By Tori Wittenbrock
Sports Reporter
GREEN BAY– This summer, three exceptional young rugby players will be taking their skills to new levels — and new places.
Carolina “Little” Martinez, 15; Cecelia Rose, 16; and James Rose, 17, are all members of Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA), which is a national level select team run by the former U19 National Team coach.
Each of them has been recruited to accompany the team to a tournament hosted in Europe this summer.
Little and Cecelia fly out to Ireland on July 19, and will be there until the 29th. James departs for Spain on June 23.
Little
“I started playing rugby in 2013. I started out in the youth program because my mom saw a flyer and we wanted to try something new,” said Little about how her interest in such a niche sport began.
She currently plays for the Green Bay Banshees, but her trip abroad will be with ERIA.
Little said that because rugby was her mom’s idea, she never harbored any fears about the reputation the sport has for being dangerous… until she transitioned from flag to tackle in middle school.
“I play weak side wing, so that puts me on the outside of the field. Wingers are usually the fast ones,” said Little.
When Little receives the ball, she said that she is typically unmarked and has to get the ball out really fast, doing jukes or kicks along the way.
“Sometimes I’ll play fly-half, which is like the director of the field, so I’ll be given the ball and it is my job to make sure that my backline is set and in position.”
Because rugby is relatively unique in America, Little said that a lot of people are often surprised to hear that she is an avid rugby player.
Despite being extremely excited for this year’s trip abroad, this is not Little’s first time traveling a long distance for her sport.
“Last summer I went to Ireland, and I have been to a few different states for my sport as well. I went to Florida twice, North Carolina twice and then I went to L.A. for a tournament and Arizona for a camp. I am also going to Ohio for a tournament this summer. ”
“I got invited because Wisconsin did a combine and the owner of EIRA, Salty Thompson, scouted me and invited me to play internationally. We will play three games over there against the countries’ best three girls teams.”
“I’m really excited because I know a lot of the girls who are going. I have met them through rugby and other events. I know we are all pretty talented, and we are all there for a reason, so I have a feeling it will go well,” said Little.
Little said the biggest difference when playing an international team comes down to strategy.
“In Ireland, they like to get the ball out quickly and they aren’t really into contact. In our first game last year, some of the parents were scared because we were doing a lot of contact and they weren’t ready for it.”
Little has been preparing for this trip in a lot of different ways to make sure she is ready to play.
“I make sure to go to the gym, I go to every practice, I’ve been doing private training with my coach, BJ Hill, at Synergy. We also have fitness testing that I have to complete every week, and watching film.”
“My mom is very supportive and if there is a day that I really don’t want to go to the gym, she understands and she lets me rest, respecting my boundaries,” said Little.
“My favorite part is helping everybody on the team and directing them, especially the ones who are new to the sport. I also love all of the excitement of it, like when I get to see a big tackle across the field, or when I make a good tackle.”
Little said that she is at the beginning stages of the college recruiting process, but is very excited to see where the next few years take her.
Cecelia
Cecilia got her start playing rugby when she was five years old with the Green Bay youth flag program.
“My parents always encouraged me to play rugby, however, when I reached fifth grade and wanted to play tackle they were kinda hesitant due to my size and age but nevertheless let me play and have had no concerns since.”
“I started traveling outside of Wisconsin my freshman year,” said Cecelia.
“This will be my first time traveling to another country and my first time playing multiple teams from another country. I am expecting and hoping that the competition will be good.”
Cecelia said that this trip has been a long time coming.
“I have been preparing for a trip like this since my high school career started, working out day to day and constantly trying to improve my passing, kicking and mental mindset so I’m ready for anything that happens on the rugby pitch.”
Cecelia said that she believes she would not have had the opportunities she has today if it weren’t for her coaches.
“They constantly drive me to be a better rugby player and a better person, and I would definitely not be the person and rugby player I am today without the support and community that has come from the Green Bay rugby program. My parents have only ever given me support with my dad being the coach of the Green Bay Banshees and the Green Bay Leprechauns and my mom giving her time up to coach the middle school girls and me when no one else wanted to do it. They constantly try as hard as they can to make the opportunities that I have work for me and to which I owe them all my gratitude.”
Rugby has taught her a lot, but Cecelia said that the most important lesson she has learned is “team continuity and trusting your teammates because there is no I in team and every single person on the rugby field is important.”
James
James Rose got his start playing rugby in third grade when his dad introduced him to the sport, which was only flag at the time.
“My parents weren’t worried because at the time (I started) it was only flag, but later on they would be worried. I wouldn’t say that the fact that it’s rugby makes it any different though. They would be just as worried if I were playing football,” said James.
James holds a very important position on the team, with a lot of responsibilities.
“I play fly half or number 10. I control the whole team and it’s kinda like being a quarterback in football if I were to relate it to something,” said James.
James has never traveled out of the country before, but has been out of the state for rugby.
“I don’t currently play any other sports, but I have wrestled and played football in the past,” said James.
“I am going to Spain with EIRA which is an elite select side program that gives kids opportunities to compete at high level tournaments like Spain. I expect that it will be a great two matches between Spain. I expect high level rugby and high level training the days leading up to the games.”
“Well he’s my dad,” said James of his coach’s influence on him. “He makes it better, we talk about things the team needs to work on before practice and I couldn’t ask for a better coach than my dad.”
James said that throughout his rugby career, his parents have always been there for him.
“They are always there for me, they are honest, and I couldn’t do it without them.”
After his experience with rugby, James said that he wants to encourage anyone who is interested to give the sport a try.
“The rugby community is one like no other. Everyone is here to help grow the sport. Rugby is the greatest sport out there and it’s the most fun. You just gotta take that step and try it.”
James’s club team, The Leprechauns, are two time state champs. He also has experience playing on the Badger Selects, coached by Cole Coopman.
James said that rugby is something he intends to go to college for, and to continue to play for the rest of his life.
