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By RUGBYMag.com staff
The Oldest Club in the Country, the New York Rugby Club, has announced the appointment of head coaches for both their men's and women's 15s programs.
The New York women, USA Rugby's Premier League 2010 Champions, welcome back Ryan Dunnett, the New Zealand level III coach who took an underdog team to a national title last fall season. Needless to say, they are thrilled to have him back. He will team up again with former standout player Heidi Rubenstein.
"Ryan and Heidi are a great combination, with a wealth of rugby knowledge and experience between them," stated NYRC captain Rebecca Brafman, "We are looking forward to having more time with both these excellent coaches to develop our systems on both attack and defense, and to grow as a team."
The New York men, who made the Division I round of 32 playoffs last year, will welcome Welshman Daniel Stephens. Stephens
headed up the academy at the Villager Rugby Club in Cape Town South Africa for two years and is bringing his skills stateside. "I am particularly interested in creating a pathway for Under-19 players to progress to the senior team."
Assistant coach Junior Blaber is very excited to team up with a coach of Stephens' caliber. "He has worked with former French National team prop Pieter de Villiers, the South African national team forwards' coach Gary Gold and former SA national team flanker Ian McDonald," said Blaber. "That kind of high-level experience is important as the NYRC men set their sights on being a force on the national stage once again." Stephens comes into the role following the departure of Drew Fautley, long time NYRC player and coach of both the women's and men's teams.
Club president Hedwig Aerts is thrilled to add Stephens and Dunnett to the ranks of coaches at the NYRC. "Across our teams, we want NYRC to be a Club you come to join because you want to be the best rugby player you can be, and you want to be part of a great team and a vibrant community," said Aerts. "I know that Danny and Ryan will be huge contributors to making that happen."
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