UNH Women's Rugby
Meet the Coaches and Captains
At UNH we pride ourselves in having experienced and well educated coaches and captains in order to help lead every member on the team to reach their full potential. Both coaches and captains work together to make all practices and events very inclusive, safe, and educational for everyone.
Head Coach: Ali Gennaro
Ali began playing rugby in 2008 during her Freshman year at Tulane University. In the spring of 2009, she transferred to the University of New Hampshire, where she played second row, a position she would play predominantly throughout her career. After graduating, Ali captained Seacoast Rugby Club, then a Division II senior women's side in Portsmouth, NH, during the 2012 fall 15s season. In 2013, Ali began grad school at the University of Exeter in Devon, England, where she walked onto the first team of the defending British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) 1st division national championship team. After graduating from Exeter, Ali moved to California where she played for the Berkeley All Blues. Beginning in 2017, while in law school in Boston, Ali played for Charles River Rugby Club for 2 years, before moving back to Portsmouth, where she helped refound Seacoast Rugby Club and served as captain for the 2019 inaugural season.
Ali began her coaching career in 2021. After receiving her World Rugby Level 1 Coaching certification, Ali coached Seacoast Rugby Club for two seasons as they rebuilt after rugby competition was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Ali accepted the head coaching position at the University of New Hampshire. She is World Rugby Referee Level 1 certified in July 2023 and has her World Rugby Level 2 Coaching certification. Ali was also asked to help coach the NACR All Stars 2025 team.
Assistant Coach: Ian Hanley
Ian began playing rugby for UNH Men's team, graduating in 2010. He played for Seacoast Rugby Club at the D2 and D3 levels until 2014, including winning the NERFU Division 3 Championship in 2013. In 2015, he played for Berkeley Rugby Football Club in Northern California's Division 2. Since 2016 he has played for Freedom Rugby, now Seacoast Men's Rugby Club, at the Division 3 and 4 levels. He predominantly played flyhalf, but has also played scrumhalf and full back. He served as Freedom Rugby's match secretary for two years, club president for 3 years, and has been chair of the board of directors since 2022.
Ian began coaching in spring 2022, and has been with the UNH Women's Rugby program since fall 2022. He is a World Rugby Level 1 certified coach, and has his World Rugby Referee Level 1 certification.
Assistant Coach: Dele Atoro
Dele started playing rugby as a Sophomore at Brown University. He played for Seacoast Rugby in the spring and summer of 2010 before moving to the Boston area for work, where he joined Mystic River Rugby Club as D1 reserve and D2 starter. After taking a break from rugby, Dele joined the Boston Maccabi Rugby Club in 2015 and 2016. Upon moving back to the Seacoast area in 2018, he rejoined the Seacoast Men's club and is still an active player.
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Dele started as an assistant coach for UNH in the fall of 2024. As of 2025, he has a World Rugby Level 1 Coach certification and USA Rugby Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Certification.
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Dele is also a competitive powerlifter and competed in the 2022 United States Powerlifting Association's National Championship meet, earning a silver medal in both the bench press and deadlift events for the men's 75kg weight class open division.
Assistant Coach: Laney Payne
Laney played for UNH rugby during their time in school. After graduating, they joined Seacoast Women's Rugby Club in 2019, where they still play and were captain for the 2024 - 2025 year.
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Laney began coaching at UNH in the spring of 2024. They have a World Rugby Level 1 Coach certification.
Team Captain:
Liv Chau
Liv is currently a senior at UNH studying Nursing and is the overall captain for the 2025-2026 team. Liv started playing freshman year and has played three seasons of 15s and 7s. Liv has played a number of positions, but most recently has played as fly-half. When she's not on the field, Liv also enjoys baking, hanging out with friends, being outdoors, and playing basketball. She can’t wait to meet everyone and have an awesome year!
Forwards Captain:
Melissa Gaudreau
Melissa is a junior at UNH majoring in Education with a minor in Spanish. She is the Forwards Captain for the 2025-2026 year. This is her third year of rugby and she mostly plays hooker. Melissa wants to be an elementary school teacher and loves working with kids. She also enjoys cooking and weightlifting outside of practice! She can't wait to have an awesome year and spend lots of time with the lovely UNH rugby community!
Backs Captain:
Toby Gudinas
Toby is a senior at UNH studying Art Education and Spanish, and is the Backs Captain for the 2025-2026 team. Toby started playing as a freshman, and has played for 3 years now. Toby's main position is fullback.