Our Mission

Exiles Rugby Football Club exists to strengthen our community through the game of rugby.

We believe a rugby club should be more than a collection of teams. It should be a place where people of all ages and backgrounds find friendship, purpose, opportunity, and a sense of belonging. A place where children build confidence, young people discover leadership, adults find lifelong friendships, and families become part of something greater than themselves.

Rugby is our game, but people are our purpose.

The values of rugby shape everything we do. Respect, integrity, discipline, courage, teamwork, and selflessness are not reserved for match day. They are values that build stronger individuals, stronger families, and stronger communities.

As a volunteer led, community based 501(c)(3) organization, we are committed to making rugby accessible, affordable, and welcoming to all. We believe the opportunity to experience this game should never be limited by background, experience, or financial circumstances. Every person who shares our values deserves the opportunity to belong.

Our commitment extends beyond the rugby field. We strive to serve our community, develop leaders, support one another, and leave a positive impact wherever we live, work, and play. Success is measured not only by the matches we win, but by the lives we influence, the friendships we build, the opportunities we create, and the example we set.

We aspire to build more than successful programs.

We aspire to build an institution.

A club that serves its community with pride. A club that develops players, coaches, referees, volunteers, and leaders. A club that future generations will inherit stronger than we found it. A club that people are proud to call their own.

Every member shares the responsibility of protecting our culture, serving our community, welcoming newcomers, respecting our opponents, and preserving the traditions that make rugby unlike any other sport.

Our measure of success will never be found solely in championships, but in the strength of our community, the character of our members, and the legacy we leave for those who follow.

200+ YEARS OF RUGBY EXPERIENCE IN ONE PLACE

Across our complete coaching staff, Exiles brings together more than 200 years of collective experience as rugby players, coaches and leaders of the game.

That experience stretches across generations, clubs, cities and countries. It is part of what we've brought together at Exiles and what we pass along to players experiencing the game for the first time.

Steve Mace — Club President & Founder

Steve began his rugby journey as a junior with London St. George's RFC in London, Canada, before progressing into senior rugby. His playing career later included Stratford Blackswans RFC, where he won an NRU championship, Windsor Rogues RFC, Cathays RFC in Cardiff, Wales, and Detroit RFC.

At Detroit, Steve also served as forwards coach of the Women's side that won the 2003 National Championship.

Marcus Hall — Men's Head Coach

Marcus began his playing career with SLO Rugby in San Luis Obispo, California. At Exiles, Marcus went from player to the longest-serving captain in club history before moving into the Head Coach role.

Eric Hellman — Men's Assistant Coach

Eric was a longtime player, member, and Head Coach of the storied Roses Rugby Football Club in Pennsylvania before bringing his experience to Exiles.

Erik Saxon — Men's Assistant Coach

Erik is a former President of Atlanta Youth Rugby and previously led both Alpharetta Phoenix Rugby and the Charlotte Barbarians before becoming part of the Exiles Men's coaching staff.

Bernie Magoon — U19 Academy Boys Head Coach

Bernie's rugby history stretches back decades to his beloved UC Berkeley. He has coached boys at virtually every level of youth rugby, from the very youngest players through high school.

His Georgia coaching journey includes the early days of Rebels Rugby and later Alpharetta Phoenix Rugby, where he served as Head Coach before coming to Exiles. Today, Bernie leads the Exiles U19 Academy Boys program.

Bernie's history in the game goes back far enough that we remain reasonably convinced he played alongside William Webb Ellis.

The connections don't end with our coaching staff.

Former Exiles Men's player and current club member Griffin Hoard serves as Head Coach of the Rebels Rugby U19 Boys side. Josh "Choppy" Porter, President of Rebels Rugby, is also an active Exiles Men's player.

That's rugby.

Different clubs compete on the field, but the people within them build friendships and connections that stretch across clubs, cities, states and countries. We believe a strong rugby community benefits everyone involved in the game.

Exiles is also part of the continuing story of rugby in Alpharetta and North Metro Atlanta.

Alpharetta Phoenix Rugby ceased operations in 2025, with its youth rugby program becoming part of Exiles Rugby Academy.

Phoenix remains part of the history of rugby in Alpharetta. Today, that youth rugby pathway continues through Exiles Rugby Academy, from our youngest Minis through high school-age rugby and ultimately into senior Men's and Women's club rugby.

Our international rugby story isn't limited to the coaching staff.

Exiles has welcomed players and members from all over the world. Some grew up playing rugby. Some discovered the game later in life. Others walked onto a rugby field for the first time after finding Exiles.

They've brought different rugby traditions, different experiences, different stories and more than a few different accents with them.

So many, in fact, that people new to the club have been known to play an unofficial game of "Guess the Accent."

It's become part of what makes Exiles, Exiles.

Different hometowns. Different countries. Different rugby journeys.

Some with decades in the game. Some just beginning theirs.

Unus ex nobis - One of us