Quincy, MA – The New England Free Jacks announced Todd Thornley as the club’s new General Manager, continuing the organization’s momentum following three consecutive Major League Rugby championships. Thornley succeeds Thomas “TK” Kindley as the club enters its next phase of growth on and off the pitch.

Thornley brings extensive experience in high-performance rugby to his role as General Manager of the New England Free Jacks. Originally from New Zealand, Thornley has spent over a decade working across collegiate, professional, and national team rugby in the United States.

He previously served as Head Coach at Central Washington University which last year alone had 3 of the top 5 MLR draft picks and held coaching roles with UCLA Bruins Men’s Rugby, while also working in Major League Rugby as an Assistant Coach with California Legion. At the national level, Thornley has been involved in player development with USA Rugby, serving as Head Coach of the U19 and U23 programs and as an assistant with the U20 national team.

Thornley holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in Exercise Science and is passionate about developing talent and strengthening player pathways in American rugby. He is the father of two children, Rori (5) and Reagan (3), who live in Washington State, and enjoys spending time with friends and family when away from rugby.

“Firstly, congratulations to a great colleague and good friend TK on his next chapter, his impact on this place speaks for itself. This is a club with great people, strong ambition, and a real connection to its supporters from the ownership level all the way down. I’m looking forward to connecting with the entire community, supporting the players and staff, and helping the New England Free Jacks continue to grow and compete at the highest level”. 

“I leave with a lot of confidence that Todd is stepping into this special and critical role at the Free Jacks” said departing GM, Tom Kindley. 

“Todd is a reflective, caring and driven person and practitioner who has amassed amazing experience across the collegiate, pathway and professional landscapes in the United States across a variety of roles. We are super aligned, and I am excited to support him in the transition, to drive the club forward, while staying true to who we are.”

About the New England Free Jacks

The New England Free Jacks are Greater Boston’s professional rugby team competing in Major League Rugby (MLR), the premier North American professional rugby competition, and are the three-time defending MLR Champions. Representing the six New England states on and off the field, the Free Jacks deliver unforgettable matchday experiences at their home in Quincy, MA, while producing dynamic digital content that connects with fans across the region. Built on the values of community, hard work, and free-spirited competition, the Free Jacks believe life is better together, on and off the pitch. For more information, visit www.FreeJacks.com.

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