Plans Developing for Girls HSAA Team
Plans Developing for Girls HSAA Team
The recent news that Serevi is backing a more robust Girls High School All American program means …. what exactly?
It means that the girls HSAA team will actually play some games.
The whole deal came down because Serevi co-founders Chris and Julie Prentice traveled to China to see their daughter, Emily, play for the USA in the Youth Olympics. While there, they spoke with other parents, and concluded that the team could have benefitted from more time together.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Julie Prentice about going to China. “But watching the different countries compete, it became apparent that there were some resourcing issues. What is needed is more opportunities for the girl to play a consistently higher level.”
Prentice said the China experience “reinforced” Serevi’s interest in the girls HSAA program. The Prentices met with USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville, and 7s HP Director Alex Magleby, as well as HSAA coach Mollie McCarthy. All agreed that something needed to be done to get young women players high level experience before they get to the U20 and Collegiate All-American level.
“We can hopefully get more higher level experience for girls at a younger age,” said Prentice. “Girls have different goals. They might be just being at the highest level in high school. Others have national team aspirations. What we want to do is provide the portal through which we can identify these players and give them exposure. And then if they are selected at that Junior All American level and above, they have had some experience at that level.”
So in 2015 there will be playing opportunities for the HS All American team. Likely that will include a 7s team at the Las Vegas Invitational, and then a 15s game or games later in the year - perhaps after the Regional All-Star Tournaments (RASTs) and the Stars & Stripes game.
Eventually the program will grow into regular assemblies and tours or games against international opponents. But, said Prentice, they have to get the process right first.
“The girls love the game and are drawn to a game where the rules and the way of playing are equal for men and women,” said Prentice. “We know this is a work in progress and we are working on a plan to develop the program.”
It will all develop over time, but, added Prentice, there is one simple element to that plan.
“We want more girls playing at a higher level at an earlier age.”
Ariana Lewis in training for the Youth Olympics. Everyone agrees that the Youth Olympic team needed more time.
