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The National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Coaching Mentorship Program has returned for fall 2026 and is accepting applications for mentees until Friday, Sept. 4. Last year’s launch involved 40 mentees, and NCR is excited to continue the mission to support the growth and development of rugby coaches across all divisions and conferences. [lead graphic c/o NCR]
RELATED: Mentee Application Form
This six-week virtual experience pairs developing coaches with seasoned mentors from inside and outside NCR for structured, collaborative mentorship. The goal remains the same: improve coaching quality, expand peer networks, and elevate the overall experience for our student-athletes.
“Being paired with [Brown University Women’s Rugby Head Coach] Rosalind Chou was a great experience,” said 2025 mentee and Florida State Women’s Rugby Coach Ashford Evans-Brown. “Ros was an incredible resource and gave me someone outside of my own program to bounce ideas off of and talk through different aspects of the game. We spent time discussing practice structure and ways to make training sessions more intentional and impactful. We reviewed film together when I had tactical questions, and Ros was always willing to talk through what she saw and offer a different perspective.
“What I appreciated most was that the mentorship was never about Ros telling me the ‘right’ way to coach,” he continued. “Our conversations challenged me to think about why I was doing things a certain way and gave me new ideas that I could take back and apply within my own coaching environment.”
The 20 mentees selected to the program will:
• Gain direct access to experienced mentors for guidance and support
• Participate in structured professional development
• Expand their rugby network
• Build confidence in practice planning, game-day management, and team culture
The fall mentorship cycle will run September 6 – October 11, featuring:
• Weekly 1:1 virtual meetings
• Goal-setting and accountability planning
• Practice design and game strategy discussion
• Rugby-specific skills development
• Culture-building strategies
FALL 2026 MENTORS
Sylvia Braaten — Head Coach, Twin Cities Gemini (Women’s Elite Rugby)
Rosalind Chou — Head Coach, Brown University Women’s Rugby
Todd Dammers — Forwards Coach, Chicago Hounds (Major League Rugby)
Farrah Douglas — Head Coach, Thomas College Women’s Rugby
Phil Egner — Head Coach, Swarthmore College Men’s Rugby
Nancy Kechner — Head Coach, University of Virginia Women’s Rugby
Chris Latham — Head Coach, Chicago Hounds (Major League Rugby)
Steve Lewis — Rugby Coach, Consultant, & Coach Educator
Meredith Pyke — Head Coach, St. Bonaventure University Women’s Rugby
Emily Record — Head Coach, University of New Haven Women’s Rugby