PR 7s to Hold Open Trials Through Winter
PR 7s to Hold Open Trials Through Winter
New York City (PR 7s Release)—Coming off its first multi-city season in 2022, Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s) will host Open Trials in eight markets across North America starting in January 2023.
The professional league is searching for male and female athletes who will compete for an opportunity to make a roster alongside Olympians and national team players for the 2023 PR7s season. The Open Trial schedule includes the following:
Saturday, Jan. 7 – Austin, Texas
Saturday, Jan. 21 – San Clemente, Calif.
Sunday, Jan. 22 – San Jose, Calif.
Sunday, Feb. 19 – Charlotte, N.C.
Sunday, March 12 – Washington, D.C.
Sunday, March 19 – Pittsburgh, Pa.
T.B.A. date – Salt Lake City, Utah
T.B.A. date – Canada
Specific times and venues will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Interested players must be at least 18 to participate and can sign up at prsevens.com/talent. Crossover athletes with limited rugby experience are encouraged to try out. Many of the top rugby sevens players in North America previously competed at a high level in other sports, such as basketball, football, soccer, ice hockey, field hockey, wrestling, and track and field.
The PR7s Open Trials are sanctioned by USA Rugby, which classified PR7s as the highest level of domestic seven-a-side rugby. Since PR7s debuted in October 2021, the new league has offered pathways and a national platform that have led to opportunities with USA Eagles Sevens, including Logan Tago, Aaron Cummings, and Sarah Levy.
Most recently, Nolan Tuamoheloa was called up to the USA national team to play in the 2022 Hong Kong Sevens after a successful season with the Experts this past summer.
“We are looking to add more talent to our league and find the next stars of PR7s and USA Rugby,” said PR7s General Manager Mike Tolkin. “In 2022, about 20% of our rosters were discovered at Talent ID camps across North America. We offer men and women an opportunity to play at the highest level right here in the United States.”
The PR7s 2022 season included over 30 matches through tournaments at the MLS stadiums in San Jose, Washington, D.C., and Austin. The Headliners took home the first United Championship, led by Team USA Olympic co-captain Abby Gustaitis for the Headliners women and U.S. national team player Adam Channel on the men’s side. The Headliners also took home the Kathy Flores Cup for women’s top prize, while the Loggerheads earned the A. Jon Prusmack Cup as the men’s champion, led by U.S. Olympians Martin Iosefo and Matai Leuta.
