1981 ->: Early History of  US National Sevens Rugby Teams

Table of Contents

Emil Signes

JANUARY 9, 2016
(rev. 3/01/2016  09:10)

- Things to do on this file as of 2/8/16  23:10
- just keep up to date as specific sections are created and data entry begun -

Table of Contents

It was recently brought to my attention that, as our beloved sevens game has become an Olympic sport after many years of the World Series of Sevens, the early pioneers of sevens in the US could well fade into the background. The difficulties we faced, even the occasional ridicule of sevens as a worthy game, will be forgotten. It is my hope to shed some light on those early years, as they deserve to be celebrated. It is my intention in this article to present, for posterity, the early history of the US's participation in international sevens rugby beginning with our first-ever national sevens team, the 1981 Eagles. 

The approach will be chronological, with a brief introduction incorporating the history of sevens prior to 1981.  The eras covered will be as follows; click on each picture to get to the specific era.

1. 1981-1985: US International Sevens Begins

The Hong Kong Only Years

Eagles Parade in Hong Kong 1984
1984-03 US parade in HK-1000w.jpg
The Eagles march past the huge crowd at Hong Kong Government Stadium, 1984
click on the picture to go to the write-up

2. 1986-1993: International Sevens Expands

Through the first Rugby World Cup Sevens

Hong kong Plate picture in South China Morning Post
1988-0328 Eagles win HK Plate in HK Paper-1500w.jpg
Eagles Win 1988 Hong Kong Plate Championship
click on the picture to go to the write-up


3. 1993-1999 From the World Cup to the World Series (men)

(meanwhile ... International Women's Sevens Begins)

1997 March past RWC Hong Kong
1997-RWC 7s-Eagles-parade.jpg
Eagles in "march past" - 1997 Rugby World Cup - Hong Kong
click on the picture to go to the write-up

4. 1997-2002: International Women's Sevens Begins:

 Through the first mention of the "Big O"


2002 Announcement from Jamie Scott
2002 HKW Jamie Scott pgm-900w.jpg
From the 2002 Hong Kong Womens's Program:
" ... with the Board's stated aim of including both Men's and Women's rugby as a competition sport in the Olympic Games."
click on the picture to go to the write-up

5. 1999-2009: International Men's World Series

Till Just Before the First Combined (Men & Women) World Cup

US MEn at Hong kong 2007 after beating France
2007-03 Eagles at HK after France win-1400w.jpg
2007: Eagle Men in Hong Kong after defeating France
click on the picture to go to the write-up

6. 2003-2009: International Women's Sevens Expands:

Till Just Before the First Combined (Men & Women) World Cup

US Women get 2008 HK trophy at banquest
2008-03 USW receive trophy at banquet.jpg
Eagles get 2008 Hong Kong Champions Trophy
Captain Christy Ringgenberg receives trophy from Ruth Mitchell (L) and Natalie Gallagher (R) of Hong Kong Rugby Union
Standing, L to R: Jenn Starkey, Alison Price, Tyshawn Henry, Ines Rodriguez, Amy Daniels, Teena Mastrangelo, Ellie Karvoski, Kelly White, Pam Kosanke
click on the picture to go to the write-up


-- 7. (proposed) [2008 Qualifying Tournament & 2009 World Cup: try to have a combined men and women story] --

-- 8. (proposed) [2009 to 2015 men - Men's Series continued to NC] --

-- 9. (proposed) [2009 to 2015 women - start of Women's World Series - to NC] --

-- 10. (proposed) [2015 both men and women qualify - Cary NC story] --

Table of Contents, One-Line Version

1. 1981-1985: US International Sevens Begins. The Hong Kong Sevens Only Years. (and a little pre-history)
2. 1986-1993: International Sevens Expands. Other Venues. The 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens.
3. 1993-1999: International Men's Sevens Builds towards World Series. International Sevens in the Works
4. 1997-2002: International Women's Sevens Begins. Through the first mention of the Big "O"
5. 1999-2009: International Men's World Series. Up to the (Men and Women) World Cup
6. 2003-2009: International Women's Sevens Expands. Up to the M+W 2009 World Cup
-- 7. 2008-2009 RWC M&W --
-- 8. 2009-2015: Men's World Series (cont.) to Cary, NC Olympic Qualifier --
-- 9. 2009-2015 Women --
-- 10. 2015 Olympic Qualification M&W --

(- and more? -)
END --


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0. TOC
1. 1981-1985 Men
2. 1986-1993 Men
3. 1993-1999 Men
4. 1997-2002 Women
5. 1999-2009 Men
6. 2003-2009 Women
7. 2008-2009 RWC 7 - Men & Women
8. 2009-2015 Men
9. 2009-2015 Women
10. 2015 Olympic Qualification - Men & Women
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