Led by Women’s Eagles Captain and 2018 USA Rugby High School Coach of the Year Kate Zackary, the Girls High School All-American sevens (GHSAA 7s) will face Rugby Canada Development Academy (RCDA), Canada Sevens Academy Ontario (CSA ONT) and the British Columbia Selects (BCS) over three days of competition.
Day One (May 10) will include round-robin play with all teams playing each other once at Jaun De Fuca Recreation Park in Victoria. The final two days will take place at Westhills Stadium during breaks in the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens tournament. On Day Two, each team will play one game in a semifinal round before a Bronze Final and Cup Final take place on Day Three.
The named roster includes players from the West Coast United States including Women’s Sevens Resident-Athlete Eti Haungatau. Still only 18 years of age but quickly making a name for herself, Haungatau recently competed with the senior U.S. Women’s National Team in a historic friendly against the Barbarians F.C. in Glendale, CO.
Girls High School All-American Head Coach Kate Zackary said: “As a staff, we are focused on providing these individuals with more challenging competitions, supporting their continuing growth as players. This team will have an exciting opportunity to play against a couple tough Canadian sides in the stadium during the Women’s Sevens Series. These young ladies are the future, and I’m beyond grateful to be able to share my experience with them and contribute to their own journeys.”
General Manager for Women’s High Performance Emilie Bydwell said: “Events like this Next Gen 7s is a huge step forward for our pathway. We are able to evaluate our Girls High School All-American 7s pool players against international competition, assessing which players should be included in the Hawk Eye program next year; and allow them to develop and express themselves in a competitive environment. Players like Eti Haungatau are able to return to their age group and take a leadership role as we provide valuable deployment opportunities to our emerging high performance coaches.”
NextGen Sevens is one of two summer assemblies for the Girls High School All-American sevens with another set to take place the following weekend, also in Canada, featuring players from the East Coast United States. Details for that event will be announced separately.
Though a broadcast partner has not been confirmed, score updates will be communicated across USA Rugby’s Twitter account at twitter.com/usarugby and on usarugby.org/ghsaa.
GIRLS HS ALL-AMERICAN 7s ROSTER
Kristen Bitter – Center, Flyhalf / Torrey Pines (CA)
Abby Fearey – Prop, Hooker / San Marcos (CA)
Nafi Fitisemanu – Prop / United (UT)
Tessa Hann – Hooker, Prop / Westside Swarm (CO)
Eti Hauntagau – Center, Prop / USA 7s resident
Nicole Kimball – Scrumhalf, Wing / Summit (CO)
Olivia Popp – Scrumhalf / Land Park (CA)
Ava Procter – Center, Wing / Rugby Oregon (OR)
Abbey Savin – Flyhalf / Fallbrook (CA)
Punipuao Skipps – Center, Scrumhalf / South Bay (CA)
Princess Tafiti – Prop / United (UT)
PK Vincze – Flyhalf / Summit (CO)
GIRLS HS ALL-AMERICAN 7s STAFF
Director of GHSAA | Martha Daines
Head Coach | Kate Zackary
Assistant Coach | Megan Pinson
Athletic Trainer | Danielle Allen
Pathway & Team Manager | Anna Kunkel
NEXTGEN SEVENS SCHEDULE
Friday May 10 – Round Robin Play
Jaun De Fuca Rec Park
1:25 p.m. ET Rugby Canada Development Academy
3:45 p.m. ET Canada 7s Academy Ontario
6:40 p.m. ET British Columbia Selects
Saturday, May 11 – Semifinals
Westhills Stadium
3:42 p.m. ET #2 vs. #3
6:21 p.m. ET #1 vs. #4
Sunday, May 12 – Finals
Westhills Stadium
2:32 p.m. ET Bronze Final
2:54 p.m. ET Final
Score updates will be provided on twitter.com/usarugby and usarugby.org/ghsaa.