Matt Persanis, director of rugby for Pelham Youth Rugby, has been named co-head coach of the NYAC Rugby team, one of the elite mens clubs in the country and national champions in 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2012. The NYAC team is a founding member of the Super League and the Elite Cup.
Persanis, who founded Pelham Youth Rugby and has overseen its growth into a program spanning elementary flag rugby through a U16 tackle team, was previously assistant coach of NYAC. He has also coached Iona College, the Metropolitan NY College All Stars and was player-coach of NY Manhattan, which he captained for nine years.
Persanis also played for and captained the New York All Stars, the Northeast All Stars and was in the player pool for the USA Eagles, the U.S. national rugby team.