Mark Offerdahl

{{short description|United States international rugby league footballer and coach}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Mark Offerdahl

|fullname = Mark Joseph Emild Offerdahl[https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/DX8lX_aXWXo0SbCtVrI6XzuDlIQ/appointments Companies House]

|image = Mark Offerdahl London Broncos.jpg

|image_size =

|position = {{rlp|PR|SR|LK}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|10|15|df=y}}

|birth_place = Goondiwindi, Queensland, Australia

|death_date=

|death_place=

|height = {{convert|182|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}

|weight = {{convert|105|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}

|club1 = AS Carcassonne

|year1start = 2011

|year1end = 13

|appearances1 = 22

|tries1 = 11

|goals1 = 0

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 44

|club2 = {{nowrap|North Wales Crusaders}}

|year2start = 2014

|year2end =

|appearances2 = 14

|tries2 = 5

|goals2 = 0

|fieldgoals2 = 0

|points2 = 20

|club3 = Connecticut Wildcats

|year3start = 2015

|appearances3 =

|tries3 =

|goals3 =

|fieldgoals3 =

|points3 =

|club4 = London Broncos

|year4start = 2016

|year4end = 17

|appearances4 = 39

|tries4 = 5

|goals4 = 0

|fieldgoals4 = 0

|points4 = 20

|club5 = → Oxford

|year5start = 2016(loan)

|year5end =

|appearances5 = 1

|tries5 = 0

|goals5 = 0

|fieldgoals5 = 0

|points5 = 0

|club6 = Sheffield Eagles

|year6start = 2018

|year6end =

|appearances6 = 29

|tries6 = 2

|goals6 = 0

|fieldgoals6 = 0

|points6 = 8

|club7 = New York Freedom

|year7start = 2021

|year7end = present

|appearances7 = 0

|tries7 = 0

|goals7 = 0

|fieldgoals7 = 0

|points7 = 0

|teamA = United States

|yearAstart = 2011

|yearAend = 17

|appearancesA = 28

|triesA = 4

|goalsA = 0

|fieldgoalsA = 0

|pointsA = 16

|teamB = United States 9s

|yearBstart = 2019

|yearBend = present

|appearancesB = 3

|triesB = 0

|goalsB = 0

|fieldgoalsB = 0

|pointsB = 0

| coachteam1 = New York Freedom

| coachyear1start = 2021

| coachyear1end = present

| coachgames1 = 0

| coachwins1 = 0

| coachdraws1 = 0

| coachlosses1 = 0

|updated = 13 May 2021

|source = {{cite web|title=Mark Offerdahl|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Mark-Offerdahl/summary.html|publisher=Rugby League Project}}{{cite web|title=Mark Offerdahl|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Mark-Offerdahl/|publisher=Love Rugby League}}

|new = yes

}}

Mark Offerdahl (born 15 October 1987) is a United States international rugby league footballer who plays for and coaches his hometown club the Goondiwindi Boars in Australia. Primarily playing as a {{rlp|pr}}, he can also play as a {{rlp|sr}} or {{rlp|lk}}. He was a member of the USA squad for both the 2013 and 2017 World Cups. He has previously played for AS Carcassonne, in France, North Wales Crusaders, in Wales, and London Broncos, Oxford and Sheffield Eagles, in England.

Offerdahl is known as 'Captain America' because of his position as captain of the USA International team.

Background

Offerdahl was born in Goondiwindi, Queensland, Australia, and is of American descent through his father, a native of Madison, Wisconsin who served in the United States Army.{{cite web|last=Willacy|first=Gavin|date=2 December 2015|title=USA's rugby league players crowdfund to pay for flights to World Cup qualifiers|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-helmets-required/2015/dec/01/usa-rugby-league-players-world-cup-qualifier-fans-campaign|publisher=The Guardian}}

Playing career

File:Mark Offerdahl.jpg

=Early career=

Offerdahl played his junior rugby league for Goondiwindi in the Toowoomba Rugby League. He played for the Manly Sea Eagles at a junior level, and also spent time with the Easts Tigers in the Queensland Cup, AS Carcassonne in the French Elite One Championship,{{cite web|date=8 March 2013|title=Offerdahl striving for success|url=http://www.frenchfooty.com.au/offerdahl-striving-for-success/|publisher=frenchfooty.com.au|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021030743/http://www.frenchfooty.com.au/offerdahl-striving-for-success/|archivedate=21 October 2013}} and the Connecticut Wildcats in the AMNRL.

=Club career=

Following the 2013 World Cup, Offerdahl signed with the recently promoted Championship side North Wales Crusaders.{{cite web|date=22 November 2013|title=North Wales Crusaders sign USA prop Mark Offerdahl|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/rugby-league/north-wales-crusaders-sign-usa-6331566|publisher=Wales Online|accessdate=18 August 2017}} He left the club mid-season to join the Illawarra Cutters in the New South Wales Cup.{{cite web|last=Jennings|first=Mitch|date=26 June 2014|title=US rep Mark Offerdahl sets sight on NRL|url=http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2379633/us-rep-mark-offerdahl-sets-sight-on-nrl/|publisher=Illawarra Mercury|accessdate=18 August 2017}}

On 11 August 2014, Offerdahl signed with the Bradford Bulls in the Championship for the 2015 season,{{cite web|date=11 August 2014|title=Mark Offerdahl: Bradford Bulls sign USA prop for 2015|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/28732191|publisher=BBC|accessdate=18 August 2017}} but did not join the club due to recurring injuries.{{cite web|date=7 October 2014|title=Bradford Bulls call off Mark Offerdahl signing|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/29529011|publisher=BBC}}{{cite web|last=Richardson|first=Blake|date=8 October 2014|title=Mark Offerdahl released from Bradford Bulls contract|url=http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/11519808.Mark_Offerdahl_released_from_Bradford_Bulls_contract/|publisher=Telegraph & Argus|accessdate=18 August 2017}}

Offerdahl signed a two-year contract with London Broncos in the Championship on 23 July 2015.{{cite web|date=23 July 2015|title=London Broncos clinch deal for United States prop Mark Offerdahl|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/9921849/london-broncos-clinch-deal-for-united-states-prop-mark-offerdahl|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=18 August 2017}} The front-rower made nearly 40 appearances for the Broncos and scored 5 tries in his two years with the club. During his time in London, Offerdahl was sent on loan to Oxford, Here, he played in just one game; a 32-12 win against Hemel Stags.

On finishing his two-year contract with Broncos, Offerdahl signed a one-year deal with fellow Championship outfit the Sheffield Eagles. He became their eighth permanent signing and first of 2018, ahead of the upcoming season.

Having played nearly 30 games that season, Offerdahl returned home to play for and coach the Goondiwindi Boars in the TRL.{{cite news|url=https://www.goondiwindiargus.com.au/story/5797503/boars-sign-new-coach/|title=Boars sign new coach|publisher=Goondiwindi Argus|date= 6 December 2018|accessdate=7 January 2019}}

=International career=

In October 2011, Offerdahl was selected to represent the United States in their 2013 World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Jamaica, scoring a try against Jamaica.

In 2013, Offerdahl was named in the US squad for the 2013 World Cup.{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20131012134937/http://www.rlwc2013.com/rugby-league-world-news/article/1148/-man-squads-for-all-rlwc 24-man squads for all RLWC2013 nations announced]}} rlwc2013.com, 9 October 2013{{cite web|title=Paulo to Captain USA Tomahawks|url=http://www.nrl.com/paulo-to-captain-usa-tomahawks/tabid/10874/newsid/75099/default.aspx|publisher=NRL.com}} He played in their three group matches against the Cook Islands, Wales and Scotland, along with their semi-final against Australia. He scored a try against the Cook Islands.

In December 2015, Offerdahl captained the United States in their 2017 World Cup qualifying matches against Jamaica and Canada, scoring a try against Jamaica.

On 24 September 2017, Offerdahl was named in the United States' squad for the 2017 World Cup.{{cite web|date=24 September 2017|title=Team USA|url=http://www.rlwc2017.com/news/team-usa|publisher=RLWC2017.com|accessdate=26 October 2017}} He was named captain of the side and played in all of their games (against Fiji, Italy and PNG). Mark continues to be an advocate for growing the game in the States.

Coaching career

As well as being co-owner, Mark took over head coach/player responsibilities for New York Freedom for their inaugural 2021 season in the new North American Rugby League{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League|date=13 May 2021|accessdate=13 May 2021|title=Mark Offerdahl to play for New York Freedom in 2021|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/mark-offerdahl-to-play-for-new-york-freedom-in-2021/}}

Off the field

Offerdahl now lives in Austin, Texas, USA and owns CrossFit Uncommon.

References

{{succession box

| before = Club founded

| after = Incumbent

| title = Coach
{{leagueicon|great britain|size=18}}
New York Freedom

| years = 2021-present

}}

External links

[http://www.sheffieldeagles.com/player_info?524790-Mark-Offerdahl Sheffield Eagles profile]
[http://www.londonbroncosrl.com/players/mark-offerdahl/ London Broncos profile]
{{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20131031085706/http://www.rlwc2013.com/player/mark-offerdahl/455 2013 RLWC profile]}}
[http://www.thetigers.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=171&Itemid=27 Easts Tigers profile]
[http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=386#Mark-Offerdahl 2017 RLWC profile]

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:AS Carcassonne players

Category:Australian expatriate rugby league players in England

Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Wales

Category:Australian people of American descent

Category:Australian rugby league players

Category:Connecticut Wildcats rugby league players

Category:Brisbane Tigers players

Category:London Broncos players

Category:New York Freedom Rugby League coaches

Category:New York Freedom Rugby League players