USA bring top Women's U23 talent to six-day training camp

USA Rugby have named 25 players for an intensive six-day Women’s Under-23 Sevens training camp in Chula Vista, California.

The squad is named just several days after the conclusion of the Youth Global Sevens, where the U18s Sevens Women finished with a 4-2 record in the Bowl Final.

This camp will see the top 25 U23 prospects from the USA undergo a comprehensive block of training before they take part in four matches.

The standout performers from this camp will progress through the pathways player pool and be eligible for selection in competitions across 2026.

Irene Gardener, Women’s Sevens Pathways Head coach, said: “We are excited to welcome 25 athletes to Chula Vista for our final Pathway Sevens camp of the year. The camp roster will bring both new and experienced players together for an assessment of their current physical and skill readiness for Sevens.

“It will give us an opportunity to assess their current level and the physical potential they have in the sport.

“This is the first USA Rugby Sevens camp for the majority of the camp roster. We are grateful that they are able to take time away during the holidays as they represent their home clubs/teams.

“We look forward to seeing national team aspirations come to life over the course of the training sessions and scrimmages.

“Invitations for this camp came from our 2025 USA Rugby Pathway talent identification & scouting efforts, including Talent ID camps, collegiate U23 All Stars, Club 7s Nationals, and collegiate rugby matches and national championship events.

“This is the final camp of 2025 with an emphasis on talent verification and evaluation of physical potential for our women’s sevens program.

“From this camp, we are looking to place qualified athletes in future opportunities with our Pathway Development Group or the Senior High – Performance Group.”

Women’s U23 Sevens Winter Camp Invitees

Kaia Lyons (James Madison University)

Brooke Crago (Phoenixville Women’s Rugby)

Emma Hovanec (Berkeley All Blues)

Falalauola Amanoni (Berkeley All Blues)

Morgan Raun (Scion Rugby)

Hehea Pulotu (Dartmouth)

Seneca Friend (Washington Athletic Club)

Lucy Powell (MiraCosta College)

Ashtyn Kelly (UNC Chapel Hill)

Halle Hunt (Santa Monica Rugby Club)

Liz Goethal (Cal Poly SLO)

Savanah Lewis (Phoenix 7s)

Laryssa Barbosa (Brown University)

Naomi Collins (All Army)

Laura Bocek (Breakers/Life West)

Mia Blocher (Notre Dame)

Nyah Cordero (Berkeley All Blues)

Hattie Greenwood (Life University)

Cienna Jordan (Circle City Tempest/Misfits Rugby)

Taimane Fiatoa (United States Military Academy)

Emily Krahn (Chicago North Shore)

Maurina Street (University of South Dakota Women’s Rugby)

Kori Fields (Long Island University)

Jasmine Miller (Unattached)

Jayna Schalesky (UC Santa Barbara)

Women’s U23 Sevens Winter Camp Coaching & Staff

Irene Gardner – Women’s Sevens Pathways Head Coach

Kelly Griffin – Women’s Sevens PathwaysAssistant Coach