The USA Maccabi rugby team is looking for players for the 2015 Pan American Maccabi Games.

The Maccabiah Games are called the "Jewish Olympics" and are multi-sport events for Jewish athletes from around the world. Every four years the Maccabiah Games are held in Israel (next in 2017), and the USA has enjoyed success there in the rugby competition. Now the USA will send a rugby team to the Pan American Maccabi Games, to be held December 26, 2015 to January 5, 2016 in Santiago, Chile. 

The USA team is looking for talented Jewish rugby players to play.

“We’re excited about gathering a young squad that will not only compete, but hopefully take home the gold medal," said Aaron Davis, a former USA Maccabi player and the team's head coach. "While part of the intention of the tour is to prepare for the World Maccabiah Games in Israel in 2017, our primary focus is certainly on Chile.”

Davis, winner of the silver medal at the Maccabiah Games in 2001 and 2005 and two National Championships with the Santa Monica Dolphins, will coach the team with assistant and former USA 7s team captain Dallen Stanford, who captained the USA team to a gold medal in 7s and a bronze in 15s at the 2013 Maccabiah Games. Stanford also plans to play, as well as coach, in Chile

The Rugby competition at the 2015 Pan American Maccabi Games will feature both 7s and XVs. Argentina, Australia, Chile, South Africa and USA have confirmed their participation in the one day 7s tournament. Countries that have confirmed their participation in XVs include Argentina, Chile, South Africa and USA.

“There will be three XVs games and a full day of 7s packed into the short tour, allowing us to take players who specialize in either code, or those that play both,” explained Davis, who was the vice-captain at the 2013 Maccabiah Games.

“It’s an amazing honor to represent your country, and to play one of the greatest games on earth, especially alongside people that share a similar heritage. We’re hoping to attract plenty of new up and coming players to Chile to add to our already impressive Maccabi USA Rugby alumni network, which includes Super Bowl XLIX Champion Nate Ebner and USA Rugby Olympic athlete Zach Test,” said Stanford.

Erik Dollman, Maccabi USA’s Rugby Chairman, is extremely excited about the upcoming tour: “Although we’ve received a ton of applicants, we know there are still plenty of young, talented Jewish Rugby players out there. 

To apply for the 13th Pan American Maccabi Games, interested Rugby candidates should visit http://www.maccabiusa.com/sports_main/rugby/ to fill out an application. All athletes are responsible for raising $5,900; Maccabi USA has prepared a robust fundraising plan to aid players in securing their funds for the trip. For more information, please contact Rugby Chairman Erik Dollman at erik.dollman@tbs.toshiba.com, Aaron Davis at aaronloringdavis@gmail.com, and Dallen Stanford at dallen.stanford@playrugbyusa.com.