The Northeast Academy is tournament host. / Photo: Jackie Finlan
The Northeast Academy is hosting the Lupus Intus Elite Women’s 7s Tournament on Sept. 2-3 at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H. The goal is to bring National Development Academies (NDAs) and proven select sides into a competition where players can showcase their skills to national team selectors. It is another opportunity for USA Women’s 7s coach Richie Walker to consider new residency contracts ahead of the 7s season as well.
“We are at the front-end of an exciting year for Sevens, culminating in the Rugby World Cup 7s in San Francisco in July,” explained Alex Magleby, USA Rugby General Manager of National Teams & Performance. “This is an important opportunity for athletes to perform in competition against other emerging-elite athletes in front of national team selectors at that start of that journey. We have seen the benefits of this on the men’s side with Rugbytown 7s and others over the last few years.”
This tournament has some related predecessors – Atavus 7s in 2016, Elite City 7s in 2015 – that have been looking to fill a void left by the all-star 7s national championship, which used to occur two weeks after club 7s nationals.
“Having worked hard all summer, what better time for the players to showcase their skill in what we believe will be a fitting conclusion to a strong club 7s season and hopefully a staple event for the future,” Northeast Academy Executive Director John McGeachy added. “We want to thank our local clubs in the northeast for their continued support in allowing their players to compete with us, especially as they begin their 15s season.”
The NDAs saw each in Las Vegas. / Photo: Jackie Finlan
Labor Day Weekend does conflict with some club and collegiate league openers, and thus player availability has narrowed.
“It is a crowded calendar at present, particularly with the excitement of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, so [we] are thankful to players and coaches for squeezing this NDA tournament in before the [Women’s Premier League] and other competitions are too deep into the season,” Magleby noted.
At present NDAs Atavus, Northeast and Tiger Cubs (a combination of American Rugby Pro Training Center, Chicago Lions and Life West) will be joined by select sides Combined Services and Stars. Scion Rugby Academy’s attendance is still pending.
More information to come as the event draws nearer, including rosters and previews.