ATAVUS recently sent USA flyhalf/scrumhalf Shalom Suniula and former Eagle prop Shawn Pittman to Tennessee to work with players from Middle Tennessee State University, and high school players from South Doyle and other teams.

Suniula worked with the players on passing skills and decision-making, while Pittman works on contact and forward skills.

“We all had an amazing time,” said South Doyle Head Coach Matthew Lance. “Watching them compete with and against top competition across the state was probably the best part of the entire weekend. We took away tons of drills, more than any one person could keep track of, and brought them back to practice with us this week. Our Seniors (those who participated in the camp) led practice yesterday. We had tons of brand new players out this week now that football is over, and they were all brought up to pace using the same drills the seniors learned this past weekend.”

So Lance was able to create a leadership opportunity from the sessions, as well as help the players who attended.

“I couldn't have been more proud of the guys attitude, focus, leadership, and work ethic at the camp, and they topped it off with an excellent player-led training session  for our entire team.”

Having current and former national team players there also was a thrill for the players.

“The coaching lineup at the camp was incredible,” said Lance. “By the end of the weekend most of the coaches new most of my guys names. Some even followed them back on social media - that was a big deal for my guys. The confidence they brought back with them was priceless, the motivation and momentum this camp has brought to our training sessions this week could be the difference between winning and not winning the state championship.”

"Any opportunity to share my experiences with aspiring Rugby players around the country is an opportunity I don't take for granted,” said Suniula. “I enjoy talking with the coaches and getting to know more about their club. It really puts things in perspective knowing the hard selfless work they put in behind the scenes to grow the sport."

Boys and girls players, as well as college players, from around Tennessee, participated. Among them were several members of the Memphis Inner City Rugby initiative (memphisinnercityrugby.com).  MICR seeks to expand academic and athletic opportunity in low-income communities by bringing weekly college prep mentoring sessions, academic and behavior tracking systems, as well as world class coaching to a population, in our city and in our country, seldom exposed to rugby. Through the power of a non-traditional sport, we aim to create non-traditional opportunities for travel, social development and higher education for underprivileged youth throughout Memphis.

See also the NPR story on MICR here.

ATAVUS holds camps around the country, teaching skills and rugby understanding to young and experienced players alike. The camps and clinics also serve to identify players for participation in select teams. In Tennessee, two players turned heads:

Lindsey Baron has been invited to play for the ATAVUS All-Stars Girls High School team participating in the LVI in Las Vegas. She is 16 years old and players for the Brentwood Brumbies and the Tennessee Tri Stars select program. 

Calvin Gentry has been invited to play for the ATAVUS All-Stars Boys High School team participating in LVI. Has played rugby for four years at Power Center Academy in Memphis, Tenn and has suited up for the Tennessee Tri-Star team and the USA South U19s. He is a three-time MVP for PCA, and twice Athlete of the Year at his school. He is currently entertaining offers from several top college rugby programs.