Despite bankruptcy, the team are in good shape
Ben Jaycock talks to Mike Friday about his ten years with USA Sevens – and watching son Lucas
MIKE Friday recently called time on his 10-year tenure with USA Sevens during which time he endured the complications of bankruptcy and near misses but against the odds the former Wasps scrum-half built a programme that was the envy of traditional rugby nations.
The former England 7s international transitioned into coaching the seven-a-side game, leading England (200406) and Kenya (2012-13) before going Stateside in 2014.
Paris 2024 marked the third Olympic games under Friday with USA losing to Australia in the quarter-finals. Friday’s highlight from his time in charge is finishing second in the World Series back in 2018/19 and he credits his trailblazers for how far USA grew pre-pandemic but there’s a feeling of frustration since for their Bromley-born former leader, especially after USA Rugby entered bankruptcy during Covid in 2020.
“Everything has been hard work off the pitch which has taken its toll”
Friday told The Rugby Paper: “I made the decision seven, eight months ago because of a mixture of things. In the last six years since (Alex) Magleby left in 2018, I haven’t just been head coach, I’ve been doing everything. I had to deal with the agents in World Rugby, was working with the philanthropy, driving the strategy and implementation of not just the men’s programme but the women’s programme as well. There was a vacuum between myself and senior management, a CEO and COO that I never saw or interacted with, and there was nothing in between. They took us into bankruptcy and didn’t bring us out of it. Everything has been hard work off the pitch in terms of keeping the programme alive financially. That’s taken its toll and when they placed the RAN (Rugby Americas North competition and Olympic qualifier in August 2023) it was the final straw because they hadn’t thought about looking after the players in that time. With my kids Harrison and Lucas growing up, the last three or four years I’ve been in the USA for the vast majority of my time and have missed out, so being close to home is an important factor.
“When I arrived in 2014 we had less than a 10 per cent chance of qualifying for the Olympics as the programme was all but finished. They now have a programme which others are envious of. If you don’t win games people say you’re underperforming but that first generation of ‘Dawgs’ that finished in 2021 allowed us to be put on the map. It’s been hard for the second group because of Covid and bankruptcy but coming out of Paris 2024, they are in a good shape for the next four years.”
However, despite the growth of USA 7s under Friday, there are still regrets that will linger.
“Tokyo 2021 was an opportunity we missed and a sliding door moment as we were good enough to medal but blew a 19-0 lead against Team GB,” said Friday. “We didn’t stick to the plan then Steve Tomasin got a silly sin bin when we didn’t need to. We were on the wrong end of an unbelievable try by England in the quarter-finals when Tom Mitchell did a cross kick two minutes into golden point which broke our hearts on home soil in San Francisco.” Friday is unsure what’s next, taking time out away from the sport but will assess his options when the time is right with the hope to remain in the game. However, he is also busy following his son Lucas’ remarkable rise.
The Harlequins nine turned 18 just a few days before playing a key role in England U20s‘ World Championship triumph earlier this summer despite having played little rugby due to a stress response of his ischium bone.
Friday said: “He was one of the youngest players in the tournament and was out for most of the year due to being injured on England U18s’ tour to South Africa. Such a frustrating injury as he felt fine but wasn’t allowed to play any rugby for eight months. He missed the whole of his school rugby, so it was mentally tough for him to stay in it. To come out how he did the other end was lovely to see.
“Being at Harlequins suits his style of play. It’s a full circle for me, I had Danny Care as a 17-year-old so for Danny to be there towards the end of his career is great. They know each other well and Danny can help and nurture Lucas. Quins want to play fast, they need a nine that has got a varied kicking game but can deliver the ball with a good speed of pass and attack fringes around the breakdown quickly.”
