CHICAGO — John Coumbe-Lilley said the best part of his role as "Sport Psychology Consultant/Skills Coach" for the USA Women's Rugby team is being able to work at the edge of his professional skill set.
The assistant clinical professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago is spending his summer with the Eagles, who begin play Friday in the 12-team Women's Rugby World Cup in France.
"Being part of the UIC community is super and if my little bit here with Team USA brings credit to my institution, my colleagues and our students I am delighted to add a bit of value," Coumbe-Lilley, who has been blogging about his experiences overseas, said in an email from France.
Justin Breen says the UIC professor knows a few things about rugby as well ... not just what's in a player's head:
Coumbe-Lilley's job is multi-faceted. As a sport psychologist, he's focused his time improving the mindset of injured players and what he called "mood monitoring" of the team.
Before games, he becomes a coach, leading warmups, passing messages between other coaches and the on-field captain and "keeping the bench mood positive."
"My work means I focus on needs more than specific individuals," Coumbe-Lilley said. "I have good relationships with all players and staff. It's because I stay balanced in this respect that players and coaches value my contributions."
Coumbe-Lilley, of Oak Park, played and coached rugby in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. He's been with the Women's U.S. Rugby program since May 2011 after being invited by head coach Peter Steinberg, who Coumbe-Lilley said was impressed with his work in similar roles with Rugby Canada and USA Curling in the Vancouver Olympics.
Coumbe-Lilley said the U.S.'s goal is to reach the World Cup semifinals. The Americans are unseeded, with New Zealand, France, England and Canada serving as the favorites.
Coumbe-Lilley said that although women's rugby is slower than the men's version, it "exemplifies the best of the game."
"Women's rugby at the national team level is to be around players who recognize that technical precision, physical commitment and tactical understanding are necessary qualities to be done at top speed," Coumbe-Lilley said. "Women play with very high skill levels and are often far more satisfying to work with because of their attitude, effort and attention to detail."
The Americans have two players — Jennifer Lui and Kate Daley — who compete for the North Shore Chicago Women's Rugby Club.
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