First American Rugby Pro Training Assembly Press Release and Video

The first American Rugby Pro Training Assembly is in the books and thirty of the top women’s rugby players in the USA participated. Tiger Cubs Coach Karl Barth, Atlantis Coaches Emil Signes and Dana Creager joined Coach Julie McCoy August 20-24 in Little Rock, AR. Also in attendance was current USA Rugby Women’s National 7s Team Head Coach, Ric Suggitt, and internationally recognized USAR Referee, Leah Berard.

Under brutal 100-degree August heat last weekend, former USA Rugby National 7s Team Head Coach, Jules McCoy, successfully launched American Rugby Pro Training Center with an inaugural high performance camp for Women’s Rugby 7s Olympic hopefuls in training.

“My 4 days at the ARPTC in Little Rock was the best rugby training experience I’ve had in all of my 5 years as a player. The coaches were so knowledgeable and broke even the most complex ideas down into simple drills that built on each other…Not to mention meeting and instantly connecting with 32 other elite athletes who all share the same dreams as I do. The camp was nothing short of amazing,” said Berkeley Women’s Rugby Team Captain, Lauren Butler.

“The intensity and improvement over the 4 days was brilliant,” remarked Coach McCoy. “And wow, was I impressed by some of the youngsters out there. Grace Flowers from Broken Arrow, OK, at just 16 years of age, showed adult-level, textbook tackling just 3-4 months after collarbone surgery! And 20 year-old Lauren Butler, of ICEF Rugby used impressive running, support and finishing lines, while Cynthia Wright (Furies) and Jessica Turner (Berkeley) were able to role model what hard work in the gym can do for passing, tackling and change of direction.”

With several rugby pitches on site, local government and business support and a fully equipped gym, the ARPTC training center (also a designated Tiger and Atlantis Rugby facility) located at the Greater Little Rock Rugby Complex is perfect for hosting elite level men’s and women’s rugby players and tournaments.

Moving forward, Coach McCoy and her staff plan to negotiate contracts for part-time and full-time residencies, including several scholarships, with target number of 15- 20 contracted adult players by January 2015. They will likely hold another camp in December with a similar format for women, and then begin a series of men’s camps starting in early 2015. The target audience for summer contracts will include high school and college players, both male and female.

All rugby coaches are asked to contact Coach McCoy directly should they identify promising young rugby talent they feel should be included in future camps. 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.

Camp Participants

Jaime Albarelli
Stephanie “Parma” Bowers
Bianca Bradley-Rael
Lauren Butler
Cynthia Campbell
Chloe Chiasson
Elena Clark
Rhiannon Clark
Elisabeth Grace Flowers
Megan Foster
Kaylan Gambill
Hannah Gauthreaux
Stephanie Goetz
Hunter Griendling
Abby Gustaitis
Jennifer Harig
Corinne Heavner
Ariel Johnson
Augusta Maguire
Bulou Mataitoga
Amy Talei Naber
Maggie Olney
Ashley Perry
Neariah Persinger
Tracy Kaleikehaulani Poch
Jinnie Pratt
Brie Rahrig
Lauren Rhode
Katy Stewart
Jessica Anne Turner
Lea Walsh
Nia Williams
Cynthia Wright
Denisse Zambon
Josie Ziluca