New American Rugby Pro Training Center in Little Rock, AR

PRESS RELEASE

As part of a new effort to identify, train, showcase and tour young American rugby player talent, USA Rugby’s former Women’s National 7s Team Head Coach, Jules McCoy, has launched the American Rugby Pro Training Center in Little Rock, AR, a designated Tiger Rugby facility. With several rugby pitches on site, local government and business support and a fully equipped gym, the training center located at the Greater Little Rock Rugby Complex is perfect for hosting elite level men’s and women’s rugby players and tournaments.

To launch efforts, American Rugby Pro Training Center will host 30 hand-selected, promising young women’s rugby players to Little Rock from August 20-24. Tiger Cubs Coach Karl Barth and Atlantis Coaches Emil Signes and Dana Creager will join Coach McCoy in guiding players through a high performance training camp and series of scrimmages. Current USA Rugby Women’s National 7s Team Head Coach, Ric Suggitt, will also be in attendance to scout new talent for the national team program. Internationally recognized USAR Referee, Leah Berard, will referee the scrimmages and help instruct players on the nuances of international referee expectations.

Given Coach McCoy’s winning track record at the international level, she is uniquely qualified to lead such an advanced rugby development center. As Head Coach of the Women’s National 7s Team from 2006-2009, Coach McCoy won the Hong Kong 7s, the Dubai 7s and USA 7s three times. She also coached the Women’s World Cup 7s team to a 4th the program to help lead Olympic development coaching and recruiting efforts.

McCoy also has a winning track record coaching men’s rugby teams, with major championship wins at TOLA Men’s 7s, NACRA and Cape Fear 7s.

“I’m excited to continue my passion for rugby in America by creating and developing American Rugby Pro Training Center starting in Little Rock, AR. With the 2016 Olympic Games fast approaching, and performances at World Cups and international tournaments steering rankings, it is our duty to work as hard as possible to create environments and systems where our athletes can train to win on the global stage,” says Coach McCoy.

American Rugby Pro Training Center will also create more international competition opportunities for men’s and women’s 7s rugby, and an official men’s and women’s residency program for more consistent high level training. All efforts are designed to prepare athletes for what would be expected if granted a residency spot with the national teams at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA, winning at the international level, and successfully competing at the 2016 Olympic Games.

As a current Tiger Rugby Coach, McCoy has recently partnered with Tiger Rugby to create a new women’s rugby international touring side to match the strength of their men’s program, and the American Rugby Pro Training Center will become yet another home for both men’s and women’s Tiger Rugby (outside of their Columbus, OH facility). McCoy is also working closely with both the Atlantis 7s and Stars Rugby 7s programs to identify, develop and tour athletes.

All women’s rugby coaches are asked to contact Coach McCoy directly should they identify promising young rugby talent they feel should be included at the camp in August, as ten spots are still open. Select elite athletes will be given opportunities to try out and become a part of the development program, as well as become eligible for Atlantis and Tiger tours going forward.

For more information on American Rugby Pro Training Center, contact Head Coach, Jules McCoy at julesmccoy@sbcglobal.net. Selections for the upcoming Women’s 7s high performance camp close August 14th

Current Camp Participants:

Ashley Perry
Jess Wooden
Nia Williams
Lauren Butler
Abby Gustaitsis
Lauren Rhode
Jessica Turner
Ariel Johnson
Biana Bradley-Rael
Amy Nabor
Josie Ziluca
Brie Rahrig
Denisse Zambone
Neariah Persinger
Grace Flowers
Corrine Heavner
Augusta McGuire
Stephanie Goetz
Katie Stewart
Rhiannon Clark
Elena Clark
Jamie Alberelli
Marjorie Olney
Hannah Gauthreax
Shamira Robles
Megan Foster
Bulou Mataitoga
Liz Sowers
Leah Walsh