New ETCs announced for Women’s Eagles

from USA Rugby:

BOULDER, Colo. – Following the women’s club season, the Women’s Eagles have announced two open ETC camps for athletes not currently in the World Cup player pool. Camps will be held in State College and Palo Alto, respectively.

The State College ETC will host its camp Dec. 8, with the Palo Alto ETC running its combine Dec. 15.

Players may apply online for an invitation to either of the camps. Athletes who meet the coaching staff’s criteria will then be extended an invitation to the camp the player can attend.

“We are looking for the unusual athlete and players that can increase the competition in the pool,” Women’s Eagles Head Coach Pete Steinberg said. “We know there are great athletes who are out there in the rugby community and the ETCs are a chance for them to show what they can do.”

Assessments of both physical and rugby skills will highlight the focus for the ETC camp. Portions of the camp are set to test athletes on the field as well as in the weight room, with video analysis sessions to round out the allotted time.

ETC resources through guidance in rugby skills, nutrition, and strength and conditioning will be made available to the athletes.

With the camp focused on finding athletes who may have gone unseen until this point, Steinberg is interested in the athletes who may be joining the pool. The head coach cited players who have earned spots in the player pool, and subsequently playing time for the Women’s Eagles based on their performances at ETC camps.

Particularly, Steinberg highlighted the efforts of Carmen Farmer, who earned her way into the Women’s Eagles player pool during last year’s open ETC camp having only played rugby for a few months prior to her arrival. Months following the ETC, the lawyer from Baltimore found herself slotting in at lock against France.

“Carmen was new to rugby when she showed up to the State College ETC last year and now she is a capped player and has the potential to play a big role for us in this year’s World Cup,” commented Steinberg. “It’s players like Carmen who we are trying to find at these camps.”

Steinberg will be in attendance at both ETC camps, working with the local coaching staffs for the day-long efforts.

Athletes who excel at the open ETC camp will be extended an invitation to the Women’s Eagles winter camp, held in Florida. Tentatively, the camp will take place Jan. 1-5.

Players looking to attend the camp can do so by filling out the application on the Women’s Eagles – Become an Eagle tab.

Note: Transportation for players attending the Penn State camp will be provided from Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) Saturday night and local accommodations will be provided.

Current pool players are invited to the ETC camps, as well.

“I’m choosing to participate because it is a great opportunity for me to continue to get high-level play and help me to continue to grow and develop,” Eagles prop Hope Rogers said.

Rogers is also hoping to learn from the players who attend the camp.

“Everyone has something new to teach and offer and if you’re open you can learn a lot from people,” the Penn State junior said. “It challenges you and helps you grow. Plus the fact that I get to make new friends and see many of the friends I made from this summer is great, too.”

For the 2014 World Cup in Paris, the Women’s Eagles have been grouped with Ireland, Kazakhstan and four-time defending champion New Zealand for pool play.

Follow the Women’s Eagles in their pursuit of “Final in ‘14” through Facebook and Twitter (@USAWomenEagles).