Wisconsin is abstaining from the Las Vegas Invitational 7s this year, but that’s only because a selection of players have already jam-packed their schedules with all-star fixtures and elite assemblies. The state is, however, staying true to its desire to grow 7s during the spring, while also playing 15s, and a new set-up will aid both versions of the game.
RELATED: Midwest Hungry for More Rugby • Wisconsin All-State Team • Atlantis Names LVI SquadWisconsin contests one of the densest schedules in the country. The fall sees a full 15s league and state championship, and then the spring is full of 15s friendlies, regional championship and national invitational championship (registration deadline is March 1). To boot, the All-Midwest High School Thunderbirds are making a habit of a southern tour in February, and select players are also called up for the USA Rugby Academy resident camps the same month (the East camp ended on Sunday). And even with the LVI off of the lineup, the top players are aligning with all-star teams around the country.So the state league is launching a spring Sevens Series that includes eight teams competing at four stops. There won’t be a state championship, per se, but standings points will accumulate throughout the circuit and the team with the most points will be crowned state champion.“I think this is positive for several reasons,” explained Wisconsin U19 Sevens Director Rick Bellis. “First, teams like the Bruisers, Oak Creek and Pulaski with 25-30 kids on the roster will use these for player development and to get kids playing time. Second, new teams will use these to build up their numbers for the fall season.”In addition to the aforementioned teams, Vernon, Knightmares, Fond du Lac, Appleton and new Madison-based program Madtown Furies will compete in the sevens series. Fond du Lac, which is coached by recently elected Wisconsin U19 president Amanda Pohle, is also heading to Paris for a 7s tournament and two matches. There are also discussions about a Wisconsin team entering the North American International 7s in Salt Lake City this August.Looking ahead to the 2017 fall 15s season, new teams are also slated to join the league.”As a league we are excited about the new Sevens Series because it is a chance for our new teams to gain experience and hopefully grow in numbers,” Wisconsin Girls U19 president Amanda Pohle asserted. “The Madtown Furies, for example, are playing sevens this spring and plan to join the league completely in the fall with a full 15s side. We are also excited to welcome a Stevens Point team to the north, a Sussex Hamilton team in the south, and possibly two more teams to the league in the fall. It has been a great time of growth for our league.”The Wisconsin league will convene in the summer to discuss the potential of multiple divisions – versus East and West pools – in the 15s league.An overview of the larger Midwest spring schedule:March 11: Brookfield Bruisers @ Nash BashMarch 14-23: Fond du Lac @ France TourMarch 28: Knightmares v Vernon (f)April 1: Knightmares v DSHA (f)April 1: Vernon v DSHA (f)April 1: Catholic Memorial v Appleton/Fond du Lac (f)April 1: Sevens Series 1A @ Oak Creek)April 8: Sevens Series 1B @ VernonApril 8: Border Battle @ Wisconsin Dells, Wisc.April 9: Catholic Memorial and DSHA vs. Illinois teams @ ChicagoApril 13: DSHA v Oak Creek (f)April 22: Sevens Series 2 @ AppletonApril 29: HS Midwest Championship @ Elkhart, Ind.May 6: Foley 7s @ Catholic MemorialMay 13: Sevens Series 3 @ PulaskiMay 20: HS Nationals @ Elkhart, Ind.May 27: Sevens Series 4 @ Fond du Lac
(f) = Friendly