LAFAYETTE, Colo. - ATAVUS and USA Rugby have announced three Girls HS All American teams to play 15s against Canadian opposition.

The program is splitting the teams along age (two U18s and one U16s) and geographic lines (West and East) with 80 athletes participating.

Head Coach Farrah Douglas will lead the GHSAA East U18s against Quebec U18s on the campus of Mount Saint Mary's University. The U16s will also take the trip to MSM and will play July 29 and 31.

The West team will face off against a very tough British Columbia team in Seattle August 5 and 7. 

Meanwhile, in the fall, a GHSAA 7s team will travel to Vichy, France, for Women European Championship 7s U18.

"The U16 team is geared toward the idea that we want these young players to be exposed to the beginning of the decision-making needed to compete at the senior level, and look to increase their game understanding and skill development at a younger age," Douglas told USA Rugby. "By focusing on developing their rugby ability through skill development and early exposure to pressured collective and individual decision-making skills, we are able to encourage these players to explore and express their athleticism within the GHSAA game structures.

"Although the aim is still looking to continue to develop players, our U18 squad is in the beginning stages of transitioning to concepts of improvement and performance. We want to develop an ongoing conversation about how to improve not just skill, but playing ability, shifting some of the focus toward the facilitation of player learning through emphasizing questioning and player engagement in the GHSAA structure."

The support of ATAVUS since late 2014 has been instrumental in allowing the team to assemble and tour multiple times a year, and the GHSAA West team will be in the sponsor's backyard and the players will be housed at Seattle University and play at Magnuson Park, home of ATAVUS camps and home also much of the rugby played in the city.

"Because we are such a large country geographically it is always tough with only five RCT events as selection venues," Douglas said. "However, the combination of the GHSAA Winter Camps and RCTs, in addition to the ATAVUS resident camps this summer, has enabled us to evaluate a larger number of high school players."

ATAVUS has supported the GHSAAs to ensure equitable opportunities in rugby for young women. ATAVUS will continue to sponsor the team's preparation and travel to play in elite tournaments across the U.S. and select international competitions. Three GHSAA alumna - Lilly Durbin, Tess Feury, and Richelle Stephens - have gone on to win senior caps for the 15s and sevens Eagles since the program began, with more than a handful of others graduating to the Junior All-Americans and Collegiate All-Americans.

Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS | East U18
Naomi Colin
Emma Conrad
Jordan Cowan
Olivia Duba
Lelyss Eligio
Hannah Garcia
Natalie Gray
Delia Hellander
Alyssa Henneberg
Emily Henrich
Sydeney Hugus
Lynnzee Jordan
Grace Kiraly
Paige Krahling
Jodi Losch
Hannah Moran
Jess Nagie
Allie Ramage
Darina Roe
Annie Rolf
Hannah Savin
Brianna Whitfield
Elizabeth Wilson
Erin Wright

Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS | East U18
v. Quebec U18s - Friday, July 29
v. Quebec U18s - Sunday, July 31

Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS | East U16
Gigi Agliardo
Delani Bargell
McKenzie Bochers
KC Byrd
Samantha Carroll
Kaitlyn Delapaz
Isabella Devore
Alex DiMarco
Grace Estes
Lauren Feddridge
Brooke Garcia
Fane Haungatau
Addison Horsley
Reagan Hunter
Madison Jumper
Natalie Locke
Leilani Mendoza
Delaney Rakuita
Megan Reed
Punipuoa Skipps
Joannah Skucek
Samantha Tancredi
Salote Tausinga
Hailey Thomas
Alexandra Wantlin
Camille White

Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS | East U16
v. Quebec U16s - Friday, July 29
v. Quebec U16s - Sunday, July 31

Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAUVS | Coaching Staff
Farrah Douglas - Head Coach
Ricardo Ramirez - Assistant Coach
Kate Daley - Assistant Coach
Katherine Henry - Physiotherapist
Sarah Leslie - Physiotherapist
Carrie DuBray - Manager
Jacque Harrell - Manager

Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS | West U18
Sui A'Au
Tiana A'Au
Tiara A'Au
Legacy Adams
Destiny Arena
Cassidy Bargell
Lily Brown
Mirielle Cordoa
Atumata Hingano
Seini Imarial
Mililani Leui
Lolohea Makaafi
Daisy Manoa
Rian Moala
Cheyene Nielson
Winter OBrien
MJ Paisoles
Ana Polaulo
Julia Riekena
Malili Schaap
Alexandra Sedrick
McKenna Strong
Finau Tamaviena
Mele Tausinga
Nia Toliver
Penina Tuipaepa
Brianna Vasquez

Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS | West U18
v. BC U18s - Friday, Aug. 5
v. BC U18s - Sunday, Aug. 7

Girls High School All-Americans powered by ATAVUS | Coaching Staff
Farrah Douglas - Head Coach
Ricardo Ramirez - Assistant Coach
Shawn Pittman - Assistant Coach
Sarah Leslie - Physiotheraphist
Carrie DuBray - Manager
Jacque Harrell - Manager