Impact Free Jack celebrates the stories, efforts, and people of the New England community who inspire the next generation of players, leaders and future Free Jacks. The Q&A series explores the journeys of players, coaches, officers, and ambassadors of the game and how they are making a difference.

Coming off of an inspiring D2 State Championship run, Head Coach of Algonquin Rugby, Dominic McNeil, reflects on the journey that got them there, and what the future of rugby holds in New England.

Could you start off by telling me a little about your background and how you got into rugby in the first place?

I’m a native of Spencer, Massachusetts and an alumnus of David Prouty High School in Spencer (‘96). After prepping for a year at Bridgton Academy in Bridgton, ME (‘97) I attended the University of Pennsylvania (‘01) where I majored in English and History and played varsity football. 

It wasn’t until I moved to Scotland for grad school that I was first introduced to rugby. For three years, while studying for my Master’s in Shakespearean Literature, I played rugby for the University of St Andrews. After completing my degree, I moved on to play for Sterling County in the Scottish Premiership for two years. In ‘07 I traveled to San Diego where I continued my rugby career with OMBAC before retiring in 2010 due to injury. 

What was the transition from playing to coaching like for you?

I coached high school football while in San Diego in addition to playing rugby and had success there. Transferring my playing experience and knowledge of the game to coaching at the high school level was a natural progression. Being a teacher definitely helps too. Teaching and coaching go hand-and-hand with each other.

Additionally, working at Algonquin is a coach’s dream. The boys are not only incredibly committed but they have tremendous character and are very smart. They learn the game quickly. On top of that, they are intensely competitive but respectful at the same time; the embodiment of exactly what the game demands of players. Their successes on and off the pitch are testament to that. 

What’s more, it’s difficult to characterize the Algonquin parents’ level of support for their boys and myself. The time and resources they dedicate to the program are invaluable. 

In terms of coaching, I’m very fortunate to have benefited from the tutelage of previous head coach, Jon Pryor in my first year with the program. He did a tremendous job growing and sustaining the team before I became involved. Jon was a great model when it came to progressing players from never having touched a rugby ball in their life to being match-ready in only a few weeks. It’s hard to imagine a better situation to enter into as a rugby coach for the first time. I’m a very, very lucky coach.

It sounds like you speak very highly of everyone involved in this club. For Algonquin to go on that championship run, it must have meant a lot to you and the team.

It meant everything. For eight seniors that started essentially every match for four years, there was one singular focus since freshman year, and that was to win state. Their drive was infectious too as they recruited other very talented and committed players to join them on their journey. 

By the time they took the pitch for the title match, the 1st XV consisted of 11 seniors and 3 juniors with more upperclassmen on the bench. In addition to their talent and experience, that senior class showed tremendous leadership (three were made captains as sophomores). They seamlessly brought along newer players who had a big role in our championship run.

Also, they were a very close-knit group of players. They had a lot of trust in each other and that really showed on match day. Each team huddle was broken with, “Family!” That ethos has been a fundamental aspect of our program’s growth and success. “Family” is now engraved in our championship rings. 

The several players involved at the ground level of the title-winning team fell in love with the game early on and have taken it with them to college. Almost all of the seniors are now playing rugby in college. A few of them are competing at the D1 level.

Every game this past spring was a celebration for them. I couldn’t imagine a better way for their high school careers to end. They imagined it though. They knew how it was going to end since their freshman year and that’s exactly how it unfolded.  

In the midst of your championship run, one of your star players, Pedro Ribiero, was sidelined with a devastating injury. Could you talk about “Pedro Strong” and how you were able to turn such an unfortunate incident into something positive?

Pedro has been at the heart of what Algonquin rugby had been building for the past few years. He is the ultimate competitor; a perfect fit for the #7 jersey. He simply refused to lose in any drill during training sessions and come to think of it, I don’t think he ever did. Pedro isn’t particularly big but his drive to compete was massive.

On the opening kickoff of the state semi-final against Hanover, he went straight in to tackle Hanover’s biggest ball carrier, determined to make the first hit. In the collision, he broke his jaw. I knew something wasn’t right with him but he refused to come out. Ten minutes into the match, after making another tackle and carrying the ball in a later phase, he staggered over to the sideline with his mouth full of blood. If a player like Pedro can’t take anymore, something was definitely wrong. We subbed him out and he had to sit on the bench with ice on his jaw, completely devastated. 

In the week building up to the final, his presence was tangibly missed in training. When fit, he elevated the competitiveness of everything. Pedro was still involved, though. He got water out to the team on those hot June days of training before the final. Supported his teammates however possible. It’s inevitable, though; losing a player like that always leaves a vacuum. 

I had the idea of making “Pedro Strong” shirts for the players and parents a few days before states. It became clear to me that I needed to do something to send the message that he was still a big part of achieving our ultimate goal. The reaction of the team when I surprised Pedro with the first shirt hours before the match was incredibly emotional. It sent a message to the players that the job in front of them was going to be that much more difficult. We all had to lift our game; both players and coaches. We had to be Pedro Strong.

Most importantly, it meant the world to Pedro. We even had a ceremonial tearing off of the shirt sleeves, just like Pedro had done to every shirt in his wardrobe haha.

That story is nothing short of inspiring and I’m sure made a huge impact on the lives of everyone on that team. But what about you, why is rugby important to your life personally?

Within minutes of my first rugby experience, I knew that rugby was the most challenging team sport in the world. Just coming from playing D1 American football, I immediately considered college ball to be two-hand-touch compared to rugby. 

The more rugby became the center of my life in Scotland, the more I was impressed by the culture surrounding the game. Not only is it incredibly demanding both physically and psychologically, there is a class and sophistication surrounding the game both on and off the pitch. Truly a rogue’s game played by gentlemen. I was lucky enough to be a part of very successful teams in Scotland with great rugby culture. The opportunity to tour the world, experiencing various rugby environments in the sport’s most competitive nations was second to none.

Sadly, though I had to hang up my boots from competitive rugby, the game has turned out to be an even bigger part of my life than it ever was while I was playing. As a player, especially from my position as an open-side flanker, the game is relatively simple. Weekly training and just doing your job during match play: ruck, tackle, and jackal; repeat for 80 minutes. 

I started coaching and my understanding of the game and its innumerable aspects really opened up for me. Later on, in addition to my work at Algonquin, I was hired on as the head coach of the Providence men’s club. Obviously there’s a big difference between high school and the men’s game so working at both levels further expanded my understanding of the sport. In addition to all of that, I joined the referee corps in New England. You think you know the game from the perspective of being a player and coach? As soon as I picked up the whistle I realized that I had even more to learn. A lot more. I love it though, and try to get out to officiate as many games as I can (which has been A LOT haha). 

Now, the three things I love the most in life are now a part of my everyday: family, teaching, and rugby. I’ve never been happier.  

What do you think is the key to growing the rugby community in New England?

It is absolutely imperative that Massachusetts grow the game at the middle and high school levels. To achieve this there is one fundamental requirement: WE NEED MORE COACHES!

This venn diagram illustrates the greatest challenge to recruiting more coaches at not just the secondary school level but at all tiers of rugby in the U.S. below the MLR.

The reality is that the proportion of experienced rugby players, is far less than this diagram illustrates. Smaller still is the diagram’s intersection representing the number of qualified coaches that have the time and energy to commit to running secondary school programs. Fact is, it’s only a handful of girls and boys coaches that run all of secondary school rugby in Massachusetts as they keep popping up in multiple roles throughout the rugby calendar; partly out of necessity but also due to their great passion for and commitment to the game.

In all of Worcester County, Algonquin is the only high school that offers rugby as a varsity sport. Despite its population (second largest in New England) it has been challenging to recruit coaches. 

There has been progress, though. An initiative to establish and develop both boys and girls cooperative teams between the several public schools in Worcester, spearheaded by the Worcester Sports Foundation, started to build momentum in 2019. The introduction of COVID-19 has made this progress difficult to build upon in the past couple of years. Nonetheless, the same pre-COVID stakeholders in boys and girls rugby throughout Massachusetts, who are ALL “Impact Free Jacks” are still very much at the coal face and determined to further the intensely competitive game.

Over the past decade, along with the maturation of domestic rugby in the U.S. and as a result of the positive gravity created by the sport’s influencers throughout the country, there has been significant growth in not only the number of coaches but the quality as well. The same goes for referees. However, the growth in the ranks of coaches and officials has been far outstripped by the relative explosion of rugby’s popularity in this country the past few years. More and more players are taking up the game at the collegiate and club levels. 

The fastest growing sport in America demands more quality coaches and refs sooner rather than later. To move the dial any faster, though, it’s going to require even more than the current amount of time and level of commitment that our nation’s extant rugby community already pours into the game. Regardless, I’m all in. After all, rugby is the game they play in heaven. 

And finally, what is your favorite rugby moment?

Winning the state championship this past spring. Nothing else is close. I’ve certainly had my share of successes both individually and as team member in a variety of sports. Undoubtedly, though, this title was my absolute favorite. Ironically, it was incredibly special to me personally precisely because it had very little to do with me. It was all the players. They worked extraordinarily hard for a very long time to win states and reach the summit of that mountain. It was an honor to be a witness to their collective triumph. Hard to top that.

About The Free Jacks:  The Free Jacks are an aspiring and innovative live events, media, and consumer products organization. The core brand in the portfolio is The New England Free Jacks, the humble hard-working free-spirited professional rugby team competing in the emergent and exhilarating Major League Rugby (MLR), the premier North American professional rugby competition. For more information please visit www.FreeJacks.com

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Rugby’s latest Pioneer

Impact Free Jacks celebrates the stories, efforts, and people of the New England community who inspire the next generation of players, leaders and future Free Jacks. The series explores the journeys of players, coaches, officers, and ambassadors of the game and how they are making a difference.

Devin Ibañez is someone who embodies all of those qualities and more as he continues to makean impact both on and off the field. Devin was part of the inaugural Free Jacks team, having represented New England in the 2019 exhibition season and the Cara Cup. A standout loose forward for Mystic River Rugby Club, a gold medal winner with the USA Maccabi Rugby team in 2017, and a mentor and coach to many aspiring rugby players, Devin is also the first openly gay Major League Rugby player.

On December 29 last year, while we were all getting ready to celebrate the end of 2020, Devin made the decision to come out in a series of impactful social media posts showing photos of himself, the rugged long-haired athlete with his partner, Fergus.

“I am openly gay,” Ibañez wrote to Facebook and Instagram. “This is something that is not a secret to those close to me and even several people not close to me. But I always felt a need to keep it separate from my rugby career.” 

Devin took to changing his social media handle to ‘@ThatGayRugger’ to embrace his sexuality, share his story, and become an advocate for other LGBTQ+ athletes.

Devin had a different experience than most in the rugby community. Before openly coming out as gay, he played a lot of rugby with a number of different teams. His career has taken him to New Zealand, Australia and England and he also represented USA in 2017 Maccabiah Games.

While we celebrate the pillars of the game of rugby, those of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect, it is important to recognize that we uphold these values daily, on and off the field.

Devin noted that this was not always the case.  On his collegiate team he often heard comments directed towards another player on the team who was openly bi-sexual. Experiences like this put Devin in a really difficult situation. Though he never feared any acts of violence against him as a result of his sexuality, he feared the loss of opportunity and the thought that he might become a distraction. He felt the rugby community overall would be accepting of his sexuality, but feared that instead of being known as “that really talented rugby player” he would become “that gay rugby player”.

With his past experiences in mind and his desire to help inspire others in a similar situation, he embraced the handle ‘@ThatGayRugger’. This was his idea of leaning into that role that others may label him as. He chose to embrace this persona in efforts to clear a path for the next generation of openly gay rugby players. Ibañez especially does not want them to experience the same fear he felt.

Since his coming out, he has received enormous support from the rugby community. Old teammates and friends have reached out to show their respect and appreciation. On top of that, his Instagram has shot from zero followers to over six thousand… and counting. The fact of the matter is, rugby may very well be the most accepting sport in the world, but if we subscribe to that notion, it’s a form of complacency.

Devin detailed for us that though the majority of our experiences in this sport may be tremendously terrific, it’s important to listen to the people who may not have had that same experience or feeling of inclusivity within the sport.

“Starting that tough conversation with fellow ruggers is extremely important for the advancement of further inclusivity,” commented Devin. “Listen to the experiences of people who may not have felt included during their time playing, and then ask them about the ways they did feel included and what that meant to them and the contrast of that.”

Devin is bringing light to these issues by pushing our community to have these difficult conversations. 

“The most important thing right now is to understand that as we are still holding that all-inclusive notion about our sport, we also just became the first ever sport to have its international sporting body [impose] a blanket ban of trans athletes from international competition,” commented .

It’s these topics and conversations that all of us can have to help push for change and show our support. 

“The biggest difference [in an ideal world] is going to be that I can go in there and just focus on playing rugby. No outside noise in my head about making a mistake and the implications people will have about me for making that mistake. I can just play and express myself in that way.”

Devin believes that the next time he sets foot on the pitch, he will do so with a more balanced state of mind. He will be able to channel that inner anger he used to hold back. All those years of picturing the opposing side as homophobic naysayers will feed his drive as he looks to help lead his team to victory. Devin plans to use the ability to channel that energy for the better of himself and his team. 

Devin has fully recovered from his recent injuries, the main one stemming from issues with his internal organs. He plans to get back on the pitch as soon as he can and hopes to see himself back in a Free Jacks jersey in the near future. It’s also important for him to be close to his partner, Fergus, after being separated by the pandemic, so he continues to look for playing opportunities in England as well. 

A great rugby player and an even better person.

What’s next for Devin?

“Like other setbacks suffered in my career, I have come back from this injury stronger and more determined. I will continue to push myself to play the highest level I can in hopes of being as visible as possible to athletes around the world. My biggest playing goal is to earn captaincy of the USA Maccabiah team for the upcoming 2022 World Maccabiah Games. I would also be honored to play with the Free Jacks again in the future. However, after a year separated from my partner due to the pandemic, I would love the chance to play closer to him in London.”

“I also hope to travel the world in the coming years and talk about my experiences while advocating for the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC community and for equality in sport. I want to be as involved at the grassroots level as I can through coaching as well. I want to take as many opportunities to inspire and motivate the next generation of LGBTQ+ athletes as possible. I hope to show them that rugby is a space where they can feel safe and celebrated. I want to start with the rugby community right here in Boston, so anyone who has ideas on ways for me to get involved and make a difference please reach out!”

To follow Devin in his efforts to advocate and support LGBTQ+ athletes follow his updates on his website thatgayrugger.com or his social media @ThatGayRugger.

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Bob Weggler is this week’s Impact Free Jack. Veteran New England Coach for over 33 years, longtime Head Coach of the Norwich University men’s Rugby Program, and scrum machine mastermind, we dive into Bob’s rugby journey.

Impact Free Jacks celebrates the stories, efforts, and people of the New England rugby community who inspire a players, leaders and future Free Jacks. The bi-weekly Q&A series explores the journeys of players, coaches, officers, and ambassadors of the game.

Free Jacks: So, Bob, can you tell us a little about yourself and your rugby background?

Bob Weggler: Of course! I began playing rugby at the age of 16. As a junior in high school I joined Old Blue (New York) and never looked back. As an undergrad at Cornell, I compete all four years on the first side, capturing the Upstate Rugby Union title as a freshman. At Cornell, we toured England with Old Maroon RFC, playing matches against sides like Wasps and Fylde RFC. After graduating college in 1979, I spent a year playing rugby in Wales with the Abergavenny First XV.  After returning to the States, I rejoined my former team in New York, Old Blue, where I played in the 1980, ’81, and ’86 Division 1 Club National Championships.

FJ: And how did you make your way into coaching?

BW: I’ve been coaching now for over 33 years! I began at my alma mater, Cornell, before moving onto Amherst College and Colby College, where I helped the team to back-to-back Final Fours in 1999 and 2000. In 2001, I started coaching at Norwich University, where I’ve remained since. The program has really taken off in recent years – winning, four straight conference 15s titles and three straight 7s championships. Between 2016-19, I helped the Cadets to a 21-game conference winning streak.

Each spring, I serve as the director of the annual Chris Munn’s 7’s tournament, which helps raise awareness for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in honor of Norwich rugby alum Chris Munn, who is living with the disease. I’ve also served as the New England Collegiate Rugby Conference Commissioner as well as on the Board of the Vermont Youth Rugby Association.

FJ: Quite the career! Now are there any changes you’d like to see made to help grow the game of rugby in New England?

BW: Most importantly, we need to start investing more in developing players as well as coaches at all levels. From a gameplay standpoint, I’d like to see more of an emphasis on kicking skills at an earlier age – and to focus more on the tactical side of kicking as players progress through the age groups.

FJ: What are some of your favorite rugby memories?

BW: Tough question! First would have to be playing my first match for Old Blue at age 16 – I originally went to just watch the match, but because they were short on players, they threw me in on the wing with the C side. I’d never practiced before but somehow I scored 3 tries! I’ll never forget playing at Cornell or with Abergavenny in Wales, and I’m so proud to have coached some awesome groups of players to Final Fours with Colby and Norwich.

FJ: What is your favorite quote and why?

BW: “First jobs first.” A highly appropriate rugby quote, this came from my coaching mentor, Ray Cornbill, the former USA Rugby National 15’s and 7’s coach who I played for Old Blue.

FJ: Last question – if you could choose any song to be the Free Jacks’ 2021 Stadium song, what would it be?

BW: “Jumping Jack Flash” by the Rolling Stones

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“..acceptance, togetherness, passion, and a clear vision.”

Impact Free Jack celebrates the stories, efforts, and people of the New England community who inspire the next generation of players, leaders and future Free Jacks. The weekly Q&A series explores the journeys of players, coaches, officials, officers, and ambassadors of the game and how they are making a difference.

In the spotlight this week is Edward Gostick, New England’s youngest certified rugby coach, founder of the Eagles Youth Rugby program in Southborough, MA, and budding player.

Free Jacks: Edward, could you please tell us a little bit about your rugby background? How did you make your way into the game?

Edward Gostick: I’ve been around the sport from a really young age – I started playing rugby when I was five years old with Worcester Rookie Rugby. When I was nine, my family moved to Germany, but luckily I was able to join and play rugby with RK Heusenstamm. It was a shock, at first, dealing with the language barrier and adjusting to a more aggressive approach to rugby. By the time I returned to the States 3 years later, I had been part of the team that earned the Silver Medal in the German Age-Grade National Championships.

Once I came back to Massachusetts, I began playing with my high school team, and played with the varsity team as a freshman. However, I quickly realized that our team had a problem – nobody joining the team had any knowledge of the game. So I decided to set up a middle school rugby program as a feeder team!

FJ: I’ll stop you there, because that’s a nice transition to the next question – how did you become involved in coaching rugby?

EG: So like I mentioned, I decided to start a middle school rugby program to feed into my high school. In order to set up the team, I trained and became a L200 qualified coach two days after my 16^th birthday – making me the youngest qualified rugby coach in New England! A year later I also became a referee.

I felt that the most important part of being a coach was to make players love the game. I believe that it is this philosophy that helped inspire our middle school team to win the Bay State games in our first year, despite the fact that none of our players had ever played rugby before. I was also lucky to have a great team of coaches behind me. It made all the difference. After the season, I received a handwritten letter of congratulations from Jonny Wilkinson (English legendary Flyhalf), which is now my most treasured possession.

FJ: Now what would you like to see happen in the New England Rugby landscape to help the game continue to grow?

EG: First, I’d like to see more teams formed, so that we have more teams to play against and to help rugby become more legitimate as a youth sport in New England. Along with that, it is important to build a relationship of trust with parents many of whom are concerned about the safety aspect of the sport. For my middle school team, I organize parent nights to teach them a bit more about rugby and explain to them how we would ensure their child’s safety. 

FJ: Shifting gears a bit, what is your favorite rugby memory – could be from playing or coaching?

EG: I’ll go with one from playing. In a high school against Blue Hills my freshman year, the coach put me in for the last five minutes of the game. I was a terrible player at this point and there was an open ruck, about ten yards from the try line. I just ran through, picked up the ball, stepped their full back and scored my first high school try!

FJ: And if you had to choose your favorite quote of all time, what it would be?

EG: “The key components for me of a thriving team are always acceptance, togetherness, passion, and a clear vision. Driven by these the group and the individuals within it will find inspiration and spirit and will uncover potential.”

• Jonny Wilkinson, in his letter to me.

FJ: One last question, what would you choose to be the Free Jacks’ stadium song for the 2021 season?

EG: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

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“Making rugby better…”

Impact Free Jack celebrates the stories, efforts, and people of the New England community who inspire players, leaders and future Free Jacks. The weekly Q&A series explores the journeys of players, coaches, referees, officers, ambassadors, and organizations of the game and how they are making a difference.

In a slight twist, this week we are sharing and celebrating the story and efforts of the New England Rugby Referees Society (NERRS). NERRS promotes the advancement and enjoyment of the game of rugby by providing qualified volunteer match officials to clubs at all levels within New England and to USA Rugby! We are lucky to have them in our region and aim to collaborate with and support their efforts.

Free Jacks: So, what can you tell us about NERRS?

NERRS: The New England Rugby Referees Society was founded in 1967 as the Boston Rugby Referees Society. The Society recruits and trains referees, helping them achieve their highest potential by offering world class assessment and coaching, promoting exchanges and other networking opportunities, and by supporting Territorial and National Panel development opportunities.

Refereeing activities were largely on hold during 2020 but we are all looking forward to starting up again in early 2021.

FJ:  How many referees make up NERRS?

NERRS: We currently have around 120 in the database. On a busy Saturday, you might see around 60 out there on the whistle! We have around 6-10 referees involved in or around MLR level in  some capacity remembering that there are other roles outside the one in the middle including assistant referees and on the sidelines.

FJ:  What does NERRS aspire to achieve?

NERRS has four main functions:

1. Recruit new referees
2. Develop current referees through ranks of grading systems
3. Educate referees on game management
4. Provide foundation for referees to succeed beyond New England

FJ:  What does an annual cycle for NERRS look like?

NERRS: We see the calendar year as having four seasons: Spring Season, Summer Sevens Season, and Fall Season and separately other leagues, e.g.  MIAA (schools). Typically we gear up the Level 1 (introduction to refereeing) and Level 2 courses to precede those seasons, these are typically sponsored by rugby authorities so are free to referees. 

This year we have seen a drive in webinars that have formed a giant step in standardizing understanding of various laws right across the country. 

FJ:  What changes to the rugby landscape would you like to see?

NERRS: Clarification as to certification and developmental processes beginning at a national level, filtering down to a regional level. 

FJ: What are the benefits of being a NERRS member?

NERRS: The most important benefit of membership in the Society is your continued enjoyment of the game of rugby. Active members of the Society are eligible for a variety of benefits. 

An active member is defined as a referee who accepts assignment by the Society to five Saturday matches in a calendar year. Benefits for active referees are being able to contribute to the game of rugby in a meaningful way, expense reimbursement, development with courses, tools, and exchanges to other referee societies around the world.

FJ: What referee development opportunities exist?

NERRS: in conjunction with USA Rugby, we provide a series of courses from beginners (L1, L2), assistant referee (AR), Sevens etc. to educating referees on the basics of refereeing the game. In addition, USA Rugby recently ran a brilliant initiative including a series of webinars (Advantage Program) to focus on specific areas of the game and in game management during the current period away from the game.

Most importantly however, the concept of individual mentoring is critical to an individual’s development to be able to hear feedback from a coach on areas that need improvement and progress up the qualification scale. This is augmented by video technology that allows the referee to review their own performance based on quantitative approach rather than qualitative.   This technology is a typical tool for advanced referees to learn from the game day experience and focus on areas of improvement in the next match.  

FJ: What can we do to assist NERRS?

NERSS: The fact the Free Jacks are asking the question and highlighting what we do is very encouraging. If the Free Jacks can shed light on our opportunities to become involved as a referee and collaborate with us across their Regional Training Groups to facilitate understanding and standardization of the laws and ensure safety of all involved, that would be a big win.

FJ: How does one get started as a rugby referee?

NERSS: Talk to a referee. At the end of a game, introduce yourself to the referee and say that you’d like some advice on how to get started.

1. Decide which type of game you want to work with. (Under 7’s, Under 14’s etc)
2. Contact your local Referee Society.

For information about NERRS, visit www.nerugbyrefs.org, Chris Schuyler President of NERRS at president@nerugbyrefs.org or  Declan Boland NERRS Development Officer at declanboston@gmail.com or 617.981.4065.

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“We work on being the best at the things that take no talent. Effort and commitment, supporting and bringing your teammates up take no talent at all. I love how we can emphasize the importance of hard work independent of how much talent you may possess.”

Impact Free Jack celebrates the stories, efforts, and people of the New England community who inspire players, leaders, and future Free Jacks. The weekly Q&A series explores the journeys of players, coaches, officers, and ambassadors of the game and how they are making a difference.

Free Jacks Academy coach, Northeast D1 Commissioner, President of CRAA Women, Brandeis University Women’s & St. Mary’s High School Girls Head Coach, and current Co-Captain of Beantown RFC, Olivia Benzan-Daniel, shares her experiences as an impact Free Jack.

Free Jacks: So, Olivia, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your rugby background?

Olivia Benzan-Daniel: First of all, I’m super honored to be selected for this series. A lot of times, you can’t be what you can’t see, so if my rugby story inspires someone to get involved in the game or more involved than they already are, I’d call that a success.

I started playing rugby in Spring 2011, during my first year at Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, so I’m coming up on 10 years as a player! Shortly after I graduated in 2014, I moved back home and began playing with Beantown RFC – the Women’s Premier League team in Boston. I’ve been playing with them ever since and I was lucky enough to be selected as a 2019 WPL East All-Star, along with a few of my teammates! I’ve been a forward most of my career – I’m primarily a prop now, but I’ve had seasons at lock flanker, outside center, 8-man, and wing.

FJ: How did you find your way into the coaching side of rugby?

OBD: I started coaching pretty soon after graduation – and actually got my start in 2015 as the Women’s Head Coach at my alma mater, Holy Cross. With my playing career as my primary focus, I transitioned to an assistant coaching role at Holy Cross for more flexibility with my Beantown schedule. After three years at Holy Cross, I was brought in during the fall of 2018 as the Co-Head Coach of the Brandeis University Women’s program and have since taken on the primary Head Coaching position. When I began at Brandeis, the team only had 3-4 players. Now, we’ve had 20-25 players for two years in a row!

In January of 2020, I helped found the St. Mary’s High School Girls Rugby Program. Spring 2020 was set to be our first season – but for the obvious reasons we’ve had to postpone until 2021. It was disappointing not to be out there this spring, but I can’t wait to get things started again soon.

FJ: If you could make any changes to improve the New England Rugby landscape, what would they be?

OBD: I’d like to see a few improvements to the youth game and the rugby community on the whole in New England. First, we’ve made great strides in youth rugby, but we need to keep our foot on the gas. Rugby’s core values not only grow better players, but better people off the field as well. I’d like to see us showcasing these values to parents – by introducing rugby in school as part of a physical education curriculum, and increasing its accessibility across inner cities as well as suburbs. Rugby can be as accessible as we make it, and more access fosters more opportunities.

In regards to the New England rugby community as a whole, these two ideals are fairly connected. With a rugby population as dense as it is in New England, we have an immense number of teams existing across divisions, age levels, and genders. If we came together, we could be an unstoppable hub of rugby in the U.S. I’d like New England to build itself into a collaborative environment where all levels (senior, college, high school, & youth) are all sharing resources and information to further the game and help each other grow.

Finally, I see former or retired rugby players as our greatest untapped resource when it comes to outreach. You have the committed individuals that stay involved in some way, but there are so many others that retire and leave rugby behind – many of whom are unaware of the ways they can still be involved now that they are done playing. Coaches, referees, and administrators are integral parts of the game’s success. Recruiting former players and providing them with resources on how they can stay involved in the game is one of the many ways we can move forward and get where we want to be as a sport. 

FJ: Now what is your favorite rugby memory?

OBD: It’s so hard to choose just one! So I’ll give you one as a player and one as a coach.

As a player, it would have to be a try from the last match I played in. It’s one of my favorite rugby memories because it was a moment I had essentially spoken into existence during warmups. I had told a teammate I wanted to score that day. It was my last game before my season ended for a coaching opportunity, and it was something I hadn’t really managed to do much all season. I didn’t let it distract me from our larger game plan as a team and toward the end of the match, the opportunity presented itself. There’s something uniquely incredible about convincing yourself you’ll do something uncertain and then having it come to fruition.

As a coach, I would say when I ran into two children from a youth rugby clinic a couple weeks after the clinic had ended. I think they were about 4 and 6 at the time, and they were so excited to see me that they ran up to me and gave me a big hug. They told me how much they liked rugby and wanted to play again. Seeing those children light up talking about rugby is one of my favorite memories because it reminds me of why my emphasis on fun is such a necessary part of my coaching style.

FJ: What is your favorite quote and why?

OBD: Another tough decision! These are my top three. They all speak to the different parts of who I am as a person and a member of the rugby community.

 “Be the change you want to see in the world” – Gandhi

I actually didn’t know Gandhi said this for the longest time, and or that the quote ended with ‘in the world’. “Be the change you want to see” is a phrase that has motivated me to do a lot of what I’m doing. I’m always looking for ways to improve myself and the space around me whether that’s inside or outside of rugby. If you see a problem, lead the charge to fix it. If you want more positivity in the room, bring the positive energy!

“Play for what it says on the front of your jersey and everyone will remember what it says on the back” – Paul O’Connell

I saw this quote on the wall when I went to the World Rugby Hall of Fame. It resonated with me immediately because I never play for just me. I focus on being a good teammate because I enjoy being a part of something bigger than myself. Rugby is a great example of community and teamwork. When we work as a team, we can celebrate our successes together.

 “If you focus on the things that take no talent, you will get where you want to go.” – Alycia Washington

My coach mentions the same sentiment at almost every training because we work on being the best at the things that take no talent. Effort and commitment, supporting and bringing your teammates up take no talent at all. I love how it emphasizes the importance of hard work independent of how much talent you may possess.

FJ: Finally, if you could choose any song in the world to be the Free Jacks’ 2021 Stadium song, what would it be?

OBD: “Welcome to the Party” (feat. Zhavia Ward) by Diplo, French Montana, and Lil Pump.

The post Impact Free Jack: Olivia Benzan-Daniel appeared first on New England Free Jacks.

Impact Free Jack celebrates the stories, efforts, and people of the New England community who inspire players, leaders and future Free Jacks. The weekly Q&A series explores the journeys of players, coaches, officers, and ambassadors of the game and how they are making a difference.

Mel Denham, internationally capped flanker, USA Rugby pathway coach, current Beantown Rugby Assistant Coach, and current Head Coach of the Harvard Women’s Rugby, is featured in the second installment of Impact Free Jack. Read the full article.

Free Jacks: So, Mel, when did your rugby career begin? How did you find your way into the game?

Mel Dunham: After discovering rugby while in college, I joined my local club – Beantown Rugby in the Women’s Premier league – after graduation. From there, I represented the Northeast in 7’s and 15’s, and was lucky enough to be a member of the USA Women’s 15’s National Team between 2007-2014, earning 22 caps. I made my debut against England, was a member of the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup squad – finishing 5^th in the tournament – and was selected as part of the Eagles extended training squad for the 2014 World Cup.

FJ:  When did you make the transition into the coaching side of the game?

MD: I started coaching as a volunteer assistant coach for Radcliffe Rugby, the Harvard Women’s Rugby Program when it was competing as a club from 2010-2012. After winning the 2011 National Title, I helped facilitate the elevation of the program to full varsity status at Harvard. I then accepted my first full-time head coaching position for the American International College, where I stayed from 2012-14. I then became the first head coach of Central Washington University’s recently elevated women’s varsity rugby team, helping them reach 3 national championship appearances in both 15s and 7s from 2014-2017.

During this same period, I had various coaching roles in the USA Rugby pathway, including Girl’s High School All-Americans, skills coach for the Women’s U20s (Women’s Junior All Americans), and assistant coach for the Women’s Collegiate All-Americans.

Since 2017, I have been the head coach for Harvard Women’s Rugby, which is an NCAA program, where I have helped lead them to a national semi-final appearance, two finals appearances, two Ivy League Championship titles, and most recently the D1 National Championship title last season. I am also Assistant Coach for Beantown in the WPL.

FJ: What changes to the rugby landscape would you like to see made to further develop the game in New England?

MD: I’d like to see more investment in grassroots rugby and more equity and opportunity in the women’s game. I want women to be receiving the same opportunities as men in rugby.

FJ: What is your favorite rugby memory?

MD: For me, it’s more about those memorable teams and seasons that really stand out. Being a part of a team that has a strong culture, where everyone is aligned and really working towards a collective goal, and enjoying it! As a player, the 2010 World Cup squad was one of those teams. As a coach, I would say that winning the National Championship with Harvard last year at our home stadium was incredibly special, and a great reminder of how far the game has come.

FJ: What is your favorite quote and why?

MD: I don’t have a favorite quote! One thing we say a lot here at Harvard though, is “pressure is a privilege”. It’s a great reminder that when you are striving for excellence and have pressure on you to perform well, to be grateful for the opportunities we’ve been given to earn that privilege.

FJ: Final question – if you could choose any song in the world to be the Free Jacks’ 2021 Stadium song, what would it be?

MD: Easy – “All We Got” by Chance the Rapper.

The post Impact Free Jacks: Mel Denham appeared first on New England Free Jacks.

“Humble and hungry lads, humble and hungry.”

Impact Free Jacks celebrates the stories, efforts, and people of the New England community who inspire the next generation of players, leaders and future Free Jacks. The weekly Q&A series explores the journeys of players, coaches, officers, and ambassadors of the game and how they are making a difference.

In the spotlight this week is Greg Bruce, Boston native, former Boston Irish Wolfhounds and New England Selects player and the current Head Coach of Belmont High School Rugby Football Club and recipient of the 2020 MIAA Boys’ Rugby Coach of the Year Award.

Free Jacks: Can you tell us a little bit about how you became involved with rugby?

Greg Bruce: My playing career began in college at Southern Connecticut State University and grew from there! I joined the Boston Irish Wolfhounds after graduation in 2001 and was honored to be a part of the team through the spring 2005 season, winning the 2003 and 2004 USA Rugby D1 National Championships. I was abroad between 2005-2006 and was lucky enough to play for a season with Owaka Rugby Club on the South Island of New Zealand. I also played a bit of 7’s in Fiji and participated in the Lalomanu 7’s Rugby Tourney in Samoa – an absolutely incredible experience. Today, I continue to play with the Boston Irish Wolfhounds Old Boys side – the Greyhounds – and can’t wait to get back on the pitch with all my teammates!

FJ: And how did you find yourself coaching the game?

GB: My coaching career began during my first year teaching at Belmont High School in the fall of 2006. I was asked to start the school’s rugby program and have been with the team ever since! It has been an incredible ride and I have been so fortunate to have met so many wonderful people along the way including the players, their parents and the other coaches who make Belmont Rugby what it is today.

In 2012 I was invited by Northeastern University Head Coach, Jamie Green, to join him as the backs coach and head 7’s coach. During my time at Northeastern we participated in the USAR Collegiate 7’s National Championships as well as the 2013 and 2014 CRC’s.

I’ve also been lucky enough to have travelled and coached overseas. First in Guatemala, helping my friend Josh Macy with training sessions and local clinics and later in the Kashmir region of India, where we ran a series of clinics for the Jammu and Kashmir state rugby teams. It was a surreal experience. Apart from a grenade attack in the city during my stay, it was one of the richest cultural and rugby experiences of my life.

FJ: What changes would you like to see in the New England rugby landscape to ensure the game’s continued development?

GB: That’s a question with a lot of answers, but I would say the biggest things for me boil down to three areas.

First, there has been a definite increase in opportunities for young people to play rugby the past few years, which has been great to see and be a part of. The next step for us as a region, in my eyes, would be to create a system that integrates our high-performance opportunities so that we are less club-driven and more player driven. We can come together to look creatively at our calendar, our weather cycle, and our resources and promote a system that allows kids to play for their high school programs, their summer club 7s sides and then, if they have the desire, time and aspirations, to pursue a regional academy/provincial type of pathway to fill out and supplement the rest of the year.  With this said, I do have some trepidation around this model as I do not want rugby to turn into club soccer, basketball, lacrosse, etc. where money has become a driver for many of these programs and creates some major equity issues.

Second, I’d like to see more outreach and support for school-based rugby programs, and improved coach training, as well as an increased emphasis on coach retention.

Finally, we should strengthen our support for referees in New England. Whether it’s an increase in grassroots recruitment – perhaps by creating pathways through the local club system for young rugby players to become referees – or by providing more opportunities for development for current referees.

FJ: What is your favorite rugby memory?

GB: This is a pretty tough one to be honest as any old rugger like myself would probably say, but I’ll do my best. Sadly, no way I can limit it to one so I’ll give one from coaching, one from playing, and one from life.

Without a doubt, the first day of practice at Belmont High every single year. To look out at those kids, the looks in their eyes, the joy beaming from the coaches as we get ready to embark on our annual campaign and whatever it may bring, there’s just nothing like it.

As a player, the most special games I’ve played in are the ones where my daughters were there, and they run on the field and hug me afterwards. I remember seeing this happen a number of times as a younger man and thinking how happy that old rugger looked, and not that old rugger is me!

Finally, my wedding day: I was marrying a woman who supported me through my collegiate rugby days, my early Wolfhounds days and who continues to support me today through it all.  On the day, we were married by one of my college teammates, my best man was a college teammate, and two Wolfhounds teammates were in our wedding party, one of which is now my brother-in-law.  There was also a large presence of rugby friends and family there and speaks to the community that I love so much.

FJ: What is your favorite quote and why?

GB: I’ll qualify this as saying it is my favorite rugby quote:

“Humble and hungry lads, humble and hungry.”

Fergal Heir, former Head Coach of the Boston Irish Wolfhounds, used to say this all the time. I have no idea where it originates from, but it has always stuck with me and likely always will.

FJ: If you could choose the Free Jacks stadium song for 2021, what would it be?

GB: The Buzz by Hermitude

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