#7 - Pathways, Crossing the Atlantic

In Pathways episode 10, Tom Kindley explores Drew Ziegler's role with the San Francisco Giants where she explains the pillars, initiatives and objectives within the San Francisco Junior Giants program and Community Fund on a macro level.

In Episode Nine, Tom Kindley dives in with two wise minds of the East Coast Conference within Major League Rugby, Andrew Douglas (Old Glory DC, Head Coach) and Steve Lewis (Rugby United New York) to discuss East Coast academy and community based happenings across the Fall, as well as plans and alignment within and across the respective Academy systems in 2021 and beyond.

Episode seven crosses the Atlantic and dives into rugby in England. Siblings, professionals and England rugby national representatives, Charlie and Sarah, share their experiences, and mentality that has led to the successes within the game in the Beckett family.

Free Jacks are joined by Ben Herring and Paul Galland on todays Episode of Pathways. The team dives into their impressive coaching journeys, philosophies and new venture Revolution Rugby. Ben and Paul look at how their experiences have shaped their coaching and player development strategies and share the tools that have been helpful for them as players and coaches. With the new venture ahead, Revolution Rugby will combine the tactical with the philosophical and look to share coaching pedagogy with a new group of coaches.

Joined today by Free Jacks Academy Coaches Olivia Benzan Daniel, T Fletcher, and Ollie Engelhart. With impressive coaching backgrounds the coaches discuss the successes of the first Junior Jacks Academy Programs and 4 Week Summer Series. We place immense emphasis on providing opportunities for not only players to develop but just as importantly, coaches. Olivia and Fletcher have been leading the way driving a fantastic series. Head of CCC, Oliver Engelhart discusses the process and evolving infrastructure for the Junior Jacks moving forward.

Free Jacks Announce Ryan Martin as Head Coach. Ryan joins the Free Jacks with an impressive coaching pedigree and as an expert in skill acquisition, a creator of novel attacking systems, and an experienced educator with a 17-year background in teaching.  Tune in to hear Ryan share his experiences, coaching pedagogy, and goals entering Major League Rugby 2021.

This week we sit down with USA Eagles and Co-Founders of the XV Foundation, Alycia Washington and Kristine Sommer. We discuss their impressive rugby careers and how the XV Foundation supports the pathways for women to compete at the highest level of the game. Join us as we look at the challenges and impact the XV Foundation has and how you can support the work that they do.

This week we sit down with USA Rugby Head Coach, Gary Gold, and Rugby United New York Head Coach & USA Rugby Attack Coach, Greg McWilliams, to explore the pathways to the International Game. Join us as we look at the impact Major League Rugby will have on player development at various levels and how these coaches hope to see that translate into international success.

Episode #2 of Pathways, the Free Jacks podcast looking at the rich history and exciting future of rugby in the US and New England. Today we sat down with Josh Macy and James Willocks, leaders and coaches of collegiate rugby, Josh is head coach at Lindenwold university, former Collegiate All-American 7s head coach and has graduated and worked with numerous players showcasing their talents at the highest level in the US. James is currently Dartmouth Rugby Mens head coach, former Collegiate All-American 15s head coach. Our conversation explored their experiences at the collegiate level and what their role is in providing student athletes the tools to develop on and off the field. Have a listen.   Pathways is the Free Jacks platform to take a look at the past and future of rugby in America. Challenges and positives. Tune in to learn about the growth, future and development of rugby in the United States with the New England Free Jacks, Boston's first professional rugby team.

Experiences, sacrifices, collegiate-club to pro rugby. Challenges and positives. Jackson Thiebes, Evan Geist, and Tadhg Leader of the New England Free Jacks share their journey to becoming a professional rugby player in America.