With the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 less than 50 days away, USA Rugby Junior National team coaches are looking at the horizon to ensure success for the upcoming stars of the game.
USA Rugby has committed to investing in its player development pathways, ensuring a robust pipeline of talent for sustained success on the international stage. Close to 80 Under 18 players were identified through USA Rugby pathways and invited to attend their respective East and West Development Camps set in Mt. St. Mary's, Maryland (East Camp) and the Elite Athlete Training Center in Chula Vista, California (West Camp). These camps represent a pivotal step in identifying and nurturing the next generation of American rugby talent, with a strong emphasis on player development for future Senior Women's National Team cycles.
Head Coach Susan Whitwell shared her enthusiasm on the emerging USA Women’s Rugby talent;
"The talent we’re seeing from players aged 15-18 is incredibly exciting. It’s a testament to the hard work being put into developing rugby at the grassroots level. Our pathway programs are dedicated to providing as many opportunities as possible for these players, through both 7s and 15s camps. These camps are designed to not only develop their individual skills but also to introduce them to the higher levels of competition, helping to prepare them for future success in the Senior Women’s Team."
“Merging a group of young players together is both a challenge and an exciting opportunity. The challenge lies in creating cohesion among athletes who come from different backgrounds, training environments, and levels of experience. It's about blending diverse playing styles and personalities into a cohesive unit, all while building trust and communication on and off the field. The excitement comes from seeing how quickly these players adapt, collaborate, and inspire each other. There’s a lot of raw potential in these groups, and I’m excited to see the energy and passion of these young athletes.
"We’re looking for players who are eager to challenge themselves, and show a commitment to developing their rugby skills. These camps are all about pushing boundaries—whether that’s in terms of fitness, tactical understanding, or mental toughness. It’s an opportunity for players to showcase their potential and take the next step in their rugby journey.
Players earned Camp invitations through a multi-faceted approach designed to ensure a comprehensive and fair assessment of talent:
- USA Rugby Regional Talent Identification Camps: These regional gatherings provided crucial opportunities to scout and identify promising athletes from across the country.
- High School National Championships: Performance at the national level served as a significant indicator of a player's potential and readiness for higher-level development.
- Recommendations & Video Reviews: A robust network of Regional Coaches and Select Side Coaches, alongside nominations submitted via the USA Rugby website, contributed to a pool of recommended players. Extensive video footage was then reviewed to thoroughly evaluate individual skills, athletic potential, and game understanding.
The primary focus for these camps is on player preparation and development to set them up for future Women’s Rugby World Cup success. Following the WRWC 2025, there will be a focus on providing players within the pathway programs with additional match opportunities. This proactive approach aims to equip players with the necessary experience and skills to seamlessly transition into the Senior Women’s National Team for the subsequent Rugby World Cup cycle.
Mackenzie Aluise | Knightmares Girls Rugby |
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Tanner Avery | Raleigh Cobras |
Allison Beckenhauer | Doylestown |
Bailey Borum Gray | Hough |
Sara Butler | Charlotte Cardinals Rugby Club |
Devyn Corydon | Morris Highschool girls rugby |
Charlotte Davies | Downingtown Rugby Club |
Madison Englin | Waverly / Shell Rock High School Rugby Club |
Nolah Flynn | Doylestown Rugby Club |
Stella Gustafson | Madtown Furies |
Sadie Hershberger | Mystic River |
Lauren Huang | Greenwich High School Girls Rugby |
Madelyn Hubbell | Saint Joseph Academy Jaguars |
Giselle Long | Westside Revenge |
Sana'a Lunon | Atlantis / Rhinos |
Mackenzie | Doylestown Rugby Club |
Abbey McGettigan | Downingtown Rugby Club |
Bridget McGonigle | Doylestown Rugby Academy |
Siena Miller | Morris Rugby |
Emma Murray | Stallions |
Nakato Myers | Raleigh Rugby Cobras |
Kiernan Myles | Knightmares RFC |
Keilikki Nau Rarick | Majestics |
Alyssa Post | La Salle University |
Tevia Nau Rarick | Majestics |
Olive Rhodes | Morris Rugby |
Cecelia Rose | Green Bay Banshees |
Morgan Roth | Norwalk High School |
Hailey Russer | Summit Girls Rugby |
Gracie Schmidt | Atlanta Valkyries |
Reese Smith | Aspetuck |
Keira Snyman | Valor Christian High School Girls RFC |
Ava Steed | Midwest Thunderbirds / Ohio Aviators |
Mariana Taai | The woodlands / Panthers |
Jocelyn Terry | Doylestown |
Erneasia (Evie) Vinton | Clayton Youth Rugby Club |
Morgan Whelan | Downingtown Girls Rugby Club |
Sara Zavieh | Atlanta Valkyries |
Liongi Aiolupo | Wolverines |
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Shawnee Asiata | Majestics Rugby Club |
Evie Danhof | Yellowstone Mavericks |
Shaidynn Elama | Kent Crusaders |
Ella Elordi | Eagle Lady Mustangs |
Aroen Faletoi | Belmont Shore |
Olivia Frisby | Meridian Warriors |
Eniline Hola | Belmont Shore |
Amanda Homer | Owyhee HS |
Rebekah Jenks | Centennial HS / TOA |
Sophie Kartchner | Rocky Mountain Rugby Football Club |
Snapper King | East County Grackles |
Amenekina Latu | Wolverines Rugby Club |
Marley Lavea | Belmont Shore / Maui Rugby |
Zion Lavoe | Divine Savior Holy Angels High School |
Nila Lolesio-Pua | Belmont Shore |
Kinga Major | Motherlode Varsity Club Rugby |
Jainaya Masunu | PNW Selects / Federal Way Warriors |
Hazel Mcrobie | Summit Rugby |
Halaevalu Paea | Sacramento Amazon |
Khalea Pahulu | Belmont Shore Youth Rugby |
Isabelle Patch | Woodlands Rugby Club |
Morgan Saylors | Sacramento Harlequins |
Jordynn Shannonhouse | Regis Jesuit HS |
Zion Stone | United / Utah Cannibals |
HonestyTaavao | SACAIR |
Lolua Tauanu'u | Belmont Shore |
Kalilah Tuani | Kent Crusaders |
Chante Tuilevuka | Provo Steelers |
Ana Tuitavake | East County Grackles |
Selafina Uluave | Provo Steelers / United |
Salote Valikoula | Pasefika Rugby Club & Kahuku Rugby Club |
Naomi Van Zandt | San Mateo Wolverines |
Gianna Veetutu | Kent Crusaders |
Lucy Walker | Denver East Rugby |
Zoe Zumbro | Belmont Shore |
Susan Whitwell | Head Coach
Josie Ziluca | Assistant Coach
Stacey Markovic | Assistant Coach
Kristen Zdanczewicz | Strength & Conditioning
Amy Stephen-McCormack | Manager
Stacy Mancuso | Manager
Martha Daines | Head of Player Systems and Development
Susan Whitwell | Head Coach
Kelly Griffin | Assistant Coach
KristenShalosky | Assistant Coach
Kristen Zdanczewicz | Strength & Conditioning
Heidi Whitman | Manager
Martha Daines | Head of Player Systems and Development