LAFAYETTE, CO. - USA Rugby has today announced the 2019 schedule and selection process for its Men’s High School All-American (U18), Under-20 and Collegiate All-American programs.

The High School All-Americans (HSAA) will participate in two events each on the sevens and fifteens side including one in July and another in December. Both will feature international competition.

Summer assemblies will take place from July 1-15 on the fifteens side and July 7-13 on the sevens side. Selections for both will be made primarily from last year’s All-American Winter Camp and Regional Cup Tournaments (2018).

In the winter, the High School All-American Sevens will be exposed to some of the best international sevens programs in the world through the World School Sevens tournament from December 7-14 in Auckland, NZ. In fifteens, USA Rugby will host its annual Winter Camp from December 26-31 with the plan to again feature multiple international matches. Players for both December events will be identified through this year’s upcoming Regional Cup Tournaments (2019).

Also in fifteens, the Under-20s (previously known as Junior All-Americans) and Collegiate All-American programs will each participate in up to three events this summer. Information for Collegiate All-American Sevens events will be announced at a later stage.

U20s will first assemble from May 11-16 for a training camp in Chula Vista, CA to prepare for their annual World Rugby Trophy qualification series against Canada’s U20s. The series will take place in Canada with matches on June 4 and June 8.

Should the USA advance, the Under-20s will compete in the Junior World Trophy Competition from July 9-21 in Brazil. Selections for all three assemblies are made from last year’s Regional Cup Tournaments and Winter Camp (2018) as well as coach nominations from collegiate and club programs.

The Collegiate All-American program will host all three of its events as part of the second annual Selection Camp 2019. Assemblies include two camps, one the East and another on the West Coast United States with one final camp in Colorado that concludes with a match on July 27. The game serves as a curtain raiser for the senior Men’s National Team 15s test match with rival-Canada. Players for Selection Camp will be identified through nominations from college All-Conference Teams.

For years, USA Rugby’s age-grade assemblies have played an integral role in building depth for the senior national teams, with the High School All-American program serving as the primary entry point.

In that spirit, and as part of a forward-thinking approach to talent identification, the program will begin looking at players who qualify for next year’s under-18 level, with the aim of making selections for the U18 Windhoek Sevens in March of 2020 and additional competitions in fifteens.

Boys High School All-American Head Coach Brendan Keane said: “To continue to develop our players, competition at the highest possible level is vital, as is time together in the national team environment. It is also a reward for players who have shown the resolve and ability to compete at the top level, and an opportunity to test themselves in a difficult and unforgiving arena. It is our purpose that the lessons learned at the High School All-American level will lead to growth and success as these players matriculate to the U20 and senior USA teams.”

As a whole, the All-American program relies heavily on philanthropic support from the community so players don’t have to pay to play for their country. To support future World Cup athletes and Olympians visit usarugby.org/philanthropy.

Additionally, in order to ensure high school rugby players are given an equal opportunity to participate in USA Rugby’s All-American camps, the organization has prepared a nomination form that can be used for Regional Cup Tournament participants who feel they may have been overlooked. The nomination form may be accessed at hiperforms.com.

 

USA Rugby 2019 Age-Grade Schedule

High School All-American 15s

Summer International Competition | July 1-15

Winter Camp 2019 | December 26-31

High School All-American 7s Schedule

Summer International Competition | July 7-13

World School Sevens | December 8-14

Under-20s

Training Camp | May 11-16
 

World Rugby Trophy Qualifier Series vs Canada U20s
Full assembly: May 30 - June 9
Match 1: June 4
Match 2: June 8
 

World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament | July 9-21
Pending qualification

 

Collegiate All-American 15s

Selection Camp 2019 -- West Coast
June 19-22
 

Selection Camp 2019 -- East Coast
June 26-29

Selection Camp 2019 -- Final Round Full assembly: July 21-28 Match date: July 27