Thanks to parents live-streaming and taking photos, like this one from Dave Ramage, the GHSAA East teams got some exposure. •
Now that Scion has been named club 7s national champion, the 2015-16 season is complete. The previous year has taught the women’s sphere some lessons, and here’s hoping they’re carried forward.
COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Naming fall and spring champions to contest a national championship was a nice idea, but it turned out to be a Band-Aid for the rift that is seasonality. To oversimplify a complicated issue, there are essentially two factions here: Those who promote a fall 15s/spring 7s structure, and those who favor a spring-centric championship season.
While conversations on seasonality shouldn’t cease, the reality is that the country is divided. USA Rugby acknowledged that fact when announcing the 2016-17 championship dates, indicating that DI and DII national championships would only occur if the fall champion agreed to contest the title match in May. But both fall and spring teams forfeited national championship berths last season, so that caveat only addresses half of the equation.
The other, and arguably more important, issue is that these uncertainties threaten the sport’s legitimacy with collegiate athletic departments. Forfeits, unplanned trips, yet-to-be-named championship sites – they negatively affect an athletic director’s perception of the rugby program, and who doesn’t need the support of their school? Can one imagine telling an athletic director that contesting a national championship hinges on whether its opponent decides to compete?
Finally, it’s incumbent on conference commissioners and league administrators to educate their members on the financial, educational and employment demands of the post-season. Student-propelled programs turn over their leadership often, and every year there is a team surprised by its success.
HIGH SCHOOLS
This one is a no-brainer: Reunite the club and single-school championships, and perhaps mirror the boys’ set-up. A third day of play might alleviate some of the logistical issues in hosting a larger event, but many other costs will be shared between the two divisions. And instead of having a 10-team club division and six-team DII single-school competition, two of the club teams join the DII single schools in an open bracket. Additionally, college scouts won’t have to choose between the two events, and the championship can better brand itself as a single tournament.
The Regional Cup Tournaments (RCTs) were another source of controversy, but better transparency and consistency in eligibility rulings would solve those disputes. To review, certain state teams (e.g., in the South) weren’t allowed to compete at the RCTs because they couldn’t support JV (freshmen and sophomores) and varsity (juniors and seniors) teams while adhering to the grade separations. But then other all-star teams in different regions, namely in the Northeast, were allowed to combine with different states or promote underclassmen to ensure that a team could be fielded. The RCTs are imperfect and valuable; just need to keep the constituency engaged by getting in front of eligibility concerns.
ALL-AMERICANS: They played six games this summer – and in the end, that’s what matters: assemblies, international competition, early entry into the pathway. But why not build a fan base in the process? If it weren’t for parents live-streaming from the sideline and taking action photos, then there would have been no same-day coverage of the East U16s and U18s games on July 31 against Quebec. One’s heart breaks for those young players representing their country for the first time and not having that achievement properly acknowledged.
Atavus covered the West assembly and games well. Would still love to see games posted online if live-streaming is not an option. Video helps answer those oft-asked questions from coaches and players who are wondering what it takes for selection to the All-Americans.
ALL-STARS
Regions have made a big push to reinstate all-star teams since the 7s and 15s championships were eliminated at all levels. The Midwest has been the leader in this regard, hosting all-star tournaments and tryouts that feed its U19s and U24s as they travel around the U.S. and abroad. This previous season has senior 15s teams from SoCal, NorCal, Capital and Empire compete, as well as a South 10s team. All of these regions agree that there is a missing layer of competition between the club and national team level, and they’re proactive about filling the void.
SUPER SERIES
Although the USA Eagles and Women’s Collegiate All-Americans went 0-5 at the Super Series, it was good to see these two programs assembled together during an international tournament. What a dream it would be to have all three age-grade teams – high school, junior and collegiate All-Americans – alongside the senior team (7s or 15s) competing against international competition one after the other.
Best wishes for the 2016-17 season!