Approximately 70 of the 90 invitees are attending this weekend’s Midwest Women’s U24 Elite Camp in Delafield, Wis., hosted by Oconomowoc RFC. The women hail from Women’s Premier League clubs through small colleges (and one high schooler), and include participants from national champions like Notre Dame College and Wayne State College, to varsity programs like Davenport. The region represented stretches from Euclid, Ohio (Notre Dame College) in the east, to Brookings, S.D. (South Dakota State) in the west. Thunderbird head coach Steve Murra and assistant coach Roger Riley have also brought together a host of regional coaches to aid the assembly, which will essentially name the touring squad to this August’s Wales tour.

“This is the most representative camp since 2006,” Murra indicated. “Close to 80 players represent 24 colleges and five women’s club sides. The coaching staff includes All Americans, national champions, select side coaches, and a nationally ranked 7s program coach.”

Kassie Drey (Northern Iowa ‘11), Sheree Hasselmore (Winona ’12), Gray Zischke (coach, UW Stevens Point), Rick Bellis (coach, Wisconsin Girls U19 7s), and Kelsie McDowell (coach, Simpson College) will coordinate with Murra and Riley during the weekend. The staff will run the players through a series of fitness tests, small and large unit drills, skills, and scrimmages on both days.

In addition to the higher-level development, there’s a lot hinging on this tryout. Murra and Riley will use this camp to name its touring squad, which will play three games in Wales and England, and also attend the Wales vs. Ireland World Cup warm-up on August 8. Almost-24-year-old and former junior Eagle Grace Hovde was on the 2013 Wales tour – in fact, she’s been on every Midwest tour for the previous two years – and she’s eager to jet across the pond again.

“I am very much looking forward to reuniting with friends and supporters we met on the previous tour,” Hovde said. “There are a handful of very special people there with whom I have stayed in touch. I'm excited to see how the new squad reacts to international play and touring – it is much different and more challenging than suiting up for one match on a Saturday with your club or college team. I don't doubt that it is going to be another amazing experience.”

When Hovde represented the Thunderbirds in 2013, she had just graduated from UW Madison. She now plays for Wisconsin, the senior DII club, and will be aging out of the regional U24 program soon.

“I feel so fortunate to have been a Thunderbird and coached by Steve and Roger for many years,” Hovde said. “I have grown immensely as a rugby player, and I have amazing teammates and friends all over the Midwest and internationally as a result. … Several years ago USA Rugby got rid of the regional competitive teams and the LAU competition, which was a huge bummer. Now, the Midwest is the only region – as far as I know – that has sustained a regional selects rugby program for women, thanks to Steve and Rog.” 

Stay tuned as new talent is identified through the camp, and also keep watch for the final tour selection.