For Immediate Release
December 4, 2008

 

USA Rugby Announces Under-18 Camp, Player Pool

 

SAN DIEGO – USA Rugby has announced the Boy’s Under-18 player pool for its winter camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., this weekend.

 

The camp, held December 4-8, will look at a large pool of players in hopes of identifying the right athletes to push forward into the Under-18 program this season. Those selected to the U.S. U-18s will go on to compete in international competition throughout the year and will take part in the development pathway towards becoming a senior Eagle.

 

The players will participate in training sessions that will emphasize skill development, transitioning toward the implementation of a team pattern, culminating with a scrimmage versus San Diego State’s Freshman/Sophomore side.  They’ll also be put through athletic testing, a Strength and Conditioning and Nutritional Seminar, team and individual film study, and individual goal setting meetings throughout this four-day camp.

 

The athletes invited to this camp have been identified through their participation in regional All-Star Tournaments, camps and matches, as well as National Championship events and the U-18 Camp in Elkhart, Ind., this summer. Coach nominations and film submissions have also lent a hand in pinpointing talent and young players throughout the U.S.   

 

This camp will be the first assembly of the upcoming rugby season for the U-18 program as it builds toward its match against the Canadians Age-Grade side in February, two matches versus the UK U-18 Barbarians in the spring and potentially a tour over the summer.

 

“This winter camp is about balancing our objectives,” Under-18 Program Director and HP Manager, Matt Sherman said. “We are focusing on identifying the right athletes to invest in long term, focusing on skill development for these players, and beginning the initial stages of building a team and a pattern for our upcoming fixtures.”

 

The U-18 Player Pool for this winter camp includes:

Anderson, Ryan (Penn Rugby)

Bailey, Antoine  (Shawnigan Lake School)

Borup, Jamie (Christian Brothers Falcons)

Brussard, Alex (Boston College High School)

Colin, Tyler (Sac Jesuit)

Cowley, Joey (Charlotte Rugby Club/Charlotte Catholic H.S.)

De Nysschen, Tiaan (Birmingham Rugby Club)

Earley, Mitchell (Woodlands Youth Rugby)

Farrell, Will (Alpharetta Phoenix RFC)

Fry, Jason (Sac Jesuit)

Harrington, Brad (OMBAC/SD Mustangs)

Jackson, Andrew (LA Cougers)

Juszczak, Mike (Xavier)

Knoeldner, Max (Pulaski Roos)

Kraft, Brandon (Jesuit)

Latu, Patrick (San Mateo)

Lorimer, Dylan (Highland)

Marshall, Jonathan (Highlanders RFC)

Mills, Conor (St. Thomas H.S.)

Newman, Dylan (Fallbrook)

Pelkey, Ronald (Western Loudoun RFC)

Rogers, Paul (St. Thomas H.S.)

Semogas, Vytas (Brentwood College School)

Staladi, T.J. (Liberty Rugby Club)

Swanepool, Johann (Rockhurst)

Thomas, Asher  (Chapel Hill Highlanders)

Veit, Gerhard (Northeast Nomads)

Worbel, Jacob (Rio Linda)

 

U-18 Camp Staff:

Program Director: Matt Sherman

Backs Coach: Jason Paynes

Forwards Coach:  Chris Osentowski

Manager/Asst Coach: Mike Dimantopolous

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Jeremy Bettle

Physiotherapist: Brianne Bennett

 

For more information on the Boys U-18 Program, please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/boys_u18 or contact Matt Sherman at msherman@usarugby.org.  

 

 

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