HS Girls Rugby Nationals Field of 16 Set for May Championships

Last year I had the privilege of coaching a girls HS side that qualified for both the Midwest Championships and National Championships. Due to some injuries and work conflicts we had to drop out of the main field of 16 and play in the festival bracket, but the Nationals experience was well worth it.

My favorite moments, besides the hotly contested matches and seeing a panel of all women center referees, was during the opening ceremonies. After a parade of teams and invocations, the players from all over the country created an impromptu dance party. The camaraderie that began there built all weekend both on and off the pitch. Teams traded tokens from their home states and Eagles U-20 coach Danielle Miller was on hand to present medals at the awards ceremony. Collegiate coaches from the likes of Quinnipiac, Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, UNI, Winona State, and UW-Milwaukee were on hand for scouting purposes and each presented about their programs.

The opportunities these young ladies have surpass what existed in the past and it's beyond encouraging to see the sport grow. The coaches that fill the board and committee of the National High School School Championships have put forth quite the effort to ensure these matches, and the entire rugby environment, are top level. There are sure to be some future Stars in this talent pool!

From Rugby Magazine:

Field Set for DI, DII Girls HS Nationals

Tournaments - HS Girls National Invitational

The 15th Annual Girls High School Rugby National Championship Tournament has invited the 16 teams that will play toward DI and DII titles. An impressive field that includes state champions and finalists, regional champions, and current and former national champions will convene in Pittsfield, Mass., on May 17-18. National champion Fallbrook lead the 2014 field. (Todd Bauders photo) Invitations were delivered last week, leaving ample time for teams to fundraise and plan their trips to the Berkshires. Teams will be seeded the week of the tournament based on results from 2014 matches. Tournament organizers have not ruled out a third, “festival” division if interest from up-and-coming teams continues to grow. For more information, visit www.rugbychampionships.org. 2014 Girls HS Championship Teams Sacramento Amazons (Calif.) 2013 Northern California Champion Armstrong (Minn.)          2013 Minnesota State Champion Berkshire United (Mass.) 2013 Massachusetts State Finalist Catholic Memorial (Wisc.)         2013 Wisconsin State Finalist Cheshire (Conn.)                       2012 Connecticut State Champion Danville (Calif.)                         2013 Northern California Finalist Divine Savior (Wisc.)                2013 Midwest Champion, Wisconsin State Champion Fallbrook (Calif.)                   2013 National Champion Ft Collins (Colo.)               2013 Colorado State Finalist Kent (Wash.)     2013 Washington State Champion Lakewood (Ohio)             2012 National Finalist Lady Mad Dogs (N.Y.)     2013 New York State Champion Morris (N.J.)       2013 New Jersey State Champion New York (N.Y.)                2013 New York State Finalist St Joseph's Academy (Ohio) 2013 Ohio State Champion State College (Pa.)           2013 Pennsylvania Conference Champion