Zach Haley of Hopkins Selected by USA Rugby to be on National Team to Compete in England

USA Rugby has announced that Zach Haley of Hopkins has been selected to represent the United States in international competition as a member of the USA Rugby High School All-Americans U-17 Team.  Haley, age 15 and a sophomore at Hopkins High School, plays on the Hopkins Royals Rugby Club. 

Haley made his way to the national team through his participation on the Hopkins Royals Rugby Varsity Team, as well as the Minnesota Selects (All-State) U-17 Team.  The Minnesota Selects team participated in a regional competition in Denver, Colorado in June, where Haley was selected to the All Tournament Team.  In Denver, Haley was noticed by USA Rugby All American Head Coach Will (“Salty”) Thompson, who invited Haley to participate in the USA High School All-American training and selection camp in Tempe, Arizona from December 26-31, 2012.  Haley was the only Minnesota rugby player invited to the national camp, and from there was among 28 players selected from a pool of elite athletes to represent the USA.

The USA team consists of players from California, Hawaii, Oregon, Illinois, Washington, Florida, Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Minnesota (Haley), as well as England and Australia.  The team will travel to England from March 24 through April 7 and participate in the Wellington International Festival held at Wellington College, England.  There, they will represent the USA in games against Wales, Belgium, and England South.

In addition to being a top high school rugby player, Haley played this past football season for the Hopkins Royals, where he started as either a linebacker or defensive lineman for the varsity football team.

Haley is excited to wear the USA jersey and to be part of international competition. He credits great coaching from Hopkins coaches Dan Johnson ("DJ") and Thor Bolstad, as well MN Select coach Rob Holder and his assistant coaches.  He also credits former professional rugby player Chalie Baleirara, who worked with Haley in his preparation for the national team try-outs, and his strength and conditioning coach, James Lange.