With the 2025 World Rugby SVNS Series quickly approaching for a November kickoff in Dubai, USA Rugby is proud to announce Simon Amor has been named Head Coach of the USA Men’s Sevens program.
Adding to over a decade of experience leading rugby sevens programs to Olympic success, Amor joins USA Rugby with eyes on the LA2028 medal podium.
Amor said on the new role, “I am extremely honored to lead the Men’s Eagles Sevens program and build on the last 10 years of work from Mike Friday and Phil Greening. With a home Olympics, as well as home Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups all on the horizon, this is an incredibly exciting time to make a transformational impact on the game of rugby in the USA. I am looking forward to relocating to San Diego to support the players and staff in getting better every day. I am equally as motivated to engage with the USA Rugby community, to help capitalize on this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
USA Rugby General Manager of High Performance, Tamara Sheppard said on Amor’s appointment, “We are delighted to welcome Simon as the next Head Coach of our Men’s Sevens program. USA Rugby is venturing into an all-important period with the 2028 Olympics on home soil, so we couldn’t be prouder to have Simon’s leadership and experience at the forefront of this journey. After an extensive candidate evaluation process, Simon’s proficiency in player development and pedigree for Olympic success was perfect for our young and exciting Men’s Sevens program.”
Amor’s experience began as a player with the Premiership and England Sevens, competing across two Commonwealth Games and earning the inaugural World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award in 2004. Amor began coaching in 2008 with London Scottish and England Women’s Sevens, soon after taking the reins of the Men’s England Sevens program in 2013. Through a seven-year tenure as Head Coach, Simon led his teams to medal podium finishes at the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens. Most notably in 2016, Amor coached the Team Great Britain Men to a silver medal finish at the Rio Olympics. Simon has also served as Head Coach of the Hong Kong and Japan Sevens programs on the World Rugby level, bringing a wealth of experience for developing players from diverse rugby backgrounds and skill sets.
USA Rugby CEO, Bill Goren added, “First and foremost I want to extend a warm welcome to Simon on behalf of USA Rugby. We are excited to enter a new era with his experience and tutelage at the helm of our Men’s Sevens program. Our aspirations for growing rugby sevens are bright leading into LA2028, Simon has exactly the merit and dedication we’re in search of to reach those goals.”
Amor added, “Inspired by the Women’s Eagles Sevens team in Paris, our ultimate goal is to medal at LA2028 with our first step targeting the top eight of an incredibly competitive HSBC World SVNS Series this year. With only a few weeks until Dubai, alongside the retirement of some great players who have been the backbone of the team for many years, we know the challenge is high. However, having seen the players in the pathway, so undoubtedly is our potential. Our first year focus will therefore be about learning and establishing 100% commitment, which will lay the foundations for us to build on our journey to LA2028.”
Amor will be based in the United States at the home of USA Rugby Sevens in Chula Vista, CA following visa process and relocation, as the USA Men’s Sevens begin to reassemble for the World Rugby SVNS Series returning in November.
