By Peter Brecht | 2/4/2025
Academy Update
Welcoming three athletes to Academy Group 2
Abe Turpen
Abe Turpen is in his second year with NOLA Gold, having joined the team in May after graduating from the University of Arizona. One of his proudest moments was competing in the Collegiate Rugby Shield, which led to his recruitment and eventual draft into the MLR.
This past year, he has taken on a new position and has seen consistent growth on the field. His main goals are to stay healthy, continue playing the game he loves, and eventually transition into coaching. Outside of rugby, Abe enjoys golf, cooking, and traveling.
Bart Vermeulen
Bart plays for NOLA Gold Rugby, based in New Orleans. Originally from the Netherlands, he grew up in Belgium and went to college in Ireland. While there, he met his wife, Meaghan, who is from the DC area.
This is my third year in the US and in the MLR, and I love it here. My ambitions are to continue my Rugby career and play international rugby for the US. Besides rugby I would like to keep developing a professional career in insurance, finance, or financial products and services.
Jake Turnbull
Jake is a Loosehead Prop who currently captains Anthem Rugby Carolina in the MLR and is a USA Eagle. He holds a degree in sports business from ACPE in Sydney, and has a goal to play as many caps for the Eagles as possible and win an MLR Shield with Anthem. You'll likely find him cooking something up in the kitchen when he's not training or working with his team.
His career highlights to date:
- 2016 Pro Rugby North America Champion with the Denver Stampede
- 2020 Shute Shield team of the season with Randwick
- 2022 USA Falcons captain of the tour of Uruguay
- 2023 Eagle #562
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