(PORTLAND, March 19, 2025) – Following the record-breaking PR7s All-Star Tournament at Providence Park last fall, Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s) is strengthening its presence in the Pacific Northwest with the launch of the PR7s Portland Rugby Academy and Camp Series. The new programs will provide young athletes with elite coaching, competitive play, and a direct pathway to collegiate and professional rugby.
Related: PR7s Rise Pathways
The PR7s Portland Rugby Academy is open to boys and girls in grades 9-12 and will feature weekly training sessions, tournament competition, and mentorship from professional players and coaches. Sessions will take place Fridays and Saturdays from June 6 through August 15 at the Oregon Rugby Center in West Linn, Oregon. More information is available at https://prsevens.com/portland-academy-team/.
To complement the Academy, PR7s will also host a five-week Camp Series at the same location. Running Saturdays from April 5 through May 3, these sessions will focus on fundamental skills, game tactics, and professional-level training to help young athletes elevate their game. More information is available at https://prsevens.com/portlandcamps/.
View this post on Instagram
The PR7s Portland Rugby Academy and Camp Series will be led by two-time Olympian Martin Iosefo, one of the most accomplished players in U.S. rugby history. Iosefo has competed in more than 50 World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments, played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and was a key contributor for the U.S. team in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games.
“The energy for rugby in Portland is incredible, and we’re excited to build on that momentum,” said Iosefo. “The PR7s Portland Academy and Camps will give young athletes the skills, competition, and exposure they need to reach the next level. After seeing the support for the All-Star Tournament, it’s clear that Portland is ready to develop top rugby talent.”
Shortly after the Portland announcement, PR7s Rise announced the addition of the Bay Area Academy, home turf to the Golden State Retrievers. Staff include Olympian Naima Fuala’au and Swedish international Tyra Norlander — both of which represented the Retrievers on the PR7s circuit — as well as Tonga International Angelina Lomu and Berkeley All Blues alum Jessica Lewis. Tryouts for players grades 9-12 occur on March 23 and March 30. A more comprehensive schedule is forthcoming. The Portland and Bay Area academies join the New York Locals Academy, which played its first tournament in November 2024.
View this post on Instagram
The expansion of rugby in Portland follows the PR7s All-Star Tournament on Nov. 17, 2024, which set new records for attendance, engagement, and media reach. Nearly 5,000 fans braved rainy conditions at Providence Park, marking the largest live audience in PR7s history. The tournament featured six professional matches, 25 Olympians, and nine medalists, including members of the bronze medal-winning U.S. women’s team and Canada’s silver medalists. The event aired nationally on FS2 and reached over 12 million viewers globally via RugbyPass TV.