GRR: HS Girls
The number of youth and high school players and coaches in the USA rose in the 2023-24 cycle, and one wonders if that growth will increase in the next cycle.
Fueled in part by a return to the idea that going outside is good, and in part by more regions getting back to normal post-COVID, registrations rose 12% to over 50,000.
Belmont Shore led the way among girls brackets at the NAI 7s.
They fielded three teams, winning the U18 Elite, coming in 3rd among the U16s, and 2nd in the U14s.
Only one other programs fielded three teams, the Utah Cannibals, who came 4th in U18 Elite and U16, and won U14.
Here's a quick look at the NAI 7s.
U18 EliteRebel Rugby Academy White won the Boys U18 Elite in dramatic fashion, coming back from a 12-7 deficit at halftime to win 26-24 over Next Phase Rugby. This was exactly the matchup last year and Rebel came away with a close win then, too.
Pool play isn't done in the NAI 7s Girls Elite but Belmont Shore and Majestics are looking good.
Both of these teams, who, coincidentally, were the finalists in the National HS Club Championships, are 3-0 after Day One.
Two more games remain before anyone plays a final, and Belmont Shore and Majestics don't play each other until Round 5.
Turning up has its own value and certainly you can give a big kudos to the Pleasanton Cavaliers.
This Northern California club will be fielding two full teams in the Girls U18 Open division at the NAI 7s. This is a big event for Pleasanton, and it’s an interesting follow-on to what they talked about last year.