SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Today, the event organizers of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 announced the recipients of the "Try Makers' recognition program, seven youth and seven adults who were selected for the positive impact they have individually made on the local rugby community. As part of the Impact Beyond program in celebration of the Rugby World Cup Sevens coming to San Francisco in July 2018, Try Makers was developed to showcase the contributions of local members of the rugby community.
"The Try Makers program has reinforced to our team what makes rugby so special; it's a community of people who seek to make a difference every day in their communities,' said Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 General Manager, Rosie Spaulding. "We are excited to recognize these individuals at the tournament and celebrate how the values of rugby have come to life through their actions.'
Try Maker Awardees
| Name | Club | Region |
| Deven Allen | Elsie Allen Lobo Rugby Club | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Bill Battista | University of San Francisco Women's Rugby Club | San Francisco, CA |
| Heidi Campoy | Renegade Rugby Club | Cameron Park, CA |
| Kiley Carter | Alameda Girls Rugby | Alameda, CA |
| Kye Doran | San Jose Seahawks Rugby Football Club | San Jose, CA |
| Kate Forman | River City Rugby Club | West Sacramento, CA |
| Yasha Ghaffarzadeh | Oakland Warthogs | Oakland, CA |
| Ronnie McElligott | San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club | San Francisco, CA |
| Gavin Monroe | Danville Oaks Rugby Club | San Francisco, CA |
| Siosiua Nisa | East Bay Rugby Academy | Hayward, CA |
| Noor Raja Bisharat | Sierra Foothills Rugby Club | Penryn, California |
| Alan Petty | Elsie Allen Lobo High School | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Kurt Scagliola | Marin Highlanders | Marin County, CA |
| Naomi Van Zandt | San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Club | San Francisco, CA |
Awardees include coaches, volunteers, staff members and youth participants and were selected from a pool of nominations submitted by their peers. The awardees will receive a VIP experience for two to the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 tournament at AT&T Park.
In addition to the Try Makers program, the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 tournament looks to leave a legacy that extends beyond the stadium walls through the Impact Beyond initiative. The program has focused on leveraging the international tournament to expose local youth to rugby and the sport's values - integrity, respect, solidarity, passion and discipline.
In partnership with Play Rugby USA, USA Rugby Academies and Playworks Northern California, Impact Beyond was introduced earlier this year and has been available to more than 80 schools, nonprofits and after-school programs across the Bay Area through lesson plans, and a series of events and tournaments. By the time the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 is played this summer, more than 22,000 local children will be impacted.
"While the tournament in San Francisco will inevitably come to a close in July, the lasting impact of American rugby will continue on through these amazing individuals,' said USA Rugby Interim CEO, Ross Young, "Having been selected by their peers shows the positive effect they have in their community and I'm excited for them to represent rugby next month.'
Nominations for the Try Maker recognition program were accepted online, and were open to any member of the rugby community living in the one of the nine Bay Area counties or the Greater Sacramento area.
