MLR Toronto Arrows

Stephen Meehan Appointed Toronto Arrows Head Coach

October 26, 2023 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
Toronto Arrows News Release


TORONTO, ON - The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen Meehan as Head Coach of the club's Senior Team.

Following a thorough recruitment process, Meehan will take charge of the Senior Team and will lead a revamped coaching team that will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

"I'm really looking forward to joining the Arrows and being part of a very positive and enthusiastic environment," said Meehan. "There has been a number of changes already with more to come and that's a great place to launch from. Through hard work and determination, we can develop into a club with its own identity that Canadian rugby can be proud of."

"This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of the future of a great club, with some of the most incredible supporters in a league that is on the rise. MLR is a competition that plenty of people are talking about across the globe. It has huge potential, and that interest will keep building."

Arriving in Toronto with more than 20 years of elite coaching experience, Meehan has accumulated a diverse range of expertise in both northern and southern hemisphere rugby.

The Australian began his top-level coaching career in his native Queensland in 1999 working in various positions, including serving as Queensland Reds' Under-19 selector.

He departed for France in 2002, taking a role as assistant coach at Stade Francais alongside first Nick Mallett and later Fabien Galthie. During his time in Paris, Les Stadistes reached the Top 14 final in three consecutive seasons and won the title in 2003 and 2004. Stade Francais were also finalists in the 2005 Heineken Cup.

Meehan crossed the English Channel to join Bath as backs coach in 2006 and was quickly promoted to the Premiership side's head coach position. Over his half-decade at the helm in Somerset, he notably helped Bath end their 10-year trophy drought when he guided the club to the 2008 European Challenge Cup.

Returning to Australia, Meehan joined the Western Force for the 2013 Super Rugby season as attack coach. The following year, he signed with the Queensland Reds as attack coach for the 2014 Super Rugby campaign, and was later appointed as head coach of the Queensland Country team for the inaugural season of Australia's National Rugby Championship.

Meehan served as backs coach at Toulon for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 Top 14 seasons before a stint in Japan with the Kintetsu Liners as backs coach for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 Top League campaigns.

After reuniting with the Western Force in 2019 as the club's defence coach, the Queenslander returned home to Brisbane the following year and was appointed Director of Rugby at GPS Rugby Club - Meehan's home club, where he started as a colts (age-grade rugby) coach in 1995.

"I'd like to congratulate Steve on his appointment," said Tim Matthews, Toronto Arrows Vice President and General Manager. "His coaching record speaks for itself in terms of his success across top leagues in both hemispheres, but what rang true strongly during the interview process was his innovative approach to the game, his passion for his players, and his desire to help grow the sport in Canada.

"Steve will bring a unique set of skills to the Arrows and help our club realize its ambitions. We firmly believe he is the right person to lead the team in 2024 and beyond."

An announcement regarding the composition of next season's coaching team will be made over the coming weeks.



Major League Rugby Stories from October 26, 2023


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