New York, NY (Sept. 5, 2010) – The Village Lions Rugby Football Club (Div. 2/ Met-NY Union) is pleased to announce that they have secured Philippines National Team Head Coach Expo Mejia to head its men’s side.

Mejia, who recently lead the Philippines National Team to the IRB Asian 5 Nations Div. 2 title in his first year as head coach, is a former first grade colts coach at Gordon Rugby Club (2007), first grade coach at Penrith Rugby Club (2009) in the Sydney Premiership Competition and backs coach for the Australian Barbarians in 2009 and 2010. He has also worked for NSW Rugby Union (Waratahs) and Australian Rugby Union (ARU) as Coach Education Coordinator in 2008 and 2009.

The New York women, USA Rugby's Premier League 2010 Champions, welcome back Ryan Dunnett, the New Zealand level III coach who took an underdog team to a national title last fall season. Needless to say, they are thrilled to have him back. He will team up again with former standout player Heidi Rubenstein.

Met NY's Division 3 men's team Gotham Knights RFC took top honors at the Bingham Cup at Minneapolis' National Sports Center on June 20, 2010.  San Francisco Fog RFC originated the event in June 2002 in honor of Mark Bingham, who died on United flight 93 on September 11, 2001.  Rugby teams which particularly welcome gay men travel from from around the world to compete in the Bingham Cup every two years. Gotham Knights beat two time champions Sydney Convicts RFC in a very close final not decided until the final whistle.  Gotham will open its fall season on August 7 with a "boot camp" open to all experienced and eager novice players alike.  Gotham will defend its title in 2012 in either Sydney or Manchester, England.

Video highlights of the Bingham Cup final match here.

The Met NYRFU would like to congratulate:

• NYAC for winning the Super League Championships over San Francisco 28-25
• Xavier High School for winning the High School National Championship
• NYRC, Bayonne, and North Jersey for sweeping the Men's Regionals competitions
• The Women's NRU select side for winning the NASCs today, defeating Pac Coast 34-14 in the final that was held in Blaine, MN.  The Union was represented by both NYRC and the Village Lions

CONGRATULATIONS