Busy 2024 Ahead for Panther Rugby Academy
Busy 2024 Ahead for Panther Rugby Academy
This season Panther Rugby Academy held three camps in the southeast, looking ahead to a very busy 2024.
Starting in Hendersonville, Tenn. in December, moving on to Gibsonville, NC in January, and ending with a Super Camp in Roswell, Ga. in February, these camps were geared towards player development, identification, and then selection for Tropical 7s in late March.
Despite some not-so-cooperative weather this year, there were over three hundred young men and women attending the three camps involving clubs and school teams from ten plus states.
"One of our primary goals at PRA is to work alongside local high school and club programs to further develop young men's and women's rugby skills while also providing them opportunities to compete at a higher level both at home and overseas," said Michael Orefice, PRA Director of High School Rugby.
Last year PRA partnered with former England International Tom May, who is based in London, to develop opportunities for US-based players in Europe and vice versa.
New Zealand!
This summer PRA is giving their athletes two overseas opportunities starting in late June (June 21 - July 2) with a Tour of New Zealand. This trip is open to all age groups. Information and sign up is available here: https://form.jotform.
Mexico!
The second overseas opportunity will be PRA's defense of their 2023 RAN U19s Title (15s) with a trip to Mexico City July 7-14.
See the details on Rugby Americas North here>>
Any male U19 player, either in high school or college or out of high school, can reach out to Theresa@pantherrugbyacademy.com if interested.
This is an International Tournament. You must have a valid passport and be born after January 1st, 2005. You will need to complete an application after indicating your interest. Spots will be via invitation and will fill quickly. PRA is the two-time defending RAN Champion.
Domestic
Panther Rugby Academy will kick off with another title defense at the National 7s Championships June 5-9 in Cleveland, OH. PRA is the defending U16 National 7s Champion and U14 Runner Up. Player selection for the National Youth 7s Championship in Cleveland is ongoing, so if interested please reach out via email (Theresa@pantherrugbyacademy.com).
In June, PRA will host the second annual UBS Elite 15's event (June 13-16). The Midwest Thunderbirds are returning in addition to several teams from around the country. In 2023 the Thunderbirds and teams out of St Louis were instrumental in kick starting this event and interest continues to grow. This is an age-grade event with boys U14's, U16's, and U18's participating. The event is open to any HS team or individual who wants to attend; PRA can and will help individuals find a team for the event.