USA RUGBY – USA Rugby has today announced its 2020 Performance Squad for the Women’s National Team XVs. Featuring 35 players, the squad serves as the top tier of the program’s player pool structure, named annually, which also includes an Extended Squad and a Watchlist.
The 2020 Performance Squad features a range of talent that includes:
- A cumulative 276 test caps
- 6 players who could make their national team debut this year
- 3 players representing collegiate programs
- 29 players representing the Women’s Premier League
- 7 players who have competed in a Rugby World Cup
- 24 players who were part of a USA Rugby age-grade program
All three groups within the Women’s Eagles player pool receive attention and support from national team staff; however, accountability and resources are most heavily attributed to the Performance Squad. Players within the Extended Squad and Watchlist represent those who show a potential to reach the top tier over time.
Selections for national team camps and competitions can be made from any of the three levels; as well as from the Women’s Sevens player pool pending selections and preparation for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The Women’s XVs and Sevens programs run collaboratively and offer athletes the opportunity to compete in both.
Alongside players, the program also welcomes three new members to its staff with Assistant Coach – Set piece Neil Harris, Strength & Conditioning Coach Sylvia Braaten, and Team Manager Louise Stewart.
Harris joins the program after serving a similar role with Saracens Women from 2016-2019 where he was part of the group that won back-to-back Tyrrells Premier 15s Championships. His appointment comes after spending time with the Women’s XVs during their Can-Am training camp last May.
Braaten is a former Eagle herself who played in the 2014 and 2017 World Cups and has served as a Strength & Conditioning coach for USA Rugby’s age-grade programs. Stewart comes from USA Touch where she served as Team Manager for the recently held World Cup in Malaysia.
Head Coach Rob Cain said:
“Well done to all the players who have been selected for this year’s High Performance Squad. It keeps getting harder for us as a coaching group to separate players as we aspire to create depth. We are fortunate to have the extended squad pushing so aggressively and this inner competition will continue to be vital as we carry through 2021 and beyond.
“We are very excited to have three new additions to our support staff in Neil, Sylvia and Louise. Neil has shown the impact of his approach with Saracens set piece and having both him and Jamie Burke will be a huge benefit to the program. Sylvia’s progression through the age-grade program has also been excellent and we are thrilled to have her experience in strength & conditioning and international rugby. Louise’s tour managerial experience and approach will also be a great benefit to the group and I am very much looking forward to working with all three.”
The program has been working in Regional Training Camps (RTC) all preseason. RTCs are not only a huge opportunity for players to connect with national team coaches, but also a window for the program to engage with the community.
Through the recently introduced Be The Impact initiative, communities can support the program by hosting a Regional Training Camp in their area; and in return, receive an national team hosted skills session or meet and greet for players of the local region.
For more information on hosting Regional Training Camps, please contact Emilie Bydwell at ebydwell@usa.rugby.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BE THE IMPACT »
In addition to hosting RTCs, Be The Impact has also launched a February-specific campaign where all donations to the Women’s Eagles (up to $10,000) will be matched by USAR Board Member and Hall of Famer Phaidra Knight. Funds will be used directly to support operational costs and player fees for April and May high performance camps.
2020 USA 15s PERFORMANCE SQUAD
PLAYER NAME – POSITION, CLUB (# CAPS)
Destiny Arena – Hooker, Lindenwood University (uncapped)
Bui Baravilala – Flyhalf / Center, San Diego (11)
Catie Benson – Prop, Life West (23)
Stacey Bridges – Lock, Beantown (40)
Kaitlyn Broughton – Back 3, Glendale (5)
Ashlee Byrge – Scrumhalf, San Diego (5)
Elizabeth Cairns – Back Row, Life West (11)
Gabriella Cantorna – Flyhalf, Glendale (8)
Jennine Duncan Detiveaux – Wing, Seattle (7)
Rachel Ehrecke – Back Row, Glendale (uncapped)
Tess Feury – Fullback, New York (6)
McKenzie Hawkins – Center / Flyhalf, Glendale (3)
Leti Hingano – Fullback, Life West (2)
Katana Howard – Flyhalf, Twin Cities (4)
Charli Jacoby – Prop, Chicago North Shore (6)
Nick James – Prop, Houston Athletic (12)
Kathryn Johnson – Back Row, Twin Cities (2)
Rachel Johnson – Back Row, ORSU (7)
Joanna Kitlinski – Hooker, Glendale (14)
Jenny Kronish – Lock, Glendale (uncapped)
Maya Learned – Prop, Glendale (2)
Sarah Levy – Wing, New York (2)
Shelby Lin – Scrumhalf, Berkeley (uncapped)
Bulou Mataitoga – Fullback, Berkeley (3)
Teigan McDonald – Back 3 / Center, San Diego (uncapped)
Olivia Ortiz – Scrumhalf, Davenport University (5)
Hope Rogers – Prop, Life West (29)
Kristine Sommer – Lock, Seattle (13)
Nicole Strasko – Back Row, Life West (7)
Amy Talei Bonte – Center, Life West (6)
Hallie Taufoou – Lock, Richmond RFC (ENG) (uncapped)
Kathryn Treder – Hooker, Beantown (2)
Alycia Washington – Lock, New York (22)
Carly Waters – Scrumhalf, Glendale (4)
Kate Zackary – Back Row, San Diego (15)
STAFF
Emilie Bydwell | Director of Women’s High Performance
Rob Cain | Head Coach
Kate Daley | Assistant Coach – Defense
Neil Harris | Assistant Coach – Set Piece
Richard Ashfield | Assistant Coach – Backs
Jenny Lui | Support Coach
Jamie Burke | Support Coach
Ian Jones | Head of Physical Performance
Sylvia Braaten | Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach
Conor Sweeney | Sports Scientist
Dave Gardner | Head of Performance Analysis
Callum Howells | Performance Analyst
Terrence Cronin | Team Doctor
Bri Arsenault | Head Athletic Trainer
Katherin Henry | Athletic Trainer
Louise Stewart | Team Manager
#USA15s