USA Rugby High Performance (HP) and USA Youth & High School have opened the application window for the 2024-2025 pathway program for American high school-aged players.
‘The National High School Pathway’ is designed to identify, select, and help develop a large pool of aspiring U15-U18 players nationwide. Through 2025 the program will ramp-up, selecting and annually enrolling 375+ boys and girls ages 15-18.
Made possible by a collaboration with USA Youth and High School Rugby, the program includes coordinated player identification programs, regional and national development assemblies – and a novel ‘virtual academy.’
The virtual academy has been developed by 6 Degree founders, Mick Byrne, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner with New Zealand, and current Fiji Head Coach, and; Nick Leah whose experience includes Super Rugby & Super Rugby Academy, the Japan’s Kubota Spears and the Australia men’s 7s. This program offers a digital Web-based 'train-in-place' curriculum tailored to enhance players' physical preparation, game understanding and essential skills, towards higher national standards.
Application to the USA Rugby HPs National High School Pathway and virtual academy is free to players selected.
"We are committed to increase our visibility into the emerging talent across American high school rugby," said Tamara Sheppard, USA Rugby General Manager of High Performance, "This initiative will improve player access to USA Rugby High Performance on a wider and ongoing basis, and drive sustained, skill-based development into younger age groups in every pocket of the country.”
Completing the initial application form will engage interested boys and girls players in a community of aspiring rugby athletes.
Over a period of time, a series of talent identification processes, including: player profiles, 3rd party recommendations, fitness and skill assessments, film reviews and talent identification assemblies will narrow the applicant pool into the virtual academy for U15, U16, U17 and U18 cohorts.
The application process is the first step. Players who apply are not automatically ‘selected’ for the HS Pathway, but instead are enrolled to begin the process of progressive evaluation, over several months, generally:
Stage 2 (Oct/Nov): Screening
- Coach recommendations
- Player self-assessments
- Fitness scoring
- Sports CV submissions
- Regional talent ID camps
Stage 3 (Nov/Dec): Evaluation
- Teacher recommendations
- Film reviews
- Player interviews
- Regional talent ID camps
Stage 4 (December): Selection
- USA HP short-listing
- Coach evaluation
- Film reviews
Interested USA-eligible boys and girls rugby players – born anytime in 2007, 2008, 2009 or 2010 may initiate their application here:
USA Youth & High School Rugby is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, an affiliate of USA Rugby, and the Sanctioned Governing Body for all youth rugby in the United States. Catered towards players aged 5-18, USA Youth & High School Rugby’s key initiatives are to: provide a fun and safe environment for the advancement of rugby in the United States, develop well-rounded rugby community members both on and off the pitch, and be the conduit to connect the game at all levels to promote a lifelong love of the sport of rugby. For more information visit: usayhs.rugby
6Degree Co-Founders (Mick Byrne, Rod Kafer and Nick Leah) have been at the heart of Rugby Innovation, culture & success for well over 30 years. The Platform’s bricks and mortar is derived from this experience across all 6 Pillarsof Individual & Team Development. Specifically, it’s designed to place this knowledge & education in the hands of all participants, to ensure that motivation for participation is maximized & no player must endure a poor coaching session again!
