On Sunday, February 21st at LD Bell High School in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, the Dallas Reds, together with Gorilla Rugby, hosted a College Rugby Showcase for High School players. 

Rugby players from 16 California High Schools and eight Texas High Schools were in attendance. 

College Coaches and Recruiting Representatives were present from Life University, US Naval Academy, University of Oklahoma, University of California Los Angeles, and University of North Texas, as well as the USA U20 program.

The event was billed as a “showcase of talent” primarily for the recruiting of players from high school and into college programs. Certainly the skill and athleticism on display was impressive and these players showed the potential to contribute significantly to any college program they join. The event was set up with numerous stations of dynamic activities and mini-games, coached by attending college coaches, to demonstrate and test the players attacking and defensive skills. All of that culminated in a fully opposed match featuring players from California vs Texas.

"One of the things I look for at events like this is the ability of a player to quickly understand what is being asked of them at each station and in a short time demonstrate that by executing at pace and under pressure," said MIchael Engelbrecht with the USA U20 program." And then to see elements of those skills appear under full match conditions. The skill and rugby IQ on display during the opposed match was quite impressive. There is no doubt that these young players are well coached at their local clubs and other pathways in their local areas. Overall this type of event is a fantastic way for players to showcase their talent but also for coaches to be exposed to the next generation of skillful college players."

Skill Stations

The U.S. Naval Academy station covered a modified Piston Drill with emphasis on keeping your feet until support arrives.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the level of play and sound technique based on the conditions that everybody has been dealing with in the last year.," said Naval Academy Women's team Head Coach Murph McCarthy. "It is apparent that the hard work coaches, parents, volunteers, and players have been putting in at the youth level is paying off. If you were sitting high enough in the stands at L.D. Bell High school, it would not have been apparent you were watching high school players. At the Naval Academy we have some specimen athletes that are starters on our first side with only a year-and-a-half of rugby experience. During the showcase I spoke with a young man who told me he had been playing Rugby for 12 years and he was only 16. I then asked him if he had played overseas and he told me he has played in or against teams from six foreign countries and he's 9-2 in international competition. I'm pleased to see the next generation player knows a lot more about the game and has found the weight room before getting to college." 

Coaches from Gorilla Rugby and Life University Recruiting sent the players through a 5-v-4 drill with width progression and space recognition with an emphasis on creating attack openings. 

"It was a great day for college coaches and players to get to know each other," said Life University Recruiting Representative James Reed. "The players truly came to showcase their skills they have developed from their club sides, camps and tournaments. While the unfortunate timing of the winter storm hindered many from attending it is my hope that more Texas coaches embrace these types of player development programs that really provide a clear path to rugby at the next levels. I was particularly impressed when a player arrived late because he had just played in the Dallas Jesuit vs Allen game that had been rescheduled to the same time as the showcase but he did not want to miss the opportunity."

UCLA evaluated the 3-v-3 Tackle Contact Area with an emphasis on defense and ball poaching techniques and responsibility recognition after the tackle to counter-ruck, poach, go to box, or cover down on the first receiver.

"The players performance at the Showcase was nothing short of impressive," enthused UCLA Coach Thomas Wagner. "It was such a great opportunity for these young athletes. It's exciting to see the first generation that has grown up with nationwide rugby as a choice in America just like football, basketball, soccer, and baseball. [I] hope to see many of these players and more at UCLA Rugby Camp at the end of July." 

University of Oklahoma had former Springbok and Blue Bulls Coach Blikkies Groenewald evaluating pass and offload fundamentals of mechanics, timing, and spacing.

"The program was a nice opportunity to see quality players who want to play collegiate rugby," said University of Oklahoma Director of Rugby Jon Velie. "It was also a great opportunity for these players to see how they would be coached by these teams. Coach Groenwald is a great teacher and seeing him interact with the players was a great way to show how they would grow as rugby players and young men if they attend the University of Oklahoma."

University of North Texas covered attacking structure with an overlap progressing from 3-v-2 to 4-v-3 pictures and decision-making. 

"From a University of North Texas perspective, we are eager to follow up with the vast majority of players at this showcase as they would be able to immediately make an impact on our program," said UNT Coach Andrew Marshall.

Still Work To Do For Students

Following the station drills was a panel where each of the college coaches shared information about their programs, camps, admissions, tuition, and scholarship opportunities. The key message was that just because you're good at rugby doesn't make it easy to get into a school.

But they made their pitch.

"The Naval Academy offers free tuition and a guaranteed job for at least the first 5 years after graduation," said McCarthy. "I did it for 20 years and I'm being paid to breath right now. But it's hard to get in."

The showcase was a huge success with over 25 players who received personal invitations from the various College Coaches to attend campus visits and summer camps. To take things a step further was the exposure to the USA U20 All American Coach.

Engelbrecht was there to identify players and put together a list for USA Rugby Men’s High Performance Pathways Manager Brendan Keane with an eye toward getting them to an All American.

The Showcase expressed special thanks to the Dallas Rugby, Gorilla Rugby, and LD Bell High school for their support and coordination. There will be more events like this.

Drone coverage of the California vs Texas scrimmage is available for those coaches not in attendance. Contact careyinca@gmail.com for film footage.