USA Rugby has taken a monumental step towards developing its future stars by recently hosting a five-day training camp in Chula Vista. This initiative aims to scout the next generation of sevens talent, gearing up players for the upcoming Global Youth Sevens, set to take place in Auckland from December 19-21. The event is widely regarded as the pinnacle of U18 sevens rugby and is seen as a critical platform where young athletes can showcase their skills, potentially paving the way for future careers in the sport.
The Global Youth Sevens has a rich history of nurturing talent, having previously seen the rise of stalwarts like Black Ferns Sevens player Jorja Miller, HSBC SVNS Series sensation Maddison Levi, and former All Blacks backrower Hoskins Sotutu. Their journeys began within the folds of this high-stakes tournament, highlighting its significance in grooming the next wave of rugby talent.
This year’s event is serving as a critical testing ground for 25 top U18 players from the USA, each selected based on outstanding performances observed during sevens tournaments and the USA High School National Championships. The rigorous selection process has also included talent identification from USA U18 XVs and collaborative initiatives with various academies throughout the country.
The coaching staff, consisting of head coach David Fee, assistant coach Taylor Howden, and Head of 7s Pathways Ben Pinkelman, has meticulously crafted this training camp to prepare these young athletes for the level of competition they will face. “These players are relishing the opportunities to play better rugby in quality Sevens tournaments, school championships, and representative level rugby,” Fee said, emphasizing the ethos of growth and high performance that permeates the camp.
Reflecting on previous successes, Fee stated, “We’ve proven in the past that we can compete and make it to the top half of the bracket at Global Youth Sevens. I would really like to see these players have a crack at the top teams in the final rounds.” These affirmations underline the commitment to not only competing but excelling on the global stage.
Significantly, Cathedral Catholic High School boasts the highest representation in this player pool, with athletes Kingston Hawkins, William Reiter, and Dylan Trower stepping into the spotlight. Additionally, Saint Francis High School contributed two promising talents, Uate and Solomone Pifeleti, to the mix. This representation reflects the depth of coaching and support that exists within these institutions, playing a critical role in developing aspiring rugby players.
This training camp serves as a pivotal element of the athletes’ journeys, aligning with the overarching mission to identify future senior players for the national sevens side. “We’re excited to see how that experience improved and shaped their performance and playing standard this year,” Fee elaborated, noting the transformational potential this exposure can have on young athletes.
In his closing remarks, Fee reiterated the camp’s ultimate aim: “At the end of the day, our job is to find future Eagles, and this is another step in that journey for these young men.” The emphasis on high-performance environments resonates with the underlying aspiration to cultivate the next elite level of American rugby players.
U18s squad for five-day USA Rugby Sevens camp
Evaimalo Ama – Menlo-Atherton
Bryson Cook – JW Mitchell High School
Alexander Drury – Choate Rosemary Hall
Kole Frogley – Owyhee High School
Tristan Gutman – Trabuco Hills High School
Caden Hartley – San Clemente High School
Tristram Harwood – Finborough School
Kingston Hawkins – Cathedral Catholic High School
Keane Horne – Trumbull High School
Isaac Koi – Elk Grove High School
Jasiah Lolesio-Pua – St Anthony High School
Neel Menon – The Woodlands High School
Adrian Pham – Patrick Henry High School
Uate Pifeleti – Saint Francis High School
Solomone Pifeleti – Saint Francis High School, Mountain View CC
William Reiter – Cathedral Catholic
Stanley Ross – San Marcos High School
Bradan Scott – Santa Fe Christian
Meli Serevi – Elsie Allen High School
DJ Taape – Graham Kapowsin High School
Jayden Tagaloa – Kahuku High School
Christopher Thorndyke – Adlai E. Stevenson
Dylan Trower – Cathedral Catholic
Nick Vakatawa – Rio Americano High School
Samuel Wilson – Arapahoe High School