One of the most popular questions I get is "How do I get on the Stars?" and the basic answer is, "In any way you can, just make the effort and be responsible" as there are numerous pathways. It's been somewhat of a long running joke that I know everyone in rugby but the fact is I do a fair amount of scouting work attending regional 7s tournaments, high performance camps, the
USA Rugby Club and Collegiate 7s Championships, high level competitions like
Serevi Rugbytown 7s and by observing more players at the
Las Vegas Invitational,
CRCs,
ACRA 7s,
Lakefront 7s, the American Pro Rugby Training Center and more. Some players make our side via submitting playing film or through coaches recommendations.
More come to us from current Stars players that recognize talent on their club teams, their college sides, and in their opposition. I've had quite a few college coaches tell me about amazing players in their own programs and that they've seen on other teams; we do outreach to college clubs to visit campuses and watch their teams in action. I've even asked referee friends for recommendations (yes, the "dark side" is good for something)!
Our primary mission is to develop players through combining emerging talent with experienced veterans so that every player returns to their club/college a stronger rugby 7s athlete. Building our rosters is about striking the proper balance with our teams and therefore the tournaments we attend offer a mix of elite and developmental opportunities with high level competition for all involved. The secondary mission is to ensure that players that stand our in their programs but happen to live in geographic regions without access to D1, WPL, PRP or ARP programs have the chance to play, and be challenged at, a higher level. We also want our athletes to experience the amazing camaraderie of the sport of rugby - hence touring to other countries and seeking out opportunities beyond what is offered in a given region of the United States.
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| Cape Fear 7s Championship Game |
So the nomination process is fairly open and any player interested in Stars Rugby 7s is directed to fill out our player information surveys when it comes time to build our
tournament teams. Chris came to us via friends that have been a part
of/seen the program at various tournaments and followed our updates via
social media (click for our follow and
facebook and
twitter). When it came time for player nominations for our Canada, Australia and Tobago tours he submitted his information. Some follow-up with respected rugby folks from Charlotte, the South, conversations with Chris's club coach, and with those that played for and against Chris yielded high praise for his abilities and his fitness. His rugby credentials from numerous all-star sides and time spent at the
Serevi Rugby developmental camp and High Performance Training Camp also boded well.
Here's his story:
"My rugby career started at the age of 17 after my family and I moved to a new neighborhood in
Charlotte, NC. My neighbor across the street, PJ Anderson, was from South
Africa and he knew that I had played sports all my life including football and
baseball. He told me that he was starting a team at
Providence Senior High School. One day he invited my family over to his house
and he showed me a video clip of a rugby match he recorded to explain to me
what rugby was and why I should play. At the time I had no idea what rugby was
or that it was even a sport but I sat down with him and watched it trying to
decipher this strange, interesting game.
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| #TBT |
After it was over, he invited me to a
rugby practice at my high school. It was the first time my school had a rugby
team and he knew with my sporting background that I should at least give it a
try. A few days later I went out to my first ever rugby practice with him and
the team. I had no idea why I needed to wear such short shorts, or why the ball
was missing laces, or why I had to keep going backwards in order to go forward
but after a long two hour mud filled practice I fell in love with rugby.
That
same year I started at inside center and played every game for my high school.
During that same year I played 7s for a U19 team PJ started up that included
players from some other local high schools in the area. I was really hooked to this seven a side game and 7s actually ignited a
passion within me to play this great sport long term.
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| Charlotte Rugby Club 15s |
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After my first year of
playing rugby I went to a local college and played for the
Charlotte Men’s Rugby Club starting in August of 2009; at the time they were still members of the
Super League and had a great coaching staff and experienced players with valuable mentoring. Transitioning from high school games to men’s rugby was an adjustment, but I learned so much in my time there and the experience was
valuable to my progression as an athlete.
After the 15s season ended I returned to the U19 program to play 15s select side rugby while captaining the U19s 7s
squad. We finished the 7s season undefeated against all U19 teams, had 5
trophies to our name, and competed in a men’s 7s tournament where we
finished runners-up.
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| South Panther All-Stars with some other Stars |
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Since my U19 days I have been blessed to be a part of some
great teams and organizations. I was accepted to
Life University, I was named a
Southern Rugby Conference 15s All Star, I played alongside the Charlotte 7s
Elite Side that went to USA Rugby Club 7s Nationals, I was selected to the USA South U22 All
Star team as well as the
USA South Men’s All Star team that won the
NACRA title
in 2013. I was a
Serevi Rugby Scholarship athlete to both the Atlanta camp and the
Men’s Residency
High Performance Camp. Most recently I have been honored
with being selected to tour with Stars 7s Rugby.
I have also done my part to
give back to the community that supported me through so many years. After I
graduated high school, I registered to become a certified referee and certified
USA Rugby coach. I have really enjoyed being a part of the
Charlotte Junior Rugby Association the past 5 years or so. The CJRA started off as an idea from
Matt Henry, a transplant from New Zealand, to improve grassroots and youth
rugby here in the Charlotte area. I was one of the first coaches picked to help
out and go to local elementary schools and middle schools to start before and
after school programs for boys and girls rugby teams of all ages. Coaching
these teams was one of the most satisfying things I have ever done; the smile
and excitement the kids had about the game I love was truly inspiring and I
really hope to continue coaching the youth and grassroots level.
Needless to say I have been blessed to be playing a sport I love at a variety
of different levels and different aspects from playing to refereeing to
coaching.
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| Coaching with the CJRA |
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I am looking forward to playing in
Australia with the phenomenal players and staff at Stars 7s Rugby. I have been
lucky enough to play rugby across the US and the Caribbean but to play in
Australia is something that I could have never imagined and a dream I have had
for myself for a long time. The opportunity to play teams from the top rugby
nations in the world is an exciting test I am truly looking forward to. Playing
rugby in another country is one thing but experiencing a rugby culture in a
different environment and making new friends and connections along the way is
what I am truly looking forward to.
I started playing rugby back in 2008 and I
have learned a lot since then. The biggest thing that I learned is how
accepting and tight knit the rugby community and family is across the globe. No
matter where you go or what your background is your rugby brothers and sisters
will welcome you with open arms. I hope that I continue to be blessed with
these great opportunities and improve as a rugby player. I owe a great debt to
rugby and all that it has done for me and I cannot be more excited for what the
future holds"
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Matt Hughston is a name that many following rugby 7s this summer will recognize . He was selected to the Washington DC Elite City 7s team and took home First Team All Tournament honors, captained the Charlotte Rugby Club 7s side that made the Cape Fear 7s finals and placed 3rd at South regionals, playing alongside with CC7s Star Chris Milledge. Matt's relentless effort was rewarded as he was invited to the first of new Eagles Men's 7s Coach Mike Friday's High Performance Sevens
camps at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. Matt additionally
took the pitch for Azul y Negro at Serevi Rugbytown 7s and continued his
try scoring ways. .jpg)
Increasing access to high level rugby 7s is one of the driving forces for our Stars program. It is worth noting that of our men's team traveling to Central Coast 7s, only one player plays for a team that made the Club 7s National Championships. It is a pleasure to be offer additional elite 7s opportunities to players like Matt. He came highly recommended to the Stars program by a few other players and coaches; there is little explanation needed as to why he made our Central Coast 7s side. He is an ambitious player with the right skills and credentials to make an impact on the international scene. Our side can provide him with the added opportunity to train and compete as other players on the iRB circuit do for a week and to compete directly against these players. Daveta, Yamacia, and Red Rock are each rumored to have members of the Fijian National Team that won Gold Coast 7s
on their rosters. Middlesex will have at least one All Blacks player
and it's certain that players from Australia's 7s pool will be in
action.
Here's more on Matt:.jpg)
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