The annual USA U23 All-Star Tournament is an important piece to the USA Pathway system, and this post attempts to bring some shape to the 2025 event. The following is meant to be a reference point for the eight regional all-star teams until USA Rugby makes a formal announcement. It will update continually as new info is discovered. The rumor is that the 2025 tournament will occur June 20-22 in Boston — but that is to be officially confirmed! [lead photo: Richard Jordan @richard.c.jordan.iii]
Feel free to send Jackie Finlan any info you want included below, e.g., contact e-mail, tryout dates, links to registration forms, etc. For reference, see the 2024 U23 All-Star Info.
CENTRAL SOUTH
Territory: Mid-America, Prairie States, Texas Rugby Union
KJ Abel Ruch is the head coach and currently sorting the rest of the staff. Follow @u23mustangs until info on tryouts, registration, etc., is released.
MID-ATLANTIC
Territory: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Virginia
Follow @U23MidAtlanticRugby until info on tryouts, registration, etc., is released
MIDWEST
The Midwest U23 LAU Championship is May 31-June 1 in Oshkosh, Wis. The Thunderbird staff (Xane Gerasmino, Meghan Flanigan) will be on hand to evaluate talent and also invite players to a TBA Midwest U23 selection camp. No other region does anything like the annual LAU tournament. It’s impressive, provides structure, and is a great way to share that next-level experience deeper into the player pool.
LAU ALL-STAR COACHES
Territory: Head Coach, e-mail
Allegheny: Chelsey Mitchell, mitchellchelsey5@gmail.com
Iowa: Kathleen O’Neill, kathleen.c.oneill@gmail.com
Illinois: Rachel Grecky, rgrecky227@gmail.com
Indiana: Izzy Gibbon, izzigibbon@gmail.com; Caitlyne Poe, caitlyne.poe@gmail.com
Michigan: Jamie Frech, jamiefrech@gmail.com
Minnesota: Amity Best, amityb014@gmail.com
Ohio: Izzy Gibbon, izzigibbon@gmail.com
Wisconsin: Xane Gerasimo, xanthi.gerasimo@gmail.com
NORTHEAST
The U23 all-star program is the Northeast is run by the New England Free Jacks. Check the “Independents” home page for more info.
PACIFIC COAST
The Pacific Coast Grizzlies (@paccoastgrizzlies) is the regional all-star team that will feature at nationals, and it selects players from the separate NorCal and Pacific Northwest all-star programs.
NORCAL
Director: Evan Hoese
Head coach: Hannah Stolba
Contact email: norcalwomenu23rugby@gmail.com
NorCal has already held one tryout in San Jose this year, and the second occurs this Sunday, April 6 in Sacramento (registration form)
Also! There’s a meet-and-greet with staff and former players ahead of the WER match between the Bay Breakers and TC Gemini on April 5. More info.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Director: Heidi Whitman
Coaches: Ashley Kmiecik, Craig Morris, Liz Osborne, Willeo Bloomfield
At the U23 level, the PNW Loggers are the most active all-star team in the country. The area holds lots of development and ID camps, and the team had a game scheduled against DIA Central Washington in February, but it was unfortunately canceled for bad weather. Traditionally, there is a PNW vs. NorCal game (or two) that helps the Grizzlies staff select players.
PACIFIC DESERT
Territory: Arizona, Southern California, Nevada, New Mexico
Head coach: Evan Wollen
Assistant coaches: Derika Legg & Lindsay Mahoney
The Pacific Desert conference page has been used to share info on the U23 all-star program: @pacdesert_rugbyconference
ROCKY MOUNTAIN / PEAKS
Territory: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming
Need to find more info … old Rocky Mountain Peaks Instagram account now points to Peaks Academy
SOUTH
Territory: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Head coach: Lisa Jackson
Contact email: usarugbyu23south@gmail.com
Instagram: @U23SouthRegionalRugby
Interested players should fill out this registration form • Scouts will be at CRC 7s in Boyds, Md., searching for talent