Penn Rugby Announces New Head Coach

University of Pennsylvania Men’s Rugby are pleased to announce that Nicholas Clapinson has been appointed Head Coach of the men’s rugby program. A Montreal native, Clapinson played for Canada through age-grade and Senior level and also played in England for the Leicester Tigers and Waterloo Rugby Club in Liverpool. 

Following his playing career Clapinson was Executive Director of Rugby Quebec, coached Town of Mount Royal Rugby Club, Concordia University, Quebec U18, and Quebec Senior Provincial Sides. The last five years prior to arriving in Philadelphia Clapinson lived in Belgium where he coached at ASUB Rugby Waterloo, winning 2 National Division 1 Championships and a U17 National Championship. 

Currently Nicholas is Head Coach and Director of Rugby at Division 1 Schuylkill River RFC in Philadelphia.

Penn Rugby: Other Appointees

We are also happy to announce that Zach Hoover and Joseph Heddings of Schuykill River RFC will also join the Penn Rugby coaching staff alongside Nic Clapinson to coach Development Team. Zach Hoover played collegiate rugby at UCLA, where he attended on an NROTC scholarship, and will be Backs Coach of the Development Team. Joe Heddings started his rugby career at the Wilkes-Barre Breakers, and will be Head and forwards coach of the Development Team.

Penn Rugby will be looking forward to making big strides forward in 2016-17 under the guidance of the new coaching staff.