Kelly Griffin Hired as Santa Barbara NDA Head Women’s Rugby Coach

The Santa Barbara National Development Academy, a member of the Olympic Development Program is pleased to announce the hiring of Kelly Griffin as Head Coach of the Women’s program.  The Women’s National Development Academy (NDA) is set to launch in Santa Barbara, January of 2017. As a member of the USA Rugby Women’s National Sevens team, Griffin won a bronze medal at the 2013 Rugby Sevens World Cup, and a silver medal at the 2015 Pan American Games.   She was also the captain of the United States Women’s Rugby Sevens team for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 2012, Griffin was contracted with USA Rugby to become one of the first female professional rugby players in the United States.  Griffin currently leads the country in appearances in the World Sevens Series Circuit.

“I am excited to help grow the game of rugby from the coaching side. SBRA has a great high performance model paired with educational opportunities. I am looking forward to expanding their program to female athletes, said Griffin”  “We are thrilled and excited to have Kelly on board,” said Academy Director Kevin Battle. “Her wealth of experience and high standards of excellence will help propel the Santa Barbara NDA to the forefront of development for aspiring male and female National Team Players.”

Founded in 2009, the Santa Barbara Academy is America’s first full-time rugby training academy.   The Santa Barbara NDA has successfully placed 41 athletes in elite colleges, professional, and national teams. For more information on joining the women’s academy, please email Kelly at kgriffin.SBRA@gmail.com or apply at www.sbrugbyacademy.com