US Sports Camps and Nike Evolution Rugby Camps Announce 2013 All-Camps Team
San Rafael, CA (PRWEB) July 25, 2013 -- A talented group of 64 male rugby players aged 13-18 participated in the Nike Evolution Rugby Camps at Clemson University and North Central College in Naperville, IL. This year’s camps attracted rugby players from across the United States and internationally.
The rugby camps were directed by the co-founders of Evolution Rugby; Justin Hickey, Head Coach of the Clemson University Rugby Program, and Scott Lawrence, 2012 Team USA U20 Head Coach and Life University Defense Coach. The coaching staff included current Team USA players Phil Thiel and Graham Harriman, as well as former national team players Phil Eloff and David Fee. Players also received instruction from National Championship winning, Midwest All-Star Coach, Paul Bergman.
The level of play at camp was indicative of the growth of rugby in this country. Rugby in the USA is attracting higher caliber athletes at the high school level, and players are receiving quality coaching from a younger age. “It’s exciting to see a number of players coming into camp at age 15 with five or six years already under their belt. The improvement within the week is immense. It's really fun watching the scrimmage on the final day and seeing the boys evolve as players and put into action everything they have learned,” said Coach Lawrence. “It was great to see the superior talent level across the board at the Nike Evolution Camps this summer, especially the young players who are starting rugby as early as middle school,” Coach Hickey commented.
Nike Evolution Rugby Camps also provides players the opportunity to meet and work with college coaches and provides intimate exposure to the college environment. “On behalf of the collegiate coaches working the camps, we hope the athletes make connections that will help them in the next phase of their academic and rugby careers,” said Clemson Head Coach Justin Hickey.
Nike Evolution Rugby Camps selected a team of 18 players from seven states and two from the UK to represent the 2013 Nike Evolution All-Camps team. “We’d like to recognize individuals for their performance as well as their work ethic and improvement throughout the camps.” Hickey concluded, “We congratulate these young athletes and are extremely encouraged by their level of enthusiasm and commitment to the game. We are looking forward to a great 2014 Nike Evolution summer season.”
2014 Nike Evolution All-Camps Team
Prop: Josh Driscoll - Fort Mill, SC
Hooker: Ron Steenwyk - Grand Rapids, MI
Prop: Kris Sheckles - Alexandria, VA
Lock: Tyler Harrington - Concord, NC
Lock: Zach Lingen - Prospect Heights, IL
Lock: Eric Kramlick - Charlotte, NC
Backrow: Alex Vassallo - London, UK
Backrow: Curtis Myers - Sparta, MI
Backrow: Michael Gyamfi - Alexandria, VA
Backrow: Garion Wascher - Fort Mill, SC
Scrumhalf: Tony LaPiana - Rolling Meadows, IL
Flyhalf: Aaron Keers - Fort Mill, SC
Flyhalf: Edward Bishop - Lakewood, OH
Center: Michael Hughes - Grand Rapids, MI
Center: Matt Paolucci - Naperville, IL
Wing: Anthony Bisogni - St. Charles, IL
Wing: Justin Nesbitt - Bronx, NY
Fullback: Matthew Ilube - London, UK
The mission of Nike Evolution Rugby Camps is to be leaders in rugby education and high performance, providing guidance and support to coaches, parents and players of all levels. Evolution aims to provide a vehicle for skill development for the next generation of high-level rugby athletes in the United States. Evolution’s curriculum provides players with specialized coaching geared toward developing individual and team skills as well as educational modules covering injury prevention, nutrition, speed mechanics, and more. Evolution camps provide a comprehensive camp experience including rugby instruction, meals, accommodations, and fun team activities.
About US Sports Camps, Inc.
US Sports Camps (USSC), headquartered in San Rafael, California, is America’s largest sports camp network and the licensed operator of Nike Sports Camps. The company has offered summer camps since 1975 with the same mission that defines it today: to shape a lifelong enjoyment of athletics through high quality sports education and skill enhancement. More information can be found online at USSportsCamps.com or phone toll-free 1-800-NIKECAMP.
Nick Brunner, Nike Rugby Camps, http://www.ussportscamps.com/rugby, 415-479-6060, [email protected]
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