Glendale, Colo. — Beginning in May, USA Rugby High Performance Pathways will host seven Talent Identification Camps to find emerging men’s and women’s players for its junior and senior national teams, as well as Major League Rugby. 

Athletes at the U18, U20 and U23 levels are encouraged to review the performance criteria and sign up for a camp in their area at least 10 days before each event date. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a limited number of spots are available for each age group at each camp to ensure athletes can test in accordance with local health and safety mandates. 

Click here to review performance criteria>>

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Talent ID Camp Locations include:

• Oahu, Hawaii – May 1

• Sacramento, CA – May 7-8

• Washington D.C. – May 15

• Seattle, WA – May 22

• Atlanta, GA – May 29

• Houston, TX – June 5

• Salt Lake City, UT – June 12

Held in partnership with World Rugby, the camps include a series of tests in a combine-style environment that create opportunities for athletes from diverse sporting backgrounds. Players will rotate through different stations that include physical performance testing, general and position specific skills assessments, as well as small-sided games. 

Talent ID Camps serve as the first stage in an ongoing identification and development process. Staff will assess performances after each camp to determine which athletes will progress to Talent Confirmation held at regional Junior National Team camps in late June or July. Those who perform well in the confirmation stage will transition to additional development opportunities in the fall and winter. Locations and dates for subsequent camps will be communicated to attendees later this year. 

Athletes who don’t receive immediate invites to Talent Confirmation or Development camps will continue to be monitored by Junior National Team staff. 

“On the back of a year with very little rugby, we are excited for the opportunity to see the players back on the field and to work with them," said Brendan Keane, USA Rugby Men’s High-Performance Pathways Manager. "Most importantly, we look forward to continuing the work to discover, develop, and inspire tomorrow’s Eagles. As enjoyable as these events are, in the end we are looking for the young men and women who are capable of competing for places in future World Cup and Olympic Games; whether that’s through exceptional rugby skill, athleticism, or a combination of the two.  

“We are thankful to World Rugby for their investment and partnership not just in delivering this series, but in our other development initiatives. We appreciate the work of individuals, local rugby clubs, and MLR Teams in the various cities for their local knowledge, facilities and communication support." 

“World Rugby’s ongoing partnership and investment into high performance initiatives is integral to the ongoing development and future success of USA National Teams," added Peter Horne, World Rugby’s General Manager of High Performance. "The USA Rugby Talent Identification Camps will enable the union to identify athletes with high potential from both traditional and non-traditional North American pathways. An athlete’s development is then accelerated by their inclusion and exposure to National Age-Grade Teams and the USA Rugby National Academy, increasing the quality and size of the player pool vying for Major League Rugby contracts and USA Eagles selection.”

For more information about USA Rugby’s Junior National Teams, visit pathways.usa.rugby.