USA Rugby Hires Simon Amor as Men's Sevens Head Coach
USA Rugby Hires Simon Amor as Men's Sevens Head Coach
Glendale, Colo. (USA Rugby Release) – With the 2025 World Rugby SVNS Series quickly approaching for a November kickoff in Dubai, USA Rugby has announced that Simon Amor has been named Head Coach of the USA Men’s Sevens program.
Adding to over a decade of experience leading rugby sevens programs to Olympic success, Amor joins USA Rugby with eyes on the LA2028 medal podium.
“I am extremely honored to lead the Men’s Eagles Sevens program and build on the last 10 years of work from Mike Friday and Phil Greening," Amor said in USA Rugby's announcement. "With a home Olympics, as well as home Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups all on the horizon, this is an incredibly exciting time to make a transformational impact on the game of rugby in the USA. I am looking forward to relocating to San Diego to support the players and staff in getting better every day. I am equally as motivated to engage with the USA Rugby community, to help capitalize on this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
“We are delighted to welcome Simon as the next Head Coach of our Men’s Sevens program," added USA Rugby General Manager of High Performance, Tamara Sheppard. "USA Rugby is venturing into an all-important period with the 2028 Olympics on home soil, so we couldn’t be prouder to have Simon’s leadership and experience at the forefront of this journey. After an extensive candidate evaluation process, Simon’s proficiency in player development and pedigree for Olympic success was perfect for our young and exciting Men’s Sevens program.”
Amor’s experience began as a player with the Premiership and England Sevens, competing across two Commonwealth Games and earning the inaugural World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award in 2004. Amor began coaching in 2008 with London Scottish and England Women’s Sevens, soon after taking the reins of the Men’s England Sevens program in 2013. Through a seven-year tenure as Head Coach, Simon led his teams to medal podium finishes at the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens. Most notably in 2016, Amor coached the Team Great Britain Men to a silver medal finish at the Rio Olympics. Simon has also served as Head Coach of the Hong Kong and Japan Sevens programs on the World Rugby level, bringing a wealth of experience for developing players from diverse rugby backgrounds and skill sets.
A key component of Amor's hiring is that he will be fully based in the United States in Chila Vista, Calif., where the USA Sevens program trains. Once the visa process is done Amor will relocate to California.
“First and foremost I want to extend a warm welcome to Simon on behalf of USA Rugby," said USA Rugby CEO, Bill Goren. "We are excited to enter a new era with his experience and tutelage at the helm of our Men’s Sevens program. Our aspirations for growing rugby sevens are bright leading into LA2028, Simon has exactly the merit and dedication we’re in search of to reach those goals.”
Amaor gave a nod to the recent success of the USA women's program and his statement was a nod to the fact that Olympic success is hugely important to the USA teams.
“Inspired by the Women’s Eagles Sevens team in Paris, our ultimate goal is to medal at LA2028 with our first step targeting the top eight of an incredibly competitive HSBC World SVNS Series this year," said Amor. "With only a few weeks until Dubai, alongside the retirement of some great players who have been the backbone of the team for many years, we know the challenge is high. However, having seen the players in the pathway, so undoubtedly is our potential. Our first year focus will therefore be about learning and establishing 100% commitment, which will lay the foundations for us to build on our journey to LA2028.”
