Matt Hawkins back from injury

The men’s Sevens team will assemble this week at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center (OTC) in California, as it prepares for the first Sevens World Series events of the season in Dubai, UAE, December 4-5, and George, South Africa on December 11-12.

A portion of the squad met at the OTC on Wednesday with the others joining the assembly following the Rugby World Cup Qualifier.

The entire player pool will train for a few more days before flying to Dubai on Thanksgiving Day.

“We will narrow down our player pool from 21 to 12 the day before Thanksgiving. We will select a team that will compete not only in Dubai and George, but throughout the entire season,” Coach Al Caravelli said.

“Right now, even at this early stage, this is the best overall camp we have ever had before Dubai.”

The squad has several newcomers to this assembly including 19-year-old Tyler Spitz, Nick Edwards and Andrew Suniula.

Others who earned their way into the squad by shining at the September assembly are Mile Pulu, Suli Holani, Dimitri Efthimiou, Clint Whittler, Peter Sio and Ata Malifa.

Back from injury are the welcomed additions of Mark Bokhoven, Matt Hawkins and Shalom Suniula.

Sevens player pool includes:
Cory Blair (Belmont Shore)*
Mark Bokhoven (Denver Barbarians)
Nick Edwards (NYAC)
Dimitri Efthimou (Mystic River)
Tai Enosa (Tempe)
Matt Hawkins (Belmont Shore)
Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore)
Nese Malifa (Belmont Shore)*
Suli Nahaou Unaloto (Bay Barbarians)
Jone Naqica (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Leonard Peters (Aspen)
Mile Pulu (San Francisco Golden Gate)
Trevor Richards (Nebraska)
Volney Rouse (San Francisco Golden Gate)*
Peter Sio (Belmont Shore)
Tyler Spitz (Undetermined)
Andrew Suniula (Pearl City)
Shalom Suniula (Pearl City)
Kevin Swiryn (OPSB)*
Clint Whittler (Belmont Shore)
Kevin Wiggins (Wilmington)

*joining the assembly after the RWCQ