With all the World Cup Soccer in the news lately, plus word of rugby’s inclusion in future Olympic games, representing one’s country seems to be a dream often contemplated and seldom achieved. But, how does one actually get there?
Rugby, much like USA Soccer’s Olympic Development Program (ODP), has a system of select teams to offer young players development opportunities. While their merits are often debated, these pathways lead upwards from State age-level select teams, to a regional level, and finally the US National team. The rugby calendar is filled with camps around the country for all these levels. Using age groupings also results in a mixing of high school and young college players.
At the u19 level, a great athlete could conceivably go from the Wisconsin u19 Girls selects to the Midwest Regional u19 Team, and then the USA u20 Women’s Team, commonly referred to as the “Eagles” in rugby circles.
It doesn’t always work out that way. Some outstanding athletes burst onto the scene quickly and jump right to the Eagles. Before these pathways were solidified, some WGR players jumped right to the u19 (now u20) Eagles. DSHA’s Joanna Hoffman earned four caps beginning in 2004 and Kettle Moraine’s Kati McCormick earned six caps beginning in 2005. They went on to great careers at Ohio St and UW-Milwaukee. McCormick made it all the way to the USA Women’s National Team; the first and only WGR alumni to earn such an honor, although hopefully not the last.
These pathways offer players diverse coaching, unique camaraderie with similarly driven young women, and the experience of travelling to unique places.
The editorial offices of WGR would like to encourage those of you who’ve participated in these programs to add a comment or two about your experiences. Dream on!
J.
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