Turning up has its own value and certainly you can give a big kudos to the Pleasanton Cavaliers.

This Northern California club will be fielding two full teams in the Girls U18 Open division at the NAI 7s. This is a big event for Pleasanton, and it’s an interesting follow-on to what they talked about last year.

Pleasanton Cavaliers Bring the Spirit from Goff Rugby Report on Vimeo.

Yes, that’s right, they said that playing at elite tournaments such as the NAI 7s was about building their numbers and growing the club.

Guess it worked.

There are teams from all over with a chance to win this event. Eagle HS out of Idaho just won a national single-school 15s title, so, yeah, they might know a thing or two.

But, hold on, Kahuku is here from Hawaii; North Carolina’s side has talent from two hotspots in Charlotte and Raleigh, with several having suited up for their NCYRU select team this summer in 15s and also in 7s at the Tropical 7s. Watch out for Maia Koppany and her work rate.  

Badger Academy brings a strong side and then there’s Pioneer 7s, Sacramento Harlequins, who were last year’s Runners-Up … there are a lot of teams that can play.

But to circle back to participation, there’s something to be said about that in this context. And take a look at what New Mexico has been able to do, taking one boys team, and then following that up with more teams, including a squad in this year’s U18 Girls. 

That’s a sign of growth.