'We are shifting our primary focus': USA affirm long-term player development goal

Last week  USA Rugby confirmed a 17-player squad that gathered at Chula Vista for a U23 Women’s Sevens training camp.

This camp marked a continuation of the Women’s Sevens Pathway’s development in North America.

Of the 17 players that attended, 14 make up the Core Development Group; who have been highlighted as key players for the future and will have consistent, long-term player development opportunities.

An intensive five-day programme, the camp will introduce players to a daily training environment as part USA Rugby’s aim of providing players with regular touch-points throughout the year.

Irene Gardner, Women’s Sevens Pathway head coach, said: “This year in the Women’s Sevens Pathway, we are shifting our primary focus from verifying talent scouted at various events to developing a core player group.

“This player group here at the March camp will join us again for a two-week Residency Immersion Camp in June. Our aim at this camp is to assess and support core skill development, while establishing core behaviours required at the national team level.

“By increasing the attention given to foundational attack and defensive skills, we better equip our athletes and their support networks in their daily training environments with the tools to continue to accelerate their development between now and June.”

The majority of this squad will reconvene in June for a two-week residential camp and continue developing the next generation of USA Women’s Eagles Sevens talent.

USA U23 Women’s Sevens squad

Falalauola Amanoni (Berkeley All Blues)
Shawnee Asiata (Majestics)
Brooke Crago (Scion Rugby)
Chloe DeLeon (US Military Academy)
Kiyanah Edwards (American International College)
Cameron Fields (Harvard University)
Kori Fields (Long Island University)
Olivia Frisby (Life University)
Aleksandria Gabbard (US Naval Academy)
Leah Lockerman (Denver Onyx)
Josephine Mignone (Harvard University)
Chloe O’Meara (Washington Athletic Club)
Cecilia Rose (Life University)
Saylor Russell (Long Island University)
Jayna Schalesky (UC Santa Barbara)
Annabella Vogel (Life University)
Zoe Zumbro (Belmont Shore)