For love of the game.
FEATURE STORY
Elite Player Mini Camps
The American National Rugby League has scheduled three elite player mini camps for the USA Tomahawks player pool.
The camps, to be held in January and February, will be used to select the national squad for the ‘Battle of St Patrick’s Day’ international against Ireland.
The first camp is set for Sunday, January 23 in Philadelphia, while the two other camps will be held in February in New York City and Jacksonville, Florida. Dates for the NYC and Jacksonville camps have yet to be finalized.
The US has not played Ireland since 2004 when the Tomahawks posted a big 41-10 victory on home soil.
In an email to prospective Tomahawk squad players, AMNRL president David Niu said the main focus of all those who’ve been shortlisted for the mini camps should be on preparing to be selected to represent the USA in competition and help make history by qualifying for the Rugby League World Cup in Europe in 2013.
“Looking forward to the upcoming year of internationals,” said Tomahawks assistant coach Marcus Vassilakopoulos.
“We have a strong player pool again so spots on the squads are going to highly competed for. This being said, in order to make any impression you must be in tip top shape and perform well at your given elite player camp.”
The Atlantic zone qualifying series for the RLWC is scheduled to take place in October.
The Rugby League International Federation has yet to announce where the qualifiers will be played, although the AMNRL’s bid to stage them in Philadelphia is thought to be among the frontrunners.
Tags:
