SEATTLE – Current Director of Rugby at Yale University and USA Rugby Collegiate All-American coach Greg McWilliams has joined ATAVUS to develop Rugby specific curriculum, provide elite level coaching at ATAVUS camps and academies, and drive coach development within the organization.  Greg’s addition to the ATAVUS team earlier this fall has accelerated the company’s long-term commitment to build a network of elite coaches and develop promising young coaches. Along with his role at Yale, he recently served as Attack/Backs/Skills coach for the Irish Women’s National team in their semifinal run in the 2014 Rugby World Cup, beating New Zealand for the first time in the tournament’s history.  

“Bringing Greg’s expertise on board adds a tremendous amount of tactical and technical knowledge to provide athletes with the level of coaching needed to perform at the highest levels of the game,” said Emilie Bydwell, Head of Rugby Programming at ATAVUS. “Through his years as a teacher and wealth of experience growing young athletes in Ireland's academy system, he has developed exceptional presentation and content building skills that has already improved the level of all of our coaches.” 

Before moving to a full time role as a Rugby coach, McWilliams was a geography and business teacher at St. Michael’s College for 13 years, during which time he acted as Director of Rugby, and was the head coach of the Leinster Schools senior team who won the cup for the first time in the schools history. In parallel with his role in the classroom, McWilliams served as coach to Leinster Rugby’s Provincial U19’s team, as well as head coach of the Blackrock College RFC & Old Belvedere RFC academies. In these positions he helped develop a number of players on the 2015 Rugby World Cup Irish senior squad, including Ian Madigan and USA eagle AJ McGinty.

“As coaches and teachers, we have a huge opportunity to develop the next generation of Rugby players in America through programs founded in the correct tactical and technical approach, combined with a philosophy that encourages expressive thinking and rewards intelligence of actions,” said McWilliams. “ATAVUS provides both athletes and coaches with these types of opportunities to improve and excel, so I jumped at the opportunity to join their team and help lead this movement.” 

McWilliams’ curriculum development and elite coaching will be seen across ATAVUS programs including the two-day USA Rugby Academy Training Camps around the country, and the sustained, year-round ATAVUS Academies currently in Seattle, Minneapolis, and San Diego. More information, locations, and dates on ATAVUS programs can be found at: atavus.com/rugby.