Paul Keeler
Encyclopedia
Paul Keeler is an American rugby union
coach.
Keeler began playing rugby for Canisius College
in Buffalo, New York
and later for the Buffalo Old Boys RFC and Rockaway RFC mens clubs. Keeler moved on to become a stalwart of Old Blue RFC and their Rugby Super League
team, playing in four play-off experiences, including two semi-finals. Keeler was also a MetNY and NERFU select player during this period. Keeler moved into coaching as a player/coach and was assistant coach to the renowned Australian coach Geoff Mould of Australian schoolboys fame. From 2003 through 2005 Keeler coached Old Blue’s Division One side , securing consecutive play-off appearances in the Sweet 16. Keeler coached the Super League side of the Old Blue (New York) in 2006 and 2007, guiding them to an appearance in the Super League semi-finals in 2006 and quarter finals respectively. Keeler’s rep side coaching experiences include being the MetNY select side coach since 2004, and the unbeaten Northeast Select Developmental XV known as The Beagles since 2005.
In January 2008 Keeler became the full-time Director of Rugby and Head Coach of San Francisco Golden Gate RFC
. In his first year he led the club to a playoff berth, losing to eventual champions the New York Athletic Club. In 2009, with Keeler and the aid of assistant coaches and long time club stalwarts Grant Wells and Karl Thomson, the San Francisco club continued their winning ways with a near perfect season, having lost only one match against rival Belmont Shore. The club secured a berth into the playoffs, where an easy rout of the Dallas Harlequins and a dramatic injury time defeat of the Denver Barbarians earned their way into the Final to face Life University. The club went on to win their first championship by defeating Life 23-13.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
coach.
Keeler began playing rugby for Canisius College
Canisius College
Canisius College is a private Roman Catholic college in Buffalo, New York, United States. The college was founded in 1870 by members of the Society of Jesus from Germany and is named after St. Peter Canisius. The college is one of 28 institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and...
in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
and later for the Buffalo Old Boys RFC and Rockaway RFC mens clubs. Keeler moved on to become a stalwart of Old Blue RFC and their Rugby Super League
Rugby Super League
The Rugby Super League, usually referred to as simply the Super League, formerly the Michelob Super League, is a national rugby union competition currently contested by 11 clubs in the United States...
team, playing in four play-off experiences, including two semi-finals. Keeler was also a MetNY and NERFU select player during this period. Keeler moved into coaching as a player/coach and was assistant coach to the renowned Australian coach Geoff Mould of Australian schoolboys fame. From 2003 through 2005 Keeler coached Old Blue’s Division One side , securing consecutive play-off appearances in the Sweet 16. Keeler coached the Super League side of the Old Blue (New York) in 2006 and 2007, guiding them to an appearance in the Super League semi-finals in 2006 and quarter finals respectively. Keeler’s rep side coaching experiences include being the MetNY select side coach since 2004, and the unbeaten Northeast Select Developmental XV known as The Beagles since 2005.
In January 2008 Keeler became the full-time Director of Rugby and Head Coach of San Francisco Golden Gate RFC
San Francisco Golden Gate RFC
San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in San Francisco, California. SFGG's first side competes in the Rugby Super League. The club also fields a developmental squad in the Northern California Rugby Football Union's Division II. The SFGG Youth Program includes...
. In his first year he led the club to a playoff berth, losing to eventual champions the New York Athletic Club. In 2009, with Keeler and the aid of assistant coaches and long time club stalwarts Grant Wells and Karl Thomson, the San Francisco club continued their winning ways with a near perfect season, having lost only one match against rival Belmont Shore. The club secured a berth into the playoffs, where an easy rout of the Dallas Harlequins and a dramatic injury time defeat of the Denver Barbarians earned their way into the Final to face Life University. The club went on to win their first championship by defeating Life 23-13.