Gavin Hickie to Coach Dartmouth for 2 More Seasons

Dartmouth Rugby is happy to announce that Gavin Hickie will be Interim Head Coach for the full 2012-13 school year, and will continue on with Dartmouth for the 2013-14 as a key member of the coaching team.

“I am very excited to contribute to the growth and development of the Dartmouth rugby program and ultimately ensuring that our players enjoy a unique experience representing Dartmouth College,” said Hickie. “Dartmouth is at the forefront of rugby development and their commitment to the sport is reflected in the success they have enjoyed, the facilities they have created and the underlying spirit of the Dartmouth rugby players.”

Gavin comes to Dartmouth with a wealth of experience as both a player and a coach. He enjoyed ten years at the top of the game as a professional player at hooker for his country and major clubs in Europe, winning many honors along the way.

He has continued that success in his coaching career, as forwards coach of the USA Junior All-Americans (u20s) that won the IRB Junior World Trophy in June 2012 and as an assistant coach of the D1 Men’s National Champions, Belmont Shore Rugby Club. Coach Hickie is passionate about delivering success and building on Dartmouth’s impressive rugby record.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to work in a professional environment and I eagerly welcome the challenge of taking on the best Collegiate teams in the country, the Ivy League, the CRC and the Varsity Cup.”

Hickie will continue his role with the USA Junior All-Americans in their build up to the top-tier Junior World Championship in France in 2013 and will work with the USA Eagles XV under Coach Mike Tolkin on the technical aspects of throwing and forward play.

Under his leadership the Dartmouth Rugby men’s 1st and 2nd XV teams went undefeated this fall season. The 7s team won the Ivy League Championship and followed that up with a 5 win - 1 loss Bowl Championship run at the USA Rugby National 7s Championships in Texas.

Assisting Coach Hickie for the 2012-2013 season is strength and conditioning coach James Willocks. James is currently working to finish his Graduate Diploma in Physical Conditioning from Otago Polytechnic and has extensive experience already as a conditioning coach. He also brings experience as a loose-forward, lock and 7s player for the Premiers of the Alhambra-Union Rugby Club.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Matt Robinson at (781) 413-5865 or e-mail at matthew [dot] s [dot] robinson [dot] 13dartmouth [dot] edu