Coaching Staff
All coaches are volunteers
Coach & Founder
Alan Mitchell
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Coached Irish Rugby Football Union (2011-17), USA Rugby (2018-present) and Charlotte Cardinals (2021-present)
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Married to Debbie, Father of Finlay , Cameron and Vanessa
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USA Rugby L1 coaching certification includes concussion management, child safety, misconduct awareness and all necessary background checks
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USA Rugby L1 referee certification
Coach & Youth Development
Dan McLaughlin
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USA Rugby L1 Coach and Charlotte Cardinals Coach (2021-present)
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Married to Jill, Father of Aiden
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USA & Ireland Supporter!
Coach & Video Analytics
Chris Foshee
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College rugby at the University of Alabama, Jax State, GRU All-Stars and USA Rugby South.
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Selected to Charlotte Barbarians All-Decade Team, also served as president and captain
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Player/forwards coach 10+ yrs and semi-retired player
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Married to Kate and proud, new father of Emmett
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USA Rugby L1 coaching certification includes concussion management, child safety, misconduct awareness and all necessary background checks
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USA Rugby L1 referee certification
Coach & Back Specialist
Dean Kelsey
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20 years playing experience - multiple positions including scrumhalf, flyhalf, outside center and flanker
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Captained the Charlotte Barbarians Men’s Club for five years
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Founding member of Charlotte Catholic’s HS rugby team
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Partner to Brittany and Father to four daughters – Kyliee, Keaghan, Kamden & Kennedy
Coach – Youth & Forwards Specialist
John Lombardi
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Over 30 years of playing experience
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College rugby at SUNY Plattsburgh - Plattsburgh Pioneer Rugby Club
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Competed in the New York Metropolitan Rugby Union
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Married to Ginny with three children and 2 grandchildren
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Giving back for love of the game!
Coach & Forwards Specialist
Jon Schumacher
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Player/Forward Charlotte Rugby Club (2001-2008), 3x USA Rugby South Selections. Played in Men’s Club Div. 1 National Final Four (2005), 2 seasons Super League Rugby (2007-08).
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Division 1 College Football player
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Rugby Coach with Charlotte Cardinals (2021 – Present)
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Coached Middle School and Pop Warner Football
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Married to Becca and Father of Jake, Zane, Hannah and Bre
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Coach – High School
Chip Murrary
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Married to Tehmina, Father of Brady and Jordan
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Former soccer player who is now ‘all in’ on rugby!
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USA Rugby L1 coaching certification includes concussion management, child safety, misconduct awareness and all necessary background checks
Coach – Forwards Specialist
Pat Rawls
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Played prop for Clemson Rugby Club
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Married to Alycia and Father of Lexi and Nate
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Die Hard Clemson fan – bless him!
Coach – Middle School & Head of Player Conditioning
Rob Navarette
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USA Rugby L1 Coach
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Married to Priscilla, Father of 3 boys - Chance, Nico & Sebastian
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Competitive athlete with Warrior Mindset
Coach - Coach & Backs Specialist
Stu Langley
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9 years as a professional rugby player in the UK
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Played on New Zealand Invitational Sevens Team 1995 - Competed in World Sevens Tournament in Wales
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Played for Taranaki / North Harbour Provincial Colts - U21s Rugby Teams
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Airline Pilot / Recreational Golfer
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Married to Kerry and Father to Brock, Maddisyn & Jamie
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Proud Kiwi!
Coach - High School Player Development
Coach Derick Serfontein
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15-year competitive rugby playing experience
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L1 Coaching Certification
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Married To Lizaan
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Father to Luke and Bea
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Avid Springbok Supporter and adventure seeker
Assistant Coaches & Guest Coaches
Further support with the Middle School program will come from High School players, qualified as Assistant Coaches.
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We will also have ‘guest coaches’ from USA Rugby, Charlotte Cardinals Rugby Club and UNCC to help with special skills sessions
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We welcome any help from enthusiastic parents as we continue to grow rugby in our local area – it takes a village folks!
