FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – WASHINGTON, DC (October 29, 2020) – Old Glory Head Coach Andrew Douglas has named the coaching staff for the 2020/2021 Old Glory U19 Academy.  Three assistant coaches join the team, including NOVA Women’s Rugby and Old Glory Capital Selects scrumhalf, Brianna Kim; NOVA Men’s Rugby Head Coach, Joey Tropea; and the Washington Irish Head Coach, Toga Fanueli.

“Joey and Toga are both head club coaches in this area and have shown a real desire to learn and better themselves as coaches,” adds Douglas. “Their enthusiasm and passion for the game will be an asset.”

Brianna Kim, who will focus on developing the OG U19 Girls Academy, captained NOVA Women’s Rugby during the 2019 Division 1 National Championship.

“Brianna has been one of the leading female athletes in the game for a while now,” comments Douglas. “She will be a great role model for our players. She is still looking to push her US ambitions, and hopefully, the drive and resolve she will demonstrate to achieve this goal will rub off on the players.”

OG assistant coach, Toshi Palamo, joins Douglas as co-coach of the OG Academy.

“Toshi Palamo is my right-hand man at Old Glory,” said Douglas. “His knowledge of the talent in the area is invaluable. The academy players are fortunate to have him sharing his knowledge.”

Matt Bales of the Washington Irish, who was the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for Old Glory during both the 2020 MLR and 2019 exhibition seasons, joins the academy staff as Head Academy Trainer. Additionally, Old Glory’s 2020 Performance Analyst, Nick Purvis, joins the academy staff as Head Analyst.

Old Glory held its first academy training session for both the boys’ and girls’ teams this past Sunday at Segra Field, welcoming 50 athletes total.

“I was pleased with the first session. The players were very enthusiastic and showed a willingness to learn and challenge themselves. It wasn’t a great day weather-wise, but it didn’t distract the players from their focus. The coaches were positive and helped drive the standards we are looking for. We are excited about the rest of this phase.”

Academy Staff

Co-coach: Andrew Douglas

Co-coach: Toshi Palamo

Assistant coach: Toga Fanueli

Assistant coach: Brianna Kim

Assistant coach: Joey Tropea

Head Academy Trainer: Matt Bales

Head Analyst: Nick Purvis

Rugby Operations Manager: John Manson