Metropolitan New York
Rugby Football Union Est. 1967
"Come Play the Game"

METNYRFU U19 Players to USA Rugby High Performance Camp

             Seven METNY U19 players have been invited to the USAR high performance camp in Arizona, December 25 to December 31, 2006.  This camp is the last selection round prior to the naming of the USA U17 and U19 teams for 2007.  Jeff Fell (Long Island Colts) and Joe Brady (Union County [NJ] U19) are trying to make the U17 team. In consideration for the U19 team are Ben Atkinson (The Harvey School), Alex Chivers (Morris Lions), Ken Stern (Greenwich HS) and JT Sheehan and Tyler Maccubbin (Union County U19).

            Jeff Fell is in his third year of rugby for Long Island. Jeff plays second row and prop for his club and played second row on the 2006 METNY RFU U19 team. Jeff says “my inspiration when I play rugby is my Dad, William Fell, who played many years for the Marine National Team as captain and toured England with the Combined Services team. I hope one day I can be as good as my Dad was. I hope to continue rugby throughout my life into college and beyond.”

            Joe Brady has been playing rugby for five years, four years of flag and one of tackle.  Joe plays prop and started on the A-side for Union even though he was only 14 years old.  Joe also plays football, wrestles, and throws the shot put for his high school.  Joe is another player whose father played rugby and passed his love of the game on.

            Ben Atkinson is a senior at Harvey and plays in the back row.  Ben played for the 2006 METNY U19 team.  This is Ben’s second trip to the USA high performance camp.

            Alex Chivers played second row for his club and the 2006 METNY U19 team.  Alex was unknown to selectors until last year.  His 6’5” size and great lineout work impressed the USA selectors.

            Ken Stern plays wing and was on the 2006 METNY U19 team. Ken attended the prestigious Cal Berkley Camp prior to the USA Developmental Camp last summer.

JT Sheehan, a senior in high school, plays prop and was on the METNY U19 team in 2005 and 2006.  This is JT’s second invitation to the USA high performance camp.  In 2005, he missed the camp after injuring his knee playing football for his high school.  JT is a three year starter for the Union U19 team and also has played varsity football for three years.  At 6’3” and 245lbs, JT is an impressive U19 player.

Tyler Maccubbin has played rugby for five years and is currently playing for James Madison University where he plays fly-half and fullback.  Tyler played fullback for the Union U19 team and the 2005 and 2006 METNY U19s.  In addition to his invitation to the USA high performance camp, Tyler was named to the 2006 Virginia Rugby Union college all-star team as a freshman.