UF grad Kris Hall is one to watch. /// Photo courtesy Tampa Bay Krewe •
Of the 16 teams heading to the women’s club 7s national championship on Aug. 13-14, Phoenix is arguably the least experienced. But the young team snatched up the opportunity to make its nationals’ debut and hopes the trip to Commerce City, Colo., is the start of good things to come.
Based in southern Florida, Phoenix is in its second summer 7s season. The bulk of the roster is rooted in college students – Florida, Florida State, Florida Atlantic – and only one player has more than two seasons of 7s to her credit. The team finished second to Orlando throughout the Florida 7s series, and then finished third at the South championship. When South runner-up Charlotte withdrew from nationals, Phoenix snatched up the opportunity to head to Colorado.
“We’ve shown a lot of promise but never had the same side in any tournament, and that’s held us back,” said Phoenix coach Eyal Hakim, who also coaches FAU during the regular season. “At the southern championship, we laid a big egg. We didn’t play to our potential, but we had other things working against us – we got into Charlotte at 4 a.m. and had nine players.”
Phoenix now has the opportunity to end its season on a different note, as it prepares for nationals. The team will get in a training session this weekend and then head to Colorado a few days early to acclimate to the altitude. On the pitch, watch for captain Vicky Becerra to set the tone. She’s played with Ft. Miami and will apply her speed and vision from the halfback positions. University of Florida recent graduate Kristen Hall is one to watch. She’s played with the Florida HP team and the 15s flanker will play prop and/or center. Hall has a good step and can break the line, as can Eckerd College’s Colleen Owen. She’s a back-three in 15s and will inject good speed.
“We have a lot of players you wouldn’t even think would fit the mold,” Hakim added. “One to watch is Florida State’s Rachel Forrest. She’s a center in 7s, has a good burst, a good step, and gets herself free. We just have to have the support.”
Phoenix comes in as the 16th seed overall and has a tough pool alongside National Development Academies ARPTC and Old Blue, and the Midwest’s Youngbloodz. The goal at nationals is to compete, and maybe surprise a few teams. The overarching goal, however, focuses on the longer term.
“I want to continue building the program we have,” said Hakim, who hopes the experience at nationals stimulates the summer 7s scene. “In Florida, you’re either playing on a competitive team or not at all, and I’m trying to fill that gap. I want to build it up to where we can have practices and players are driving for the top level, instead of competing in the open bracket. It’s happening slowly but surely, and in a positive manner. I give every girl time to play and a chance to show her ability, and we always do video and critique.”
Despite the challenges ahead, Hakim indicated that the players are really excited about the chance to compete at the national championship in less than two weeks.
“That’s what I like about the name, ‘Phoenix’: We crashed, died and burned at Souths, and now we’re getting our second chance,” Hakim said. “Hopefully we can show that we’ve improved.”
