Senior all-star programs continue to revivify, albeit slowly, as regions across the country reassert the value of these playing and development opportunities. The Texas Rugby Union All-Star Challenge has developed into a reliable venue for these 15s select sides, and the presence of USA 15s head coach Rob Cain at this year’s tournament has further validated its existence.
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The Pacific Northwest is happy to be one of eight sides competing in Austin this weekend, as the outing will officially bring the select side back into being. Heading up the cause is head coach Lance Pruett.
“I’m old enough to remember the ITTs, when local and regional rugby unions had select sides and they came together to play each other,” Pruett reflected on the now defunct USA Rugby championships. “I spoke a lot about that with Liz Kirk when we were coaching together at the [Seattle] Saracens, and we both agreed that we really missed that opportunity for players to take a step forward. We saw other regions doing the same thing and decided to make it happen.”
Pruett reached out to the Pacific Northwest Rugby Football Union (PNRFU), and then-president Matt Lobe fully supported the effort, provided the program served the entire membership.
“He wanted the program to be inclusive of all the teams, and not have selections dominated by the two big clubs in the region – ORSU, which plays in the WPL, and Seattle, which plays in the B.C. Premiership,” Pruett spoke to Lobe’s stipulations.
Pruett and staff were of the same mindset, and thus launched operations in May 2019. It took some time to build momentum, but once the region received some context, the interest followed. Two May training sessions helped identify players, and then two subsequent practices honed in on likely candidates for the Texas tour. The staff also pooled recommendations from PNRFU coaches, and were sensitive to those teams – like Boise United – who would have difficulty attending multiple training sessions in Portland and Seattle.
“This being our first go-around it was challenging to figure out the process for ID-ing the team,” Pruett said. “We definitely wanted some vets on the squad who knew the ropes and could help younger players understand what the step up feels like. We did our best during the May tryouts to utilize players who are in interested in the program and wanted that step up – they are a large portion of the selections. Next year, having gone through this first round, we’ll have a more clear and defined process for selecting both coaches and players.”
The Pacific Northwest Selects chose players from eight senior clubs, ranging from Division II to the B.C. Premiership.
“It’s a really nice mix of vets who have experience with all-star programs and know what this is like, and players who are brand new to it,” Pruett said of the 23-player squad [see below]. “I’m really excited to be able to instill this process in a new generation who hasn’t experienced it.”
Pruett and assistant coaches Jill Williamson and Matt Burke will rely on the tested leadership of ORSU prop Adrienne “Ace” Acosta, who will serve as captain; Seattle second row Francine Bray, also an Austin Valkyries alumna; and ORSU back three Claire Lundy, the vice captain who will direct from fullback.
“Some young talent that we’re hoping to expose to national team selectors include Stefani Bergerhouse. She’s a really dynamic player, so we’re hoping for a good showing from her,” Pruett said of the Chico State grad and current Saracens players. “Meredith Conrad-Forrest [Humboldt State / Sacramento Amazons] is a really dynamic forward who will play eight and lock for us. Erin Stehr out of Budd Bay is a really active running flyhalf who we’re excited to have leading the charge.”
There aren’t any collegians on the squad, and that’s a consequence of the restructuring that occurred earlier this decade. Today, the Pacific Northwest only oversees senior clubs, and since the Geographic Union is funding this all-star program, only its registered members are included. That said, Pruett hopes to re-establish connections with the collegiate sphere, especially considering the talent that lies in the Pacific Mountain North, DI Elite’s Central Washington, and Cascade conference.
“For this first event, we’re really just hoping to provide a positive experience for the players so they come back excited and inspire their teammates to take that step forward,” Pruett talked Texas goals. “One of the over-arching goals is more and better rugby across the board to all teams.”
Pacific Northwest will play the Texas U24s on Saturday, and depending on the results play either USA South or the Texas Power Team on Sunday.
“We’re really appreciative of PNRFU and their support of the program, and the players who have sacrificed a lot of time to come to trainings and travel long distances,” Pruett said. “Some of them fundraised to pay for flights to get to training sessions. We really appreciate those sacrifices to make that happen.”
For more information on the TRU All-Star Challenge, visit the home page. For more all-star rosters, click here.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Ace Acosta (C) — ORSU
Stefani Bergerhouse — Seattle
Francine Bray — Seattle
Erin Breen-Hurley — Boise United
Lee Chapman — Bend
Meredith Conrad-Forrest — Eugene
Erika Farias — ORSU
Rogers Feddersen — Tacoma
Xela Goodman — Bend
Kylie Hahn — Bend
Zuzu Hansen — Eugene
Angelina Isola — Boise United
Monica Leoso — Tacoma
Claire Lundy (VC) — ORSU
Mariko Moore — Eugene
Annette Ray — ORSU
Shamarica Scott — South Sound
Lili Shi — Seattle
Talisa Sobiesky — Bend
Erin Stehr — Budd Bay
Michelle Swetky — Seattle
Leena Vien — Boise United
Beck Williams — Seattle