Albuquerque Youth Rugby United

Eagle Impact Rugby Academy is a USA Rugby sanctioned national academy with a network of regional territories. The role of the EIRA is simple - to identify and help develop the best young players in the country, both boys and girls.  Top players in the system can play for the High School All Americans, the representative U19 team of the USA for  international competition.  The HSAA team has recently played in France, Argentina and Portugal.

How does the Eagle Impact Academy work?

• The nation is subdivided into regions.  Each region is represented by an EIRA Player Development Coaches and Scouts. The role of these EIRA representatives is to identify and target U15 thru U19 Middle School and High School prospects.
• Eagle Impact Rugby Academy Player Development Coaches will develop regional camps and filter players into the High School All American High Performance Winter Camp.
• Potential EIRA Players can be identified thru game film, coaches recommendations or recruited directly by an EIRA representative. Once a player has been identified, he or she will receive an invite to an EIRA regional camp or clinic.
• Both Camps and Clinics will mirror the High School All American template and provide every athlete the opportunity to be challenged and develop their rugby person.
• Regional testing of academy athletes will be conducted to monitor players against performance standards and prior to a recommendation to the High School All American Selection Camp in December.
• In addition to the strength/conditioning components, rugby skills are a must have at the next level. The local coaches are encouraged to work hand in hand with their academy Player Development Coaches.  This will enhance skill development in the players selected and have a trickle down effect into the already existing rugby structure.

Coach Salty Thompson began his rugby career in Ireland, representing his home province Ulster at the U19 and U23 levels. He attended Loughborough University in England, followed by a playing stint at Nottingham in the England Premier League.
  Coach Thompson has coached under-aged USA teams since 2003 and is currently head coach of the High School All-American Team and for the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy.

Watch for news and updates on future EIRA training events in February (1-day) and May (2-days).