Hounds Hire Alana Gattinger as Director of Rugby Operations

CHICAGO, I.L.- The Hounds announced today that Alana Gattinger has been hired as the director of rugby operations for Chicago’s professional rugby franchise. She spent the last two seasons with the Los Angeles Giltinis as their Director of Business Operations and Director of Rugby Operations.

“We are pleased and proud to name Alana as our director of rugby operations,” said Hounds’ CEO and General Manager James English. “Throughout our search, Alana’s experience and vision impressed us. She continues to raise the bar for professional rugby operations in the country. We are excited for her to build a best-in-class rugby program in Chicago.”

Gattinger, 32, graduated from the University of Ottawa in 2012 with a Masters in Sports Management. Before moving to Los Angeles in 2021, she spent most of the previous decade with Rugby Canada. This included trips to the Rugby World Cup in both 2015 and 2019.

Her first job in rugby was as an intern with Rugby Canada. She then spent eight years working in the national team’s front office, first as the Coordinator of Events & Team Services. She worked her way up through various roles to become the Team Manager of the Canadian men’s national team.

Gattinger attended two Rugby World Cups with the team, 2015 and 2019, and was the first female team manager at a Men’s Rugby World Cup when she traveled to Japan in 2019. She led the daily training environment for the program in addition to traveling as the Team Manager for all senior men’s tours.

She joined the Gilitinis during the 2021 MLR season, their inaugural season in the competition. During her first year with the Giltinis, she was the franchise’s Director of Business Operations. She led all commercial activities, including the team’s marketing strategies and game day operations. In 2022, Gattinger transitioned to the Director of Rugby Operations role, a role she is now set to assume with the Hounds.

“My job is essentially to ensure that everything is organized off the field for the operation of the team so that the players and coaching staff can execute their jobs on the field,” Gattinger said. “I’m the go-to person for the players and staff if they need support.”

On Wednesday, Gattinger visited the Hounds’ facilities at Seatgeek Stadium, where she met in person with head coach Sam Harris as well as other members of the team’s front office.

“My interactions with James and Sam were great,” she said. “They instilled a lot of confidence in what we could do as a team this season. I’m looking forward to watching the team grow together, learn about each other, and support each other to be the best we can be.”

The Chicago Hounds kick off their inaugural season in Major League Rugby on February 18th at 1:00 PM CST when they take on Old Glory DC at Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia. Broadcast information will be available shortly. Fans can watch the Hounds play live at SeatGeek Stadium for the home opener against the Utah Warriors on Sunday, March 5th. Season ticket information will be available to Hounds fans in the coming days.

ABOUT CHICAGO HOUNDS:

The Chicago Hounds are a professional rugby team competing in Major League Rugby (MLR), North America’s professional rugby competition. The Hounds were named as an expansion franchise in 2022 and are set to play their Inaugural Season in 2023 at SeatGeek Stadium.