Kenkel Invited to USA Rugby Academy High Performance Training Camp

BEVERLY, Mass.- As both the men's and women's rugby teams continue to grow, so do the skills and opportunities for the coaches and players.  In their third full season as organized clubs, the teams are continuing to make history with the most recent accolades belonging to a senior member of the women's squad.  For senior Sierra Kenkel (Kalispell, Mont.), multiple opportunities have presented themselves recently that have left her and other members of the roster with great hopes for the future of the programs.

Just over a week ago, Kenkel received an email from Martha Daines, the head coach of the USA Women's Rugby Collegiate All-Americans.  The email notified her that she had been nominated by the Women's National Team staff to receive a USA Rugby Scholarship to attend the USAR Academy High Performance Training Camp.  With the scholarship, Kenkel was provided the opportunity to attend the Training Camp at Harvard University this past weekend and receive training from National Team coaching.  Coaches that were present at the camp included Daines, 7's National Team coach Ric Suggitt and USA Men's 15's assistant coach Justin Fitzpatrick, with special instructions also coming from current and former players such as USA Eagle 7's & 15's Emilie Bydwell and Matt Hawkins.

At the Training Camp, Kenkel mentioned that it was very 7's rugby driven.  "We worked on a lot of distribution and ball work," the senior recalled.  "We also scrimmaged each day to try and put together the new skills we learned.  Specifically, we worked on line breaks, setting a teammate up, angle running and many other skills that may sound minor, but are very tactical when it comes to 7's rugby."  One other aspect that was a key focal point of the camp was trust.  "I liked how much Coach Suggit stressed trusting your teammates and working as a unit.  I will definitely be bringing that demeanor back to Endicott," stated Kenkel.

When asked how the experience will help the program, the Montana native was quick to point out that exposure and new drills/skills will only help strengthen the Gulls young program.  "Exposure is always good.  Now more people will know that Endicott is housing a women's rugby program.  We did many drills that I had never done before and I hope to now bring back to Endicott."  She went on to say, "I gained a lot of knowledge and helpful hints towards 'perfecting' both my spin and flat passes.  I am very excited for our spring season, which involves a lot of 7's play.  As we are already a strong 7's team, I hope the new drills will help to provide a little more insight to help us be even more successful.  Watch for us in the NSCRO championship!"

In terms of what now lies ahead, the opportunities seem to keep presenting themselves not only for Kenkel, but also for other teammates.  "There is another camp in June that we are recommended to attend.  Invites for the All-American camp will be sent out towards the end of spring so I am hopeful that I'll receive an invitation to continue to learn about this wonderful game," she stated.  "In March, Nicole Athas (Tyngsboro, Mass.), Samantha Hontas (Lee, Mass.) and I will be traveling to Ireland to go on tour with a select side New England team.  We are thrilled with this opportunity and will enjoy competing on an international scale."