18-year-old Neti Tuavao / Photo: Jackie Finlan
OAKLAND, CA – After a series of Talent ID Combines and a region-wide search of potential talent, the California Grizzlies have selected 34 players and a full coaching staff to its women’s team and the inaugural XV Series, which begins this September.
The Berkeley All Blues (13) and Life West Gladiatrix (12) account for the majority of the selections, while East Palo Alto Razorbacks, San Jose Seahawks and Sacramento Amazons fill out the senior club representatives. St. Mary’s College and Stanford University have three total representatives, and there are three teenagers in 18-year-olds Monalisa Tupou (EPA) and Neti Tuavao (Lamorinda) and 19-year-old Leila Opeti, who recently represented Life West at the USA Club 7s National Championship. All told, the average age is 23 years old.
Dany Samreth and Evan Hoese (Berkeley All Blues, USA 15s) are the coaches, and they will be supported by Program Coaches Adriaan Ferris, Paul Keeler, newly appointed UCSB Coach Neil Foote, former Samoan International and current Cal Berkeley Coach Elvis Seveali’i, and former Eagle Volney Rouse.
The XV Series schedule is still in development, but the Grizzlies have the Colorado Gray Wolves (Sept. 11 @ home) and Seattle Seawolves (Sept. 18 @ Seattle) confirmed thus far.
2021 CA GRIZZLIES SQUAD
Hooker
Hope Cooper – Berkeley All Blues
Jett Hayward – Life West
Loosehead Prop
Maxine Fonua – San Jose Seahawks
Naomi Batzer – Berkeley All Blues
Tighthead Prop
Hope Rogers – Life West
Abby Vogel – Berkeley All Blues
Naima Reddick – Berkeley All Blues
Lock
Rosie Russell – Life West
Sam Els – Stanford University
Tyra Norlander – Berkeley All Blues
Blindside Flanker
Cassandra Tong – Berkeley All Blues
Nicole Strasko – Life West
Openside Flanker
Alia Ah Far – Life West
Tonya Wessman – Berkeley All Blues
No. 8
Tahlia Brody – Berkeley All Blues
Roxelle Thomas – St Mary’s College
Scrumhalf
Shelby Lin – Berkeley All Blues
Neti Tuavao – Lamorinda
Flyhalf
Olivia Bernadel-Huey – Berkeley All Blues
Kristen Siano – Berkeley All Blues
Inside Center
Siale Alatini – Life West
Monalisa Tupou – East Palo Alto Lady Razorbacks
Rachel Pau’u – Life West
Outside Center
Atumata Hingano – Life West
Evan Hoese – Berkeley All Blues
Bulou Mataitoga – Berkeley All Blues
Wing
Mckenna Deemer – Sacramento Amazons
Leila Opeti – Life West
Kaela Lee – East Palo Alto Lady Razorbacks
Kalolaine Lavaka – East Palo Alto Lady Razorbacks
Myia Wilkes – Life West
Fullback
Lauryn Nazareno – St Mary’s College
Emma Harbage – Life West
Sisileti Hingano – Life West
STAFF
Coach: Dany Samreth
Player / Coach: Evan Hoese
Coach: Neil Foote
Coach: Volney Rouse
Coach: Paul Keeler
Coach: Adriaan Ferris
Team Manager (Interim): Becca Graff
Head of Coach Development: Rick Humm
Who are the California Grizzlies?
The California Grizzlies is a rugby organization, based in California, that is intent on providing holistic game development initiatives to assist player, coach, administrator and referee development including participation in the newly formed XV SERIES with other like minded regional organizations.
With an emphasis on inclusion and bringing the rugby community together, our mission is to provide opportunities to assist pursuit of higher honors through improved local talent development strategies and exposure to elite level rugby.
What is the XV SERIES?
XV Series inaugural member clubs have identified a need to develop US eligible players with the ability to play Major League Rugby (MLR), Womens Premier League (WPL) and US National Squads – Mens and Womens 7s, Age Grade and Senior National Teams. The XV Series format allows players to stay with their local club and college programs whilst still being provided pathway opportunities – without the need to relocate to play at the best programs to receive exposure.
In an effort to help improve USA Rugby’s age grade programs, the XV Series will provide opportunities for younger players who have recently graduated from high school, or currently attending College, without affecting collegiate eligibility.
Importantly, the XV Series will act as a pathway program for local senior club players who have aspirations to play at higher levels. To do this, we intend to help build stronger local club competitions with improved local coaching.
Who can qualify to play for the California Grizzlies?
Any player in California who has the ability and desire to play at higher levels of that game, who is a registered member of USA Rugby, and is affiliated with a California-based senior club or college. Players must have current, or future, ability to be eligible to play for the US; or have current, or future, ability to be employed to play in the MLR or equivalent leagues.
If you would like more information on this press release, please contact Director of Rugby Adriaan Ferris at (510) 274-7205 or aferris@cagrizzlies.com.