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EP
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5
Sep 9

With You! Rugby Podcast – Kevin O’Brien

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Overview

This week on the With You! Rugby Podcast, United States Rugby Foundation President, Brian Vizard, speaks with past US Women’s National Team head coach Kevin O’Brien, who, along with assistant coach Chris Leach, led the Eagles to the 1991 Rugby World Cup title. Kevin is being inducted into The US Rugby Hall of Fame for his decades of contributions to the game and remarkable feats as a rugby coach.Hailing from Cardiff, Wales, Kevin’s family has a long history of involvement with rugby, and he played in his youth at Saint Mary’s College in England. Eventually, Kevin was asked to coach for Beantown Women’s Rugby in Boston, and his transition from player to coach began. Kevin has an undefeated international record of 7-0 as well as the best points scored versus points against margin (155-22) in US Eagles history.With a belief that rugby is a game for anyone and everyone, Kevin has been supporting rugby players of all skill levels and backgrounds since the 1970s. He is still active in the rugby community and serves as a World Rugby educator.

Show Notes

0:30: Brian introduces Kevin O’Brien, coach of the USA Women’s team that won the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 1991.

0:45: Kevin talks about his upbringing and history with sports and rugby.

3:05: What were some of your favorite memories from your college days at Saint Mary’s?

4:35: What did you think when Beantown Women’s Rugby asked you to be their coach?

6:35: Kevin talks about what it was like to transition from player to coach.

8:50: What were your fondest memories from your victorious 1991 World Cup and what made that winning team so special?

9:55: “Rugby can be played by all, and should be played by all.”

11:10: Tell us about some of the other teams you have coached over the years.

14:00: Do you have a favorite level of play to coach?

16:45: Kevin talks about some of the players he has enjoyed coaching over the years.

19:40: Tell us about your position as a World Rugby educator.

22:10: What makes rugby such a special game?

23:30: What’s your proudest accomplishment in your career?

24:30: What does it mean to you to be inducted into the US Rugby Hall of Fame?

Wrap Up

In this episode of the WithYou! Rugby Podcast, we heard from Kevin O’Brien, USA Women’s Coach and winning coach of the 1991 Women’s Rugby World Cup. Soon to be inducted into the US Rugby Foundation’s Hall of Fame, Kevin has had a profound effect on both the evolution of women’s rugby and on the sport as a whole.