Marty Clipner

**Marty Walström Clipner** (born 12 June 1997) is an Espaerian professional rugby union player, currently captain of Espaerian Premiership side Flumdos Knights and a player for the Great Auks (Espaerian national team)

## Early Life

Marty Walström Clipner was born on 12 June 1997, in Flumdos, St James, Espaeria. He began playing rugby union in his home village for the Broekhoven Oaks. In 2012, at age 15, he began training with the Flumdos Knights junior squad, and in 2013 was selected for the Flumdos Knights u/18.

He has one younger sister, Elise Clipner.

## Club Career

Clipner holds the record of youngest player to appear in Espaerian professional rugby union, when he played for the Flumdos Knights 32 days after his 17th birthday, in a 23:10 victory against Darkkeep Counts on 14th July 2014.

At the beginning of the 2014-2015 season, Clipner signed a two year contract with the Baxley Otters. In the 2014-2015 season the Otters finished 11th, and in the 2015-2016 season finished 8th, however due to disagreements between Clipner and the then head coach Clive Magnusson about training, he did not play in any of the Otter’s final three games. Clipner’s contract was not extended.

The following season, Clipner returned to his home team, the Knights, and signed a 12 month contract. The Knights finished 3rd in the table, losing in the playoffs against the Sharks, who went on to win the season. Clipner started at number 9 in 22 of the Knights’ 26 table games, and was awarded Espaerian Man of the Match in two games.

Clipner signed a new 5 year contract with the Knights at the beginning of the 2017-2018 season, resulting in some of the Knights’ strongest results, champions of the 2020-2021 season, and 2nd in both the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 seasons. Clipner has captained the Knights since late 2020. It is expected that Clipner will renew his contact at the beginning of the 2022-2023 season.

## State Career

Clipner was almost instantly spotted as a future talent by the St James Rugby Union. His inventive style was seen to be better than most experienced scrum-halves. He also identified the need to be able to play multiple positions comfortably, and so he trained to become a successful inside centre and an even better fullback. This diversity meant that he was picked for the 2018 Espaeria Cup. Although St James came fourth, Clipner gained useful experience and was selected to play for the Great Auks.

He would become even more successful in his St James and Great Auks pairing with Sir Luke James. The two, despite playing for opposing club sides, developed a strong friendship and have learnt each other's rugby habits. This has allowed St James to develop as its starting scrum-half and fly-half can easily work together and adapt depending on the situation. Clipner is key to Jamesian rugby strategy. He has been selected for the St James 2022 Espaeria Cup Squad and has secured his place in the starting line up.

## Great Auks Career

After being selected for the squad in 2018, he managed to gain a starting position in the Great Auks vs St Mary's match right after the Espaeria Cup. He would be key to the 40:21 defeat his side inflicted and would repeat the same again a year later when the Great Auks beat St Mary's 36:15. He pairs with Sir James and brings in a mix of different strategies to his style of play, including an average ruck speed of 2.6 seconds.