South Structures All-Stars: Jan Tryouts

USA Rugby South (USARS) is hosting tryouts for collegiate through senior club athletes interested in representing the region in 7s, 10s and 15s competitions. The efforts are being led by Christopher Martin, current coach of Lee University, who is serving the dual role as USA Rugby South Women’s Director and head coach.

RELATED: South Reaches Out for 2017 RAN 10s Team • Panthers Win 2017 RAN 10s • USA Rugby South Facebook

Akin to many regions around the country, all-star programs suffered once their national championships were eliminated. But in the years that followed, regions realized that these elite playing opportunities were still in demand. The previous two seasons, USARS sent women’s teams to the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 10s, an international event that pits the U.S. against national teams from Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica and more. Now there is some momentum to reintroduce a high performance program.

“There is definitely interest, even if it is mild in quantity right now,” Martin explained. “Those who have represented the USA [at RAN 10s] can tell you that no one really understands how special it is to play for USARS until they are on the pitch, hand over heart, anthem blaring. I think as the word gets out, and more women experience that, there will be a bigger drive for these opportunities.”

Now that Martin is the dedicated coach and the South has committed to its third-straight appearance at RAN 10s, some planning can occur. Four tryouts will take place in the New Year: Jan. 6 (Chattanooga, Tenn.), Jan. 7 (Charlotte, N.C.), Jan. 13 (New Orleans) and Jan. 28 (Orlando). All athletes 18 years and older are invited, and the staff will evaluate attendees’ skill, fitness and game readiness in scrimmages. The staff will be evaluating players for 7s, 10s and 15s competitions.

“Consolidation of tryouts is more a matter of function than convenience,” Martin detailed the one-program approach. “Six of our 15 players selected for RAN 10s last year were college athletes. I’m sure there will be a few collegiate women that have the skill and athleticism to put their hand up for senior-level selection.”

In 2016, the year the South won the RAN 10s, all but one player was in college.

The talent pool will be identified after the January tryouts, and Martin hopes to bring two sides to the Savannah St. Patrick’s Day tournament in March. Spring fixtures – 7s and 15s – will serve as performance opportunities, development opportunities and a tryout for the RAN 10s, the international pinnacle event. Final selections for RAN 10s will emerge out of a 25-player Elite Training Squad, which will train and compete against another all-star program this summer.

“There will most likely be two U23 events, a 15s and a 7s,” Martin added. “These aren’t meant to be a separate program of its own, but a branch of USA South that is devoted to two things: One, giving an opportunity to collegiate players who may be good enough for elite senior rugby, but not have the confidence to realize that; and, two, to develop a pathway so that collegiate athletes will one day be aiming for selection on the senior sides.”

In fall 2018, the program will reconvene and hold another tryout/open camp to select a squad for the Texas all-star tournament in November, and then hopefully send a team to the New York 7s.

“Long term, we want to build from an ‘all-star/select side program’ to a true premier option for the women of the South, with larger tournaments like Can-Am for 15s, and Vegas/Barbados for 7s. But that’s in a three-year plan,” Martin continued. “We want to develop both coaches and players, and seek to bring the best possible side together for RAN 10s, and yet still provide dozens of opportunities for the driven, talented, and committed women of the South.”

For more information, visit the USA Rugby South Facebook page or e-mail usasouthwomen@gmail.com. Those interested in attending the January tryouts need to fill out this form as well.

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