A new program playing in the NAI 7s brings back an old name.

The California Grizzlies resurrects the Grizzlies name which has been used for California and Pacific Coast select sides for decades. A collegiate Grizzlies side toured South America last year and are wrapping up a tour of Chile at the moment; now we are seeing a full age-grade program developing.

According to Director of Rugby Operations Josh Glaser, "the California Grizzlies is a regional rugby program dedicated to a fresh approach to development and high-performance pathways. Our primary focus is to provide talent development opportunities for players aged between 12 (U14) and 22 (U23). We offer domestic and international tours, regular game development training sessions, and local entry points for players, coaches, referees, and administrators, utilizing the existing community infrastructure."

Training at Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., the Grizzlies have been working Wednesdays and Sundays to develop players from the Bay Area, as well as Sacramento and Central Valley. They expect to expand training locations in the massive state and have a strong coaching group associated with the program with Glaser, Adriaan Ferris, Paul Keeler, Neil Foote, and Jason Divine involved.

For the NAI 7s, the Grizzlies will be fielding five teams: U14 and U16 Boys (both in Tier 1 of their respective brackets) and U16 Girls as well as U18 Elite teams in Boys and Girls.

Drawing from as many as 18 high school clubs in Northern California, the Grizzlies are building on activities. Along withe five teams at the NAI 7s and the collegiate tour of Chile, they are looking at a tour of Australia, hosting tourists in the winter, and touring throughout next summer.