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The Tropical 7s is a jewel among U.S. rugby festivals, attracting a bevy U12-U18 teams as well as U23 and senior sides seeking that early-April Tampa sun. The Idaho-rooted Hawkeye Rugby Academy and parent club Celtic Barbarians routinely travel with numbers, and 2026 sees the border-crossing programs lean into the new girls’ U12 division.
The U12 division has featured at previous tournaments; however, those competitions have been co-ed. On Friday-Saturday, April 3-4, the Tampa Sportsplex will host its first girls-only U12 division. Cam Wilton, director for both the Hawkeye Rugby Academy and Celtic Barbarians, is excited for the opportunity. These age grade teams won the Calgary Stampede 7s and Kamloops 7s last summer, and Wilton is eager to build on that momentum.
“The new U12 Girls division at Tropical 7s is a welcome and overdue addition for the Hawkeyes,” he said. “We continue to find more hidden gems outside of our usual hotbeds of Idaho, California and North Carolina. With more international coaches spanning several countries, players at all age levels are benefitting from a different level of instruction. To have a venue dedicated specifically for U12 and U14 girls at such a value allows our families to attend more exciting tours and events throughout the season with us.”
The Tropical 7s is officially recognized as part of the USA Rugby High Performance Pathway, meaning national team selectors flock to Florida for talent I.D. Collegiate recruiters from the NCAA varsity space through the competitive club sphere, as well as pro teams and academy coaches, circle the annual event on the calendar as well. While the U12 and U14 players aren’t the target age grade per se, individuals get exposure to that environment.
To further pump up the U12 and U14 players, Hawkeye and Celtic are hosting a three-day skills camp (March 31-April 1) in Orlando ahead of the Tropical 7s. Forty-five players will take over the famous Great Escape Lakeside Mansion. The home base is a game-themed property packed with fun-filled rooms and outdoor challenges on 10 private acres.
Professional rugby coach Lewis Mckissick, who hails from sister academy Ultimate Rugby 7s in the U.K., will direct the camp, which already has players from Canada, England and Poland joining the American talent. But there is still room to sign up.
For more information on Tropical 7s opportunities, the U12/U14 skills camp in Orlando, or any of the U12-U23 teams heading to Tampa, e-mail hawkeyesrugby@gmail.com. And be sure to register your interest via this form.
Can’t make Tropical 7s? Then follow the Hawkeyes and Celtic Barbarian girls’ movements on Instagram (@celtic_barbarians) and consider the following upcoming events this year:
Feb 28-Mar 1
Carolina Ruggerfest 15s @ Charlotte, NC
Mar 23-25
Rosslyn Park 7s @ Richmond, England
Early August
U16 / U18 Tour to Ireland & Scotland