NAI 7s The Venue for Next Phase Rugby's Entry into Select-Side Competition
NAI 7s The Venue for Next Phase Rugby's Entry into Select-Side Competition
GRR sponsor Next Phase Rugby is kicking off its select side plans with an appearance at the NAI 7s.
As outlined in a recent press release, Next Phase is helping to promote its app with camps, potentially a tournament, and a touring side.
Next Phase Rugby Set to Launch Academy, Camps, and 7s Tournament
Set to expand into 15s and with boy and girls at different ages, the plan right now is to enter just one team in the Boys Elite U18 bracket at the NAI 7s.
Head Coach and Next Phase CEO Greg Stelluti previously ran the Berks County 7s team at the NAI 7s so he's experienced with that. This Next Phase team has players from all over the country.
Not surprisingly there are some players from Berks, with Rugby PA Player of the Year Matt Cleland, hard-hitting back Jake Stelluti, blazing fast Diohnny Ruiz, and try-scoring threat Jaime Rivera coming from that team. Five players come from California, with powerful multi-positional player Riley Huestis and speedy Julian Niulala from Granite Bay, multi-skilled operator at flyhalf Keegan Hannon and pacey finisher Bryce Holladay from the SOC Raptors, and VJ Enosa a shifty talent from Oceanside.
Aspetuck's classy center Jason Champagne will do well to connect it all, while St. Ignatius of Cleveland sends two tireless forwards with open-field skills in Nick Kovalchuk and Tommy McManamon.
Getting all of those players to work together and row in the same direction will be a major task in the two days of preparation they will have. It's not about talent—this team has that—but effort. Who wins ball, who runs in support, who gets back on defense.
With Atlantis, Washington Academy of Rugby, and Utah Warriors in their pool they will have very little time to ease into it.
