USA Women’s Rugby Sevens Named for Emirates Sevens Invitational

USA Rugby Release By Aalina Tabani

Head Coach Chris Brown has selected 15-players to attend a competitive training camp in Dubai for the first two weekends of April. At the event, the USA Women’s Sevens will face other senior national teams as part of their ongoing preparation for the Olympic Games Tokyo this July.

Alongside the USA, participating women’s teams include Brazil, Kenya, Canada, Japan, and France. The Emirates Invitational 7s will take place behind closed doors with no spectators in attendance. Tournament organizers have confirmed that a live stream will not be available and any updates will be shared on @USARugby and @Dubai7s social media channels.

Head Coach Brown said:

“It was a tough selection this time around with a number of quality players left out of the 12. Ari has shown some positive steps defensively over the last few weeks which has given us the confidence to give her this opportunity. The ones selected don’t take this responsibility lightly and will represent the whole squad well. Upon return, as a whole, we will continue to challenge and push each other so we progress.

USA Women’s Sevens Roster

PLAYER NAME	POSITION	HSBC TOURNAMENTS
Sui A’au	Prop	uncapped
Lauren Doyle	Flyhalf/Wing	30
Abby Gustaitis (Co-Captain)	Prop/Hooker	12
Nicole Heavirland	Hooker/Scrumhalf	24
Kristi Kirshe	Center/Wing	8
Ilona Maher	Center/prop	12
Jordan Matyas	Prop	13
Alena Olsen	Scrumhalf/Flyhalf	3
Ariana Ramsey	Wing	uncapped
Steph Rovetti	Flyhalf/Wing	6
Naya Tapper	Wing/Prop	21
Kris Thomas (Co-Captain)	Hooker/Center	26

Reserves

PLAYER NAME	POSITION	HSBC TOURNAMENTS
Nia Toliver	Prop/Wing	uncapped
Kasey McCravey	Hooker/Flyhalf	4
Cheta Emba	Prop/Wing	16

USA Women’s Sevens Traveling Staff

USA Women’s Sevens COVID-19 Safety Procedures

USA Women’s Sevens program follows a rigorous testing and quarantine process in accordance with local mandates and stringent protocols from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The program utilizes a robust contact tracing system to identify and minimize any exposure to the virus.

Protocols include:

COVID-19 testing before and after a mandatory 3-day quarantine
Antibody and echo cardiac testing
Periodic testing and mandatory ‘Bubble’ re-entry in the event of travel or uncontrolled community exposure
Daily symptom and temperature checks as mandated by the USOPC and Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center
Additional internal daily wellness checks
Assigned training groups implemented to reduce unnecessary close contact and limit transmission risk
Maintain more than 6 ft distance from all staff
Signed Training Agreement adhering to all safety rules