Player Nominations Open for 2015 Las Vegas Invitational/USA 7s Tour!

A few updates will be coming soon including:

*Our Australia Central Coast 7s recap including articles from players involved
*Updates from Stars around the US on their college/club seasons
*Updates from our newest Star abroad, Deven Owsiany, who stayed on in Australia and is heading to Coral Coast 7s in Fiji next week
*Thoughts on the new NDA announcements
*Thoughts on Dubai 7s to come 
*New on our Tobago 7s tour in December
*More player & coaches profiles

But most importantly, player nominations are now open for the 2015 Las Vegas Invitational/USA 7s tour in February. Anyone interested in touring MUST fill our the player survey included in the body of the announcement BY NOVEMBER 20TH:

Stars Rugby 7s aims take 2 men's teams to compete in the Elite and Aces divisions. The Elite bracket includes national teams like Spain, Peru, Mexico, Germany, Romania and Russia as well as the USA Falcons and several of the ODAs. The Aces generally to include the most competitive club sides. The final decision for brackets will depend on the numbers, commitment and quality of players involved. If appropriate Stars will enter 2 Aces sides or an Aces & Kings side.

We aim to once again take 2 women's sides to compete in the Elite bracket  featuring several NACRA national teams (Mexico, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, the Canada MapleLeafs),the Japan Women's 7s team, as well as other touring teams like the Dog River Howlers, Aptoella, Les Bleues and Atlantis. The open bracket features a wide array of teams from club sides, social teams, U-23 All Stars, to the Japan B-side and other national teams like Chile, Costa Rica and Germany. There is a high level of competition in each bracket and we aim to approve on last year's finishes in the Cup rounds of each bracket. If there is enough interest we will take an additional open side.

Tour is slated for February 10th-16th. All players will be required to arrive by 2pm on February 10th so as to attend an evening training session, participate in team activities, and for trainings on February 11th. The Open/Aces/Men's Elite brackets play on Thursday, February 12th and Friday the 13th; the Men's Elite also playing on February 14th. The Elite Women play the 13th and 14th. Should the Aces or Elite sides make the finals an additional game would take place inside Sam Boyd Stadium on Sunday, February 15th between the USA 7s matches.

Tour fee is estimated at $700 to include 6 hotel nights at The Rivieria (which is the official LVI hotel), 4 days
of buses to matches and Sam Boyd Stadium, tournament fees, food for game days, playing & training kit, trainers & coaches, transportation to trainings, and more. This tour fee is an estimate and is subject to change pending final numbers and arrangements as well as team sponsorships. Stars offer many fundraising and sponsorship opportunities to help offset costs. The tour fee will be lower for players that have participated in the Calgary, Australia and Tobago trips as they already have the main playing kit.

Stars Rugby 7s is committed to developing players, to expanding individual skills, while putting those that demonstrate top ability, fitness and dedication on the path to 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. The program features top international coaches, former iRB 7s players, and an elite training staff. We have the support of those involved with the National Development Academies and the opportunity to set up exchanges with clubs all over the world. Players that play for the Stars in Las Vegas will be given preference for remaining 2015 tours including Samoa in May, Canada in July, Canada in September, a return to Australia in October, and either Dubai or Tobago in December. We believe in continued development of a core group of players that regularly attend tournaments together and while identifying and adding new talent to the program. We believe every player involved should go home a stronger player with a bigger rugby network, a higher rugby education, the ability to make their home club better, and to grow the game of rugby 7s.

Interested players MUST fill out this survey by November 20th. Selections will be made by November 30th with a $100 deposit due no later than November 30th. Please note that selections are to be a part of the general tour and not a guaranteed placement in a certain division. Teams will be determined through performance at training sessions. A schedule of payments and deadlines will be included with the official invites. Any deposits made are non-refundable until a replacement player is found.

SURVEY: http://goo.gl/forms/b0YKrKS8zC

Responsibility, communication and dedication to the team all play a factor in selections and continued touring opportunities with the Stars Rugby 7s program. Rugby skills, fitness, and 7s experience are the other determining factors. You can never be too fit for this game. If there are any questions or concerns, please

contact Stars Director Liz Entwhistle.