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WJAA Assemble, English New Coach

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WJAA Assemble, English New Coach

LAFAYETTE, CO. - James English -- Rugby United New York's newly-named General Manager -- has been appointed as Head Coach of the Women's Junior All-Americans (U20s), USA Rugby confirmed today. Having previously spent time with the union as an Assistant Coach for the Women's Collegiate All-Americans, English will hit the ground running at this week's Women's Junior All-Americans' (WJAAs) training and selection camp for two international games taking place later this Summer.

English began his first official assignment as Head Coach today, using the camp which will run until July 1 to identify a roster for the WJAAs upcoming two match series. Details for the competition will be announced in due course.

"We are very excited to have James join us in his new role as the Junior All-American Head Coach," says Emilie Bydwell, General Manager for Women's High Performance. "James has worked for the past several years across the women's game in the USA, participated in the Elite Coach Development Program and has a proven success winning a WPL championship last season. His significant experience in long-term athlete development will accelerate the growth of our young players, maximize their potential and support them in their pursuit of becoming Eagles."

English has spent more than 15 years in rugby. After starting as the Head of Rugby for Coopers' Company and Coborn School in 2003, he's moved on to take coaching roles both in Ireland and the U.S. including Blackrock College and Yale University. In addition to these, English has served as the Director of Rugby for Monroe College; as well as spent time as an Assistant Coach with the Women's Collegiate All-Americans in 2016 and became Head Coach of New York Rugby with the Women's Premier League where he recently won a WPL Championship.

Currently also the General Manager for Rugby United New York of the newly formed Major League Rugby, English is enthusiastic about the future of the age-grade women's program.

"These are exciting times for the women's pathway. This Women's Junior All-American camp offers us an opportunity to build some momentum off the success of the recent Women's Collegiate All-American camp in Dartmouth," says English. "Our upcoming tour will give this talented and skilled group the opportunity to be tested against some of the best in the world."

Over the next few days, English will spend time at the U.S. Olympic Training Site in Chula Vista with 34 Women's Junior All-Americans eager to be selected for the aforementioned competition. Through the camp, the new Head Coach will work diligently to evaluate athletes who display the necessary characteristics to compete later this Summer; as well as build and develop the skill set of all those in the assembly.

The WJAA program is critically important both in the long term and short term; identifying athletes who are immediately ready to move directly into USA Rugby's senior setup for the 2021 World Cup campaign. To support All-American athletes on their journey to becoming senior national team players, click here.

 

WOMEN’S JUNIOR ALL-AMERICAN ROSTER | SELECTION CAMP JUNE 28 - JULY 1

 

PLAYER

SCHOOL

Suiluana A'au

Central Washington University

Tiana A'au

Central Washington University

Tiara A'au

Central Washington University

Janay Aoga

Humboldt State University

Destiny Arena

Lindenwood University

Ali Wicks

Pennsylvania State University

Mckenna Strong

Lindenwood University

Margaret Gold

Lindenwood University

Natalie Gray

Lindenwood University

Kayla Canett

Pennsylvania State University

Naomi Carillo

University of California, Santa Barbara

Sydnee Cervinski

Life University

Alaijah Cheeseman

University of Virginia

Erin Wright

Harvard University

Elizabeth Wilson

Northern Virginia Rugby (NOVA)

Megan Bird

Davenport University

Shariyf Mayer

Bishop O'Dowd High School

Emily Henrich

Orchard Park High School

Atumata Hingano

Life West

Dineken Paogofie-Buyten

Lindenwood University

Taylor Makowski

Life University

Aniya Matina

Provo High School

Sophia Betts

Oregon State University

Cassidy Bargell

Summit High School

Samantha Tancredi

North Bay High School

Clara Lemal-Brown

Hudson High School

Mary Jane Pasioles

Central Washington University (red shirt)

Melissa Sedrick

Life University

Tori Jones

University of Notre Dame

Samantha Sullivan

Army Academy, West Point

Hannah Trommer

Kent State University

Lauren Thunen

University of California, Santa Barbara

Kelly DeGrood

St. Bonaventure University

Morgan Freeman

Ft. Miami High School

Erin Walsh

Saint Mary's College of California

Eleanor Burnett

Army Academy, West Point  

 

 

WOMEN’S JUNIOR ALL-AMERICAN STAFF | SELECTION CAMP JUNE 28 - JULY 1

Head Coach - James English

Coach - Kittery Ruiz

Coach - Kate Daley

Strength & Conditioning Coach - Simon Coulter

Athletic Trainer - Katherine Henry

Athletic Trainer - Britney Schenck

Team Manager - Kirstin Maurer

Pathway Manager - Anna Kunkel