2017 action photos: Meredith Nelson / MEAN Photography
Before Atlanta held a legitimate 7s practice this season, the team had already won the Music City 7s, the first South qualifier. The following weekend, the Harlequins won the second and final qualifier at the Georgia State Games and thus earned the geographic union’s top seed to the Club 7s National Championship. Atlanta and runner-up Phoenix now have two months before the big show, the location of which is still to be announced.
Atlanta 7s coordinator Meredith Nelson had mixed feelings about the early qualification, sentiments that mimicked that of Phoenix head coach Eyal Hakim (read more). On the one hand, ample lead time is a good thing for sorting logistics and fundraising. On the other hand, the GU has named its reps before the competition has found its 7s feet, and there’s some concern that other teams might shift focus – say, toward development – now that nationals is off the table.
“A lot of 7s is jumping in and learning as you go,” Nelson was diplomatic. “But this early on, a lot [of success] is based on athleticism. We did have a lot of good chemistry offensively, and throughout each game and each tournament, we got more coordinated defensively.”
Nelson also qualified her usage of “athleticism,” as 7s fitness is unique and takes time to build. Phoenix, however, was looking spry during the first qualifier in Nashville. A team that knows how to make teams pay when given an inch of space, the Florida-based program also sported a pair of Canadian standouts.
“Is that Magali Harvey,” Nelson recreated the initial shock of seeing the Canada star in Phoenix kit. “She brought international experience against us. She has a crazy goose step and can kick the ball wherever she wants.”
Magali’s younger sister, Elizabeth, is a current AIC leader as well.
Phoenix won the teams’ pool play game, and then Atlanta took the rematch with a 19-17 final victory. The Harlequins were able to hit the practice pitch before last weekend’s fixture, and head coach Ronn Omondi, who hails from Optimus 7s, started laying the groundwork.
“He’s really enthusiastic,” Nelson said. “You can tell he’s so tickled with how we’re doing and so excited. We feed off each other and it’s a cool dynamic.”
Caitlane Fricia
Omondi is working with a relatively young team, and leans on vets like Nelson, captain Monique Compito, whom Nelson calls “the heart of the team,” and a few others for direction. Watch for former All-American and Georgia Tech graduate Chidinma “Chi Chi” Chukwueke, Kennesaw State alumna Caitlane Fricia, and Georgia Southern’s Hannah Twilley to make an impact. Fricia and Twilley have played with Atlanta’s DII team.
“All three are powerhouses,” Nelson praised. “Chi Chi is a swift runner, Hannah is a bruiser, and Caitlane is a combination of both.”
Hannah Twilley
The team regrouped for last weekend’s Georgia State Games, the South’s second qualifier. Orlando, which has been the pace-setter for South 7s, joined the fray but was without some key players like Agnes Fuerst and Cortney Kuehl. This particular conflict was seen elsewhere around the country, as the late-evolving National Development Academy (NDA) 7s tournament saw players choose between a commitment to their home teams and qualifying for nationals, and playing in front of national team selectors. That’s a big reason why Scion Rugby Academy did not compete in Chula Vista last weekend and instead won the first Mid-Atlantic 7s qualifier.
“Our big thing, what we say before every game, is: Set the tone, keep the tone,” Nelson said. “We want to come out hard and surprise the other team, and we’ve started a lot of games scoring first.”
Monique Compito
While it will take more time to build a complete 14-minute performance, that strategy of striking first helped Atlanta back to the final, where it met and beat Phoenix for the top seed to nationals.
“Last weekend’s win was a huge surprise. And to win on, essentially, home territory, everyone was very excited to rep South at nationals,” Nelson said. “I’m a little more pragmatic, personally. It’s going to take a lot discipline to keep revving up for the next two months.”
The team is heading to Cape Fear 7s, where very good competition flocks, but there are some schedule holes to fill. There are still players who need to get nationals eligible, and so Nelson is looking to add some more USA Rugby-sanctioned events. Atlanta did not bring a full roster to 7s nationals last year, and that is something Nelson wants to avoid. But it’s been tough to convince Women’s Premier League players to commit, since the season starts early this year. Fifteens training begins July 13, and the team’s first league game against Beantown is a week after 7s nationals. That overlap has been influential in players opting out of summer 7s.
For more information on USA Rugby Club 7s, visit the event site, which is up-to-date (save the location) and a really great resource.
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