Celtic Barbarians’ Facebook Group
Last year, the Paris World Games evolved from a soccer-only event to a multi-sport tournament, and rugby 7s was added. Atlantis represented the U.S. in the girls’ U18 tournament and finished second overall (read more), and in 2018, the Celtic Barbarians are bringing a mix of Americans, Canadians and one player from England to France.
Cam Wilton is the technical director for the Celtic Barbarians, a North American-based program that offers touring opportunities to players and coaches. Beginning with that first tour to California in 2008, the Barbarians have toured more than 30 times, involving over 300 players and coaches.
Wilton, who will serve as head coach in Paris, worked with director Michael Cressler (Salt Lake City, Utah) in assembling the girls’ U18 team. Delaney Aikens (Regina Rogues, SK) and Maggie Banks (Burnaby Lake, BC) were initially named to the travel squad but were then called away to a national team camp in preparation for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (Canada is the Rugby Americas North representative for the girls). Wilton then turned to contacts in the U.S. and added more Americans to the roster.
Six high school-age players from the U.S. will be in Barbos kit, including Utah’s Malia Isaacs, Lucy Jacobsen and Aniya Matina, who stood out at the Great Northwest Challenge (read more); Sammy Stern, who splits the season between Rancho Bernardo and Fallbrook; Holly Forkey, who helped the Moon Area Tigers to its first showing at the National Invitational Tournament; and Alie Ramage, who helped the 2017 Atlantis team to a runner-up finish in Paris.
The tournament is an eight-team affair, and pools have not yet been released. Along with the Celtic Barbarians, two teams from France join squads from Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Tribe (Australia/New Zealand) and the United Arab Emirates.
The touring party departs on Tuesday, and then puts in two solid training days before getting some sightseeing in. On Friday, the group will visit Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, take a boat tour down the Seine, among other activities. Games occur on the weekend, and the opening ceremonies occur after the rugby tournament on Sunday. Museums like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are the focus Monday, as is the farewell dinner. Players return on Tuesday.
Visit www.parisworldgames.com for more info.
CELTIC BARBARIANS – PARIS WORLD GAMES
Player – Hometown, Club, Rep Team
* U.S. player* Holly Forkey – Moon Township, PA / West Pitt / Moon Area
Jessica Kershaw – Oswestry, ENG / Oswestry / N Midlands/Worcester
* Malia Isaacs – Salt Lake City, UT / Kau Toa/Lowland / Utah Lions
* Lucy Jacobsen – Boise, ID / Capital / Utah Lions
* Aniya Matina – Salt Lake City, UT / Provo / Utah Lions
Danielle Pahl – Markham, ON / Aurora / Upright
Rebecca Powell – Sherwood Park, AB / Strathcona / Edmonton Gold
* Alie Ramage – Ledgewood, NJ / Morris / Atlantis/GHSAA
Hannah Scherr – Prince Rupert, BC / Charles Hayes / BC Bears
Alayna Scramstad (c) – Lashburn, SK / Lashburn / Rugby Canada
* Sammy Stern – San Diego, CA / Rancho Bernardo / Fallbrook
(injured: Abigail Kershaw – Oswestry, ENG)
Cam Wilton (Edmonton, AB) – head coach
Michael Cressler (Salt Lake City, UT) – director
Stephen Dodds (Drayton Valley, AB) – coach/manager
CelticBarbarians #ParisWorldGames