extended the contract of Shawn Riley through the 2020 Major League Rugby season. He joined the team in 2019 after a tryout in a combine at Southern Pines, North Carolina. Shawn is 28-years-old (29 in Jan.), 5’10” and weighs 200 lbs. Shawn grew up in Wooster, Ohio and attended Wooster High School playing football and track. He then attended Akron University before transferring to Notre Dame College. He played football for both colleges and switched to rugby in 2012. His senior year at Notre Dame College he earned USA Collegiate All-American Honorable Mention honors and…

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Rugby United New York Names Greg McWilliams Head Coach

By djcoilrugby on September 13, 2019 Major League Rugby

Rugby United New York named Greg McWilliams as head coach. The 41-year-old coach is from Dublin, Ireland and attended St Michaels College. He also studied HDip in Education at Trinity College. Greg played both collegiate and club rugby in Ireland. He was the club captain in the All Ireland Men’s League in 1998. He has a stage 4 coaching certificate from the Irish Rugby Football Union and is Level 300 certified from USA Rugby. Greg began his coaching career as the Director of Rugby for his alma mater, St. Michael’s College, before quickly transitioning into the Head Coach of the…

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Photo: San Diego Legion - Lou Stanfill

San Diego Legion Re-Signs Lou Stanfill

By djcoilrugby on September 12, 2019 Major League Rugby

San Diego Legion re-signed Lou Stanfill for the 2020 Major league Rugby season. He played in the final 2018 match with Austin Elite Rugby and in 16 of the team’s 18 matches in 2019. The 34-year-old, 6’3″, 250 lbs. and has 56 caps for the USA Rugby National Team Men’s Eagles. Lou is from Sacramento, California and graduated from Jesuit High School Sacramento in 2003. He played football and transitioned to rugby from baseball for his freshman year. In 2002 he was the defensive player of the year in football. The rugby team also advanced to a National Semi-final. From…

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Photo: Arden Gill - Alana Gattinger

Rugby Canada’s Alana Gattinger Becomes First Female Manager at a Rugby World Cup

By djcoilrugby on September 12, 2019 North America Rugby

Rugby Canada Release The 30-year-old from Whitby, Ontario started her career with Rugby Canada as an intern in the summer of 2012. Gattinger worked under Jennifer Smart, Rugby Canada’s Director of Events who also has the great honour of working this year’s World Cup, having been appointed to work as the RWC 2019 Match Manager- Tokyo Stadium. Since then, Gattinger has served the union in numerous roles, including events, team services, and logistics, eventually working her way up to manage Canada’s senior men’s rugby team that will now embark on their eighth Rugby World Cup. She has been living in…

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Photo: Courtesy of Old Glory DC

Old Glory DC Signs Dylan Taikato-Simpson

By djcoilrugby on September 12, 2019 Major League Rugby

Old Glory DC signed full-back Dylan Taikato-Simpson for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. In 2019 he started in 15 of the 16 games for the Glendale Raptors and was a key player for the team. Dylan is 29-years-old, 5’10″, and 190 lbs. He was a member of the Australia Sevens training squad and has played professionally in Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, and Italy. Dylan lives in Auckland, New Zealand and has been employed as a recruitment consultant while playing for the 2018 Waikato Development Squad and for Hautapu in the Waikato Premier Club competition. Dylan attended Tauranga Boys…

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Photo: Premiership Rugby

Premiership Rugby scholarships awarded to 25 American coaches

By djcoilrugby on September 10, 2019 North America Rugby

Premiership Rugby Release 10 September 2019 A TEAM of 25 American rugby coaches is set for the experience of a lifetime this October, as they prepare for a trip across the pond to take part in the Premiership Rugby Scholarships program. In partnership with Friends of the British Council (FOBC), Premiership Rugby will provide the coaches not only with a comprehensive introduction to the ins-and-outs of a top-tier English rugby club but will leave with a USA Rugby Level 300 coaching certification, which will prove particularly valuable upon their return home. As a legacy of the Premiership Rugby match played…

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Photo: Western Force - Luke Burton

San Diego Legion Signs Luke Burton

By djcoilrugby on September 10, 2019 Major League Rugby

San Diego Legion signed Luke Burton for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. The 25-year-old flyhalf (26 in Feb) is 5’11” and 198 lbs. He also has played inside center and fullback. Luke is from Perth, Western Australia. He attended Hale School where he played rugby and played age-grade rugby in Western Australia. He also played on the Australia Under-20s in the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013 in France and in 2014 in New Zealand. He played for Western Force from 2014-2017 and earned 25 Super Rugby caps. He also played for Perth Spirit from 2014-2016, making 11 National…

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Major League Rugby Hires Jon Persch as Chief Commercial Officer

By djcoilrugby on September 10, 2019 Major League Rugby

Major League Rugby Release SALT LAKE CITY (September 10, 2019) – Major League Rugby (MLR) is pleased to announce Jon Persch will be the new Chief Commercial Officer for the MLR. Previously, Persch was the Chief Commercial Officer for USA Rugby in addition to holding Senior Executive Roles at Tribeca Enterprises, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and CAA Sports. “We are thrilled to have Jon on board with the MLR,” said Dean Howes, Commissioner of Major League Rugby. “He brings an immense level of expertise of the commercial and sports industries that will aid in the development of fruitful relationships with…

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Photo: Rugby Canada

Rugby ATL Signs Matt Heaton

By djcoilrugby on September 10, 2019 Major League Rugby

Rugby ATL has signed Matt Heaton according to Rugby Canada. The 26-year-old openside flanker (27 once the season begins) is 6’3″, and 220 lbs. He also has played lock. Matt is from Godmanchester, Quebec and attended Chateauguay Valley Regional High School where he played rugby for the Spartans. He also played for Saint-Anne-De-Bellevue Rugby Club, for the Dog River Howlers, and the Atlantic Rock. In 2013 he played for the Canada Under-20s in the World Rugby Trophy competition and in the IRB Americas Rugby Championship. He has played for Canada A and made his debut for the Senior National team…

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