BOSTON – November 13, 2020 – The New England Free Jacks are excited to announce the return of workhorse scrumhalf Oliver “Ollie” Engelhart. An American citizen raised in Hong Kong, the 5’ 12,” 180-lb, former Collegiate All-American brings a wealth of experience and energy to the Free Jacks. Ollie also plays an integral role for the club working in a multi-faceted operations role where he grows the team off the field.

“I’m really fortunate to be able to continue to work towards the success of the team both on and off the field,” said Engelhart. “I love coming to work with a smile on my face, learning from the players around me, and hopefully making an impact both in the growth of the Free Jacks and Major League Rugby on and off the field. I’m looking forward to building towards the new season and bringing together Free Jacks everywhere at that first home game!”

Engelhart began playing rugby at a young age for Hong Kong Rugby Club.  After graduation from Island School in 2014, Ollie headed to Dartmouth College, where he would go on to serve as Co-Captain of the Dartmouth Rugby Football Club playing a key role in numerous Ivy League Championships. Before graduating with a degree in international relations and a minor in Chinese, Ollie led the DRFC to a National D1AA Runner-Up Trophy and earned himself US Collegiate All-American honors.

Upon graduating from Dartmouth in 2018, Ollie returned to Hong Kong, representing the Hong Kong Football club in the premiership local competition, earning an opportunity to train with the Hong Kong Sevens Program. Ollie returned to New England in January 2019, having signed his first contract with the Free Jacks. After featuring prominently during the Free Jacks exhibition season, against the Irish Provinces in the Cara Cup where he demonstrated a huge engine, an up-tempo style of play and a drive to excel at the next level.

Ollie re-signed with Free Jacks for the team’s inaugural MLR campaign making his MLR debut off the bench against the San Diego Legion. He would go on to make appearances in both of the Free Jacks’ final two matches of 2020 against Seattle and New Orleans respectively.

“Ollie has been a massive asset to the Free Jacks and inspires those around him to match his tremendous work ethic,” commented Free Jacks Performance Manager, Tom Kindley. “Lightening quick to the breakdown, Ollie has a trademark up-tempo style and has worked hard on rounding out his game at the next level over the past two seasons. Head Coach Ryan Martin is going to prove influential on refining Ollie’s core skills as a halfback and I look forward to seeing Ollie’s continued development as he grows in the professional realm.”

Off the pitch, Ollie launched “The Great Wall Project” in 2015, a 30-day expedition recording GPS data of unmapped section of the Great Wall of China to promote conservation, and has been involved in the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, helping develop programs for underprivileged students in South African townships to utilize the community and sport as a tool for social change.

A Free Jack through and through, Ollie works diligently in the Free Jacks front office, leading the operations team and notably, is the mastermind behind personalized gear for each Free Jacks player in the 2021 season. A well respected human across New England, Ollie has been a driving force behind the Free Jacks academy which has seen over 400 participants involved with the Regional Training Group academy system which launched this fall. Supporters of the Free jacks can expect big things from Ollie on and off the field in 2021.

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