NEW HAVEN, CT – Bulldog Rugby is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Lewis as Head Coach for the upcoming 2017 Northeast Sevens Series. Lewis, a USA Rugby Level 400 coach, and the USA Rugby Club Coach of the Year in 2014, is one of the foremost 7s coaches in the country having enjoyed regular success with perennial National Club Championship contenders Old Blue as well as the Northeast Academy ODA program, which he co-founded and led to 5th place finishes at the World Club 7s in Twickenham and Limerick. He has also coached the West Point Women’s 7s squad to a national NIRA title in 2015 and been involved in the development of numerous Mens and Womens Eagles players.
“Having coached against Bulldog Rugby on many occasions, I have always considered them talented and dangerous opponents, capable of beating anyone any given weekend. I intend to harness that natural talent while introducing more discipline and defensive structure in a bid to challenge for a National Title”, said Lewis. “I am also looking forward to bringing in and developing young American talent in what is undoubtedly the toughest domestic club comp in the US week in, week out.”
Bulldog Rugby Founder David Fischer added that “Steve Lewis has a fantastic strategic grasp of 7s while also an understanding of how to integrate talented crossover athletes into high level 7s. We are very excited about the opportunity to work with Coach Lewis to build a pipeline of talent for the Northeast ODA, Falcons, Eagles, and the professional game. Additionally we would like to thank founding Head Coach John Broker for his immense contributions to the organization. Coach Broker turned a brand new club into an immediate elite contender and has left a strong platform for Coach Lewis to build on.”
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Bulldog Rugby is a 7s only rugby club founded by Michael Newcomer and David Fischer and based in New Haven, Connecticut.
Bulldog Rugby competes in the Northeast Sevens Series, also known as the Northeast Qualifier. This competition is the premier level of club rugby in the USA and is fiercely contested by some of the top 7s teams in the country, including Old Blue, NYAC, and Mystic River. Bulldog’s mission is to compete for one of the two Northeast playoff spots each year while developing players for success at higher levels of 7s and 15s.
All interested elite athletes, with and without rugby experience, are invited to try out.
