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Dallas Jackals

Dallas Jackals Announce Coaching Adjustments Due to Covid Related Immigration Delay in Australia

January 21, 2022 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
Dallas Jackals News Release


The Dallas Jackals are saddened to announce the club and intended Head Coach Michael Hodge have mutually decided that the Visa processing delays in Australia have proven to be untenable for Hodge to serve as the Jackals' head coach.

With an approved Visa in hand, the original intended arrival date for Hodge was a month ago. However, with strict travel restrictions within Australia still in place and stricter emergency appointment and interview waiver criteria than other nations, the earliest consulate appointment dates are several months out. Unfortunately, the immigration realities in Australia have caused numerous challenges for many teams in Major League Rugby.

Jackals players arrived in late December and training camp officially started on January 3rd. Coach Hodge had been valiantly trying to coach remotely, including daily video calls and check-ins with on the ground coaching staff and players. Upon consultation with many, with no likely path to an earlier Visa interview than June, for the best interests of the team the hard decision was made to make other coaching arrangements.

Dallas Jackals Rugby wish nothing but the best to Coach Hodge in his future endeavors and thank him for his passion for the Jackals.

Concurrent with the search for Hodge's successor, GM Elaine Vassie, Assistant Coach Aaron Jarvis, Strength & Conditioning Coach Matoko Noudehou, Coaching Consultant Brian Ashton, and Performance & Recruitment Analyst Darren Lewis will continue to lead the charge on preparing the team up for the 2022 Inaugural Season.

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Major League Rugby Stories from January 21, 2022


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