COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The United States Olympic Committee announced the 2014 U.S. Youth Olympic Team to compete at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games Monday, July 7.

Twelve men have been selected to represent the U.S. in China in Rugby Sevens, the first time the sport will feature at an Olympic Games since its inclusion on the Games Program in 2009. All players were born during 1996 or 1997.

Eleven of the 12 men selected have been members of the USA Rugby Boys High School All-Americans, who have successfully toured Europe and South America in the past two years in both the sevens and 15s code of rugby. Junior Helu, Vili Helu, Sione Masoe, Malcolm May, Suwaiter Poch and Jojo Tikoisuva have been named to the BHSAA squad for this month’s tour of Argentina.

All-time IRB HSBC Sevens World Series points-scorer Ben Gollings will coach the men’s team at the Youth Olympic Games, while BHSAA Head Coach Salty Thompson will serve as the team leader.

“It’s always going to be hard with only 12 spots available and it’s been a tough selection process,” Gollings said. “Good players are going to miss out, but we have the players to do the job.

“The Youth Olympic Games is a great opportunity for those involved and will be a great stepping stone with the Rio Games around the corner.”

The USA men’s team will play a round-robin competition with Argentina, Fiji, France, Japan, and Kenya Aug. 17-19 before the Finals are played Aug. 20. 

Both teams will arrive in China Aug. 12 and stay throughout the entirety of the 2014 Youth Olympic Games. Following the tournament, the teams will engage in a series of cultural events wrapped around Olympic ideals and support other American athletes in competition.

USA Youth Olympic Games Men's Rugby Sevens Team