- Name?
- Mark Jordan (Rugby nickname - Tufty)
- Home town?
- Old Lyme, CT
- What rugby teams have you played on?
- High Wycombe Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe RUFC (500+ games), representative at all levels for Buckinghamshire County.
- How long have you been playing rugby?
- 27 years (11-38)
- How long have you been coaching rugby?
- 5 years in the USA.
- What positions have you played?
- Every one throughout the backs, 9 - 15
- What position did you enjoy the most?
- Scrum half
- How long have you been coaching UConn Women's Rugby?
- Since fall 2008
- Was it challenging the first time coaching a bunch of college girls?
- Yes, as all have very different levels of skills, athletic ability and drive. It's finding the right collection of coaching to fit and enthuse all.
- What do you think sets aside rugby from other sports?
- It is the most demanding, challenging, rewarding and team building game I have ever played or coached.
- What do you think is the best way to learn the game of rugby?
- Study, practice, play, listen to coaches, and watch as much as live rugby as possible.
- How, in your opinion, can a player really improve her rugby skills?
- Get themselves as fit as they can and do all the things above, also spend as much time with a ball as possible, handling and kicking.
- Is rugby in England different from American rugby?
- Yes, historically most players learn from the age of 8-11 and by the time they reach college age they have learnt all the skills and know the laws backwards, so most of the game is instinctive and therefore more skillful. However I feel the level of fitness generally is greater here.
- What is your favorite rugby ritual?
- The traditional singing of songs and the NZ Hakka.
- What skills are important to have when coaching rugby?
- A good knowledge and understanding of the game, the understanding the skills required for all positions, and the patience of a saint.
- What is your favorite team?
- Gloucester RFC England, as I was born there.
- Who is your favorite rugby player?
- I have two, Gareth Edwards SH for Wales and Phil Bennett FH for Wales.
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