Schedule set for AIG Men’s and Women’s Collegiate All-Americans

from USARugby:

The USA Rugby AIG Men’s Collegiate All-Americans (MCAAs) will tour New Zealand this summer after the success of their Ireland Tour last August. The USA Rugby AIG Women’s Collegiate All-Americans (WCAAs) have also updated their summer schedule with new dates for regional combine camps, the top 40 elite camp and an international tour late in 2013.

Men’s Head Coach Matt Sherman, in his second year with the MCAAs, will hold a selection camp at Occidental College in Los Angeles, Calif., where 55 of the top eligible athletes will compete for a spot on the MCAAs squad to tour New Zealand in June. The squad was originally scheduled to convene on May 16-19, but will now hold the camp immediately preceding their international departure in which they will take on New Zealand University twice and Wairarapa Bush in Palmerston North, Wellington and Masterton.

“In touring to New Zealand and renewing our relationship with New Zealand Universities, we know our best collegiate players will be taking on a challenging tour experience in a country where rugby is part of the fabric of the culture,” Sherman said. “Furthermore, we are looking forward to a selection camp that will allow more than 50 of our best collegiate players to compete for an opportunity to wear the All-American shield on this year’s tour.”

The MCAAs had a 2-1 record against the New Zealand University team when New Zealand toured the United States in 2011.

“This will be a tremendous learning experience for our potential Eagles athletes,” USA Rugby High Performance Player Development Manager Luke Gross said. “The High Performance and coaching staff are looking forward to the challenge this international tour will bring.”

The selections process for the team has begun with recommendations from coaches, scouts and conference commissioners. However, coaches who believe they have the top one percent of players can still recommend them for selection by filling out the AIG Men’s Collegiate All-American nomination form.

The WCAAs have confirmed two regional combine camps for May, as well as an elite camp in July. Cal Maritime University and James Madison University will host the regional combine camps on May 23-26 and May 30-June respectively.  Based on selections from the combine camps, University of Northern Colorado – Greeley will then play host to about 40 student athletes on July 18-21.  The camps will include testing, drills, unit skills, evaluation and organized scrimmaging. All WCAA coaches will be on hand to evaluate the talent and identify prospective players for their respective teams.

“These new, larger regional camps will allow us to see and work with more players from a wider range of college programs, ensuring that we get the best athletes with the most potential to compete during our upcoming international tour,” WCAAs Head Coach Martha Daines said.

USA Rugby hopes to have players from all divisions and areas of the country present at the selection camps. Coaches wishing to nominate a player deserving of an invitation should complete this form.

AIG Men’s Collegiate All-Americans Spring/Summer 2013 Schedule
Selection Camp – June 7-10 – Occidental College – Los Angeles, CA
New Zealand Tour – June 10-23
vs. New Zealand University – June 16 – Palmerston North
vs. Wairarapa Bush – June 19 – Masterton
vs. New Zealand University – June 22 – Wellington

AIG Women’s Collegiate All-Americans Spring/Summer 2013 Schedule
Combine Camp – May 23-26 – Cal Maritime University
Combine Camp – May 30 – June 2 – James Madison University
Top 40 Elite Camp – July 18-21 – University of Northern Colorado-Greeley
France Tour – Dates TBD

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