High School Boys
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.
Three US high school players have been spending the Northern Hemisphere attending Nelson College in New Zealand thanks to the US Rugby Foundation.
JW Sarkess, Connor Bender, and Oliver Kirk have all been at Nelson College for this term.
Seven boys and men's brackets crowned winners at the NAI 7s in Salt Lake City over the weekend.
We looked in a little bit more detail about the U18 teams here: Rebel, Belmont Shore Lead Title Runs in NAI Sevens
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.
Rebel Rugby Academy, Eagle Impact Rugby Academy, Next Phase Rugby, and Belmont Shore all went 3-0 in pool play in today's NAI 7s Boys U18 Elite action.