Coaches – Rock Rugby

Head Coach Paul McCartney

Nationality: United States

My rugby journey began in 1980 at Slippery Rock University. Which coincidentally is where I got my nick name Rock. I pledged a fraternity (Phi Sigma Epsilon) and my big brother (Richard Shirkness) played rugby in high school and wanted to start up a team. He found out that an instructor (Harry Watson) coached rugby in California so he searched him out. On a Saturday morning in Western Pennsylvania Shirk knocked on Harry's door, introduced himself and told him he would like to start a team and wondered if he would be interested in coaching. Harry said yes and the Slippery Rock Shamrock Rugby Club began.

With the entire fraternity to join and the word of rugby spread across campus, we had over 60 students show up for the first practice. Harry walked out in the middle of the players threw a rugby ball up into the air and said play. The students went crazy and from there he crafted the game and taught us how to play.

I played for SRU and eventually made a select side, Alleghany Mountain Rugby Rep side. After I graduated I started a men's club side in Altoona, Pa (my home town). I then moved to Texas and had a choice of Houston or Galveston to play for. I chose Galveston as it was a beach town and played for them from 1984 through 1988. I also was selected to play for Texas Select (15's) and the Western 7's. I played for one year in Houston (Houston RFC) and then decided to get my Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life University in Marietta, Ga. I went there on a rugby scholarship and played on the men's club (there was not a collegiate team then). The team played in the highest men's division in the country, eventually in the Super League. During my time at Life we went to a national championship in both 15's and 7's.

After graduation I moved to Round Rock, took a year off and then played a little as player coach for the Blacks in Austin. Realizing my playing time was near an end I decided to retire and focus on coaching. I coached with the Blacks for a little but eventually left and spent time building my chiropractic business.

Jesse Adams had started a team at Stony Point. I found out, contacted him to see if I could assist and he agreed. He then wanted to return to playing and I decided to take on the team which ended up becoming the Rock Rugby you all know and love today!

I have played rugby in Canada, England, Scotland and New Zealand. I played for Atlantis men's 7's and a number of other select teams, even once playing against the Bahaman National team. I have played with and against numerous Eagles and have enjoyed every step along the way. I am grateful for finding rugby and to Shirk and Harry for the beginnings of my rugby path.

Coach Kyle Plattor

Nationality: United States

Kyle began his rugby journey senior year in high school - 2012-2013 at Stony Point High School. He had a few friends he played with during the football season that invited him out to play a game of touch rugby. That was the first step on a love affair with the sport which set him on a path to further his career at the collegiate level.

During the summer of 2013, he was selected to the Texas high performance squad. The team attended a tournament in Colorado, playing teams from across the country. Kyle was awarded the Man of the Match medal during that tournament, gaining the attention of the USA Eagles U20 coaches.

Kyle always knew he wanted to play sports in college. He received a few offers from smaller schools in Texas to further his football career, but after his first few games of rugby, he knew that would be the sport for him. Both Coach Rock and the late Todd Knight were great mentors and coaches that helped get the ball rolling for him. Signing day came and Kyle chose Life University in Marietta, Georgia to be his home for the next few years - playing rugby and receiving his Bachelors in Business Administration.

Freshman year at Life University seemed to fly by too fast. Year after year, Life University has performed as an elite rugby program in the D1A division. Kyle played his first varsity match in Las Vegas, Nevada starting at the inside center position against San Diego State University. He continued playing in matches across the country against the top collegiate teams in the US as both a wing and center. The last game in his freshman year was played in California against St. Mary’s for the National Championship where he played as an inside center.

Kyle was on his way home to Texas from Georgia when he got into a severe car accident in the summer of 2014 and suffered a traumatic brain injury. He thought his rugby career was over. He took time to heal following his doctors instructions, but all he could think about was getting back to the game he loved. He put in the work during his sophomore year, joining the team in the playoffs and attending his second consecutive National Championship - this time playing as a flanker.

A tough decision was made during his junior year as he hung up his boots to finish his playing career. He helped with Life University summer camp coaching and completed his degree, graduating in 2018.

Taking a couple years off of rugby and moving back to Texas, he knew he couldn’t stay away from the game. When he is not coaching rugby, you can find him enjoying time with his dog Aspen, spending time in nature and with his family.

Coach Mark Richards

Nationality: Wales

Mark has been involved in rugby, as a player, coach and fan, for over 40 years. Growing up in Wales, he played representative rugby at District and County level. Attending the University of Wales at Swansea, he played for the University and captained the Welsh Society team while also playing senior rugby for his club in the Welsh leagues. He played mostly as a center, but at one point or other played every position in the backs, plus blindside flanker (most fun position ever - chaos machine).

He took up coaching when his boys started playing with the Austin Huns youth program, and instantly felt at home with the broad sweep of American, English, South African, Irish, Welsh and Fijian friends he made at the club. He coached his older boy through Middle School, and then dropped back down the age groups to coach his younger son before transferring to the Rock program.

Mark is married to Nancy, and has two boys - Gavin and Dylan. Gavin is a former Rock captain who now plays at Lindenwood University and younger brother Dylan is a High School freshman.

Mark holds World Rugby Coaching and Strength & Conditioning certifications, and several coaching certifications for other sports. He has coached rugby and soccer as well as marathon training groups. When not doing rugby stuff he enjoys photography and woodworking.