The NAI 7s pools and lineup of teams are (pretty much) set for the 2022 tournament to be played July 22-23 in Salt Lake City.
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Here's the list, with some comments:
U23 Women
Badger Academy
Rhinos Rugby
TOA
Utah County
Utah Lions
These teams all play round-robin and then a final. No separate pools. These are all strong teams, but keep an eye on Rhinos, which has shown itself to be able to front-up in any bracket.
U23 Men
Pool 1
Silicon Valley
TOA
Valley Wallabies
Pool 2
Antelope
Mustangs
Rhinos Rugby
Pool 3
East Rugby
Utah Valley University
Washington Academy of Rugby
WAR has built from a little-known spinoff program to a really effective select-side team at various ages. They have good backing and make sure players who can't afford to travel can still travel.
U18 Boys Elite
Pool 1
Atlantis Teal
Pioneer 7s
Rebel Rugby Academy
Washington Academy of Rugby
Pool 2
Berks County
Cali-U East
Gorilla Rugby
Layton Christian Academy
Pool 3
Atlantis Black
Kahuku
Rhinos Academy
Utah Warriors
Atlantis fields two teams and usually one is a bit more experienced than the other The Atlantis Teal team is probably the more experienced, but we won't know for sure until they show up. Cali-U East is a group of players from Utah and California who all played together in Hawaii. Rhinos Academy is expected to be very strong, while we noted last year that Pioneer 7s is a great program that gives all-star playing chances to young players who often have a tough time finding them.
Berks County keeps winning 7s tournaments so watch them.
Girls U18
Pool 1
Desert Warriors
Eagle Lady Mustangs
Pleasanton Lady Cavaliers
Rhinos Academy
Pool 2
Bitterroot Koa Wahines
Rocky Mountain
Sacramento Harlequins
The Rugby Advantage
Pool 3
Lamorinda
Mana Performance
Pasefika Rugby Hawaii
Pioneer 7s
Pool 4
Atlantis
Majestics
Rugby Colorado Academy
San Mateo Wolverines
Pool 5
Badger Rugby Academy
Provo/Wasatch
Rush Rugby
Valkyrie NorCal
Pool 6
Badger Rugby Academy
Rock Rugby Academy
Sac PAL Amazons
Utah Cannibals
So many good teams here. Sac PAL, Badger, Atlantis, Pioneer. Some of the teams that play regularly together (Majestics, Sac PAL) will bring a special unity to the effort.
Boys U18
Pool 1
Belmont Shore
Mountain Ridge
South Texas Armadillos
TOA
Pool 2
Kona Royals
Liberty Rugby
Rebel Rugby Academy
San Mateo Wolverines
Pool 3
Arizona Bobcats
New Mexico Desert Warriors
Pioneer 7s
Rhinos Academy
Pool 4
Owyhee HS
Poly United Rugby
Rock Rugby Academy
USA Rugby South Panther Academy
Pool 5
Badger Rugby Academy
Kansas City Blues 7s Academy
Sac PAL Spartans
Washington Academy of Rugby
We are very interested to see this KC Blues Academy team. There are several teams from regions that are not especially deeps, such as Arizona and New Mexico, that get a chance to play. Keep an eye on Belmont Shore, USA South, Washington Academy of Rugby, and San Mateo.