eagles.rugby — With the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 less than 50 days away, USA Rugby Junior National team coaches are looking at the horizon to ensure success for the upcoming stars of the game. [lead photo: Cecilia Montoya for USA Rugby]

USA Rugby has committed to investing in its player development pathways, ensuring a robust pipeline of talent for sustained success on the international stage. Close to 80 Under-18 players were identified through USA Rugby pathways and invited to attend their respective East and West Development Camps set in Mt. St. Mary’s, Maryland (East Camp) and the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, California (West Camp). These camps represent a pivotal step in identifying and nurturing the next generation of American rugby talent, with a strong emphasis on player development for future Senior Women’s National Team cycles.

Head Coach Susan Whitwell shared her enthusiasm on the emerging USA Women’s Rugby talent:

“The talent we’re seeing from players aged 15-18 is incredibly exciting. It’s a testament to the hard work being put into developing rugby at the grassroots level. Our pathway programs are dedicated to providing as many opportunities as possible for these players, through both 7s and 15s camps. These camps are designed to not only develop their individual skills but also to introduce them to the higher levels of competition, helping to prepare them for future success in the Senior Women’s Team.”

“Merging a group of young players together is both a challenge and an exciting opportunity. The challenge lies in creating cohesion among athletes who come from different backgrounds, training environments, and levels of experience. It’s about blending diverse playing styles and personalities into a cohesive unit, all while building trust and communication on and off the field. The excitement comes from seeing how quickly these players adapt, collaborate, and inspire each other. There’s a lot of raw potential in these groups, and I’m excited to see the energy and passion of these young athletes.

“We’re looking for players who are eager to challenge themselves, and show a commitment to developing their rugby skills. These camps are all about pushing boundaries—whether that’s in terms of fitness, tactical understanding, or mental toughness. It’s an opportunity for players to showcase their potential and take the next step in their rugby journey.

Players earned Camp invitations through a multi-faceted approach designed to ensure a comprehensive and fair assessment of talent:

• USA Rugby Regional Talent Identification Camps: These regional gatherings provided crucial opportunities to scout and identify promising athletes from across the country.

• High School National Championships: Performance at the national level served as a significant indicator of a player’s potential and readiness for higher-level development.

• Recommendations & Video Reviews: A robust network of Regional Coaches and Select Side Coaches, alongside nominations submitted via the USA Rugby website, contributed to a pool of recommended players. Extensive video footage was then reviewed to thoroughly evaluate individual skills, athletic potential, and game understanding.

The primary focus for these camps is on player preparation and development to set them up for future Women’s Rugby World Cup success. Following the WRWC 2025, there will be a focus on providing players within the pathway programs with additional match opportunities. This proactive approach aims to equip players with the necessary experience and skills to seamlessly transition into the Senior Women’s National Team for the subsequent Rugby World Cup cycle.

EAST CAMP ROSTER

Mackenzie Aluise — Knightmare, Pa.
Tanner Avery — Raleigh Cobras, N.C.
Allison Beckenhauer — Doylestown, Pa.
Bailey Borum Gray — Hough, N.C.
Sara Butler — Charlotte Cardinals, N.C.
Devyn Corydon — Morris, N.J.
Charlotte Davies — Downingtown, Pa.
Madison Englin — Waverly-Shell Rock, Iowa
Nolah Flynn — Doylestown, Pa.
Stella Gustafson — Madtown Furies, Wis.
Sadie Hershberger — Mystic River, Conn.
Lauren Huang — Greenwich HS, Conn.
Madelyn Hubbell — St. Joseph Academy, Ohio
Giselle Long — Westside Revenge, Ind.
Sana’a Lunon — Doylestown, Pa.
Mackenzie Marks — Doylestown, Pa.
Abbey McGettigan — Downingtown, Pa.
Bridget McGonigle — Doylestown, Pa.
Siena Miller — Morris, N.J.
Emma Murray — Stallions, Ill.
Nakato Myers — Raleigh Cobras, N.C.
Kiernan Myles — Knightmare, Pa.
Keilikki Nau Rarick — Majestics, Utah
Alyssa Post — Rockford, Mich.
Tevia Nau Rarick — Majestics, Utah
Olive Rhodes — Morris, N.J.
Cecelia Rose — Green Bay Banshees, Wis.
Morgan Roth — Norwalk HS, Conn.
Hailey Russer — Summit, Colo.
Gracie Schmidt — Atlanta Valkyries, Ga.
Reese Smith — Aspetuck, Conn.
Keira Snyman — Valor Christian HS, Colo.
*Ava Steed — Moon Area, Pa.
Mariana Taai — The Woodlands / Panthers, Texas
Jocelyn Terry — Doylestown, Pa.
Erneasia (Evie) Vinton — Clayton, N.C.
Morgan Whelan — Downingtown, Pa.
Sara Zavieh — Atlanta Valkyries, Ga.

COACHING STAFF – EAST
Susan Whitwell | Head Coach
Josie Ziluca | Assistant Coach
Stacey Markovic | Assistant Coach
Kristen Zdanczewicz | Strength & Conditioning
Amy Stephen-McCormack | Manager
Stacy Mancuso | Manager
Martha Daines | Head of Player Systems and Development

WEST CAMP ROSTER

Liongi Aiolupo — San Mateo Wolverines, Calif.
Shawnee Asiata — Majestics, Utah
Evie Danhof — Yellowstone, Mont.
Shaidynn Elama — Kent, Wash.
Ella Elordi — Eagle HS, Idaho
Aroen Faletoi — Belmont Shore, Calif.
Olivia Frisby — Meridian, Idaho
Eniline Hola — Belmont Shore, Calif.
Amanda Homer — Owyhee HS, Idaho
Rebekah Jenks — Centennial HS, Idaho
Sophie Kartchner — Rocky Mountain, Idaho
Snapper King — Portland Grackles, Ore.
Amenekina Latu — San Mateo Wolverines, Calif.
Marley Lavea — Belmont Shore, Calif. / Maui, Hawaii
Zion Lavoe — Divine Savior Holy Angels, Wis.
Nila Lolesio-Pua — Belmont Shore, Calif.
Kinga Major — Mother Lode, Calif.
Jainaya Masunu — Federal Way, Wash.
Hazel McRobie — Summit, Ore.
Halaevalu Paea — Sacramento Amazons, Calif.
Khalea Pahulu — Belmont Shore, Calif.
Isabelle Patch — Woodlands, Texas
Morgan Saylors — Sacramento Harlequins, Calif.
Jordynn Shannonhouse — Regis Jesuit HS, Colo.
Zion Stone — United, Utah
Honesty Taavao — Sacramento Amazons, Calif.
Lolua Tauanu’u — Belmont Shore, Cailf.
Kalilah Tuani — Kent, Wash.
Chante Tuilevuka — Provo, Utah
Ana Tuitavake — Portland Grackles, Ore.
Selafina Uluave — Provo / United, Utah
Salote Valikoula — Pasefika & Kahuku, Hawaii
Naomi Van Zandt — San Mateo Wolverines, Calif
Gianna Veetutu — Kent, Wash.
Lucy Walker — Denver East, Colo.
Zoe Zumbro — Belmont Shore, Calif.

COACHING STAFF – WEST
Susan Whitwell | Head Coach
Kelly Griffin | Assistant Coach
Kristen Shalosky | Assistant Coach
Kristen Zdanczewicz | Strength & Conditioning
Heidi Whitman | Manager
Martha Daines | Head of Player Systems and Development