RUGBY: What was the difference between last year and this year?
THOMPSON: I’ve matured into the coaching position and I think I’m doing a better job. The area where I’ve really come on, however, is in recruitment. I recruited all across the country following our return from the World Championships in April, up until the end of June when we named the Trinidad squad. It was pretty intense recruitment.

RUGBY: What process did you follow in team selection?
THOMPSON: Since I came into the program, I’ve always wanted to go see as many players as possible at camps, tournaments and championships. So I contacted the LAUs, tournament directors and the National Office about getting expenses covered to see various events. I’ve had a lot of cooperation from people around the country willing to fly me in to look at and test players.

RUGBY: What different venues did you visit to select this team?
THOMPSON: My first stop was the National High School Championship in Texas (May 21-22). Then I went to see the first ever Southern California RFU Under -19 all star match. Rhode Island was the next stop, where I saw the New England High School All Stars play their first match on June 12th. Over the weekend of June 19-20, I was in Denver to see the well run LAU High School All Star tournament; a good recruiting venue for me. After that I took a look at players attending a clinic hosted by the San Francisco Golden Gate RFC.

We wrapped up our recruitment drive with a camp in Dallas to look at 85 players that had been recommended by coaches from Alaska, to Hawaii, to Maine. So I spent a total of six weekends on the road scouting players for the US U-19 team

RUGBY: Were your expenses picked up or were you out of pocket?
THOMPSON: My expenses were covered and I was very happy to go see the players. There’s been too much reliance on our National Office in the past. I’ve matured into my coaching/recruitment position and know that people at the Local and Territorial Union levels would much rather pay my airfare so I can see thirty or forty of their players, rather than having thirty or forty players pay to travel across the country.

RUGBY: How was the US Under-19’s trip to Trinidad financed?
THOMPSON: It was financed by player contributions, but if a player had economic hardship the rugby community helped out. There’s more financial backing for players right now than I’ve ever seen before.

RUGBY: Were there any complaints about the Trinidad trip being player financed?
THOMPSON: The players understood the circumstances and were happy to be there. Our $15,000 budget from USA Rugby was exhausted after the U-19 World Championship in April. Now that we’ve qualified for next spring’s World Juniors we have 8-9 months to go after team sponsors.

RUGBY: What differences or improvements have you seen in the U-19 team since you started?
THOMPSON: I’m approaching two years in the position. The previous coaches, Tony Smeeth and Mark Bullock, did a tremendous job with limited resources and a smaller player pool. The youth and high school game has grown rapidly in the last few years. More quality athletes are playing rugby and taking the game seriously. As a result more talent is available and hungry to develop.

RUGBY: What was your impression of this year’s National High School Championship from the standpoint of quality of play and player/team satisfaction?
THOMPSON: The National final was intense and a tough contest. Both Highland and Jesuit have quality programs and it showed. The 3rd place game between Dallas Harlequins Youth and Penn High School was also a thriller where a physical Penn pack were denied a win by a feisty Dallas defense and a smart game plan.

There was a disparity between experienced clubs and those new to the event. Newcomers such as Elsie Allen (N. California), Brother Martin (New Orleans), Grand Rapids and the Hyde School (DC) made an impact. Every team had quality athletes; some were simply better, more experienced rugby teams.

As far as satisfaction, it’s obvious the players are thrilled to be there. For most kids, it’s their first sporting event outside their home state and to be part of a National Championships is an honor they cherish. It’s an event they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.

RUGBY: We understand that there may be a move afoot to change or eliminate the National High School Championship as it is now structured. Could you tell us what this involves?
THOMPSON: It’s just speculation; I’ve not heard anything concrete from the National Office. I completed a survey that went out to all high school programs asking if we saw any merit in the National HS Championship. So it’s up to the board to determine whether it will be maintained, phased out, or what format it may take.

RUGBY: This year’s U-19 World Championship in South Africa took place at the end of March, right in the middle of the school year. The US posted a 2-3 record, finishing 11th out of 12 teams in Tier B. Did the timing of the World Championship affect the quality of the team that the US fielded?
THOMPSON: No! We did not lose a single player this year and we lost only one the year before. That player’s GPA had dropped and he was in danger of losing financial aid. So in two World Championships, I’ve lost one player.

RUGBY: So you’re saying that if there’s a World Championship and a player’s invited, he’s going to go?
THOMPSON: We have an impressive commitment from current players, parents, and coaches to make this happen. Our U-19 squad will start the school year knowing they are going to the World Championship nine months from now. They can plan accordingly and I personally contact their schools and universities.

As an educator, a coach and a parent of three teenagers, my approach has always been education first.

If our player is a high school senior who has planned correctly, he should certainly be able to take a lesser load his second semester. If he’s a first year university student, obviously the challenge is to do really well in his first semester, get a good GPA established, and then take a lesser load in the second semester.

We plan to have students bring work with them, e-mail or fax assignments back to teachers and take care of their responsibilities while having the most unbelievable rugby experience a U-19 could ever imagine.

RUGBY: With a victory over Canada in Trinidad, the US has its ticket punched for the 2005 U-19 World Championship. Given that it will again take place in the middle of the school year, have you seriously considered as an alternative a summer tour or does the opportunity to go to a World Championship make it a no-brainer?
THOMPSON: We have an invite to the premier U-19 rugby event in the world. If the Championship favored the Northern Hemisphere, like ourselves, we’d ideally play in June or July. But that would conflict with the school year for the Southern Hemisphere nations. Whenever you place it, it’s going to negatively effect some people. The timing isn’t ideal for our school year but it’s the premier U-19 event in the world.

We can go to a World Championship and also tour during June and July. The Worlds end the U-19 cycle for most of the squad while the summer is focused on the next generation of U-19s.

RUGBY: So if you earn the right to go, you go.
THOMPSON: Definitely. The revised IRB U-19 World Championship is a mirror of the senior World Cup. Twenty four of the best rugby nations are there and we’re the sole North American nation. The opportunity to play and test ourselves against the best gives us purpose and motivation. Plus we don’t know how good this year’s team can be. Our win over Canada was only a glimpse of their talent and potential.

RUGBY: The U-19s had some disciplinary problems in 2003. Did things go more smoothly this year?
THOMPSON: The 2004 World Championship in South Africa was wonderful. The behavior of the United States on the three week tour was exemplary; and we were told that by the IRB, opponents, host hotel and others. We gained a lot of respect for the way we conducted ourselves on and off the field.

The team was really focused on performance. Our 2-3 record hides our improvement and the quality of the 2004 World Championship, compared to the 2003 event.

RUGBY: How do you account for the change in the behavior?
THOMPSON: First let me say that the vast majority of our 2003 squad to France are exceptional young men and good rugby players, such as captain and Collegiate All American Mike Petri (Penn State). Also players like Joe Welsh and Dorian Perriaci, who played this season for National Collegiate Champion UC Berkeley.

I think word got out that the coaching staff was serious and wanted players that were focused on playing the game well. We’ve also stressed character and investment in our team. It’s a huge honor to play rugby for the United States of America but there is also a responsibility to be a quality person and player.

RUGBY: How has the U-19 World Championship changed since the IRB took over this year?
THOMPSON: Under the old system, run by FIRA, it was really a 36 team sports festival. The IRB has turned the U-19 World Championship into a replica of the Senior World Cup, reducing it from 36 to 24 teams. Even in the 12 team Tier B, there were no slouches. None of the opponents (the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hong Kong, and Belgium) that we played in 2003 made the 2004 event and Canada’s out in 2005. None of our 2004 pool games against Tonga, Morocco and Korea were soft.

RUGBY: What changes have you seen in US Under-19 select side rugby over the past two years?
THOMPSON: U-19 select-side rugby is beginning to blossom all over the country. Many LAUs such as Texas, Wisconsin, Eastern Rockies, Minnesota, Eastern Pennsylvania and Potomac have already established quality programs. Significant additions this year include New England, Louisiana, Arizona, and the first U-19 selects in Southern California.

The commitment from the Territorial and Local Area Unions has improved as the number of youth clubs begin to outnumber all other categories. The results are more programs, hugely increased numbers, better athletes, and improved coaching.

RUGBY: How can we compete better at the U-19 level on a global scale?
THOMPSON: The growth of the game at youth levels is among the highest in the world. Therefore the challenge is to improve coaching, identify quality players early, and give them international experience.

We’re in uncharted waters and have not really tapped into the finances that could be out there to support youth rugby. With such support we can provide more international experience for our players at younger ages so they come into the U-19 program more seasoned and polished.

There’s no question that we would improve if we could mirror what happens in the Six Nations where their U-19s play home internationals against their neighbors and come to the World Championship having played five games.

RUGBY: What’s the best vehicle here in the States to develop and view elite players?
THOMPSON: The National High School Championship is an important vehicle to see players at their best and the LAUs have sprung into action to create highly competitive all star teams almost over night.

There are many LAUs nationwide providing the most logical way to get the best players from relatively small areas playing together. It makes sense for LAUs like Northern California, the Pacific Northwest, Arizona, Rio Grande, etc, etc, to assemble their best players and have them playoff in events like Denver’s LAU tournament. There the U-19 coach and selectors can see the top players from the Western half of the country. There’s talk about a U-19 all star tournament starting in the Mid-Atlantic RFU, so that Eastern players can test themselves at the next level and we can scout elite talent nationwide.

The squad is made up of players from 11 states and the District of Columbia
with the largest percentage of players (9) from California. "Due to the
strong performance by the California teams and players at the 2004 High
School Nationals and Denver LAU Tournament, that is not surprising." On an
interesting note, "This is also the first U19 team comprised of entirely
USA born and bred players." said Thompson.

The squad will see the return of 2004 U19 World Cup Veterans, Joey Brown
(Burnsville, Minn.); Nic Grala (Sleepy Hollow, NY); Kevin Kroll (Whitefish
Bay, Wisc.); Gavin Secker (Olympia, Wash.) along with 2003 NAWIRA Squad
member, Jason Engelbrecht (Dallas, Tex.). In addition 17 of the players
played at the 2004 National High School Championships, and all have
represented their local union on All Star Sides. "This squad has a good mix
of experience and hunger to take it to the next level. We have very high
expectations for their performance" said Thompson.
Listed below is the 2004 U19 Boys' Roster:
>Baker, Jared- Arizona
>Boyd, Justin- Texas
>Brown, Joey- Minnesota
>Bunce, Michael- New York
>Caridi, Rob- New York
>Curro, Chris- New Hampshire
>Engelbrecht, Jason-Texas
>Engelbrecht, Keegan-Texas
>Estrella, Anthony- California
>Evans, Bruce- Washington DC
>Forner, Eric- California
>Fry, Aaron- Wisconsin
>Fry, Eric- California
>Grala, Nic- New York
>Jesseman, Paul- California
>Koon, Evan- Wisconsin
>Kroll, Kevin- Wisconsin
>Leland, Hunter- Texas
>Mateialona, Benny- Texas
>Mcnamara, Sean- California
>Olsen, Kory- Utah
>Reed, Zachary- California
>Sardon, Chris- California
>Secker, Gavin- Washington
>Sheldon, Craig- Nebraska
>Taylor, Ryan- California

USA U19 Staff: Salty Thompson (Tempe, AZ) and others.

The camp will see seven returning veterans from France, twenty-six players from Guyana, new nominations and players who were invited or attended the Summer Camp in Detroit and whom either could not make it or were not selected for the NAWIRA Qualifier. Notable players returning to camp: World championships Qualifier Team Captain and former Westerville Worm, Bradley Winbush (Columbus, Ohio), who is attending college at Grambling in Louisiana; two-time U19 World
Championship squad member Antoine Blanchet (Atlanta, Georgia), who is playing rugby at Biarritz in France; PJ Komognon (Washington DC) who is a senior at Hyde School; Sione (Johnny) Folau (Sacramento, Calif.) who anchored the front row in Guyana; and Ryan Keary (Charlotte, N.C.) who has returned from South Africa and is training full-time in Arizona.

New players to the pool include: Alex Dresner (London, England) who is a member of the London Irish Academy; Justin Boyd (College Station, Texas) who is wing at Texas A&M; and Kevin Kroll (White Fish Bay,Wisc.), a standout prop. “After Guyana, we evaluated each player and decided to go back into the pool players and accept nominations for additional players,” said Thompson. “The staff then decided that four, full teams would provide the best opportunity to evaluate players and create competition at every position.”

Notable players who were invited but could not attend include:Scrumhalf – Cody Albright (Columbus, Ohio); Lock – Thomas Bemenderfer
(South Bend, Ind.); Center - Paumau Lolohea (Reno, Nev.); and Hooker –Carl Rodgers (Pullman, Wash).

The coaching staff attending the camp also consists of some of America’s finest coaches. Under the leadership of Thompson, Game Development Officers Trevor Brackin (Seattle,Wash.) and Sean O’Leary (Boston, Mass.) have volunteered time outside of their GDO responsibilities. Returning veteran and newly appointed Penn State Men’s Head Coach Don Ferrell returns to lead the forwards as does Backs Coach in France, Greg Lim. Tal Bayer (Washington DC), assistant backs coach in Guyana, will be joined by Joe Rissone (Seattle, Wash.)who will assist with the forwards and Michael Englebrecht (Dallas,Texas) who will assist with the backs. After the camp in Tempe, the U19 staff will announce a traveling squad of 26 players and a ready reserve of ten players in case of injury prior to the squad declaration. The Junior Eagles will depart for the IRB Under 19 World Championships South Africa, 2004 on March 20 and are in Pool C where they face Tonga on March 27 in Durban.

Additional pool matches are against Korea on March 31 and the African Qualifier 1 on April 4. From pool play the Junior Eagles will then
compete for place on April 9 & 12 before returning home.

The U-19 Elite Camp Player Pool - Invitees
Name/Height/Weight/Position/Club, School – City, State
>
>Jake Alvarez; 5’8”; 165; Hooker; Battleship RFC – Mobile, Ala.
>Chris Belew; 5’10”, 195; Hooker; Plano Area High School RFC – Plano,
>Texas
>Antoine Blanchet; 5’9”; 160; SH; Biarritz U19 - Atlanta, Geo.
>Justin Boyd; 5’11”; 165; Wing; Texas A&M – College Station, Texas
>Joey Brown; 6’0”; 200; Hooker; Burnsville, RFC – Burnsville, Minn.
>Michael Bunce; 6’0”; 210; 8; Montauk RFC – Watermill, N.Y.
>Derek Butler; 5’10”; 200; Center; Westerville Worms – Columbus, Ohio
>Jack Butler; 6’1”; 245; Prop; NOVA U19 – Oak Hill, Va.
>Tony Carson; 5’10”; 180; Fullback; Fond Du Lac Youth RFC – Fond Du
>Lac, Wisc.
>John Cernik; 5’10”; 180; Flanker; GOATS - Bellevue, Neb.
>Collin Cook; 6’2”; 213; Flanker; Silicon Valley U19 – Santa Clara,
>Calif.
>Owen Collins; 6’2”; 210; Center; Boston Irish Wolfhounds – Boston,
>Mass.
>Cole Coopman; 6’2”; 240; Prop; Green Bay Celtics – Green Bay, Wis.
>Matt Crockett; 5’10”; 225; Prop; St. Edwards RFC – Cleveland, Ohio
>Jason Davlia; 5’10”; 225; Center; University of Nebraska-Lincoln –
>Lincoln, Neb.
>Alex Dresner; 6’5”; 210; Lock; London Irish Academy – London, England
>Jason Engelbrecht; 5’11”; 188; Flanker; Dallas Harlequins RFC-Colts –
>Dallas, Texas
>Johnny Folau; 6’0”; 220; Prop; Burbank High School – Sacramento,
>Calif.
>Chris Forbes; 5’10”; 170; Wing; Franklin High School - Nashville,
>Tenn.
>Aaron Fortin; 5’11”; 225; Prop; Texas A&M – College Station, Texas
>A.J. Gouws; 6’0”; 185; Fullback; University of New Mexico –
>Albuquerque, N.M.
>Michael Graham; 5”10”; 185; Flyhalf; Doylestown RFC – Doylestown, PA
>Nicholas Grala; 5’10”; 170; SH; White Plains RFC – Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
>Stewart Hannah; 5’10”; 235; 8-Man; Sonoma Valley Dragons RFC – Sonoma,
>Calif.
>Fray Hatfield; 6’3”; 235; Lock; Penn High RFC – South Bend, Ind.
>James Hetland; 5’7”; 145; Scrumhalf; formerly with Kent RFC – Reading,
>Calif.
>Jonathan Hofius; 5’10”; 160; Scrumhalf; Fullerton Youth Rugby –
>Fullerton, Calif.
>Logan Howard; 5’8”; 145; Center/SH; Trent College – Trent, England
>Robert Howes; 5’9”; 150; Flyhalf; Amoskeag RFC – Manchester, N.H.
>Jeff Hynes; 5’6” 150; Fullback; Silicon Valley U19 – Sunnyvale, Calif.
>Jeremy Jafferis; 5’9”; 155; Scrumhalf; Spartan Rugby Club – Madison,
>Wis.
>Owen Jones; 6’0”; 190; Flyhalf; Temple University – Philadelphia, Pa.
>Ryan Keary; 6’0”; 204; 8; Hill Crest Villagers RFC – Charlotte, N.C.
>Mike Kelly; 6’0”; 250; Prop; Kansas City Blues – St. Leawood, Kan.
>Kelly Kolberg; 5’11”; 185; Center; Dallas Reds RFC – Dallas, Texas
>Patrick Komognon; 5’5”; 150; Wing; Hyde Rugby – Washington D.C.
>Kevin Kroll; 6’0”; 224; Prop; Whitefish Bay RFC – Whitefish Bay, Wis.
>Andy Lennon; 6’1”; 180; Wing/Fullback; Moseley Academy – Birmingham,
>England
>Matt Leonido; 5’8”; 175; Wing; Boston Irish Wolfhounds – Boston, Mass.
>Chris Lind; 5’11”; 170;; Scrumhalf; St. Thomas RFC – Houston, Texas
>Cale Marshal; 6’2”; 205; Lock; Dallas Harlequins - Mesquite, Texas
>Mike McGuire; 6’5”; 242; Lock; Genesse RFC – Amherst, NY
>Eddie McKenna; 5’9”; 165; Flanker; Red Rhinos – San Pedro, Calif.
>Scott Mericka; 6’4”; 250; Lock; Northern Virginia U19 RFC – Oakton,
>Va.
>Tom Meyer; 5’11”; 185; Flanker; East Side Militia – Madison, Wis.
>Connor O’Brien; 6’0”; 170; Center; East High Rugby – Denver, Colo.
>Joseph O’Brien; 5’11”; 235; Prop; Westerville – Westerville, Ohio
>Chris Pacious; 5’11”; 230; Prop; Maryland Exiles U19 – Silverspring,
>Md.
>Chris Powers; 6’2”; 185; Scrumhalf; Westerville Worms – Westerville,
>Ohio
>Blake Rodgers; 6’3”; 170; Lock; Dallas Harlequins RFC-Colts – Dallas,
>Texas
>Corey Rumberger; 5’11”; 180; Flyhalf; Westerville Worms – Westerville,
>Ohio
>Gavin Secker; 6’2”; 270; Prop; Budd Bay Barbarians – Olympia, Wash.
>David Selimos; 5’7”; 155; Fullback; Glenbard West High School RFC –
>Lombard, Ill.
>Luke Seufferlein; 5’11”; 200; Hooker; Silicon Valley U19 – Los Altos,
>Calif.
>Chris Smith; 6’0”; 180; Wing; Green Bay Celtics – Green Bay, Wis.
>Greg Smith; 6’0”; 205; Wing; Green Bay Celtics – Green Bay, Wis.
>Marcus Swanson; 6’5”; 285; Lock; Budd Bay Barbarians – Olympia, Wash.
>Joe Walker; 5’9”; 165; Wing; Fullerton Youth Rugby – Fullerton, Calif.
>Robbie Watson; 5’8”; 160; Hooker; Waterson Eagles U19 – Columbus, Ohio
>Eric Wilkins; 6’3”; 272; Prop; Dallas Harlequins Colts U19 – Dallas,
>Texas
>Nick Whittaker; 6’6”; 190; Lock; Tempe Old Devils – Phoenix, Ariz.
>Brad Winbush; 5’10”; 180; Flanker; Gambling University – Columbus,
>Ohio
>
>USA U19 Staff:
>Salty Thompson (Tempe, Ariz.), head coach; Don Ferrell (State College,
>
>Pa.), coach; Greg Lim (Scottsdale, Ariz.), coach; Tal Bayer
>(Washington D.C.), coach; Trevor Brackin (Seattle, Wash.), coach; Sean
>O’Leary (Boston, Mass.), coach; Joe Rissone (Seattle, Wash), coach;
>Michael Engelbrecht (Dallas, Texas), coach; Dr. Richard Gayle (Redwood
>City, Calif.), team physician, Julie Angle (Seattle, Wash.), ATC;
>Shannon Chapman (Sacramento, Calif.), ATC; John Bannerhall
>(Manchester, NH), assistant manager; Scott Novack, (Boulder, Colo.),
>team manager.

Will Thompson-U19 Head Coach
Tempe, AZ
saltyt@juno.com

Scott Novack-USA U19 dev. manager
303-539-0300 x 111
snovack@usarugby.org

Colorado Youth Rugby
Paul Hoskins, Sr.
303-454-9043
pbhoskins_sr@msn.com

USA RUGBY
2004 COACH ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (CAP)
YOUTH NON-CONTACT; COACH & REFEREE COURSE
DENVER, CO
JANUARY 17

COURSE LOCATION
Regis Jesuit High School
16300 Weaver Place
Aurora, Colorado, 80016

LOCAL HOST
Dan O'Leary
8050 E. Cedar Ave.
Denver, Co., 80230
Home: 303-344-8364
Work: 303-617-1995
Email: doleary14@comcast.net

or

Greg Chvatal
greg@yuma.colostate

HOTEL INFORMATION
Sheraton DTC
7007 South Clinton St, Greenwood Village, Co. 80112
1-888-627-7813 Toll Free
Rate/Block Code: $59.00 per night when asking for the CYR rate
Rate: $59.00 per night
Hotel /Airport Shuttle Information: Hotel is at I25 and Arapahoe Road, follow directions below for the specifics from the airport or other areas of travel.

From airport(s) and major interstates to hotel(s):
From DIA go to I-70 West to I-225 South (Look for Colorado Springs exit). Get off on Parker Rd. going South. Go to the first exit Right. Turn right and right again to go under Parker Rd. Go through the light (just on the other side of the underpass) and turn Left into the driveway of the Hotel.

From hotel(s), airports, and major interstates to course location:
From Hotel, go south on Parker Rd. to Weaver (Conoco Gas station on left) and turn left at the light. (First light after going through light at Orchard) Go around behind strip mall and turn left into the entrance for Regis Jesuit High School. There is construction going on, so proceed carefully to the northeast parking lot. Enter School at the Northeast corner.

From South come up either Parker Rd or I-25 to Arapahoe Rd, go east to Weaver Rd. (one block east of Parker Rd) and turn left (north) follow it around to the entrance of Regis Jesuit High School and proceed to the northeast parking lot.

From West or East go on Arapahoe Rd the appropriate directions to get you one block east of Parker Rd. Follow above directions.

**********
ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOLER MAKES THE U.S.A. NATIONAL UNDER-19 RUGBY TEAM  
Jake Stoltz, a senior at Mesquite High School, Gilbert played his first international rugby game for the U.S.A. in the Freedom Cup against Canada, last weekend in Cocoa Beach, Florida.

Jake is a noted Arizona high school athlete, achieving 1st team All State in football as a defensive back.  He was also the East Valley Offensive Footballer of the Year, leading the Mesquite team, as their quarterback and corner to a state quarter-final finish.

Stoltz got interested in rugby when his coach Mike Dwyer, head of Physical Education at Mesquite, started a rugby club four years ago.  Jake brought his natural athletic ability to the sport and the U.S.A. Head Coach, Will 'Salty' Thompson invited him to the Winter U.S.A. Training Camp in Dallas Texas.

The U.S.A. Team will compete in the 35th Annual World Junior Championships, in Paris, France from April 9th through the 21st.  The tournament involves 32 national teams and the U.S. open with Belgium on April 9th.  They will go on to play four games and may face competition from four continents!

This is a chance of a lifetime for young Americans to see the world first hand and compete in a truly international sport.  Jake will be part of a 26 man roster with players from over 16 states, the most coming from Texas.  All players need to fund their costs and donations are greatly appreciated.

The U.S.A. Rugby National Office is accepting donations for the under 19 team.  Such donations are tax free.
Contact www.usarugby.org for further details or Head Coach Salty Thompson, saltyt@juno.com
**********
  2003 NAWIRA Festival  
COCOA Fla. - February 23, 2003 – For the third time in one year, the Canada U19 National Team was able to secure the Freedom Cup by beating
the USA U19 National Team, 29-11 at the NAWIRA Festival in Cocoa, Florida.

The third battle for the Freedom Cup kicked off on a cool and sunny day in central Florida. Both teams came out strong and physical, with neither team backing down. In the beginning, the pace of the match was
furious but riddled with penalties. Canada opened the scoring at the 20-minute mark with a penalty kick by fullback, Mike Pike. The USA was quick to respond with a penalty kick at the 22-minute mark, and gain another three minutes later, both by fullback, Kelly Kolberg (Ft. Worth, Tex.)

Canada was quick to respond with a try, by blindside flanker, Rob Barieri, with Pike completing the conversion that closed the scoring to 10-6, going into halftime.

The start of the second half saw the USA squad applying pressure and big hits. After an initial turnover by Canada on the restart, the USA moved the ball down to the try line, but was unable to capitalize. Canada was able to clear the ball off a turnover after seven minutes of goal-line pressure by the U.S.

Canada remained patient and spread the ball wide, stretching, and tiring the committed Eagle defense. Good running and ball movement by the backs set up Canada’s second try by Barieri at the 14-minute mark, 17-6. The momentum was clearly with the Canadians as most of the second half was played in the USA zone. At the 26-minute mark, Canada again was able to move the ball through their backs, and reserve player, #20 Brandon Van Eeuwen, was able to break the USA defense for another try, 24-6. At the 29-minute mark, Canada put more points on the board with a penalty kick by Pike that made the score 26-6.

The USA was now faced with a big deficit but showed character and resolve. At the  33-miniute mark, after the USA began to apply pressure in the Canada zone, captain and scrumhalf, Mike Petri (State College,
Penn.) was able to clear the ball to prop Stanley du Plessis (Chicago, Ill.) who got within inches of the try line. Inaki Basauri (Bathesda, Mary.) who was able to pick and dive across for USA’s first-ever try
versus Canada, 26-11.

In the end fitness and patience were the keys to Canada’s victory. Despite the loss, the USA squad has narrowed the gap with the Canadians.

"This is exactly what we needed to prepare for France," Head Coach Salty Thompson said. "We confronted the Canadians and our forwards
competed favorably in certain segments of the match. However, international rugby is extremely demanding and we have to be physically able to go the distance. Our fitness levels were not good enough to compete at this level. We can and will correct that by
France."

Canada won the first two Freedom Cup matches; 45-3 in Victoria, British Columbia in December of 2001 and 42-6 in Montereale, Italy at
the 2002 World Junior Championships in March of 2002.

Next up for the USA squad is the IRB/FIRA World Junior Championships, where they will play the Belgium U19 National Team in the first round on April 9 in Meaux, France.

Scoring
20 min – Canada - Penalty kick, Fullback, Mike Pike
22 min – USA – Penalty kick, Fullback, Kelly Kolberg
25 min – USA – Penalty kick, Fullback, Kolberg
28 min – Canada – Try, Blindside Flanker, Rob Barier, Conversion –
Fullback, Pike

Halftime – 10-6, Canada

14 min – Canada – Try, Blindside Flanker, Barier, Conversion –
Fullback, Pike
26 min - Canada – Penalty kick, Fullback, Pike
29 min – Canada – Try, Brandon Van Eeuwen, Conversation kicked failed
33 min – USA – Try, Lock, Basauri. Conversion kick failed.

Final – 29-11, Canada

Substitutes
USA –
Half time: #22 Andy Lennon for #11 AJ Gouws
10 min: #21 Greg Kwedar for #12 Tony Giubardo
21 min: #19 Brad Winbush, #17 Benny Vunibobo, #18 Travis Gatewood, and #16 RJ Krempasky for #1 Dave Karn, #4 Max Zukowski, #6 Ryan
Fitzgerald, and # 7 Joe Welch 25 min: # 20 Mike Graham for # 13 Andrew Locke
**********
  NAWIRA Youth Festival 2003  
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - January 17, 2003 - After a successful Elite Training Camp and a victory over the Texas Collegiate All-Stars in
Dallas, Texas, the USA U19 Boys' National Team staff has named a squad of 40 players. These players will attend the NAWIRA Youth Festival in February and play Canada U19 twice in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
     The USA U19 Boys' National Team will face off against the Canada U19 squad in an "A" developmental match on February 22, followed by a full international test and the playing for the "Freedom Cup" for the third time in one and half years.
     "This will be a much-needed precursor to the World Junior Championships," said U19 Head Coach, Salty Thompson. "The opportunity for an
"A" game and a full U-19 International will have all our players ample opportunity to sample international rugby."
     The NAWIRA Youth Festival will also showcase the USA U19 Girls' National Team debut, as they take on the Ontario U19 Provincial squad and the Welch U19s for the inaugural "Crystal Cup."
     From the NAWIRA Festival, the U19 Boys' squad will be narrowed to 26 players that will represent the USA at the 2003 iRB FIRA/AER World Junior Championships in France in April 2003.
     The USA is the 4th seed in Pool B of the championships and will play Belgium U19 on April 9.
USA U19 Boys' National Team Selections:
Cody Albirght (Westerville),
Inaki Basuari (Maryland Exiles/MARFU Select Side),
Antoine Blanchett (Atlanta Rugby Club),
Charles "Bubba" Bleakmore (Westerville),
Richard Bostic (Central Youth Rugby),
*Matthew Brossart (N. Suburban RFC/Minnesota U19 Select),
*Patrick Castles (Piedmont HS),
*Owen Collins (Boston College Prep),
Pieter Colson (St. Michaels Academy),
*Ryan Fitzgerald (Milwaukee Rugby Football Club/Wisconsin U19 Select),
*Travis Gatwood (Norman Colts),
*Tony Giubardo (Desmet),
*Adiaan Gouws (E. Metro/Minnesota U19 Select),
Michael Graham (Doylestown),
Kenneth Hepburn (Sam Houston State),
Adam Huffman (Adam Medicine Hatt HS),
*Justin Hundley (Penn State),
Owen Jones (Haverford RC),
Dave Karn (N. Suburban RFC/Minnesota U19 Select),
*James Keady (San Diego State),
*Ryan Keary (Thomas More College),
*Andrew Kerwin (Boston College Prep),
*Kelly Kolberg (Dallas RFC/Texas U19 Select),
*Richard Krempasky (NOVA),
*Greg Kwedar (Weatherford HS/Texas U19 Select),
*Andy Lennon (Moseley Rugby Academy),
*Randy Lewis (Chaparral/Eastern Rockies U19 Select),
*Kevin Lichtfuss (Virginia Tech),
*Andrew Locke (St. Thomas),
Andrew Negus (Uni. Of Santa Barbara),
*Michael Petri (Penn State),
*Shawn Rafferty (Xavier),
*Garrett Rittenberg (The Harvey School),
Jake Stoltz (Mesquite HS),
Bernardo Vunibobo (Canisius College),
*Joe Welch (Jesuit),
Chris Wolff (Penn State),
*Max Zukowski (Uni. of Wisconsin-Stout/Wisconsin U19 Select).
*********
  U19 Boys': U19 Boys' National Team Camp Concludes  
DALLAS, Tex. - December 31, 2002 - The weeklong Winter Elite Training Camp concluded Tuesday for the USA Rugby U19 Boys' National Team following a successful scrimmage at Jesuit College Prep's Haggar Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Head coach Salty Thompson's task of selection was difficult because there was stiff competition at every position. "Players have worked hard and made a big effort as one would expect when trying to earn a spot on the team," Thompson said. "It's been a hard week physically and mentally for them but they've come through stronger and more aware of their responsibilities."
A squad of 59 players will be pruned to 26 before the World Junior Championships in April. The final 26 will represent the United States at the Championships in Paris, France.
Three sides were selected and following an intra-squad scrimmage the following starters faced a Texas Collegiate select side.

1. RJ Krempasky
2. Andrew Kirwin
3. Benardo Vunibobo
4. Inaki Basauri
5. Max Zukowski
6. Ryan Fitzgerald
7. Joe Welch
8. James Keady
9. Mike Petri
10. Justin Hundley
11. Dorian Pieracci
12. Tony Giubardo
13. Greg Kwedar
14. Jake Stoltz
15. Kelly Kolberg
Kickoff time for the intra-squad scrimmage was at 10:00 a.m. and the scrimmage versus the Texas Collegiate Select Side was at 11:30 a.m.
After being down 15-0 to the Texas Collegiate All Stars in the first fifteen minutes, the U19s rallied at the 18 minute mark when they scored their first points. It was a back and forth match until the 34th minute when the All Stars were unable to clear a ball near the try line and the U19s collected the ball in the try zone for the win.
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  USA U19 Training Camp  
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - December 18, 2002 -
USA Rugby today announced 66 players will be
attending the U-19 Boys' National Team training Camp in Dallas, Texas from December 26-31, 2002. Those attending consist of 31 players from the Summer Camp in Minnesota, with an additional 35 players who were invited this past summer, but could not attend. Returning players from the 2002 U19 Boys' National Team are: Mike Petri, Andrew Locke, Inaki Basuari, Antoine Blanchett, Pieter Colson and Justin Neville.
Salty Thompson, U19 Boys' Head Coach, also announced his new staff: Paul Vercoe (Chicago, IL.), John Coumbe-Lilley
(Chicago, Ill.), Don Ferrell (State College, Pa.) as Coaches. Additional staff members are, Team Physiotherapist is Patty Lacy (Plymouth, NH), Team Physician, Dr. Richard Gayle (Oakland, Cal.) and Team Manager, Scott Novack (Colorado Springs, Colo.).
The staff is very excited about the pool of players who will be attending the winter camp, said said Thompson. "We feel we have addressed the concerns of size and positions from the summer and have a very athletic and skill full group of players.
The camp program is designed to continue the development process while implementing the preparation components for the World championships in April. This will consist of skills training and implementation of the team's pattern of play, leading up to intra-squad scrimmages on December 28 at Hagger Stadium, Gary Pasqua Field at Dallas Jesuit Prep.
Kickoff times for the scrimmages are:
· 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
· 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Times are subject to change
Players from these two scrimmages will be grouped into the final squad that will play against the Texas Collegiate All-Stars. This match will take place on December 31st. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. at
Hagger Stadium.
Tickets for admission to all scrimmages can be purchased at the stadium: $4.00 for
adults and $2.00 for children 15 and under All proceeds go toward the U19 Boys' program and Dallas Jesuit Prep.
U-19 WINTER CAMP SQUAD
Player Club
Albright, Cody Westerville Baird, Kyle NOVA
Basauri, Inaki Maryland Exiles RFU/MARFU Select Side
Biberdorf, Josh Desmet Blanchet, Antoine Atlanta RFC/South Select Side
Bleakmore, Charles Westerville HS
Bostic, Richard Central Youth Rugby
Brosnahan, Jon Boston Univ.
Brossart, Matthew Mounds View/N Suburban RFC/Minnesota U19 Select
Castles, Patrick Piedmont H S
Collins, Owen Boston College Prep
Colson, Pieter St. Michaels Academy, Canada
Crockett, Matt St Edward Eagles HS
Fiaseu, Brandon Highland HS, New Mexico
Fitzgerald, Ryan Milwaukee Rugby Football Club/Wisconsin U-19 Select
Fortin, Aaron Weatherford/Texas U19 Select
Gatewood, Travis Norman Colts
Giubardo, Tony Desmet
Gouws, Adriaan E Metro High/Minnesota U19 Select
Graham, Michael Doylestown
Grondin, Paul Medicine Hatt HS - Canada
Guagenti, Nick Westerville
Hanel, Sean Desmet
Hepburn, Kenneth Sam Houston State/ Woodlands RFC
Howard, Logan LA Cougars U19
Huffman, Adam Medicine Hatt HS - Canada
Hundley, Justin Penn State Univ.
Jones, Owen Haverford RC
Karn, Dave N Suburban RFC/Minnesota U19 Select
Keady, James San Diego State RFC
Kearey, Ryan Thomas More College - SA
Kerwin, Andrew Boston College Prep
Kolberg, Kelly Dallas RFC/Texas U19 Select
Krempasky, Richard NOVA

Kwedar, Greg Weatherford HS/Texas U19 Select
Lennon, Andy Moseley Rugby Academy, United Kingdom
Lewis, Randy Chaparral/Eastern Rockies U19 Select Side
Lichtfuss, Kevin Virginia Tech University RFC
Locke, Andrew St. Thomas HS Meyers, Nate N Suburban RFC/Minnesota U19 Select
Moore, Michael St. Thomas HS
Murphy, Kevin Wilmington Colts
Negus, Andrew Univ. of Santa Barbara
O'Brien, Kevin South Jersey
Pacious, Chris Maryland Exiles RFC
Petri, Michael Xavier HS
Pieracci, Dorian Silicon Valley U19 RFC
Rafferty, Shawn Xavier HS
Rittenberg, Garrett The Harvey School
Rogers, Carl Kent Crusaders
Shirley, Breck Weatherford/Texas U19 Select
Smith, Andy Muskego RC/Wisconsin U-19 Select
Smith, Brandon Plano High School/Texas U19 Select
Stoltz,Jake Mesquite H S
Stowers, Mike Mesquite H S
Upton, Matt Jesuit College Prep RFC/Texas U19 Select
Vunibobo, Bernado Conisius College
Watson, Chris Weatherford HS/Texas U19 Select
Weik, Matt Wilmington Colts
Welch, Joseph Jesuit
Winbush, Bradley Westerville HS
Winters, Zack Weatherford HS
Williams, Chris Davis Devil Rugby Club
Wolff, Chris Penn State Univ.
Wood, David Andrew Colorado Springs RFC/Hamburg RFC
Zukowski, Max Uni. of Wisconsin-Stout/Wisconsin U-19 Select
**********
  U19 Boys' National Team To Hold Winter Elite Camp  
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - October 16, 2002 - The USA Rugby U-19 Boys'
National Team staff has announced it will hold its second Elite Training Camp of 2002 in Dallas, Texas at the University of Dallas on December 26-31.
This Winter Elite Training Camp serves as the second step in the development and preparation of pool players for the USA Rugby U-19 Boys' National Team.  The team works from a 15-month program cycle, which includes two Elite Training Camps, and then concludes with the 2003 Jr. World Championships in April.
"The initial training camp with the Canadian U19 National Team was cancelled due to facility conflicts at Shawnighan Lake, British Columbia, Canada," Scott Novack U19 Boys' Manager said.  "However, both programs are seeking an alternative with hopes of still playing a "Freedom Cup" match in early 2003."
The winter camp will consist of two-a-day training sessions, an intra-squad "Blue v White" scrimmage on December 28 and a
camp-concluding scrimmage versus Texas Collegiate All Stars on December 31.  Both scrimmages will take place at Hagger Stadium, Gary Pasqua Field at Dallas Jesuit Prep with kickoff times to be announced.
From the summer camp, the staff has invited 36 players and extended additional invitations to players who were invited for the summer camp but unable to attend.  Additionally, the staff has been working since this past summer and fall, seeking out position needs with the forwards.
"We have a strong group of backs," Salty Thompson newly appointed U19 Boys' Head Coach said.  "After reviewing the pool of players from Winona, one area that we have been addressing is more talent in the forwards.
To be eligible for the U19 Boys' National Team, a player must be born in between Jan. 1, 1984 and Dec. 31, 1985.  Players who meet the age requirement, but are not U.S. citizens, may still be eligible if they
have been a resident of the U.S. for 36 consecutive months prior to the April 2003 Jr. World Championships.
The USA U19 Boys' National Team is the 4th seed in Pool B of the 2003 iRB FIRA/AER World Junior Championships taking place in Paris, France, April 9-19.
USA Rugby, founded in 1975, is the national governing body for rugby and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Rugby Board (IRB).
***********
  Salty Thompson named Under 19 National Boys Coach  
Salty Thompson Named USA Boys Coach

October 10, 2002 Colorado Springs, Colo. - USA Rugby announced today that the Boys' U19 National Team Head Coach has been selected. Jen Crawford, Selection Committee Chair and International Athlete VP, made public the appointment of Salty Thompson as the overwhelming pick of the Selection Committee.
As Thompson begins his term, his first duty will be to select a staff and prepare for the Winter Elite Training Camp to be held in Dallas Tex. on December 26-31.
"I was delighted to learn of my appointment. I really enjoyed working with the team at the summer camp in Minnesota," Thompson said. "I look forward to furthering the teams development and preparing them for international competition."
Selection for the U19 Boys' National Team has been through the identification of players at the 2002 High School National Championships, U19 LAU Tournaments, USA Rugby Player Development Camps and Coaches Nominations. Forty-eight players attended the summer Elite Training Camp in Winona, Minn., where Thompson was a staff coach.
In addition to the current selection avenues, Thompson wants to expand the U19 Boys' National Team player identification process through an expanded coaches network. He would also like to expand the LAU & TU U19 activities with hopes of creating a U19 ITT tournament.
"Tournaments such as the U19 LAU tournament in Denver, are great steps forward to bringing the best U19 players to the forefront." Thompson said. "The more of these types of events the better and we will make every effort to have scouts at these events."
Following the Winter Elite Training Camp, Thompson will focus on building and preparing the squad for the 2003 iRB FIRA/AER World Junior Champions in Paris, France. The team will be the 4th seed in Pool B when it takes the field on April 9-19, 2003.
Salty brings a strong international and domestic resume to the team. Born and raised in Northern Ireland, he played for Regent House, Ards and Ulster at U19 and junior levels. In the late 1970s Salty played rugby at Loughborough, his alma mater, for guru Jim Greenwood. This golden era for the English university produced current England coaches Clive Woodward, Ged Glynn, and Simon Hardy.
Thompson has been resident of the U.S. since 1986. He is the former Southern California territorial coach for the senior men, in both 15s and 7s and served as the fitness coach with the Men's National Team in 1997 on the Welsh Tour. Thompson is also a guest coach for the Atlantis 7s, taking the prestigious team to Spain and the Cayman Islands.
He is currently an iRB & USA Rugby Level III coach, a USA Rugby coaching instructor for the Coaching Accreditation Program and a Lead Instructor for the Player Development Camps.
Professionally, Thompson is the Physical Education Department Chair at Westview High School in Avondale, Ariz. In addition, he is head coach of the rugby, boys' soccer and the varsity cross country teams.
"I really appreciate the hard work and progress made by the former under 19 coaches and feel honored to help further the program" Thompson concluded.
**********
  Youth Championships  
Wed, 2 Oct 2002 01:48:52 EDT
Folks,
Got the below message in the mail.  It is now official - we are in the
national playoff structure.

I would like to reveiw you ideas on how we can set up a schedule.  I have sent a lot of info out - but no real response.  Need your input.  There are several things that should be addressed:
Conference setup for 15s?  Home and home within the conference.  Do a couple of interconference games?
North:  Loyola, South Pasadena, Basset (La Puenta)South:  Ocean Breeze, Rancho Bernardo, San Diego HS (combination side
other programs)
Arizona:  Westview, Mesquite, Red Mountain

Starting date for league games, 3rd weekend in January (1/24).  10
week
legue period would go to end of March, Start playoffs in April, with
possible
California HS championship first weekend in May (5/3-4) and National HS
playoffs on 3rd weekend in May (5/16-18)

Thanks
Tony S.(Southern California Youth Director)
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  NAWIRA Festival of Youth  
1-29-2002 - NAWIRA Festival of Youth  
The North American West Indies Rugby Association?s (NAWIRA) first annual Festival of Youth will take place Feb. 19-23, 2003 at the Cocoa Expo Sports Center, in Cocoa Beach, Fla., U.S. The tournament consists of four days of competition with finals held on the fifth and final day of the tournament. The intent of this information is to provide teams with all information needed to coordinate and schedule attendance for this event.