Women’s Falcons set roster for Hokkaido Governor’s Cup - Rugby Wrap Up Women’s Falcons set roster for Hokkaido Governor’s Cup

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Women’s Falcons set roster for Hokkaido Governor’s Cup
Developmental women’s sevens team to play two-day tournament in Japan

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 — respectively — 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
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 • Won Club 7s National Championships
Allison Gallagher	Scion Rugby
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
Neariah Persinger	USA Women’s Sevens Residency	• Senior Women’s Sevens player • Returning Women’s Falcon
Shamira Robles	New York Rugby	• 2018 Women’s Collegiate All-American (7s)
Paige Stathopoulos	Boston Rugby