Red Hawks and Cannibals will both be in Boise (TRB photo)
This article will need some updates after this weekend’s Regional Cup Tournaments, which serve as major talent identification showcases for USA Rugby age-grade and collegiate scouts.
SUSPENSIONS
• New SoCal Youth Executive Director Giovanni Vaglietti wrote, “Unfortunately this year the Griffins are on a complete hiatus locally also.” A program that used to field robust varsity and JV teams is completely absent from the RCT circuit this summer. Consider the sheer number of players in SoCal, like Fallbrook, South Bay, Coastal Dragons
• Both the girls’ and boys’ Minnesota teams withdrew from the Midwest RCT. On June 14, the Minnesota Tundra Rugby Academy, which works in tandem with Minnesota Youth Rugby in terms of high performance opportunities, indicated that “fewer than a dozen girls nominations and even fewer girls athletes have attended camps.” Tundra also indicated that both entities would revisit the drawing board in terms of re-establishing HP pathways. The state league contested 7s and 10s only this spring season.
• The South RCT did not field a girls’ division. Tennessee Tri-Stars as a result had to travel to the Midwest, but might have considered the out-of-region trip anyhow given past years’ competition.
MISC
• Virginia is playing an all-star game vs. Northeast RCT winner Maryland
• Massachusetts’ MIAA schedule prevented participation
• Other all-star teams like Allegheny and Illinois participated in non-RCTs, like the Midwest All-Star Challenge (June 9 @ Elkhart, Ind.)
RCTs
Already Occurred
• Northeast: New Jersey x 2, Wisconsin x 2, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania
• West: Colorado x 2, Texas-Oklahoma, 5785
This Weekend
(will update # of teams after the event occurs, as there have been last-minute adjustments)
• Midwest: Celtic Ohio, Indy Speed, Michigan, Tennessee
• Great Northwest Challenge: Oregon, Toa, Utah Cannibals, Washington and Rugby NorCal (currently slated for five girls’ sides across Tier 1, Tier 2 and U14; if that comes through – amazing!)