Faces of LIFE: Coach Ryszard “Rys” Chadwick

Ryszard “Rys” Chadwick is the Head Coach of the Women’s Rugby Program at Life University. He joined Life U in August 2022 and has since been an influential figure in the program. Chadwick holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Coaching and a Master’s in Coaching Science from Hartbury College, England. With a wealth of experience in rugby coaching, he has published several academic journals on coaching and holds numerous rugby qualifications. Chadwick moved to the U.S. in 2012, initially living in New York for over a decade before relocating to Atlanta for his current role.

Before joining Life U, Chadwick worked with various organizations in the USA, including Play Rugby USA, a non-profit that develops youth through rugby as their program director. He also served as the Executive Director of the , an Olympic Development Academy focused on high-performance rugby for both men and women. Additionally, Chadwick worked with ARPTC, another Olympic Development Academy based in Arkansas, as their Director of Performance & Development. He has coached in the WPL (Women’s Premier League), ARP (American Rugby Premiership) and MLR (Major League Rugby). He has also been involved with USA Pathway national teams and coach education with World Rugby and USA Rugby.

Chadwick’s connection to Life U began through Rosalind “Ros” Chou, the former head coach for Life U Women’s Rugby, by sending players from Play Rugby USA to Life U. When Ros moved on to Brown University, Chadwick reached out and spoke with Jayme Pendergast, Life U Director of Athletics, who outlined the role and the department’s direction, leading Chadwick to apply for the position.

Chadwick loves the holistic approach to sports that Life U provides, focusing not just on winning but on the journey and growth of student-athletes. He believes in providing meaningful experiences, supporting athletes both on and off the field, and fostering a relentless pursuit of improvement. Chadwick uses the word “relentless” to describe the team’s mindset, aiming for constant growth and development.

Life U offers a supportive environment for student-athletes, emphasizing mental health, holistic care and Lasting Purpose. The University provides resources, facilities and a community that encourages growth at one’s own pace. Chadwick appreciates the reduced need for fundraising and the availability of equipment and facilities compared to his previous roles.

“Everybody seems to be wanting to help everybody in some other way. You know, we can go down to an away game in Florida, and I’ll get a phone call from an alumnus saying, ‘hey, I’m in Florida. I’m a chiropractor; I’d love to come and help the team.’ That’s something that I’ve not really experienced before, where alumni are reaching out,” said Chadwick. “They’re willing to come and help just because it is Life U.”

Chadwick’s vision for the program is to become the undisputed best rugby team in the country. He aims to develop top-level, professional and international rugby players while ensuring they receive a quality education. Life U provides a full-time, professional environment with healthcare support, dedicated coaching staff and excellent facilities, fostering the athletes’ development.

Chadwick highlights three core elements of Life U: commitment to excellence, community and care. The University fosters a culture of mutual support and excellence, where alumni actively engage in helping current students and athletes. This sense of community and care is unique and valuable, contributing to the overall positive experience at Life U.

“You get out what you put in. And I think what we found this year with the squad and with the team was there was a real commitment to taking the standards and the performance to the next level, and like I said, raising that floor. But it takes daily work,” shared Chadwick.