Graphic courtesy @optimus_rugby Instagram Optimus will represent the South at the USA Club 7s National Championship, which occurs August 14-15 in Tukwila, Wash. The Atlanta-area team has featured in the men’s competition at previous nationals – this year included – but the 2021 tournament will mark the first appearance for the women under the Optimus banner.
Optimus draws its players from Life University and the Atlanta Harlequins primarily, so in that regard, the team will be similar to previous Atlanta teams that have competed at nationals in the past. New, however, is Alex Houser, who shares coaching duties with Optimus founder Ronn Umondi, a friend and former opponent. Houser returned home to Georgia at the end of last summer, having spent five years in San Francisco, where he also coached the Life West women during the 7s season.
The men and women train together, and the group returned to the pitch in June. Numbers were strong from the outset, but fluctuate, as is the case with club rugby. Houser noted one day when approximately 50 people showed up to training, but most days see 20-30 players boot up. When the squads do break out, Umondi takes the lead with the men and Houser supports him, and vice versa with the women’s team.
“We have a very young team,” Houser said of the women. “The oldest ladies are probably 26. Half of the 7s team is probably in that mid-20s range, and the other half is a year on either side of 20.”
That youth speaks to the presence of Running Eagles, who played a full DI Elite 15s season this spring and then followed with the CRC 7s on Memorial Day Weekend. The club players, however, haven’t competed since the 2019 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season.
“It’s a great dynamic,” Houser said. “I call them ‘senior players’ even though they’re in their mid-20s – but they make it easy for me as a coach because they drive the standard at training. We’ve got ladies who are very capable leaders and it’s been really good for them to connect with the younger ladies and take on the pressure of leadership, per se. The younger players can focus on expressing their athletic ability and grasping some concepts that might be different from what they’re used to.”
After watching the Olympics, Houser decided to follow the trend of co-captains seen with many of the women’s teams.
“It’s more of a collaborative leadership approach, so that what I wanted to try and create, and to give an opportunity to everyone to show their leadership qualities,” the coach said.
Houser looked to Cyndi Campbell to lead the attack, and gains support from Darian Lovelace. Corinne Heavner focuses on defense, and Shamira Robles supports the fellow New Yorker in that cause. When it comes to fire and energy, Gabi Bergamin is the go-to.
“It’s about leveraging strengths and providing opportunities, but also streamlining communication,” Houser said. “In 7s, communication needs to be given very clearly and it has to be accepted, because there’s no time to chat about it. So we’ve worked a lot helping the ladies enhance their communication – whether it be delivering it in a clear manner or being accepting of it and taking action.”
Houser pointed to DI Elite All-Americans Su Adegoke and Adrionna Duncan for confident play out of the younger group. The two collegians are also joined by Brooklyn Vaifanua, who impressed during the 15s season until injury halted her spring.
“The one person that I’ve been really impressed with from the younger contingent is Sydnee [Cervinski],” Houser said of the Life University flyhalf who graduated this spring. “She has a great skill set and reads the game really well. She’s somebody who has blossomed throughout the summer as she’s gotten more comfortable. I’ve been really impressed with that.
Cervinski with Adegoke in support / Photo: Todd Lunow “It’s a fantastic group from my perspective,” the coach surveyed. “They’re very ambitious. They’ve all come in some shape or fashion through [Life and Harlequins] coach Ros [Chou] and so they have good skill sets and understanding of the game. They come to practice, are enthusiastic and work hard. They seem eager to be coached, which shows they want to learn and grow and challenge themselves. From that perspective, they’re hungry to compete.”
Unfortunately Optimus has had only one opportunity to play against other teams – a more social tournament in Mobile, Ala.
“If there is, I don’t know of it,” Houser said of whether the players are anxious over the lack of game time. “I think they’ve handled the fact that this summer is unique really well. And we’ve tried our best to replicate the pressure you’d face against other teams, like running opposed stuff – non-contact – against the men’s side in training.”
The majority of the team for nationals has been selected, with a couple final decisions pending. The format, pools and schedule have not yet been released, and Houser indicated that the players, too, aren’t bothered by the unknowns ahead.
“Unfortunately it’s a reality of club rugby in the USA,” Houser said. “There is always this kind of ambiguity. From my observation and from what I’ve heard, it’s amplified here in the South and even more so in the women’s game sometimes. They take everything in stride and seem to be handling it well, and ultimately we’ll find out how well at nationals.”
For more information, visit www.usaclub7s.com.
