CHULA VISTA, Calif. — USA Rugby has wrapped up its Women’s Sevens Pathway Residency Immersion Camp, bringing together 20 of the nation’s top emerging players for a two-week high-performance training experience at the organization’s High Performance headquarters in Chula Vista, California.
According to a USA Rugby news release, the camp was designed to immerse pathway athletes in the daily demands of the senior Women’s Sevens environment while preparing them for future opportunities within the national team system.
Replicating the Senior Circuit
Led by USA Women’s Sevens Pathway Head Coach Irene Gardner, the opening week replicated a typical senior national team training schedule, including field sessions, strength and conditioning, technical skills, recovery, classroom learning, and video analysis.
The second week shifted into a competition environment as the squad hosted Rugby Canada’s Next Gen Women’s Sevens team and the Chicago Lions Women’s Sevens side for a series of matches. The format allowed players to apply what they had learned against outside opposition while experiencing the rhythm of an elite competition week.
“The athletes are being asked to approach camp with courage and effort at every moment,” Gardner said. “To intentionally take risks daily that will create an opportunity for growth and learning. It is with that intention that they can refine their process and continue to take steps forward toward senior side, professional rugby.”
Elite Support and National Team Alignment
Throughout the camp, athletes worked with members of the USA Women’s Sevens high-performance staff in areas including technical skills, film analysis, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, and nutrition.
Women’s Sevens Head Coach Emilie Bydwell collaborated with pathway staff during the residency, while former USA Women’s Sevens captain Kelly Griffin served as assistant coach alongside Gardner, helping provide continuity between the pathway program and the senior national team.
Gardner also thanked the pathway staff and donors whose support helped make the camp possible, acknowledging the collaborative effort required to continue developing future USA Women’s Sevens players.
Where the Camp Fits in the USA Rugby Pathway
The Residency Immersion Camp represents one of the advanced stages of USA Rugby’s player development system. Most athletes enter the pathway through Talent ID Days, where coaches evaluate rugby skills, athleticism, decision-making, coachability, competitiveness, and long-term development potential. Strong performances can lead to invitations to Regional Development Days, National Development Programs, and eventually high-performance camps such as the Residency Immersion Camp.
USA Rugby also identifies talent throughout the year at collegiate championships, elite sevens tournaments, all-star competitions, and major club events. College rugby remains one of the strongest pipelines into the national team system, with scouts regularly evaluating athletes competing at the highest levels of the collegiate game.
For a complete breakdown of Talent ID Days, Regional Development Days, National Development Programs, scouting events, and the pathway to the USA Eagles, visit RFC’s USA Rugby Pathway Guide:
Roster Reflects Strong Collegiate Talent
The 20-player roster showcases the depth of the collegiate game. Dartmouth College leads all programs with four selections, while Life University, Long Island University, UC Santa Barbara, Bay Breakers, and Denver Onyx each have multiple representatives. The squad also includes athletes from both the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy, highlighting the diverse routes athletes take into the USA Rugby pathway.
USA Women’s Sevens Residency Immersion Camp Roster
| Player | Club / School |
|---|---|
| Falalauola (Lay) Amanoni | Bay Breakers |
| Shawnee Asiata | Majestics |
| Brooke Crago | Scion Rugby |
| Chloe De Leon | U.S. Military Academy at West Point |
| Kiyanah Edwards | American International College |
| Jayna Schalesky | UC Santa Barbara |
| Kori Fields | Long Island University |
| Olivia Frisby | Life University |
| Aleksandria Gabbard | U.S. Naval Academy |
| Leah Lockerman | Denver Onyx |
| Marley Larkin | Dartmouth College |
| Hehea Pulotu | Dartmouth College |
| Saylor Russell | Long Island University |
| Lissa Salisbury | Life University |
| Mariah Overby | Bay Breakers |
| Sana’a Lunon | Harvard University |
| Amalia Galm | UC Santa Barbara |
| Makayla Komer | Denver Onyx |
| Katelyn Walker | Dartmouth College |
| Vasiti Turagavou | Dartmouth College |
Looking Ahead
The Residency Immersion Camp provides emerging players with an opportunity to experience the standards, expectations, and support systems of the senior national team environment. While participation does not guarantee future selection, camps like these play an important role in identifying and preparing athletes for future opportunities with the USA Women’s Sevens program as the pathway continues to develop talent for international competition.
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Source: USA Rugby, Women’s Sevens Pathways Players Challenged with High Performance Immersion Camp:
