LANGFORD, B.C. - 12 USA Girls High School All-Americans (U18) have been named for a NextGen Sevens tournament in Langford, B.C., taking place alongside the senior HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens from May 10-12.

Led by Women’s Eagles Captain and 2018 USA Rugby High School Coach of the Year Kate Zackary, the Girls High School All-American sevens (GHSAA 7s) will face Rugby Canada Development Academy (RCDA), Canada Sevens Academy Ontario (CSA ONT) and the British Columbia Selects (BCS) over three days of competition.

Day One (May 10) will include round-robin play with all teams playing each other once at Jaun De Fuca Recreation Park in Victoria. The final two days will take place at Westhills Stadium during breaks in the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens tournament. On Day Two, each team will play one game in a semifinal round before a Bronze Final and Cup Final take place on Day Three.

The named roster includes players from the West Coast United States including Women’s Sevens Resident-Athlete Eti Haungatau. Still only 18 years of age but quickly making a name for herself, Haungatau recently competed with the senior U.S. Women’s National Team in a historic friendly against the Barbarians F.C. in Glendale, CO.

Girls High School All-American Head Coach Kate Zackary said: “As a staff, we are focused on providing these individuals with more challenging competitions, supporting their continuing growth as players. This team will have an exciting opportunity to play against a couple tough Canadian sides in the stadium during the Women’s Sevens Series.  These young ladies are the future, and I’m beyond grateful to be able to share my experience with them and contribute to their own journeys.”   

General Manager for Women’s High Performance Emilie Bydwell said:  “Events like this Next Gen 7s is a huge step forward for our pathway.  We are able to evaluate our Girls High School All-American 7s pool players against international competition, assessing which players should be included in the Hawk Eye program next year; and allow them to develop and express themselves in a competitive environment. Players like Eti Haungatau are able to return to their age group and take a leadership role as we provide valuable deployment opportunities to our emerging high performance coaches.”

NextGen Sevens is one of two summer assemblies for the Girls High School All-American sevens with another set to take place the following weekend, also in Canada,  featuring players from the East Coast United States. Details for that event will be announced separately.

GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICAN SEVENS ROSTER

 

Player Name	Position	High School Program
Kristen Bitter	Center, Flyhalf	Torrey Pines (CA)
Abby Fearey	Prop, Hooker	San Marcos (CA)
Nafanua "Nafi" Fitisemanu	Prop	United Girls (UT)
Tessa Hann	Hooker, Prop	Westside Swarm (CO)
Fane "Eti" Hauntagau	Center, Prop	Women's Sevens Residency Program
Nicole Kimball	Scrumhalf, Wing	Summit (CA)
Olivia Popp	Scrumhalf	Land Park Harlequins (CA)
Ava Procter	Center, Wing	Rugby Oregon (OR)
Abbey Savin	Flyhalf	Fallbrook Warriors (CA)
Punipuao Skipps	Center, Scrumhalf	South Bay Spartans (CA)
Princess Tafiti	Prop	United Girls (UT)
Paula "PK" Vincze	Flyhalf	Summit (CA)

 

GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICAN SEVENS STAFF

Director of GHSAA | Martha Daines

Head Coach | Kate Zackary

Assistant Coach - Megan Pinson

Athletic Trainer | Danielle Allen

Pathway & Team Manager | Anna Kunkel

 

NEXTGEN SEVENS SCHEDULE

 

Friday May 10 - Round Robin Play

Jaun De Fuca Rec Park

 

vs Rugby Canada Development Academy | 1:25 PM ET

vs Canada Sevens Academy Ontario | 3:45 PM ET

vs British Columbia Selects | 6:40 PM ET

 

 

Saturday, May 11- Play Off Games

Westhills Stadium

 

Second place vs third place | 3:42 PM ET

First place vs fourth place | 6:21 PM ET

 

 

Sunday, May 12  - Finals

Westhills Stadium

 

Bronze Final | 2:32 PM ET

Final | 2:54 PM ET