USA Rugby seeks candidates for multiple head coach positions
BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby is actively seeking candidates for the head coach roles for the AIG Men’s and Women’s Collegiate All-Americans and USA Rugby Girls High School All-Americans powered by Serevi.
Former WCAA Head Coach Martha Daines has accepted a role as an assistant coach with the Women’s Eagles, opening the WCAA head coach position. The GHSAA position has been opened to applicants to ensure it is aligned with the United States Olympic Committee’s best practices for coach selection after Mollie McCarthy led the program’s development over the last year.
The MCAAs have been coached by Matt Sherman of Stanford University since 2012. A former Eagle and All-American himself, Sherman transitioned from playing to coaching as backs coach for the Men’s Eagles from 2009 to 2011. He led the MCAAs to a 4-4 record in tours to Ireland and New Zealand, as well as a hosting of Cambridge University and Ontario Blues in the New England region of the United States in 2014.
“Matt is a quality coach who leaves big shoes to fill with the Men’s Collegiate All-Americans,” USA Rugby Director of Performance Alex Magleby said. “For all three of these roles, we are looking for coaches who excel at program development, talent monitoring, and who are organized, clear communicators, with the ability and the passion to grow into higher coaching honors in the coming years.”
Daines has led the WCAAs for three years, working with multiple athletes that have gone on to represent the U.S. at the senior level for sevens and 15s. McCarthy’s leadership has helped launch the GHSAA program – culminating with the team’s first competitive event at the Las Vegas international – and she has joined the Women’s Eagles Pathway coaching staff.
“I would like to thank Martha, Matt, and Mollie for their commitment to the game and their efforts to enhance our international performance,” Magleby said. “Collectively, the Collegiate All-Americans have given student-athletes the platform to grow and transition into international rugby players.”
Learn more about the Women’s Elite Coach Pathway >>
“I am excited to have Martha join the Eagle staff for the 2017 cycle,” Women’s Eagles Head Coach Pete Steinberg said. “She has demonstrated great leadership over the last three years and, as we hope to get younger, her knowledge of the up-and-coming players will be vital.
“Mollie will continue to provide leadership as part of the Women’s Eagles Pathway staff. She will have opportunities to continue to develop as an elite coach and may continue to be involved with the GHSAA program in the future.”
The stated goal of the Women’s Eagles Pathway is to increase the speed at which players become Eagles. The head coaches of both teams will work within the Pathway program to help identify the players that project to be Eagles. They will lead the team’s development to help develop both on- and off-field skills to accelerate the player’s career.
“These positions are fundamental to how the new pathway will work,” Steinberg said. “It is only with tight-knit coordination between the teams that we can really create a true player pathway.”
“These roles are critical to the success for the U.S. teams at the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens, 2019 Rugby World Cup, and 2020 Olympics,” said Magleby. “As we build for these next cycles, it is important that we invest all possible resources into these positions to help develop future Eagle coaches and players.”
Applicant coaches must hold a Level 200 certification, while those interested in the WCAA and GHSAA positions will need a record of coaching women that demonstrates excellence over time. Leadership and communication skills will be important along with the ability to work within the pathway as a member of the team.
Candidates interested in the WCAA and GHSAA positions can apply as part of the Women’s Elite Coach Development Program application. Successful applicants will automatically be enrolled in the ECDP and will have all costs of their participation covered. Applicants not selected have the opportunity to pay to participate.
Deadline to apply for all positions is April 1.
Apply for the AIG Men’s Collegiate All-American head coach position >>
Apply for the AIG Women’s Collegiate All-American head coach position >>
Apply for the Girls High School All-American powered by Serevi head coach position >>
