Women's Falcons set roster for Hokkaido Governor's Cup
CHULA VISTA, CA. – 12 Women’s Falcons have been selected to participate in the developmental Hokkaido Governor’s Cup tournament taking place in Japan Sept 22-24 (based on Eastern time).
The competition — which includes 12 sevens teams — will allow emerging USA women’s players to gain valuable playing time ahead of selections for the opening round of the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series 2019 at the senior level.
Drawn in pool A, the USA will face teams from New Zealand, Diana and the Cook Islands. Australia, rival-Canada, Ireland and Japan will also bring teams to the Hokkaido event, with pool play taking up Day One and knockout rounds beginning on Day Two.
In total, six members of the Falcons’ squad come from the Women’s Sevens residency program with the remaining six having displayed an exemplary performance at the Club 7s National Championships or National Academy Tournaments.
Led by Chicago Lions Head Coach Dave Clancy, the team brings two senior women’s players with Neariah Persinger and Megan Foster both making the cut.
Persinger made her World Series debut in Kitakyushu last season while Foster last helped the Women’s Sevens claim silver at the 2018 Dubai Sevens tournament. Both also have considerable developmental and senior club experience with Persinger having competed in several Falcons competitions to date and Foster recently winning the Club 7s National Championships with the San Diego Surfers.
Life West Gladiatrix Nikki Kenyon earned a selection, as well, after winning Bronze at the aforementioned Club 7s Championships. Kenyon and returning Falcons Ashlee Byrge, Dani McDonald and Kasey McCravey will also feature in the Hokkaido tournament.
USA Rugby General Manager for Women’s High Performance Emilie Bydwell said: “The Governor’s Cup tournament gives us an excellent opportunity to send a talented, young Falcons team to compete prior to the World Series kicking off in October in Denver. The residents in this group are developing well but they need an opportunity to test all they have learned in a World Series environment. The competition will give the other seven players a taste of what the jump to international 7s looks like and show national team staff that they have the attributes to make them competitive in the World Series.”
The Women’s Falcons will kickoff the tournament on Saturday, Sep 22 at 9:22 PM ET against Diana. The Cook Islands will follow next with pool rounds closing out against New Zealand. Through the tournament, fans can stay tuned for updates by following @USARugby on Twitter.
| Player | Club | Rugby Resume Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda Berta | USA Women’s Sevens Residency | • 2017 D1 Elite National Champion with Penn State |
| Ashlee Byrge | USA Women’s Sevens Residency | • Returning Women’s Falcon • Part of Army World Class Athlete Program |
| Megan Foster | San Diego Surfers |
• Senior Women’s Sevens player |
| Allison Gallagher | Scion Rugby | • Won 2018 Club 7s National Championship Silver • Named to 2018 Club 7s National Championships Dream Team • NSCRO All-Star 7s Gold Medalist and Championship MVP |
| Nikki Kenyon | USA Women’s Sevens Residency | • Won Club 7s National Championships Bronze with Life West |
| Kristi Kirshe | Boston Rugby | • Named to the National Academy Tournament Dream Team by Northeast Rugby |
| Kasey McCravey | USA Women’s Sevens Residency | • Returning Women’s Falcon |
| Dani Mcdonald | USA Women’s Sevens Residency | • Returning Women’s Falcon |
| Jade McGrath | Scion Rugby | • Won 2018 Club 7s National Championship Silver |
| Neariah Persinger | USA Women’s Sevens Residency | • Senior Women’s Sevens player • Returning Women’s Falcon • Named to 2018 Club 7s National Championships Dream Team |
| Shamira Robles | New York Rugby | • 2018 Women’s Collegiate All-American (7s) • Named to 2018 Club 7s National Championships Dream Team |
| Paige Stathopoulos | Boston Rugby | • Named to 2018 Club 7s National Championships Dream Team |
Women’s Falcons Staff
Head Coach | Dave Clancy
Athletic Trainer | Sarah Leslie
Team Manager | Josie Ziluca
Women’s Falcons Schedule
vs Diana
Sat, Sep 22 | 9:22 PM ET
vs Cook Islands
Sat, Sep 22 | 11:20 PM ET
vs New Zealand
Sun, Sep 23 | 12:56 AM ET
Knockout rounds begin Sun, Sep 23 at 8 PM
*Schedule subject to change.
